The estimated reading time for this post is 4 minutes
Last week, Apple celebrated the 25 billionth app downloaded from the iTunes App Store. Congratulations to the person from China who won a $10,000 iTunes gift card for being the lucky one who downloaded the 25 billionth app!
In honor of the major milestone, Apple released its list of 25 most popular apps of all time. Top 25 iTunes Apps
A Wonder of Tech reader recently asked me to write an article listing my favorite iPad apps. I’m happy to oblige as sharing great apps is one of my favorite pastimes. Many of these apps I have shared with you in previous articles, but it’s handy to have the list all in one place. My list is quite different from the iTunes list, I have a noticeable lack of apps with infuriated feathered fowl.
My list isn’t necessarily for apps that are iPad-only, but instead are ones I use on my iPad the most often.
Zite
Zite was launched last March as an iPad-only app and immediately became my “Go To” app. A year later Zite is still the app I open first in the morning and check throughout the day. Zite is a customized news app that delivers timely topics on subjects I choose. Beginning in July, Zite started including The Wonder of Tech articles and in August the app was bought by CNN. Recently the app was updated to work on the iPhone and iPod Touch.
Zite is available for free in the iTunes App Store.
Kindle
Although I prefer to read books on my Kindle, I often use my Kindle app on my iPad to read books. Whispersync, Kindle’s ingenious feature that allows you to stop reading on one device and pick up where you left off on another device, means I can switch back and forth seamlessly between reading on my iPad and my Kindle.
The Kindle App is available for free in the iTunes App Store.
Ball Smash!
I loved playing Ball Smash! on my Palm Pilot nine years ago. To play it today on the large screen of an iPad makes the game even more enjoyable. The app was updated earlier this month so you can now post your high scores on a leader board. (Feel free to check out who is #1!)
Ball Smash! is available for $0.99 in the iTunes App Store.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer iPad app is visually stunning, well-organized and easy to navigate. You’re probably thinking I’m biased because The Wonder of Tech is published on The Philadelphia Inquirer website each week, and you may be right. But don’t just take my word for it. AdAge named The Philadelphia Inquirer’s app as one of Print’s Best New iPad Apps of 2011.
The Philadelphia Inquirer iPad app is available in the iTunes App Store for free. The app gives you seven free editions, after which you must purchase a subscription to use the app.
Show of Hands
This app is not only interesting, it cares about my opinion. Show of Hands asks your opinion on different issues and then shows you how other people in the US voted. The polls are especially interesting in a Presidential election year, but they also ask silly questions, such as “American Idol or The Voice?”
Show of Hands is available for free in the iTunes App Store. Last month the developer launched the app for Android devices.
6. WeatherBug
WeatherBug is a very handy app when you need to really know what the weather is and what it’s going to be. What makes WeatherBug special is the moving satellite map that shows you storms in motion. Color-coding makes the intensity of storms easy to gauge. Live cameras in towns across the US show what’s actually happening with the weather in real-time.
WeatherBug is available for free in the iTunes App Store.
Shnap!
Before there was Pinterest, there was Shnap!, an app that lets you share your photos and vote on the photos of others. Shnap! awards you points for each time someone votes on your photo and gives you points when you vote on others’ photos. You can connect with other users whose photos you enjoy to make sure you see their photos in your stream.
Shnap! is available for $0.99 in the iTunes App Store.
People Magazine
For pure escapism, nothing beats the People Magazine iPad app. The app is beautiful on the iPad and has interactive features, making the magazine fun to explore.
The People Magazine iPad app is available for free in the iTunes App Store. Digital issues of the magazine are available for individual purchase or subscription. Print subscribers can get digital issues for free on the iPad.
Netflix
If you’re stuck on a long car ride with a grumpy child, Netflix may quickly become your favorite iPad app. Stream movies and TV shows on your iPad and be entertained wherever you go. Best not to overdo the streaming away from Wi-Fi if you don’t have an unlimited data plan. But when you’re stuck and need a distraction, Netflix is a wonderful solution.
Netflix is available for free in the iTunes App Store. A subscription is required to watch the service.
Shanghai Mahjong
I’ve never actually played a real Mahjong game, but Shanghai is a fun game to play even if you aren’t a Mahjong player. The app is gorgeous with lots of options for tiles and backgrounds. You can choose the type of tile layout and the game mode. Compare your score to others on the Global Leader Board.
Shanghai Mahjong is available in the iTunes App Store for $0.99.
Have you tried any of these apps? Which iPad apps are your favorites? Let us know in the Comments section below!
