In Depth: Top 20 best iPad apps: "
The iPad has arrived, in the US at least – and that means deciding which apps you should purchase and download right away.
We tested the launch apps and we've ranked them based on how they test out, if they make use of the larger screen, and any added perks.
1. Kindle for iPad
Why list a free e-book reader as the top pick when Apple's own iBook is included? Ask anyone who owns a Kindle – with this free app, you can download every book and magazine you have ever purchased for free and read them on the iPad.
The Kindle reader doesn't have the annoying grayscale book spine of the iBook reader, and books through Amazon are cheaper. There's also a much wider selection. And, one of the best ways to use the iPad is for reading books, mags, and newspapers.
2. Blackboard Mobile Learn
The second free app that tops our list, Blackboard Mobile Learn is a classroom learning tool where teachers can make assignments, interact with students, write blogs, and post grades. It requires a backend infrastructure. Currently available only for higher-ed schools, Blackboard will add K-12 support by June.
3. Scrabble
Scrabble is another app that is just an ideal fit for the iPad. The classic word-cross board game is well-designed with wooden tiles that look realistic. With the accurate touchscreen control, it is easy to slide tiles around on screen.
4. Groovemaker
Groovemaker is like having a DJ on your iPad. There's an easy to way to record and mix loops, add drum parts, and adjust sound levels to make a song. Samples clips sound great, especially on earbuds. The app is ideal for live music at parties as well.
5. Things
We know all about Things – the well-regarded task manager for iPhone and Mac. On the iPad, once again the app just has a new life because it's like carrying around a clipboard with all your to-do items in one easy-to-access bucket.
6. Fieldrunners
Fieldrunners – the classic tower defense game for iPhone where you drop cannons to shoot advancing armies – has always needed some extra screen real estate. On iPad, the game looks crisp and colorful, but most importantly there is more room to plan out your strategy and divide up your units in a logical array.
7. Netflix
Netflix is on so many devices it is becoming a legitimate standard for streaming movies over the internet. (It's on the Roku player, Samsung BD-C6500 Blu-Ray player, and many others.) Now, it is on the iPad, and it works: you can even set up a movie queue and search for films and shows, unlike other embedded devices that force you to add instant movies to your queue on your PC only.
8. Pianist Pro
MooCowMusic got an early jump with its iPhone port of this useful piano tool. On the iPad, the keys are large enough to actually play a real song. There's plenty of sampled piano sounds – even a church organ – and a quick way to record.
9. WeatherBug Elite
WeatherBug Elite is a perfect example of why the iPad is changing computing: it shows a well-detailed map of your exact location, forecasts, video, and even camera feeds from your area. There are even contour maps for wind speed and temp.
10. FlightTrack Pro
This iPhone port works exceptionally well on the iPad, mostly because you can see a large map that shows your flight departure and arrival. Pop-ups after you enter the flight info remind you about when the flight is ready to take off.
11. Pages
Apple knew full well that Microsoft would not move an inch to support the iPad, so Pages is the best (and only!) word processing app. Combined with the iPad Dock with an Apple Bluetooth keyboard, it is possible to do real work on the iPad, even if Pages lacks some key features – such as HTML mark-up support.
12. Tweetdeck
Another brilliant port to iPad, Tweetdeck shows you the feeds of your Twitter friends, your own mentions, and your direct messages. It works well because there is enough screen space to actually read all of this content.
13. Keynote
Keynote is worth the price of admission if only because you can set up an attractive slideshow – using Apple's templates and stock artwork – and run it on the iPad's crisp screen – which is viewable from side angles during a meeting.
14. Mirror's Edge
The PC and console versions of Mirror's Edge never really caught on due to minimalistic gameplay mechanics. On the iPad, the story is still confusing (is she running from enemies, trying to collect info about them?) but the action is better. You flick and jump to avoid obstacles in a side-scrolling window, and there's a few interesting additions – such as tilting the screen to run faster.
15. ABC Player
The ABC Player on the iPad is a must download – it provides the best way to watch TV shows from the US network for free. Most importantly, it works quite well over a Wi-Fi connection without some of the latency problems on the desktop.
16. Labyrinth Lite HD
More than just a simple wood-block puzzle where you move a marble from one end of the box to another, Labyrinth Lite HD has expanded to provide a tougher challenge with switches, rotating dials, and other obstacles. The iPad version is just right: it really feels like you are playing the classic puzzle game.
17. Yahoo! Entertainment
We were surprised to discover this colorful, well-designed app – which shows you TV listings for your area as well as video snippets and news.
18. SketchBook Pro
We're big fans of SketchBook on the iPhone, and this high-def version just makes it even easier to sketch out an artistic image. The tools are amazingly advanced, mirroring what you might see in Photoshop or in a real artist's shop.
19. OmniGraffle
OmniGraffle has never quite fit a device like it fits the iPad. This diagramming tool – which you can use to create flowcharts, sketch out ideas, and even plan an office floorplan – is just pick-up-and-go easy on the smooth touchscreen.
20. AIM
AOL still exists? Yes – in theory. On the iPad, this instant messaging client looks great and, coupled with the responsive soft keyboard, is actually one of the best ways to communicate with friends, short of a video chat in a future iPad version.
Four iPad apps we didn't include
You might wonder – why did we not include a few notable apps? Here are some of the near-misses and omissions along with why they did not make the list.
1. The Elements
This is an interesting app that points to some future innovations – think doctors who look up health charts and show you videos of your torn ligaments. The Elements shows you a rotating image of periodic table elements and a wealth of info culled out of Wolfram Alpha, but it's mostly smoke and mirrors. There's a lot of info, but it is not that interactive.
2. Adobe Ideas
Adobe's first try at an iPad app is essentially a sketchpad that does not do nearly as much as Sketchpad Pro. It's really one of the poorest apps on the iPad.
3. Touchgrind HD
Touchgrind is great on the iPhone, but for some reason the game feels underpowered and simplistic on the larger iPad, especially when games should be a vast improvement over any of the smartphone options.
4. LogMeIn Ignition
LogMeIn is a handy way to tap into your PC or Mac remotely. Unfortunately, for a jaw-dropping 20 pounds, and buggy operation, the app just doesn't make the cut.
Five iPad apps we want to see
Compared to the 150,000 apps available for the iPhone, the iPad has a long way to go. Here are some ideas for apps we want on the device – sooner rather than later.
1. Drum machine
Imagine tapping on a realistic-sounding drum kit – with a way to easily repeat the bass rum or cymbals and record loops, then export them. Looptastic HD offers some basic loop creation tools, but we're hoping for a full drum set rendition.
2. Hulu or Boxee player
The ABC player is great, and Netflix works well for movies, but we'd prefer a player that aggregates content from many sources and lets you access them easily.
3. Music recording
The iPhone has plenty of apps for recording music, but the larger screen on the iPad and slick portability means this device could become a musicians best accomplice.
4. Role-playing games
Otto Matic is one early example of a top-down game – but we'd like Sony and others to get on board with some robust role-playing games, or even Final Fantasy, with brilliant graphics, sound, and a deep storyline – with CGI cutscenes, please.
5. Social networking
At present, the iPad is a bit light on social networking apps, such as a true Facebook client and one for LinkedIn. If these companies can somehow integrate with email and the photo app we'd be extremely pleased and impressed.
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