The iPad 2 has been on the market now for a substantial amount of time, and while there are rumours of a third version to be released later this year, an increasing amount of users are utilizing the device more frequently – for personal and professional use.
But as with any device, it is only as good as the programs or apps on it, and that is why we have rounded up ten essential apps for the iPad – just to make life a little bit easier.
Google+
The new social networking website from Google has managed to attract 22-million users in just 20 days, so it’s only natural that it would spawn an app. The download will allow users to access their streams, view others’ profiles and do all sorts of social networking stuff. It’s virtually the same as the website, but who doesn’t like an app.
GIF Shop
A bit of an odd one to include in the list as essential, but Gif Shop is absolutely fun. It allows the user to stitch together a couple of frames taken with the iPad 2’s camera, and then it creates an animated gif from the frames.
IMdb
The Internet Movie Database has become a staple destination for any movie buff, and the iPad app is one of the coolest around. IMdb allows users to see a wealth of information on any film, as well as rate films and watch short trailers.
Angry Birds
Staying with entertainment, Angry Birds has become the bestselling game on multiple platforms, and there are also rumours that makers Rovio will be making a film about the birds’ battle with the green pigs. The game is highly-addictive, and can be frustrating, but it’s so much fun.
Evernote
Evernote is a nifty little app that takes pride in remembering everything the user can’t. Based on the cloud-computing formula, users will have to create an account, but that grants them access to Evernote from anywhere. It has the ability to record drawings, notes, thoughts and pretty much anything else that can be stored in digital format.
Photoshop Express
Working on both the iPad as well as the iPhone, this app is like having a photo editing suite at your fingertips. As soon as users have snapped a photo with their iPad 2’s built-in camera, they will be able to edit any photo in any way. Edited photos can be saved on the device, and also uploaded to Photoshop.com
Infinity Blade
Another essential app when it comes to gaming, Infinity Blade is one of the most thrilling and visually beautiful games to be released. Originally released for the first iPad, the game uses a clever touch-control system that will transport the users to a medieval hack-and-slash time. Although the graphics are stunning, the sound is just as great.
Google Earth
Purely from an entertainment aspect, Google Earth has the raw ability to keep a user busy for many hours as they fly around the globe. The program has been updated many times to cater for better views and faster response time, and its detail is absolutely amazing. It’s wonderful that an app can allow a user to visit any place on earth, while learning many things about our planet.
Free Books
A must-have for any book lover, Free Books grants the user access to over 23,000 free classic novels. The books available for download cover a broad range of authors, styles and eras and feature writers such as Charles Dickens, H.P Lovecraft, Emily Bronte, Lewis Carroll and Bram Stoker.
Dictionary.com
Staying with written works, the downloadable app for Dictionary and Thesaurus.com is absolutely essential for users who are constantly looking for the right word. It’s easy to use and has a wealth of information while covering almost all English-language words.
Charlie Fripp – Consumer Tech editor
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