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The Best iPad Apps (for now, at least)
September 29, 2010No commentsIn its first month, Apple sold 3 million iPads. More recently, it was reported that iPad sales have cut laptop notebook sales by half. So now, naturally, most of those apps that were popular on the iPhone platform have iPad versions already and, as of this writing, there are over 30,000 iPad apps available for download on Apple AppStore.
Here are just some of the best iPad applications under different categories:
Evernote is a productivity app which allows user to take note of things to do and even on things that already happened. Notes can be taken in many ways – be it text, photo, or audio notes. Plus, the user can also add a geo-location which coincides with the note. This app is best for busy people who need a helping hand in organizing and remembering things.
For people who are often on the go, Motionx GPS HD is a perfect iPad app. This app allows the user to find his way through wherever and whatever he is doing. If one’s into cycling, hiking, trekking, or traveling, Motionx GPS can lead the way.
NYT Editors’ Choice (News/Social)
From one of the leading news agencies, NYT Editors’ Choice is an iPad app from New York Times which allows the user to access to the latest news and photos.
Twitterrific (Social Networking)
Twitter is one of the most used social networking sites today. That’s why Twitterrific is terrific for those who are into tweeting. It features the usual features of Twitter and other twitter apps – read and compose tweets, filter messages, follow and unfollow, retweet, shorten links, and translate tweets.
Among the video iPad apps, Netflix is most downloaded. The app allows the user to instantly watch TV shows and movies through Netflix and even allows users to resume viewing previous scenes.
Any music iPad app could do these things: search for songs, auto-save artist name and song, organize playlists, and (of course) play music. But what’s unique with Soundhound is that it can search a song through voice and hum recognition.
Wikipanion is the student’s best friend. This app can access Wikipedia but only faster and easier. The app can bookmark not only the requested page but also the specific section of the page to make it easier for future reference.
Of course, the iPad is no good without games. Labyrinth 2 has been the most downloaded game app these past few weeks. It’s a sequel but it features levels and game elements that are not offered in the earlier version.
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Considering that there are thousands of apps for download, this list is not enough to showcase all the fantastic iPad apps out there. And while those featured here are judged as the most popular through number of downloads, deciding on the “best” iPad app is still an individual and personal choice. Also, due to the huge number of new apps added to the store daily, expect a new list of “best” and “awesome” apps soon.
Apple sells 3 million iPads in 80 days
June 23, 2010No commentsSince its release last April, over 3 million iPad units have already been sold. On the first day of release alone, more than 300,000 iPads were bought in the U.S. This market performance is phenomenal considering that the iPad does not quite fall under the category of usual media. The gadget is described as not quite a smartphone, not yet a laptop and supposedly better than a netbook. The iPad is actually a tablet computer that doesn’t need a keyboard and is particularly marketed for e-book and magazine reading, games, Internet surfing and creative applications.
Bigger Version of iPhone?
In light of criticisms that the iPad is nothing but a bigger version of iPhone, Apple has made it clear that the iPad is not a replacement for smartphone or any typical computer. It is an alternative electronic item to be used for better browsing and multimedia experience. Its weight and size are intermediate between typical smartphones and laptops. The hardware strength of the iPad lies in its “sexy” platform and the convenience that one gets from it. The general consensus among respected observers, such as David Pogue of The New York Times, is that if the consumers like the concept of the iPad and they can understand how it was intended to be used, then they will start to “enjoy using the device.”
There are smartphone/laptop features, however, that cannot be done using the iPad such as calling, printing documents and taking photos. It is a deliberate move by Apple as the iPad wasn’t created to duplicate all the functionalities of other gadgets in the first place. It is designed as an easy-to-use appliance for those who need to have quick access to multimedia in their lifestyle. It just fills the gap, says Apple CEO Steve Jobs, as the middle device between smartphones and high-end laptops.
Thousands of Apps
The gadget runs iPad-specific applications as well as those created for the iPhone and iPod Touch, including e-book readers. A number of tech analysts have remarked that the iPad’s edge over other gadgets is due to the “magnified coolness” it provides to users. It is another way to access developer offerings on an improved screen and easy navigation. Apple encourages software developers by giving them 70% of sales revenue if they can publish iPad applications on the App Store.
Expectedly, the sale of apps has become another important revenue source for Apple. In just two months, 11,000 iPad applications have been created, 8,500 of which have been released in the App Store and downloaded 35 million times. This translates to 17 downloads per iPad. According to a study released by the mobile research experts at Flurry Analytics, almost half (44%) of the iPad apps being tested are games. It is followed by the categories of entertainment (14%) and social networking (7%).
Furthermore, there have been 5 million downloaded iBooks in the same two-month period. The share of iBooks accounts for 22% of all e-book sales in 8 weeks. These figures show that many consumers prefer a “gated community” that has lesser susceptibility to viruses and malware.
Wide Market
Moving forward, Apple is looking to American households, of which 30% use Wi-Fi, as its market base for the iPad. Of course there are currently 75 million-strong iPod Touch and iPhone users. It would not be surprising if most of them get an iPad too. Or recommend the same to their friends and family. After all, the iPhone has been the top gadget to have in the past few years; its popularity alone is a very good selling point for the iPad. The numbers speak for themselves. One million iPads were sold in only 21 days, while it took 74 days to sell the same number of iPhones. Company officials say that with the skyrocketing demand, they have raised the sales estimates from 5M to 12M iPads in 2010 and 17M in 2011.
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