iPad 2
It's been a little over a month since I bought the new iPad. Before I list out my favorite apps, let me describe what it's like to own one. In a word... fucking amazing. Ok, so that's two words. Hush. I can definitely see tablets (iOS, Android) replacing laptops for most people. In fact, if all you want to do is surf the Web, read email, watch movies, listen to music, play games, follow the news, and check your Facebook or Twitter accounts... it's all you'll need. No joke, bitches. Someone like me who needs to edit videos and write epic novels will be better off with a desktop PC/Mac. If you need that kind of power, but you're always on the go... ok, a laptop. For everyone else, though... tablets are perfect. First off... the iPad is ultra portable. You can put it in your purse or stick it up your ass when going through airport security.
RSS Readers
RSS is where you take a feed from a Web site (Rolling Stone, Engadget, Meth Lab Weekly, etc.) and it pulls in that content. There are RSS apps that read like a magazine and the more traditional RSS interface that requires you to click a "Next" button to continue on to the next article. Flipboard is, by far, my favorite. It's a beautiful app that lets you add everything from Facebook and Twitter to curated content. Zite is also nice and fast becoming a close second. If I have a feed, though (say gadget blogs via my Google Reader account), and all I want to do is skip through the content quickly... then I use the old school RSS apps; Reeder is my favorite.
News
What about an old-fashioned news thingy? Well... I like The Daily (enough to subscribe to it). It's a newspaper built specifically for the iPad. Lots of media. Very interactive. The only problem is that you need to have a lot of time on your hands to view all that stuff. I don't, so... I usually just browse USA TODAY's app. What? Don't look at me like that. Yes... I went to college. I'm not a finance guy, so I have no interest in the Wall Street Journal. I don't live in New York, so... not interested in the New York Times. USA TODAY and CNN suit my needs. The only reason I pay for The Daily is because it's unique, but pay for the others? Hell no.
Magazines
You have two choices here, as well - native apps or Zinio (more on that in a moment). Of the apps built for the device, I'd say Popular Science and Project are the best. Every page has some kind of easter egg that takes you farther down the rabbit hole. Wired is nice... as is Newsweek, Time, and Businessweek. Now... Zinio is interesting. You sign up for an account on their site and browse through all the different magazines they offer (think Amazon.com). You subscribe, then manage your subscription online (renew, cancel, etc.). Digital editions (scanned images) are downloaded to your iPad, but you can also view them on your giant-ass computer screen if you wish, too? They have a PC/Mac viewer. So... up to you. I use Zinio for Rolling Stone, Maxim, and some travel mags (Lonely Planet, National Geographic). It's nice not having copies pile up on your coffee table. Also... you can zoom in if you're old and can't see (like me).
Facebook and Twitter
Facebook doesn't have an official app (idiots), but there are two decent choices - Friended and Friendly. Friended has the better UI, but Friendly is easier to read (everything's just... bigger). For Twitter, you can use the official app, TweetDeck (my favorite and now owned by Twitter) or just use something like Flipboard to view your feeds (looks really nice).
Chat
What am I... 16-years-old? Why would you think I have a chat app? Please. Ok, so I have a few. BeejiveIM and IM+ are nice, but they're both about the same. Personal preference. They incorporate AIM, Yahoo, Google Talk, and other crap I've never heard of into one big contact list. If you use Google Voice (and you should), the GVConnect app works nicely.
Books
Oh, sure... you know about iBooks and Kindle. Simple eBook readers. Browse for books. Turn the page. Wow. Shhh... want to see what the future of books looks like? I command thee to download The Pedlar Lady of Gushing Cross and Unwanted Guest. I think they're geared toward children, but ignore that; you have to try these apps. While you're at it, download Al Gore's new book... Our Choice. Forget that it's Al Gore and pretend that it's Sasha Grey's bio where every page features girl-on-girl and ends in an orgasm. This is some truly interactive shit. Unreal.
Music
GarageBand, djay, KORG iMS20... no wonder musicians are using the iPad to create music. I can't believe the things you can do. It's just incredible. The Spin Magazine app is great - as is The History of Jazz and On the way to Woodstock. VinylLove is kind of cool, too.
Games
There are some nice games for the iPad. Yes, ok... Angry Birds Rio is one of them. Sword & Sworcery is beautiful. Casey's Contraptions is interesting. I can finally see when playing the HD version of Words with Friends (TWBuddha; feel free to sext add me). As for racing games, Asteroids or anything that uses an on-screen joystick, you've got to buy the Fling joystick; easy to put on and take off and makes the iPad an even more amazing gaming device.
Buddha
Reader Comments (1)
Words with Friends eh?.... hhhmmmm *thoughtful chin stroke* If it ever works again on my Droid (yup, Droid but I'm a mac girl. TRAITOR THY NAME IS CARRIE OAKIE!) I'll take you on! In words that is...though I'll play naked just for you. Try not to make any moves while I'm out running errands, it could get awkward.