I got an Ipad a few months ago. Some may think it is a fairly useless device, but I find that I use it every single day. It is one of those devices that you probably won’t understand until you have one and have a chance to use it for awhile.
It is a new form factor. A beginning of a new form of computer.
The App Store is loaded with things you can download, but I thought I would talk briefly about the 5 apps that I use most often on my Ipad. I, of course, have many others. Also, I obviously use Safari quite a bit, but since that is built in, I figured I would leave it out. 
#1 – Reeder
Reeder is a beautiful RSS reader for the Ipad which taps directly into Google Reader. The interface is quite nice. Sites are stacked like notebooks according to the different folders you use in Reader. In true multi-touch fashion, you can open/close notebooks with simple pinch motions.
When reading posts, you can easily share them on a number of networks from within the app. You can also click on URLs and open the with the in-app browser.
My only complaint about this app is that it crashes sometimes at the most inopportune times. It has a few stability issues, but overall, it is the best RSS reader app for the Ipad.
#2 – MaxJournal
I decided to keep a short-form journal of daily events and I do it on my Ipad. At night, I’ll quickly jot down what happened that day. Why? From a business perspective, it provides a great record of what I was doing. Therefore, when things happen, I can go back and look at what may have caused it.
MaxJournal is a great app for journaling on the Ipad. You can quickly scroll through days. You can tag entries. You can search the entire journal. You can attach photos from the Photo Library (convenient, even though the lack of inputs makes putting photos on the Ipad a rather indirect process).
I find MaxJournal convenient from a business record perspective. Doing longer-form journal entries might prove a little annoying because you have to type them on the Ipad keyboard (doable, but can be frustrating).
#3 – iThoughtsHD
Mind mapping is a pretty interesting way to organize and collect your thoughts and information. I use mindmaps for planning purposes. Sometimes I even use them as a note-taking format during live events.
iThoughtsHD isn’t the only mind mapping app for the Ipad, but it is the one I use and I like it a lot. It is easy to use. Another huge plus is the compatibility with other mind mapping apps (such as Mind Manager). Also, it taps into Dropbox quite nicely. So, often, I will save my mind maps on Dropbox, where I can then view/modify them with Mind Manager back on my desktop. True portability.
#4 – Twitterific
You might have guessed it, but this is a Twitter app. Certainly not the only one on the Ipad, but it happens to be the one I use. I find the interface simple to use.
I am currently using the free version, but you can get the Pro version for $4.99. The difference is lack of ads as well as support for multiple accounts.
#5 – Kindle
I am a big fan of reading on devices rather than on paper. I have an actual Kindle, but once I got an Ipad, it was a no-brainer to install the Kindle app. It turns the Ipad into a Kindle on steroids.
I love the integrated dictionary. I love the fact that I can highlight things and make notes, then jump to those points in the book easily. I can even see a synopsis of my highlights and notes online, making for an easy copy/paste into Evernote. So, there I have all my big “ah ha” moments from a book inside of Evernote.
I’ll continue to talk about various Ipad apps from time to time here on PCMech. As I said, I believe the Ipad represents a new front in computing. Netbooks will die off in favor of the tablet. Nobody got it right until Apple did the Ipad. Now that they managed to prove the market viability of the format, I expect many others to follow suit.
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I must have the wrong guy. I was sure it was here that I read how useless the iPad is. I have had one since opening day, and, yes, use it daily. Sadly, it is an Apple product, but so it goes. What I really want to say is this:
For years(30+), I have been killing arrogant geek party conversations by saying “computers will never be mainstream until they can be operated without specialized knowledge.”
I wasn’t sure what that would look like until the iPad arrived. I’m sure it will evolve further, but It’s pretty close to what I must have been talking about. I believe this is the start of the future of true utility computing.
iPad. Get it right fanboy!
What about the Android offerings that are coming out. Can’t wait for the Samsung Tab to come out. I had an Iphone 4 but got rid of it because of the signal loss issues and the lockdown imposed by apple and att. The Ipad just seems like a continuation of apples policy of “it just works,” until you want to do something out of the normal apple way.
Agreed.
Your mother must be proud of you.
Easy to say that until you actually use it. As a guy who had an Iphone… and have an Ipad now….and use an Android phone now…. I can say that Android is not nearly as trouble-free as iOS. The iOS devices do “just work” and they are quite capable. As compared to my Android phone, with which I have to deal with app lock-ups, the phone just suddenly turning off every now and then.
Android is a nice OS, and more flexible in many ways…. but the tradeoff is that it is more crash-happy and can be frustrating. I assume the Android tablets will share some of those issues, but we’ll see.
I just hope it does not truly kill off other form factors. I find the iPad form just plain weird–no keyboard for text work and no mouse for precision work, yet too large to fit in a pocket like a Touch (which I have and love). I would much rather have a netbook with similar portability (unless you have REALLY skinny bags, they fit in the same space), or a Touch-sized device that trades off function for size. I don’t use ANY of the types of apps you listed, nor would I if I had an iPad. It is not that I don’t want the iPad to exist, I just hope its popularity does not kill off “better for me” products.
I may ask “She Who Controls The Pocketbook” for a Tab for Christmas since it looks like it will be small enough to fit in a pocket.
It won’t kill off anything like that. All these products are just a result of market demand, so as long as their is a demand for other forms, they’ll be available.
Yes, yes she is. She knows that I use the right grammar.
hey these apps are really great and used by me too.. i would like to add one more..as i am a photography passionate..so i use the app Sort Shots..its really a great app..In this app i can add tags and tagging options also include personalized keywords, ratings, favorites, or type of media – photo or video. Tapping on a tag provides instant results so that we can further refine our search with additional tags and keywords.