Feb 8, 2013
Changes are highlighted now.
This note will update you on what I consider are the best add-on applications available for the iPad. Since publishing this note the last time, I thought I had already reached the plateau of useful applications one can use with the iPad, but now I have to update you on some drawing and painting programs. These are absolutely wonderful: Brushes 3, Sumo Paint, and Sketchbook Pro.
I also purchased a fine tiped pen (adonit) for the ipad for taking freehand notes, and a nomadbrush.
so I can have fun drawing...
This is my evaluation criteria:
5*s -indispensable, gives the iPad real value
4*s -wonderful because I already use specific Apps: e.g. Google Drive, Blogger, Google mail, and to earn four stars, the app has to work well.
3*s -given that I use some untrustworthy applications like Facebook and Pinderest, if the application lets you access these applications in a reasonable way, it gets three stars
2*s -if the application does what it says, but nags you for other purchases, or after you purchase it it it no better than when you used the free version...
1*s -free software that nags you to buy subscriptions
Dropbox
5*s
-Lets you share files between your iPad and other computers. You can sign up here if you want to try it. It's free, and I'll be given 16 Meg more storage if you do. <smile> Because I don't use iTunes on my Linux machine, this application is the only way I can easily move files between my PC and the iPad. I use it all the time to move free books or pdf documents to the iPad or to move pictures from the ipad to my desktop computer.
iCabMobile
5*s
-A very feature rich Web Browser that lets you download videos, pictures, or pdfs and then upload them to Dropbox. It also syncronizes your Firefox bookmarks and browsing history. I also use Chrome because Safari (the browser that comes with the ipad) has a tendancy to get full of open tabs because other applications open pages in Safari. Chrome is a 4* application which works well. Dolphin is yet another browser that has lots of good press, but since I don't really use it yet, I'll let you evaluate it.
MiniKeePass 5*s
-lets you read your secret password file which I transfered to the ipad using Dropbox. It was the same file that can be read using KeePass on Windows or in Linux. What a gift!
Gmail
4*s
-Lets you use web mail rather than the standard email on the iPad
Google Drive
4*s
-Lets you have read access to all your Google documents. Text documents can also be edited, but remain located on the web.
GoodReader
5*s
-Lets you read many types of ebooks. It reads PDF books very well and lets you make annotations as well.
Reuters News Pro
5*s
-a free news source updated many times a day.
BBC News
5*s
-a free news source with a very nice interface.
arround
Redshift
5*s
-an astronomy program connected to the iPad's GPS system. If you point the iPad to a part of the sky, it can show you the stars and planets located there.
AutoTrader.ca 5*s
-lets you search for car deals and shows you each of them on a map. !
Bloomberg TV, 5*
-gives you a daily view of business issues and trends
Brushes 3, 5*
-this is a wonderful art program for painting. It has many brush types and styles, and works very well with an ipad brush. I'm learning to paint ! Other apps in this catagory to check out: Sumo Paint, and Sketchbook Pro.
Google You Tube, 5*
-since the ipad ios update to v 6.0 the You Tube app was removed along with Google maps. Here is a replacement for the original YouTube app. This one is by Google and of course better than Apple's version was.
Wikipanion 4*s
-an easy to use browser to read Wikipedia
WeatherEye HD 3*s
-a free weather program
MyRadar 3*s
-a free program that gives you the weather radar in real time
NPR, National Public Radio (USA), 3*s, if you like to listen to American public radio.
NPR Music (USA), 3*s
PhotoManagerPro 4*s
-a photo manager that permits the use of multiple albums.
Photo Editor+ 4*s
-an editor that lets you edit and crop your pictures on the Ipad before sending them to Dropbox.
Photogene 5*s
-a photo editor that lets you connect various pictures to make one --like a horizon. Also lets you add text, change colours, shading etc...
Sketchbook Pro 5*
-a drawing and paint program which lets you create art using layers, brushes, colour pallets, etc. I use it all the time.
Sketch Rolls 4*
-a drawing program for doodling. Great for taking notes using a pen. (special pen for the ipad)
SloPro
4*s
-a fun application for making slow-motion movies with the ipad.
Sumo Paint 5*s
-a painting program with a number of preset brushes and tools to make circular designs as backgrounds or other purposes. Check it out. Lots of fun.
Chrome 4*s
-an alternate browser from Google. It links well with Google applications.
FeedlerPro 4*s
-an application for getting updates from your RSS feeds available on many web sites, so you are kept updated. If a web site you follow changes, you'll be updated in this app.
Tapatalk HD 3*s
-an application for participating in various discussion Forums. I downgraded this app, because there were some discussion forms it would not support.
gTasks 4*s
-an application for tracking your "todo" list
