Your iPad decisions do n’t stop once you ’ve make up on either the3 G iPador the Wi - Fi - only modeling . There ’s also the not - insignificant query of what apps deserve a place on your brand new mobile twist .
App developer have n’t made that the decision easy for you . The routine of alternative in the App Store continues to go up upward , with developers now producing apps optimized to take vantage of the iPad ’s feature . in short after the iPad ’s launching , Apple tell that there were 3,500 iPad - optimized offer in the App Store , and that number has only grown between then and now .
But not to worry . Over the preceding month , we ’ve kept a close eye on the iPad - centric add-on to the App Store — both iPhone apps updated specifically to add together iPad features or standalone offer designed exclusively for use on Apple ’s newfangled gimmick . We research across a wide spectrum of categories , from apps that help you get things done to offerings that keep you think about . We paid extra care to apps that took advantage of the iPad ’s unique features , most notably its talkative filmdom real estate .
The end result ? A list of apps that we think are essential additions to any iPad . And after you ’ve had a fortune to look through our list over the next few days , we recollect you ’ll fit .
In this instalment , we ’re focusing on paid apps—11 great applications in all . We ’ll follow - up in part two with a list of essential iPad apps that wo n’t be you a dime bag to download . Then , we ’ll close out the week with a specific focal point on iPad games . have ’s get things depart .
1Password for iPad
1Password , which stores online word and other sensitive info , is a capital addition to any Mac . The $ 7 iPad version fromAgile Web Solutionsis a worthwhile extension , sync with your calculator to permit you take all that data with you — securely . As with the iPhone version , you may use the iPad app ’s build up - in internet browser to sign in to secure Websites , or you may prefer for a handy Safari bookmarker that automatically switch to 1Password , find the matching login info , and lets you interchange back to Safari with the necessary parole quick for pasting . But while the iPhone ’s pocket-sized blind makes browsing your confidential datum less than idealistic , the iPad version ’s aboriginal interface is star — perhaps better even than the version for Mac . ( The $ 15 version—1Password Pro — is a intercrossed app that brings this functionality toallof Apple ’s nomadic handhelds at once.)—Dan Frakes
Air Video
Even with the highest capacity iPad , chances are you ca n’t charge too much video recording into those 64 GB of storage before you start hunt down low on space . Would n’t it be great if you could just stream all those video files from your home Mac ’s capacious hard drive ? Air Video fromInMethodlets you do exactly that . Install its server software on your Mac , inscribe the Server PIN in the $ 3 iPad app , and you ’re ready to rock . ( The hybrid app also works with the iPhone and iPod jot . ) It does n’t weigh what data format the original telecasting is in : AirVideo can transcode it into an iPad - compatible file on the fly — or , if you prefer , you’re able to queue a bunch of video to be converted ahead of metre . you’re able to even choose which bitrates Air Video will practice inside the software program to optimise for slow connections , such as 3G.—Dan Moren
At Bat 2010 for iPad
GoodReader
If you need to take your text file to go , the iPad provides a few different option : you may e - get off them to yourself , or upload them to a Web server . But for go beyond what the build - in software allows , checker out GoodReader ( ) .Good.iWare’s$1 app boasts support for PDF , DOC , Pages , TXT , and a fistful of other data file formats . With the built - in waiter , you could easily drop behind and flatten data file right from the Finder on your Mac or you could download a specific universal resource locator , browse the vane , or link to services like iDisk or Dropbox to notice the file you ’re looking for . In addition , GoodReader lets you import images from your iPad ’s photo program library , supports playback of audio files , lets you password protect your Indian file , and can even reflow PDFs into plain text.—Dan Moren
Instapaper Pro
Macworld’seditors are big devotee of Instapaper , the Web serving fromMarco Armentthat lets you salve online articles for later reading . But it ’s the $ 5 hybrid Instapaper Pro app ( ) , not Safari , that offers the well mode to do that meter reading . The app lets you browse your saved articles , even when offline , using a Mail - like interface . When you choose an clause to read , the article ’s text and layout are optimized for the iPad ’s screen . ( The app also work on the iPhone and iPod touch . ) you’re able to further customise the typeface , font size of it , spacing , and margins that sour best for you ; there ’s even a grey-headed - on - black night mode for easygoing recital in dim lighting . Instapaper Pro is one of the most - used apps on my iPad ; download it , and it ’ll claim that same status on yours.—Dan Frakes
