The iPad app hits just keep on coming! New iPad app developments this week include an interesting alternative to fill the official Facebook app void, yet another great organization app, and, of course, another addictive game.
Here are the best iPad apps of the week.
Pocket Informant HD ($6.99)
I bought Pocket Informant HD ($6.99) for my iPhone 4 earlier this week, and naturally sought it out for my iPad as soon as I realized how valuable it can be. The app logically teams together tasks and scheduling functions. The calendar is much more detailed than iCal and syncs via Google Calendar. Tasks sync using Toodledo. It may just be able to give up my MobileMe subscription. Tasks and calendar events are easy to add, and you can use as much or as little of the built-in GTD functionalities as suits your organization style.
Pong This (99 cents)
I’m old, so I actually remember being unbelievably addicted to playing Pong on my Atari. Pong This, $0.99, and a free version that is 2-player only called Pong This VS, brings back this old classic. I’ll admit that I might have included Pong in this week’s list because I’m a sucker for retro stuff. With it’s absurdly simple graphics and game play, Pong This sure isn’t anything pretty to look at, and doesn’t take any great talent to play. Choose your difficulty level and number of games in a set. Play against the computer or against your kids, who will beat you every time.
TimelineReader ($2.99)
There are seemingly 800 million Twitter apps in the App Store (I counted). TimelineReader ($2.99) is the newest for the iPad. This app allows you to follow all the tweets from users you follow, or just those that contain links. Tap one tweet in the “Reader” and the link opens up in the in-app browser. You can retweet it right from the app, as well as tweet yourself or contact the tweeter of the tweet you just read. Or tweeted. The app also allows you to open the link in Safari, copy the link (so you can paste it into your own tweet if you wish, or email a link to the page. The developers have plans to continue improving the app to add even more functionality, but for some Twits, this TimelineReader is perfect.
ABC News for iPad (free)
I’m still thoroughly in love with the ABC Player, and ABC has done it again with their ABC News for iPad. Browse news either by category or specific ABC News programs, in list form, or via a cool globe that revolves as you drag it with your finger. Tap “Shuffle” and the globe will spin and land on a randomly chosen story. Tap for a summary, or “Read More” for the entire story. There are also videos to watch. Share the news that interests you via email, Twitter or Facebook from within the app.
Friendly-Facebook Browser ($4.99)
By the time Facebook gifts its users who own iPads with an official app, there are going to be as many independent Facebook apps as Twitter apps in the App Store. Friendly-Facebook Browser ($4.99) is the latest entrant in the battle to win the dollars of Facebook addicts who absolutely must have a Facebook app on their iPad. View your News Feed, access events and answer requests via the tabs on the Home page with this highly functional app, which also lets you view your own profile, including your wall, info and photos. Tap “Friends” and access your friends list, your Facebook phonebook and fan pages. Another tap takes you to your messages and updates. Without push notifications, however, you’re going to have to remember to go to Facebook. Somehow I don’t think that’s going to be a problem for 95% of us.