Great post, these are some great apps, I will try them.
thanks for sharing
Hi James, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m so glad you enjoyed my list. I hope you discover some new favorites!
Love the list Carolyn!
I have heard a great deal about Netflix, Kindle, Zite, and of course The Philadelphia Inquirer- though never really gone ahead and seen them in detail. I am sure they must be a great place to learn all about these wonderful application.
Though I don’t have an iPad as yet, but am bookmarking this page for the future, when I buy one 🙂
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Harleena, I’m glad you found this post useful for the future when you get an iPad someday. There are so many great uses for the iPad, news, games, entertainment, that it’s fun to discover new apps!
That’s a great collection Carolyn.
You are the app Queen my dear and know all the good stuff as soon as it appears. I don’t know if I could keep up with all of that but then again, you use you iPad and phone every single day where me, not so much. But, I have come a very long way.
Thanks for sharing this list with us.
Hope you had a fun weekend and enjoy your week Carolyn.
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, You’re absolutely correct, I use my iPhone and iPad every day. So this list was fairly easy for me to create, since these are the apps I use the most frequently.
You have come a long way with using your iPod Touch, Adrienne. It’s okay you aren’t using it every day, just so long as it’s useful to you!
Hi Carolyn,
I think using Netflix on the Ipad might be good. I tried Angry Birds on the Ipad last week in a store. I am glad I didn’t buy one, I replaced my laptop the next day when the hard drive stopped working. I have different blogs on my two blog sites today! Neodigital Art tomorrow and their are signs that Spring is here at last; better light!
This site might be one you aren’t familiar with it’s like Pinterest but this one has Royal connections; the Queen of England is on! Pin history on – http://www.historypin.com/collections/all/
Hi Mike, Some people really get into Angry Birds. I like the game but never became addicted to it. I guess I’d rather smash inanimate objects than pigs, lol.
You are definitely the most prolific blogger I know, Mike. You never miss a day of blogging and now you’re blogging on two sites. Wow.
I will have to check out that site, Mike. Thanks for sharing it! 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
Zite and netflix are my two hot favorite apps and my day starts with these two apps. Ball smash used to be my favorite games few years back and I didn’t expected it to be released on ipad, I would surely download it.
I have to say my favorites right now are Kindle, Netflix, Scrabble and Shape-It. I blame my son for Shape-It! I rarely play games on my iPad, but he got me into a challenge on Shape-It. And I am proud to say … or maybe I shouldn’t be … that I still hold the high score!
Hi Carol, I’ve never heard of Shape-It! I will definitely have to check it out. Thanks for sharing it with us!
The iPad is off limits to me in our house, so I’m not sure which apps that I use on my iPhone are actually available to the iPad. I don’t use the People Magazine app, but will you think less of me if I admit that I DO use the Perez Hilton app :-)?
Hi Ruth, Lol, I could never think less of you! We all have our guilty pleasures, my true confession is the People magazine app. I’ve never been a big fan of the printed magazine, but the iPad app is extremely well done. I love the interactive features, that’s what got me hooked! 🙂
Thanks for the nice list
Hi Amit, You’re very welcome. Thanks for the nice comment! 🙂
Carolyn, Interesting post 🙂 My all time favorite app is Netflix. You can purchase a video/audio cord from walmart which allows you to connect your Iphone to your TV. So you can watch Netflix on your Iphone threw your TV. It’s pretty cool 🙂
Hi Joseph, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! You’re right, that’s a great way to watch Netflix on your TV without having to buy an extra device such as a Roku. It’s also handy when you travel and want to watch a movie at your hotel.
Thanks for sharing your brilliant idea with us, Joseph! 🙂
Interesting list! Got some new apps prospects in here. Will do try some.
Hi Jeane, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m glad you were able to discover some new apps with this list. I hope you find some of these apps fun and useful. 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
I have started to use Zite on your recommendations, and it’s awesome. And it keeps getting better and better. I am also using Evernote a lot, and Things (for my tasks and projects). I have thought a lot about buying OmniFocus, but the price is a little too high for me.
My kids are using my iPad a lot and playing all sorts of games, watching YouTube and listening to music via Spotify 🙂
Hi Jens, You’re right, Zite is one of those apps that learns your preferences and gets even better over time, delivering the articles you want to read.
Your app list sounds very professional, you’re very wise to use your iPad to keep you organized with starting your new business. I haven’t tried Omnifocus, but there are many who swear by it. Others I have heard just don’t get into it. I think it’s a matter of personal preference.
