Six Best iPad Apps
It’s only been three months since the iPad launched, but you’re no doubt already gagging to branch out from its core functionality of web browsing, ebook reading and gaming. For that you’ll need to get creative. Read on for six great ways to squeeze even more out of this wonder slate’s processor and screen.
- Catch Up on TV – The BBC iPlayer app is on hold and Sky player is subscription only, so TV viewing look like a testing task on the iPad. Hoorah, then, for TVCatchup. Point the web browser at iPad.tvcatchup.com, create a username and password and it’ll stream live TV from the familiar Freeview channel line-up to your iPad over Wi-Fi or 3G
- Paint a Masterpiece – Davis Hockney, no less, has lauded the iPad, using the tablet as an alternative to his sketchbook. A host of art apps let anyone get creative on the iPads 9.7-inch canvas. Brushes(£4.99) and Sketchbook Pro(£2.39) offer a wide palette of features and effect and make use of the iPad’s multi-touch. For more accurate sketching, try a Pogo Sketch Stylus(£15)
- Pipe Movies to your TV – Movies downloaded from the iTunes Store look pretty peachy on the iPAd, but they an beat proper big-screen viewing. Buy an Apple component cable(£40) and you can pipe your iPad’s video library to you telly in resonably stunning 480p and 576p resolution. At least 720p would be better, of course…
- DJ at a Party – Legendary techno DJ Richie Hawtin showed off his own Griid app at this year’s Detroit Electronic Music Festival, controlling his DJ set from the iPad – it’s on YouTube. There are other DJing apps. Sonorasaurus Rex(£9), Groovemaker House(£6) and the upcoming Mixr(available autumn) all deliver cross fading,pitch-and tempo-correction and plethora of effects.
- Stream Spotify tunes to your Hi-Fi - Playing Spotify playlist over the iPad’s inferior built-in speakers just won’t do. Get your home Hi-Fi involved by streaming Spotify over Bluethooth to your home system. You can use the Chordette Gem Bluethooth receiver with built-in 24-bit DA- it’s excellent, but cost £3350. Belkin do less fancy receivers for somewhat less.
- Get Designer with it – Don’t settle for a cheap travel case to protect your ‘Pad. high-end fashion houses including Bluberry, Paul Smith, Gucci and Louis Vuitton all make sheaths, while Bill Amberg’s stately, £140 leather slipcase in navy, tan, brown and black is current favorite.
It’s only been three months since the iPad launched, but you’re no doubt already gagging to branch out from its core functionality of web browsing, ebook reading and gaming. For that you’ll need to get creative. Read on for six great ways to squeeze even more out of this wonder slate’s processor and screen.
- Catch Up on TV – The BBC iPlayer app is on hold and Sky player is subscription only, so TV viewing look like a testing task on the iPad. Hoorah, then, for TVCatchup. Point the web browser at iPad.tvcatchup.com, create a username and password and it’ll stream live TV from the familiar Freeview channel line-up to your iPad over Wi-Fi or 3G
- Paint a Masterpiece – Davis Hockney, no less, has lauded the iPad, using the tablet as an alternative to his sketchbook. A host of art apps let anyone get creative on the iPads 9.7-inch canvas. Brushes(£4.99) and Sketchbook Pro(£2.39) offer a wide palette of features and effect and make use of the iPad’s multi-touch. For more accurate sketching, try a Pogo Sketch Stylus(£15)
- Pipe Movies to your TV – Movies downloaded from the iTunes Store look pretty peachy on the iPAd, but they an beat proper big-screen viewing. Buy an Apple component cable(£40) and you can pipe your iPad’s video library to you telly in resonably stunning 480p and 576p resolution. At least 720p would be better, of course…
- DJ at a Party – Legendary techno DJ Richie Hawtin showed off his own Griid app at this year’s Detroit Electronic Music Festival, controlling his DJ set from the iPad – it’s on YouTube. There are other DJing apps. Sonorasaurus Rex(£9), Groovemaker House(£6) and the upcoming Mixr(available autumn) all deliver cross fading,pitch-and tempo-correction and plethora of effects.
- Stream Spotify tunes to your Hi-Fi - Playing Spotify playlist over the iPad’s inferior built-in speakers just won’t do. Get your home Hi-Fi involved by streaming Spotify over Bluethooth to your home system. You can use the Chordette Gem Bluethooth receiver with built-in 24-bit DA- it’s excellent, but cost £3350. Belkin do less fancy receivers for somewhat less.
- Get Designer with it – Don’t settle for a cheap travel case to protect your ‘Pad. high-end fashion houses including Bluberry, Paul Smith, Gucci and Louis Vuitton all make sheaths, while Bill Amberg’s stately, £140 leather slipcase in navy, tan, brown and black is current favorite.