Layers
All the iPad ’s a leg , and few painting apps are better player than Layers Pro Edition fromGotow.net . Who necessitate an iPad version of Photoshop , when Layers already allow for a Felis concolor ’s delight with a full set of brushes , color prick , and , of course , support for multiple layers for canvas tractableness . Customizable brushwood give you just the correct stroke , and a 30 - level undo history means you’re able to step back through your masterpiece and show others how you built it . The $ 2 standard version comes well outfit , while the $ 6 Pro interlingual rendition offers even more light touch and options , including an on-line gallery for publishing , browsing , and comment on fellow artists ’s work.—David Chartier
Magic Piano
Smule’s$1 Magic Piano ( ) allows you to tickle the virtual off-white in a solo scope as well as with others around the world , using a mixture of traditional and non - traditional keyboards . Non - musicians will find Magic Piano a freight of fun when they solicit on the iPad ’s screen and hear something musical come out . Trained keyboard players will find both joyfulness and foiling — joy at wager duet with another net - connected Magic Piano player and frustration that it ’s often unmanageable to strike the bank bill you ’re after and that so few of your practical duet partners have any observable talent.—Christopher Been
NetNewsWire for iPad
Everyone from Apple executives to ware reviewers has touted the iPad for its news - read experience . And while the focus may be on apps from news organizations and media titans , it turns out the iPad is just as adept at browse your collection of RSS run . The superb NetNewsWire for iPad , a $ 10 app fromNewsGator Technologies , allow you quickly scroll through your feeds , starring items that you want to remember , or deal them with friends via e - mail or Twitter . The split - acid view makes it prosperous to avoid getting mislay even if you ’ve go folders within folders . There ’s also a build - in web browser app for see liaison , support for the Instapaper service if you want to save something to translate later , and syncing with Google Reader and both NetNewsWire for Mac and iPhone.—Dan Moren
OmniGraffle
The Omni Groupgave the iPad a herculean welcome with OmniGraffle ( ) , the $ 50 nomadic version of its graphing tool for anyone in need of diagrams , brainstorms , or only a cutting bound visual canvas on which to map out an musical theme . The app incorporates a rich curing of features from its background counterparts — a stencil subroutine library , smart layout guides , and rich object drawing tools — while amply squeeze the iPad ’s multi - touch display gestures . you may create multi - page documents , and even use some feature from OmniGraffle ’s Pro Mac version , such as sharing layer between canvas . A band of build - in motif can get you started with virtually any diagramming labor , and OmniGraffle for iPad can open any papers from its Mac counterpart.—David Chartier
PCalc RPN Calculator
Apple did n’t include a figurer app on the iPad , but that omission hand you even more reason to download PCalc ( ) .TLA Systemshas updated the iPhone translation of this astral scientific calculator with iPad compatibility , and it ’s even comfortably on the iPad thanks to the larger screen . Sure , the buttons are much larger , making the calculator easier to use , but you also get amend layouts ; popover for preferences , conversions , constants , mickle , and the “ mag tape ” that let you access those features without get out the main display ; and useful touch such as dedicated Undo and Redo buttons . If you do n’t need all the Melville Bell and whistles of the $ 10 variation , the free PCalc Lite offers the basics , as well as the capability to buy particular sets of feature piecemeal.—Dan Frakes
Things for iPad
Like calendar and middleman managers , iPad to - do apps do n’t survive in isolation : They have to keep racetrack of your tasks no matter where you are or what gadget ( iPad , iPhone , or Mac ) you ’re using . So far , the $ 20 Things for iPad fromCultured Codeis the well to - do app we ’ve check for the iPad , in large part because of how easily it works with the Mac and iPhone versions . On any one of those platforms , the program strikes a great Libra the Scales : It ’s potent and flexible enough to manage even the toughest workload , but it ’s not so complex that learning to habituate the program becomes a task in itself . And syncing your to - do listing from Mac to iPad and back could n’t be easier — you wo n’t have to worry about buying the dog nutrient twice.—Dan Miller
