Okay Geek Farm
T3ch H3lp's Essential iPad Apps Collection
Ricardo Trejo
Apps, apps, and more apps - that’s what the iPad is all about. Surfing the internet has always been about websites and using their services, however now with the iPad it’s always more convenient when a site has an iPad app, that can give you all the info you need that is both enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing… oh and let’s not forget, practical.
So we’ve rounded up the top 19 iPad apps — everything from games, entertainment, news, and utilities — not in an attempt to make an “end all list”, but rather to give you a good idea of what some of the best apps you can find on the apple app store. We’ve also tried to keep the list as frugal as possible, so only a handful are necessary to be purchased.
News
BBC News (Free)
The world is a big place, so it’s hard to fit all the headlines on a single sheet of newspaper. BBC News can get you up to speed on what’s happening in every which place of the world you want to know about. Stay informed.
iTunes / Download
Huffington Post (Free)
Round the clock news and opinionated columns that pertain from everything from politics to the latest gossip in Hollywood, including guest articles from well known actors, such as Alec Baldwin and Rain Wilson, just to name a few.
iTunes / Download
USA Today (Free)
Just the latest bare bones news stories making the rounds; more facts than opinions, but it’s all you need when you wake up in the morning and need something to read while drinking your cup of joe. Oh yeah, did I mention playable CrossWord puzzles?
iTunes / Download
Entertainment & Leisure
Discover (Free)
Ever wonder what it would be like to experience Wikipedia as if you were reading a magazine? Well, with Discover for iPad, now you can! Learn a couple of gesture swipes and you’ll be reading Wiki entries as if you were holding paper and binding in your hands.
iTunes / Download
Sportscenter XL (Free)
Sports scores and the latest in the world of sports, ESPN’s Sportscenter XL has everything for the ultimate fan; upcoming scheduled matches, favorite your team and follow them along their season through custom news, their scheduled matches, and their latest scores.
iTunes / Download
Netflix (Free - must have paid subscription)
If you have a Netflix account than streaming movies and tv shows from the service has never been easier. Install the app, sign in, and boom - you can now manage your Queue or start streaming instantly in your hands. Picture quality is solely dependent on your WiFi connection.
iTunes / Download
Pandora (Free)
Finding new tunes to jam out to can be a hassle when scanning the radio, thankfully we have the Music Genome Project and its service, Pandora now available on the iPad for everyone to use. Create stations, tag songs, or buy songs on the spot with iTunes.
iTunes / Download
Twitter (Free)
Tweeting or simply checking your twitter feed hasn’t looked this good since TweetDeck, but Twitter’s own native app is so much better implemented - not to mention less buggy. Never have I seen an app this beautifully crafted.
iTunes / Download
Games
Scrabble ($4.99)
It’s the same old game we’ve been playing for years, but now it’s a little bit more interesting now that you can challenge random players around the world, as well as go up against Facebook friends. And if you want to play locally, use the pass-and-play feature to prevent cheating and have up to 4 players in the game.
iTunes / Download
GodFinger All-Stars (Free)
Have a God complex or an obsessive need to be worshiped by a group of inferior beings? Well, then the game GodFinger is for you! While simplistic, it’s a fun and rich experience being able to put to work little people with the point of your finger. You can also share your world with other players, and enchant their followers to gain added gold for yourself.
iTunes / Download
Plants vs. Zombies HD ($9.99)
Popcap never seems to disappoint, and in the iPad version of their fan-favorite title, Plants vs. Zombies HD, their same excellent style of game development continues. Protect yourself from the zombie outbreak by planting different types of plants and shrubbery; guarding the neighborhood in 50 campaign levels, using multitouch controls, unlocking survival mode and mini-games along the way.
iTunes / Download
Productivity
Plaintext (Free)
A simple text editor without all the riff raff that comes along with even the native iPad Notes app. Using an uncomplicated, tried and true style of a paper notebook, Plaintext doesn’t distract or deviate from what you’re trying to do, which is write down what you’re thinking. It also hosts syncing with dropbox.com
iTunes / Download
Adobe Ideas (Free)
Ideas is a simple app for the user who needs to quickly jot down or sketch up their thoughts. The way I see it, it’s not meant to be anything more than a simple way to add notations on PDFs or photos you have already saved on your device, which can then be shared with others via email.
iTunes / Download
Sketchbook Pro ($7.99)
Are you artistically inclined? Know how to use digital technology to create priceless pieces of art? If so, then there’s no reason you shouldn’t already own Sketchbook Pro. With advanced features such as layers, multiple undo/redo levels, and 75 brush presets, there’s no end to how many ideas you can paint to life while you’re on the go.
iTunes / Download
Utilities
Jumbo Calculator (Free)
Since the iPad can’t be put into a pocket as easily as an iPhone, I assume Apple didn’t figure a native calculator app was essential for users. However, you’ll be surprised how often you’re going to want to crunch numbers once you’re already using your Apple tablet instead of picking up your iPhone across the room. Plus, the big buttons look pretty sweet!
iTunes / Download
WiFiTouch HD (Free - $2.99)
This useful little app allows you to use your iPad as a remote, wireless mouse and keyboard. This works the best when you’re sitting on your couch and using an HDTV as a monitor and doing a HTC setup. The full version allows multi-touch for gesture based controls; such as pinch zoom in and zoom out without having to use the scroll buttons on webpages.
iTunes / Download
Nightstand Central (Free - $2.99)
The best clock / alarm app I’ve found yet for the iPad. Not only do you get a stylish flip clock with alarm options, but you also get a quick look at how the weather’s looking like outside with some awesome preloaded wallpapers. If you opt for the full version at $2.99 you can use your own photos, as well as music alarms.
iTunes / Download
CloudReaders (Free)
Read eBooks in PDF format? Or are you a comicbook reader with CBZ or CBR files? Well, your iPad can now become your new favorite place to read your literary collection. Install the app, then access it through iTunes and browse which files you want to add to your bookshelf within Cloudreaders.
iTunes / Download
Extra’s
AppShopper (Free)
These 20 apps I’ve recommended are just the tip of the iceberg. Appshopper can help you find out the best apps out there faster than even Apple’s own search function. Browse through price, category, and popularity. Not to mention they also list which apps have gotten price reductions and which are free for a limited time only.
iTunes / Download
