So, you just landed your first iPad, eh?
Nice.
You are now cooler than you were before you had an iPad. If you take your new glossy goodness with you and use it at Starbucks while sipping down a cup of delicious, you officially become a part of an elite group of cool people.
Welcome.
Now, what are you going to do with this $500 tech toy?
Well, you certainly don’t want to spend any more money straight away, so here are a few free essential apps for new iPad owners:
Get Reading
Isn’t it amazing. You’re holding all this technology in your hands and have a million and one high tech things you could do, and you use it to read.
Seriously?
Seriously.
The first time you launch the App Store, Apple will prompt you to install it. Go ahead. Proceed. It’s easy to use and will handle your PDFs.
Amazon has the largest eBook library in the world. That alone should be reason enough. The text for the Kindle for iPad really pops, too!
This is not just any Bible software. This is the 2010 Bible of the Year! The free version is worth the download (NIV & KJV), and it’s almost unfair to place this under “Reading” considering how much multimedia Glo boasts.
Get Social
Of course. Who isn’t on a social network? … well … besides that guy without the iPad.
This turns your miles of news and information into more like reading a magazine or newspaper. This could have gone under the reading category, since it turns your Google Reader into something next to magical. Read this excellent review for more!
Don’t over complicate something that limits you to only 140 characters. Keep it simple people.
Please, excuse me. This joker will cost you a buck. Downsize your Starbucks size when you take your iPad with you the first time. Everyone will be so fixed-on your iPad, no one will notice anyway. I’ve made an exception, since this is the best app choice you have for Facebook. They don’t offer a native iPad app, since it’s “not a mobile experience.” FAIL.
Get Watching
The iPad is great for watching videos. On the plane or the train, it’s ready to entertain!
Here’s the deal. If you don’t have a Netflix subscription, this free app won’t do you much good. Unless you count increasing ones desire to have a Netflix account. If you already have an account, get this app. You now have access to Netflix streaming in the palms of your hands. WINNING.
If you haven’t watched TED before, start now. You’ll be smarter for it, and this is the app to be using for all that mind candy.
Get Productive
Even though it would be more fun to play games, you may need to get a few things done.
This is a simple text editor with an uncomplicated, paper-like user interface. Unlike the default Notes app, PlainText allows you to create and organize your documents in folders and sync everything with Dropbox.com.
If you are an Evernote user, this is a must! Sync your desktop, smartphone, online and now tablet, all together! If you’re not an Evernote user, you might want to consider it.
Get Advice
What are your favorite free apps for the iPad?
Come on … let us know … your opinion is very valuable.
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