I can understand your kids using your iPad for games and other entertainment. I have to say that happens at my house quite a bit. I’m happy my kids are enjoying my iPad, so long as it keeps them happy. They know that if they fight over it, then no one gets to play with it (except me, of course!). 🙂
By the way, are you going to buy the new iPad? 🙂
It’s on order, Jens. 😀
I’ll wait for your verdict before I order mine 🙂
It was quite a nice and informative post. Thanks for sharing this…
Hi TechMan, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. Please do come back and enjoy other posts. New readers are always welcome at The Wonder of Tech. 🙂
I like the idea behind Show of Hands.
This is why I like to check in on new apps now and then, although I don’t use mobile apps myself — I find the ideas to be inspiring, bold, innovative. And a few useful apps are available on several platforms, so it never hurts to keep up.
Speaking about mobile-to-PC transition, I won’t be claiming that Angry Birds is useful, but did I love it when they added the game to Chrome. Oh, did I ever.
Hi Bell, Show of Hands is such a great app! I check it often and always vote in every poll. You probably have guessed from The Wonder of Tech how much I enjoy polls and Show of Hands has some fascinating ones.
Yes, Angry Birds is a very addictive app. I would probably get hooked on it, if I were any good at it. I’m much better at sending balls down straight lines than launching birds in an arc! 😉
Great list of Apps, Carolyn!
I SO wish I had a iPad right about now. 😀 Congrats indeed to the person in China! I am keeping my fingers crossed and working hard to make sure I get me one of these someday! So many toys… so little time; what’s a guy to do? Yep, I know… just wait patiently. It’s coming. ;-D
Great post, Carolyn! I can see exactly why Adrienne has crowned you the Queen of Tech! You rock the tech world! Pure Awesomeness! 🙂
Hi Deeone, I can certainly understand how an iPad is enticing. I can’t resist them myself! Stay tuned tomorrow for a Wonder of Tech article on how iPads can be more affordable.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Deeone. Greatly appreciated! 😀
Well, I have your number 1 & 2, that’s a start, right? I’ve loaded up w/ quite a few apps and probably don’t use 80% of them…..hmmmm…..
I read about a Nike training app I thought it would be cool so I downloaded it this weekend; it’s only for women’s workouts……..I told them I wouldn’t shave my legs…..
That is all.
Hi Bill, I’m glad you have Zite and Kindle. Those are two must-have apps for any iPhone/iPad owner. Which Nike app are you using for training?
Hi Carolyn, Your App choices are brilliant, i love people, weatherbug and cant resist the games. At the moment i have the Amazon Kindle Fire which i wouldn’t change for the world. The only problem is the downloading of Apps, Because the Amazon Kindle isn’t available in South Africa as yet I have to find the long way around getting Apps, and even then they don’t all work. When the iPad is in my budget ill definitely invest in one and im sure ill become App crazy. Thank You for your post.
Hi Sarah, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m so glad you’re enjoying your Kindle Fire. That can be frustrating to be restricted on downloading apps when you live outside the US. I ran up against similar challenges when I lived in the UK (though on different devices).
If you’re a fan of apps, and it sounds as if you are, you will really enjoy an iPad when you get one, Sarah! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with us! 🙂
I love Mahjong and Ball Squash! I play it on Chrome though and yes,my 5 year old nephew is addicted to ball squash and sudoku and uses the hints to do it and then goes like; I am a sudoku expert! What is up with game apps; why are they so addicting? 😉
Hi Hajra, I agree with you, game apps can be very addicting. I’m guessing it’s because they’re so much fun! 😀
LOL! I see no other reason than that! 🙂
I really liked Shanghai Mahjong! I had no clue how to play it, but I learned quickly, and now it’s hard to put down.I love how many different options and different boards there are. Great suggestion!
Hi Liz, I’m so glad you’re enjoying Shanghai Mahjong. There is a surprise at the end of the game. I didn’t mention it in the review on purpose, but it’s quite a treat! 😉
Hi Carolyn, these are some great apps, some of them are new to me.
I’ve tried Zite and it’s great, but just lately I’ve been using Flipboard, it does feel somewhat more aesthetically pleasing and generally cool, still really like Zite though.
Hi Todd, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m so glad you enjoyed my list of favorite iPad apps. I have tried Flipboard too and like it, but I prefer Zite because I find the articles better aligned with my interests.
Thanks for sharing your opinion with us today, Todd. Please come back and visit again. 🙂