May 6th, 2012
iPad Apps
At the beginning of April, I got the new iPad. I had the original iPad when it originally came out but after about a year I sold it because I didn't use it that much. This time around, I am totally in love with it and I use it all the time!
I use it mostly in bed just after I get up or just before I go to bed (aka when I'm too lazy to get up and go to my desk and get on my laptop), during my lunch break at work, and at school. It's been great for those things which I can do on my iPhone, but benefit greatly from the larger screen. This mostly applies to reading, whether it's RSS feeds, eBooks, digital magazines or newspapers.
I have tons of free apps installed waiting for me to explore, and a few essential paid apps. I have put together a list, but I'm afraid it's not very exciting! With time, though, I will be posting about more apps as I discover and explore them.
Top 5 Apps
1Password — $14.99
Every account I hold online has a password which is so random/obscure that I could never memorize. This is, of course, done on purpose for security reasons. I have one secure password I remember and that is the one to my 1Password database. I have the app on my iPhone and my Mac as well, and sync everything via Dropbox.
The interface is easy to browse through, although the alphabet scroller on the far right could be a little wider as my case likes to get in the way of my finger. Another downfall is that some of the graphics are not yet updated for the retina display, but that may just be me being picky about pixels.
Dropbox — Free
As I mentioned, I sync my 1Password database via Dropbox. I also use it to sync my school documents (homework and course catalogs), wallpapers, scripts (for backup purposes), and my CodeBox, Day One and LittleSnapper databases.
I also use my public folder to share files. I do this because it's so much easier to drop an image into my public folder via Finder than to launch an FTP program. That way I have things like forum icons, screenshots, and snippets to share and it almost feels like the files never leave my computer!
I should mention that I have the free plan on Dropbox, so this doesn't cost me a thing. I currently have 3.8GB capacity due to referrals and Dropquest.
Reeder — $4.99
I was a little disappointed that Reeder is not a universal app, so although I already had the iPhone version (and Mac!), I had to purchase the iPad app in addition. This app is such a necessity, though, that it really doesn't bother me. Being able to read my Google Reader feeds in such a yummy interface is heaven. Reeder also has many tools for sharing although the only one I use is for sending articles to Pocket (Read It Later).
Pocket — Free
Read It Later recently relaunched as Pocket. I was a member before it changed, but I am totally loving the new look on both web and iOS. It's colorful and minimal at the same time! Like Readability or Instapaper, Pocket is an app where you can save the web to read later, or even save it just to read it in a simpler interface. I have tried all three and Pocket definitely comes out on top. I save to Pocket via Reeder, via the Chrome extension buttons, and via email when I'm browsing Safari on iOS.
Day One — $1.99
Day One is another app I have on all three of my Apple devices and sync via Dropbox. It is a diary/journal with a beautiful, minimal design that happens to feature my favorite color! Both Mac and iOS apps have handy reminders you can set to remind you to write an entry.
Other Useful Apps
Here are some other cool apps I have discovered! When I have more time to explore them I may post a little more about them.
- 3D Brain — Free(!)
- AppStart & AppAdvice — Free, $1.99
- Balllin – A Dribbble Client — $1.99
- Kindle — Free
- Google Currents — Free
- Mint.com — Free
- Netflix — Free (with subscription)
- Simplenote — Free
- The Weather Channel — Free
- Wikipedia — Free
8:59 pm · 5 comments · Dropbox, iPad, roundup
