In an effort to stay on top of the wave, I purchased an iPad for Samwell Creative on Friday… So far, I’ve only had a couple hours of interaction time (unplugged this weekend), but I thought it would be beneficial to add some initial thoughts on this new “magical product.”
As of right now some of my most used apps do not have an iPad version, so I’m relegated to use the iPhone version (x2) which is a tad pixeled and not real pretty, but it works. I’m guessing, as times goes on, the apps will have both versions available, but just not yet (one of the disadvantages of being an early adopter). As far as readability goes, I don’t see this replacing my Kindle as a book reader. For one – it’s just too big, clunky and heavy when compared to the kindle’s lightweight, streamlined feel and secondly, it’s ease of use – as a reader… which in my opinion, the Kindle is much easier to read for long periods of time, as the iPad looks and reads like a computer screen, with the backlight and headache to match.
Yet, for PDF reading, the iPad wins hands down, with a great app for $0.99 called MyPDFs, iPad has made it much easier to upload PDF’s to the device than the Kindles clunky email system, as PDFs management is integrated into iTunes.
I am looking forward to seeing how this device can be utilized, especially as many more companies delve into the transmedia potential of this product (with epub books) as well as the social interaction and business efficiency that can be will be developed on this platform.
See some of my favorite apps – after the jump:
USA Today –> [FREE] As newspapers go, this is most interactive and has best usability (so far). I love the home screen and the ability to personalize the weather and the sports update. As well as the tab feature when switching between sections. If it became a paid subscription app, I would probably cough up the money to subscribe. As it has all I’m looking for in a newspaper application.
NPR –> [FREE] This is a very cool app with multi-media content integrated throughout the app, it’s home screen is very intuitive and streaming audio was flawless. Great job from the folks at NPR for jumping in early with this great application.
Marvel Comics –> [FREE] If your a comic junkie or love graphic novels, this app will change the way you look at comics. It’s sweet interface allows for full page comic view or animated transitions, which guide you through the story, giving you a frame-by-frame view in cinematic form. My brother @geekcouch will love this app.
Evernote –> [FREE] I use Evernote a lot. This app makes meetings with clients less clunky. I can bring my iPad instead of my laptop and easily share screenshots or website demos while also having a place to take notes on what the clients needs and seemlessly sync to my laptop for later in the day when I sit down to do work. It’s full screen and navigation is perfect, though the only downside is loading notes takes longer than it should… but for now it’s worth waiting for.
Analytics HD –> [$6.99] Can you make analytics pretty? Don’t worry if you can’t cause this app just did. Using Google Analytics API, this app brings the robustness of analytics and gives you access to all your sites and their stats at the touch of a finger. This app will be used by me a lot, not only because of its ease of use, but also because it delivers the reports, graphs, and numbers in ways that make my eyes all lusty.
Square –> [FREE] This app wins most intriguing award, as it’s sole purpose is to integrate credit card payments securely through your iPhone or iPad. This could revolutionize the way small business’s and individuals buy items from one another. Allowing you to use your card rather than find an ATM to pay in cash. Check out their website for more information on exactly what they are trying to do – Square Up.
YouVersion Bible HD –> [FREE] Yes, I’m a bit biased as I worked for LifeChurch.tv last year during the launch of the iPhone Bible app. This version is fantastic for the sole reason that more text fits on the screen, though the search is a bit buggy, which I’m sure the Digerati Team is well aware of and fixing as we speak.
MyPDFs –> [$0.99] Not a sexy app by any means, but a functional one… other apps in the app store being sold as a PDF reader were either too expensive or not functional… this one was the exception. Pagination is done by tapping the right or left side of the screen, and tap once in the middle to bring up the scroll through options. Great app for exactly what I need it for – a PDF reader.
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**couple more apps – added 4.13.2010
WeatherBug Elite –> [FREE] This weather app is sick… just absolutely sick. From the interface to the live radar, it has it all! I’m wanting some big storms to roll in just so I can log on and watch mother nature reek some havoc via my 8×10 landscape screen. This is another app that you will love.
Sketchbook Pro –> [$7.99] Ok, I know I’ve raved about most of the apps so far… what can I say, I’m still blown away by what they can do! And this one is no different, albeit a little pricy compared to what I’ve referenced above. But well worth it. this sketchbook has the ability to do a lot… not as a Photoshop replacement, but as a really accessible back-up. For example, I was chatting with a friend who is a roof salesmen, and I brought out this app to show him the functionality – he was drooling over the efficiency this app could bring to his roof assessment process. Real world application. That’s good business.
