A Great Starter Set for Your iPad
I am elated! My husband got me an iPad for Christmas!
I had purchased a Lenovo S10-3t tablet netbook (which I love) to replace a Fujitzu laptop I had that’s video processor went bad right at the end of the warranty (that’s a whole other story). I thought since it was tablet that it will bridge the gap between laptop and iPad. I was WRONG! I mean I like it and everything but….
The day I got the iPad I had no idea how awesome it would be! Let me just say that I purchased the Lenovo out of complete ignorance! (Sorry Lenovo)
Let me count the ways I love my iPad:
1. Super light (weights about 10 pounds less than my Franklin Covey organizer!)
2. Super slim
3. Convenient
4. Looks very professional
5. It can do just about everything!
Let me give you a rundown on my favorite iPad Apps and what I would consider a great starter set for your iPad:
o I Talk to God (NIV Light) Free – by WorldLink – Tell God how you are feeling today. Angry? Busy? Depressed? Doubtful? Guilty? Joyful? Sad? Tempted? Worried? Etc. Then let God answer through His Word.
o PocketBible – by Laridian – I have had this app since I got my first Windows PDA 12 years ado. Laridian knows how to merge technology with God’s Word. Make sure to check out Laridian’s other iPhone/iPad apps as well.
o Daily Audio Bible (DAB) – by Daily Audio Bible – Daily get an audio version of the Bible read by Brian Hardin. Each day you will be graced with a little Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and a Proverb.
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Entertainment
o IMDb – by IMDb – Do you ever get stuck trying to remember an actors name or the title of a movie? No more! IMDb is full of all sorts of entertainment trivia and listings.
o Netflix – by Netflix, Inc – You can stream movies and TV shows right from your iPad. Very cool! I’m hooked on Netflix now!
o TV Guide – by Roundbox, Inc – In this app you can favorite shows, set reminders, view show information and get the scoop on tons of other TV information.
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Finances
o Mint – by Mint.com – Track your budget and check your money on the go with this free app.
o PayPal – by PayPal an eBay Company – Manage your PayPal transactions and balance on the fly.
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Games
o Air For 4 HD – by Sudden Games, LLC – When you were a kid did you love air hockey? Come on. Admit it. My daughter and I have played this game for hours because it’s so much fun!
o Flowerz – by Colorme(Beijing)Info Tech Co., Ltd – This is a very fun game of matching, sorting and cascading water lilies. The music is pleasant too.
o KrazyKart – by Konami Digital Entertainment – This is one krazy game! Tons of fun and the graphics are pretty cool.
o Mancala FS5 Free – by Flipside5, Inc – This game is free so you simply must give it a try. This game also supports multi-players.
o Simon Says – by Madcap Studios, Inc – Confess. How many nights did you stay up late when you were a kid playing the buzzing Simon game? Me too! (This game is much more fun with four people hiding under the covers, no flashlight needed.)
o Undisuputed – by THQ Wireless, Inc – I love UFC! Play with some of your favorite fighters in the UFC without getting cauliflower ears! I feel like I should wear a Tapout shirt when I play.
o Words with Friends Free – by Newtoy, Inc – Play crossword puzzles with your friends. This is the only way to do a crossword puzzle if you ask me.
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Home Software
o eWallet – by Ilium Software, Inc – Keep all your passwords, bank accounts, financial info, health info, credit cards, insurance, and everything else you need synced and stored safely with this nifty tool.
o Grocery iQ – by coupons.com – Build new shopping lists quickly by simply scanning the barcode for any product or using the predictive search feature. Share your lists with others by using the new List Sharing feature. Tip: Share it with your iPhone or your spouse.
o HomeRoutines – by Wunderbear – This app is kind of like Flylady but with all the setup already done for you. If one your new year’s resolutions was to keep your house clean then you need this app.
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Internet Apps
o Firefox Home – by Mozilla – Firefox Home provides access to your desktop history, bookmarks and open tabs on your iPhone.
o Google Mobile App– by Google – Search Google quickly using your voice, pictures, and location. It also links to other Google applications so you can access them quickly.
o Last Pass for Premium Customers – by LastPass – LastPass is the last password you’ll ever have to remember. www.lastpass.com
o LastPass Tab Browser – by LastPass – A browser infused with the awesome encrypted technology from LastPass. Never forget another password. www.lastpass.com
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News
o Mashable – by Mashable – If you like to stay in the know with social media and web 2.0, Mashable is the place to be. Great articles.
o DallasNews – by Imaginuity New Media – It’s about time that newpapers catch on the fact that they need a mobile presence.
o CNET News – by CBS Interactive – When you need a demo or full product download, product review or demonstration the helpful people at CNET have got you covered.
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Productivity
o Clock Pro – by Alarm Clock Company – This app has more clock features than you will know what to do with. If you need a clock, timer, stop watch, world clock, metronome, etc.
o Dictionary – by Dictionary.com – I use this app so much I had to move it to my dock. Dictionary, thesaurus, word of the day and just a very helpful blogging tool.
o DocsToGo – by DataViz, Inc – If you need to do it with words this is the app for you. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, Google Docs, iWork, iDisk, SugarSync and more!
o Evernote – by Evernote – This is a great application for taking notes at college, web clips, snapshots and more. The notes sync to all my devices so I am never without them.
o Informant HD – by Web Information Systems, Inc – This is my FAVORITE app! This combines your calendar with a task list that you can view in several different ways. Trust me, you want this one.
o Pages – by Apple Inc – Pages, the powerful word processor for Mac, has been completely redesigned for iPad. It’s the most beautiful word processor you’ve ever seen on a mobile device.
o Signature – by IdeasUnplugged – Multiple signatures with head images, logos, text, social networking icons and links.
o Toodledo – by Toodledo – Okay, maybe this is my favorite app! Toodledo is a powerful task and note manager, for the iPhone and iPad. It will help organize your to-do list and notes, and make you more productive.
