If you’re new to the iPad, or perhaps just upgraded, you’re probably going to want to fill it up with great apps just as fast as you can. So, in the spirit of helpfulness, (we can’t help it, we’re helpers,) we present “Ten Essential Apps for Your New iPad”! (In no particular order.)
1. iPhoto for iOS: This is a no-brainer. If you don’t want to wait until you get home to your Mac to edit the photos you just took with the great camera built into the new iPad, iPhoto is your solution. Powerful editing tools are available literally at your fingertips. Using gestures, you can sort through your photos, perfect the color, adjust the exposure, crop. straighten, and retouch images.
You can beam photos between your iPad and iPhone, stream to your Apple TV with AirPlay, and publish to iCloud.
($4.99 in the App Store, direct link)
2. iMovie for iOS: Another app you shouldn’t even think twice about loading onto your iPad is iMovie. This app allows you to make beautiful HD movies no matter where you’re at. You can browse and play projects, create movie trailers, and home movies in minutes. Then when you’re ready for the world to see your creation, share your finished epic with the world all within iMovie.
You can use themes, add photos, music and sound effects. You can even add narration to the movie directly into the timeline while editing on the iPad.
($4.99 in the App Store, direct link)
3. Garageband: If you’ve got the music in you, but you’re a band on the run, Garageband is the app for you.This app will turn your iPad into a full-featured recording studio, with a band full of touch sensitive instruments. Using multi-touch, you can play pianos, guitars, and drums. “Smart Instruments” let you sound like you know what you’re doing, even if you’ve never played a note in your life.
You can record live tracks by using the built-in microphone, or by plugging in a real guitar. Then you can mix up to 8 tracks to create a song which can then be uploaded to FaceBook, YouTube, and Soundcloud.
($4.99 in the App Store, direct link)
4. Netflix: If you have a Netflix streaming membership, this is a required app for your iPad. Netflix for iOS allows you to instantly watch TV shows and movies on your iPad. You can browse through available movies, add and delete movies from your queue, and view movies with the option of picking up where you left off on your computer, TV, or any other Netflix supported device.
If you’re a movie or TV lover, this one is for you.
(Free in the App Store, direct link)
5. Twitter: If your day isn’t complete until you know exactly what a complete stranger had for lunch, then Twitter deserves a place on your iPad. Twitter allows you to follow your interests, and the interests of others. Get instant updates from friends, industry experts, celebrities, and total strangers.
Twitter lets you search for breaking news, trending topics, and hashtags. You can tweet and retweet from the app, and also post photos, videos, and webpages.
(Free in the App Store, direct link)
5a. TweetBot:
If you are really into Twitter, and want something other than the official Twitter-made app, I highly recommend TweetBot for iPad. It incorporates many features absent from the “official” Twitter iPad client, such as the ability to mute certain users, topics, or tags, and has a far more useful and creative interface. I think it looks and functions quite a bit better than the official Twitter app.
While TweetBot is a much better Twitter app in many ways, the trade-off is that it is not free – instead, it will cost you $2.99 in the App Store (direct link).
6. Facebook: No one likes to admit it, but almost everyone you know is on Facebook. So, in order to keep in touch with your friends and family, (yeah, your Mom is on Facebook,) this app is a must have for your shiny new device.
You can stay connected and share with your friends, start a chat, view photos and status updates, even look up a phone number. You can upload photos for the world, or at least your friends and family, to see. Remember, your family can see them.
(Free in the App Store, direct link)
7. Delivery Status: This app helps you keep track of all your packages, so you always know when they’re going to arrive.It shows the latest status of your packages, and has a countdown display showing the estimated delivery date. You can see where your packages are on a map, view detailed information, and more. Works with more than 30 delivery services, including: UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL, TNT, Canada Post, City Link, Royal Mail, DPD, and many more. You can also track packages from Amazon, Apple, Adobe, and Google Checkout.
Perfect for tracking the delivery of your new iPad, but if you don’t already have an iOS device to load the tracking app on, JuneCloud also offers a free Dashboard Widget for use on your Mac.
($4.99 in the App Store, direct link)
8. Flipboard: Named Apple’s iPad App of the year and one of TIME’s Top 50 Innovations, Flipboard lets you create a personalized magazine out of everything that’s being shared with you. Facebook newsfeeds, your Twitter timeline, photos from friends, niche blogs, and publications like Rolling Stone and more can be added to Flipboard in its magazine-like display.
(Free in the App Store, direct link)
Because all work and no play makes Homer something, something, something… Our last couple of picks are games.
9. Infinity Blade III: If sword-clangin, shield-toting, blow-dodging action is your thing, Infinity Blade III has you covered. The latest installment to the highly popular Infinity Blade series is better than ever, with an all new story, new weapons and add-ons, hours and hours of additional game play, and graphics so stunning you’ll think twice about playing “lesser” games.
($6.99 in the App Store, direct link)
10. Sky Gamblers: Air Supremacy: This one looks like the ultimate flight combat game for the iPad. Introduced at the iPad keynote last year, Sky Gamblers wowed the audience – and it is still pretty fantastic even today.
The website says, “With an extensive single player campaign and revolutionary multiplayer modes, the non-stop action will keep you at the edge of your seat!” All indications are, this will be THE game to download on new iPad release day!
($4.99 in the App Store, direct link)
There they are, the must have apps for your new iPad. If you don’t already have them, go to the App Store and download them now. Go! What are you waiting for?
Do you have a favorite app that we missed? Let us know!
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Be sure to check out our other iPad-related coverage as well!
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