Best iPhone/iPod Apps

[TripletDaddy]

What is the consensus on those plastic screen covers? Worth it? I was reading about the one zagg makes and it looks interesting. I keep mine in a leather cover, so the screen is only exposed when I'm using it. I'm wondering if the plastic cover is more appropriate for those that house their device in a custom skin or some other cover that leaves the screen exposed constantly.

[Sizzle]

What is the consensus on those plastic screen covers? Worth it? I was reading about the one zagg makes and it looks interesting. I keep mine in a leather cover, so the screen is only exposed when I'm using it. I'm wondering if the plastic cover is more appropriate for those that house their device in a custom skin or some other cover that leaves the screen exposed constantly.

I have one because I think it keeps the finger smudges to a minimum. My kids love playing with it and I think it wipes off easier with that. Also, as a just in case anything were to spill/sticky/scratch the front side, it is easy enough to remove and replace. I haven't noticed a change in performance on the phone or iPad with the plastic screen protector so I would definitely endorse.

[doctorcoug]

I had a zagg, but I took it off because it just doesn't feel as good as fresh glass.

In terms of apps, there is a new one called PDF expert that allows you to fill out PDF forms (true form interaction). Pretty sweet.

[Uncle Ted]

Connect your brain to your iPhone/iPad...

[YOUTUBE]xL23LLy6BTA[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]HaKj1HMmcQ0[/YOUTUBE]


Edit: Company web site.

[CJF]

I have one because I think it keeps the finger smudges to a minimum. My kids love playing with it and I think it wipes off easier with that. Also, as a just in case anything were to spill/sticky/scratch the front side, it is easy enough to remove and replace. I haven't noticed a change in performance on the phone or iPad with the plastic screen protector so I would definitely endorse.

I have them on all of my stuff also. The touches and the iPad. With kids using them it just makes a lot of sense in my experiece. I don't notice slow down or problems with them from the technical side either.

[CJF]

VPN Express. I was unable to download things like books from Barns and Noble while outside of the US. This allows me to do so. It's free and easy to use.

[Uncle Ted]

VPN Express. I was unable to download things like books from Barns and Noble while outside of the US. This allows me to do so. It's free and easy to use.

Interesting... I assume this could be used to defeat things like Comcast attempting to block services like Netflix as well.

[CJF]

Interesting... I assume this could be used to defeat things like Comcast attempting to block services like Netflix as well.

I would think so. You have to pay for anything over 100 MB a month, but it's fairly cheap. I'm thinking about signing up for Netflix and trying it out. Before, Netflix was unavailable for me. I'll give it a shot.

5 GB of data transfers for $2.99 right now. 20 GB of data transfer for $9.99. Not bad. You can also do 3 months up to 50 GB of data transfer for $8.99. That's what I just did. And Netflix works perfectly.

[Art Vandelay]

1 suggestion/request, 1 question.

Request: I wish the first post contained a list of all the apps that have been recommended. Sooner? Moderator? Anyone up to the task?

Question: Does anyone have a preferred app to open and edit Word or Excel documents? Also, will these documents sync back to the desktop after they have been edited on the ipad?

[TripletDaddy]

1 suggestion/request, 1 question.

Request: I wish the first post contained a list of all the apps that have been recommended. Sooner? Moderator? Anyone up to the task?

Question: Does anyone have a preferred app to open and edit Word or Excel documents? Also, will these documents sync back to the desktop after they have been edited on the ipad?

You can use good reader for that. It is pretty cheap. Maybe 3 bucks?

[TripletDaddy]

Sizzle and CJF thanks for the input. I'm still toying with the idea and see the value. I'm just trying to get a rec on which one to buy. I'D also like to give one a spin to see what it feels like.

[Art Vandelay]

You can use good reader for that. It is pretty cheap. Maybe 3 bucks?

you have been playing your ipad for awhile and the nature of your work likely requires much more reading/editing than mine. What reader do you use?

The app store has become much like google- so much information it is difficult for the uninformed to separate the good from the bad.

As far as screencovers go. I had one put on my iPhone at the University mall when I was last in Utah. It is by far the best one I've seen. Nearly invisible, tough, and so far scratch-spill proof. I'm not sure if they do iPad size, but if so it would be well worth the investment.

[TripletDaddy]

you have been playing your ipad for awhile and the nature of your work likely requires much more reading/editing than mine. What reader do you use?

The app store has become much like google- so much information it is difficult for the uninformed to separate the good from the bad.

As far as screencovers go. I had one put on my iPhone at the University mall when I was last in Utah. It is by far the best one I've seen. Nearly invisible, tough, and so far scratch-spill proof. I'm not sure if they do iPad size, but if so it would be well worth the investment.

Ha, sorry for not being clear. The app is called Goodreader. It is very inexepensive and works seamlessly. I believe it is or was the top app of it's class for this sort of stuff. You can edit your word, excel, and PDF files as well as a myriad of other things. Go read about it at the app store or on google. It will likely fit the bill for what you need.

One thing re excel...I've found that these mobile devices are good for viewing and doing basic excel stuff, but if you need to really get into hard core formulas and editing, pivot tables, etc, you really should be on your desktop anyway. As for word docs, the iPad works as well as the desktop.

From what I gather, the plastic screens must be installed by someone? Or are they are do it yourself sort of deal?

[Uncle Ted]

Request: I wish the first post contained a list of all the apps that have been recommended. Sooner? Moderator? Anyone up to the task?

Here is my quick list of recommended apps:

video apps:
VLC - plays about any video file.
ABC Player ABC TV shows.
Netflix - Requires a netflix subscription.
TED - TED Videos

productivity apps:
Pages, Numbers, Keynote - If you use the Mac versions you will like these. $10 each, I believe. Can edit Word, Excel, etc. files, I believe.
iAnnotate PDF - Awesome if you need to read and mark up PDF docs.
Things or OmniFocus - Very good ToDo list managers that follows the "Getting things done" book. cost $$$.

news apps:
Early Edition - A very nice RSS reader.
CNN, USA Today, NPR, ABC News - Free.
ESPN ScoreCenter XL

magazine apps:
Life - Free.
The Economist - Requires a subscription but worth it to save a tree.

audio apps:
Pandora - Free. Very cool.
Tuner - Internet Radio.

Financial apps:
Bloomberg, Fox Business, CNBC RT - Watch them stocks.
Economy - Economy charts on about everything that is measured

Utilities apps:
Remote - Nice remote for iTunes or AppleTV.
Dragon - Dragon Dictation. Works pretty well. Free.

Game apps:
Yahtzee, Risk, Boggle, Scrabble, and other EA games. - Get them while they are $1 each.
Angry Birds - Addicting.

entertainment apps:
Flixster - see what is playing at the local movie house, watch trailer, see reviews.

[Coach McGuirk]

Through apple game center. I am now 135, top 5% and 100,000 points from top 25!

Now 97th. I can't fathom being able to squeeze another 100k out of the levels. So for now, I am done.