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Reading
o Audible – by Audible, Inc – The largest selection of audiobooks I have ever seen is at Audible. You will love how easy this app makes listening and downloading your selections.
o Instapaper – by Marco Arment – Ever find a great blog post but you don’t have time to read it right that second? Save web pages to read later and optimize readability.
o Kindle – by Amazon.com – If you think the Kindle is cool you will love this iPad app! I am in love with this reader.
o Reeder – by Silvio Rizzi – If you use Google Reader you will most definitely want this app. It does an excellent of making sense of multiple Google Reader feeds.
o Website Magazine – by Emergency 24, Inc – Stay informed on key Internet business trends and discover essential techniques for achieving Website success.
o Wikipanion – by Robert Chin – This is simply the best Wikipedia app I have used so far. Everything Wikipedia at your fingertips.
o Wired Magazine – by Conde Nast Digital – Inside the app you can download any past issues, read a current issue and read a free issue. Wired is a technology magazine.
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Shopping
o Best Buy – by Best Buy, Inc – View their online store, check your reward zone points, give feedback, send gifts, locate a store and more. I love Best Buy!
o Best Buy Reward Zone – by Best Buy Co – Stay connected with your Best Buy Reward Zone program and points on the go.
o Craigsphone – Craigslist for iPad – by Next Mobile Web – Craigslist has never been this fun to browse, thanks to the amazing iPad hardware and Craigsphone’s new listing pane.
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Social Media
o Delicious Bookmarks – by DeliciousSafari – I love using Delicious for bookmarks. You will love sharing your bookmarks on Twitter or keeping them private. Delicious also has a great WordPress widget to display your public bookmarks.
o Flipboard – by Flipboard, Inc – Flipboard turns news feeds, RSS feeds plus your favorite social networking sites: Facebook, Google Reader, Twitter, Flickr into a really cool magazine flipping book reading thingy. Oh, just try it! You’ll like it!
o Friendly Plus for Facebook – by Oecoway, Inc – This is hands down the best Facebook iPad app I have tried yet! I like it better than the Facebook website.
o Foursquare – by foursquare – Do you enjoy sharing your location with friends or seeing where your friends are at any given moment? Try foursquare.
o HootSuite – by Hootsuite Media, Inc – Whether you are a professional or just a normal person that manages several social networking accounts you will love the ease and syncing that Hootsuite offers you.
o IM+ Pro – by SHAPE Services – Tired of an app for each of your IM services? Me too! Check out this app! In here you’ve got IM and push notications from GTalk, Yahoo, MSN/Live Messenger, AIM/iChat, ICQ, MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, Jabber and Skype chat.
o LinkedIn – by LinkedIn – Keep in touch with your professional network with this handy little gem.
o Ustream – by Ustream.tv, Inc – Watch a pre-recoded video or live video plus chat with this handy iPad app.
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Talk/Text
o GV Mobile+ – by SK Dev Solutions, LLC – GV Mobile + brings the power of Google Voice to your iPhone. I use it all the time to send corporate SMS messages.
o Skype – Skype Software S.a.r.l. – With Skype on your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad, you can make and receive calls, and instant message anyone else on Skype, wherever they are in the world. I used this while I was in Thailand in December. You will need to use the earphones/mic for calls.
o Text Now – by Enflick, Inc – Send and receive unlimited picture and text messages without using your cell phone plan.
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WordPress
o BlogPress – by CLT Studio – BlogPress is fast, easy to use blogging app that is integrated with social networks: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and Picasa. I use this app all the time. Maybe you’ve read my work? lol
o OpenCa.mp – by Hype Anvil – Because I love WordPress this is one of my favorite conferences and I thought you might enjoy it too. 
I would also highly encourage you to get a SquareTrade Warranty for your iPad for those accidental moment that you know always happen when you don’t have a warranty. You will also find great benefit to getting a MobileMe account. All the syncing technology alone makes that worth the purchase price! Plus, if you ever lose your iPad, God forbid, you can GPS locate it and/or wipe it clean so that no one can steal your precious information (If you’re like me your life will be on the thing!).
Do you have any favorite iPad apps? Give us the name and a link. Sharing is nice.
Enjoy!
P.S. Most of these work on your iPhone too!
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Congratulations on your new iPad! I want one myself but I guess I should be contented with my iPhone in the meanwhile. I’ll make sure to download those apps you listed, esp. the Christian apps! Oh and if it’s alright, I’d like you to try my favorite app, Intuition. It’s a task management app made for moms but it can do a lot more. Plus it’s cute and free. You can check it out on http://www.iconapps.com/product.htm
Wendy Merritt
Reply:
January 25th, 2011 at 1:42 am
Hang in there! The second generation iPad has a few new tricks that will make you glad you waited.
Blessings,
Wendy