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| CREDIT: Apple |
Apple's iPad tablet computer can run the more than 150,000 applications, or "apps." The apps include games, productivity apps, social networking apps, newspapers and magazines, and much more. iPad owners who also have an iPhone or iPod Touch will be happy to discover that many of their previous apps will also run on the iPad. Apps originally designed for the iPhone or iPod Touch can run in their original size or be expanded to fill the iPad screen.
In addition, hundreds of apps have been developed specifically for the iPad, and many more are in the works. These iPad specific apps will take better advantage of the iPad's larger display, and in many cases will include multiple panels — something that wasn't possible on the iPhone's relatively cramped screen.
iPad apps can be purchased through Apple's iTunes store, using a Mac or PC or directly from the device itself.
Most Recent App News & Reviews
Kindle App for the iPad vs. Apple iBooks
There are two main apps for reading ebooks on the iPad: Apple's iBooks app and Amazon's Kindle app. The big difference: Amazon claims to have more than 500,000 titles on its electronic bookshelves. Apple, meanwhile, admits to having only 46,000 titles in its bookstore. Which is best? The answer is simple but might surprise you.
Best iPad Multiplayer Games
Like any serious gaming system, Apple's iPad allows you to play with friends and family through multiplayer mode, either wirelessly or locally on the same tablet.
Apple Adds New Features, Languages to iPad iWork Apps
Apple pushed out a major update to its iWork apps for the iPad. Pages, Numbers and Keynote are used for word processing, spreadsheets and presentations, respectively.
Review: Dropbox Anywhere for iPad
Lets you easily shuttle your docs, photos and other files from your desktop, smartphone and other devices to the Internet, sometimes called the "cloud."
Review: Angry Birds HD for iPad
Playing this game is simple. You need to launch a specific set of Angry Birds across a distance, using trajectory and precision aiming to take out pig strongholds
App Brings Voice Recognition to iPad
The latest iPad app from Nuance Communications, maker of acclaimed voice recognition software Dragon Naturally Speaking, will do just that by allowing users to control the iPad and write text with their voices.
Amazon Unveils Kindle App for iPad
The Kindle app is specifically designed for tablet computers, not just the iPad.
More Noteworthy iPad Apps
TweetDeck
TweetDeck is a Twitter client for the iPad that can display multiple columns and multiple Twitter accounts on the iPad's screen.
Marvel Comics
Marvel's comic book viewer for the iPad gives users access to hundreds of classic and modern comics, including Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine and more.
Netflix
Netflix allows users to watch streaming TV shows and movies right on the iPad. Users can also browse movies and manage their Netflix queues. A Netflix membership is required.
CameraBag
CameraBag is a photo filter app that can make your photos look as if they were taken with vintage cameras.
ESPN ScoreCenter XL
ScoreCenter XL provides information about your favorite teams and sports. Includes video highlights, full box scores and scoring summaries, in-game statistics, and more.
The Elements
The Elements: A Visual Exploration is an ebook that lets you explore the beauty and fascination of the building blocks of the universe in a way you've never seen before.
Pac-Man
Pac-Man, the world famous arcade classic, returns in this faithful rendition for your iPad. Play Original, Normal or Easy Mode and guide Pac-Man with two different control modes. Navigate through the mazes by touching the onscreen controller in Joystick Mode or chomp on dots with the swipe of a finger in Swipe Mode.
NPR
Experience NPR in a magazine style with a focus on News, Arts & Leisure, and Music content that's broad, deep, and timely. The app also replicates popular features of the NPR News iPhone app, including playlists, station finder, and sharing.
Dragon Dictation
Dragon Dictation is an easy-to-use voice recognition application from the makers of Dragon Naturally Speaking that will transcribe your speech into text, which you can then send as a text message or email or copy to paste into other applications.