10 iPad Apps Worth Paying For

With the emergence of the iPad, many Apple and gadget fanatics are realizing the potential of this intimate device. Newly built iPad applications are hitting the App Store in full force. iPhone applications just don’t cut it on the iPad. Though the majority of the iPhone built apps work on the iPad, doubling the size of the app doesn’t quite look very good on the iPad. For the iPad, I’ve dropped all my previous iPod Touch Apps in favor of native built iPad apps. Though I’ve tried countless free iPad apps, I’ve been very selective with which apps I purchase.

Those new to the device may be a bit surprised at the expensive pricetag they’ll find on these apps. After dropping $499 to $800 plus on the device, another $30 to $40 for the iPad case and keyboard, you’re not done spending your hard earned dough. There are countless useful and valuable free apps available, but which are worth purchasing?

Below, you’ll find the apps that I’ve personally purchased and can recommend.

iNapkin 2 $2.99 (Entertainment) – 3.5 Stars, 18 ratings

iNapkin is a handy way to capture all your notes. It’s great to jot down ideas, brainstorm and provides the ability to also sketch to help you visualize your thoughts. This app lets you draw, add annotations, create quick sketches or use the text tool to create blocks of text to add subtitles or notes.

Keynote $9.99 (Productivity) -3.5 Stars, 340 ratings

Keynote is the app you’ll need to create presentations. You can utilize Apple designed themes, custom graphic styles, attractive animations and slick looking effects. If you’re a Microsoft PowerPoint user, you can import the PPT file from your email directly into Keynote. You also have the ability to export to PDF or share it from a PC to a MAC by using iTunes.

Pages $9.99 (Productivity) 4 Stars, 758 ratings

Pages is Apple’s word processing software, redesigned for the iPad. Use Apple designed templates and multi-touch gestures to design letters, flyers, reports and more. The formatting is fairly simple and effective. You can customize your file by specifying the color, fonts and textures. Additional options include inserting tabs, adding photos and videos, resizing and rotating using the touch and more. With Pages you can import Microsoft Word files, export back to Microsoft Word or PDF or transfer the files between your Mac and PC via using File Sharing in iTunes.

GoodReader for iPad $0.99 (Productivity) 4.5 Stars, 265 ratings

GoodReader provides full support for Apple’s USB File Transfer, now available in iTunes.  Transfer files from your computer over Wi-Fi or grab them from email attachments. This app supports large PDF and TXT files and works with Microsoft Office files, iWork 2008 and 2009, Safari and more.

1Password $6.99 (Productivity) – 3.5 Stars, 92 ratings

1Password for iPad lets you securely store your important information, usernames, passwords, website logins, text notes, securely stores your important information and can automatically log you into websites with a single tap. It even provides blocks for adding your credit card information. All your information is locked under 1 password you specify.

Atomic Web Browser $0.99 (Utilities) 4 Stars, 218 ratings

Atomic Web Browser is the best web browser I’ve found for the iPad. You can fully customize it, turn on Adblock, use tabs, take advange of multi-touch gestures, save pages and more. You can spoof websites by making them think your browser comes from a desktop computer. You can specify Safari Desktop, Internet Explorer and Firefox. Additional options include changing the color of your themes.

10 PinShuffle $3.99 (Games) 4.5 Stars, 79 ratings

This is my absolute favorite game on the iPad. It gives you three 3D games in one. You get Shuffleboard, which you can play against a friend or a computer opponent. The other two games are Bowling and 10 pin poker. 10 pin poker is a bit of a combination between bowling and shuffleboard, with cards given for strikes and spares. The best 5 card poker hand each game wins.

Cogs HD $4.99 (Games) – 4.5 Stars, 46 ratings

This is yet another game I can’t get enough of. It’s my favorite puzzle game on the iPad. You can play in inventor mode, taking complex machines and sliding tiles to put the pieces together. The tiles are in both 2d and 3d and this game will entertain you for hours.

Labyrinth 2 HD $7.99 4.5 Stars, 35 ratings

With Labyrinth 2 HD, you’ll be able to navigate your balls in hundreds of thousands of iPhone levels and new levels built for the iPad. You can create your own custom levels and share them with the community. Up to 4 players can play over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The game is truly addicting and the 3d HD graphics works very well with the iPad display.

SketchBook Pro $7.99 (Entertainment) 4.5 Stars, 35 ratings

This app is one of the best designed apps I’ve seen. This app is great for the pros and casual doodlers. I’ve used it to help me plan out a t-shirt design, to doodle, etc. It features multi-touch to pinch and zoom, high quality brushes and tools (75 preset brushes), layers and much more.