iPad App of the Day - TieSight

TieSight
Claus Zimmermann, 3.6 mb, $1.99
(for the iPad 2)

A very handy sight for those dressing to impress, especially for that job, date, wedding, other formal occasions.

Simply use the front camera of your iPad 2 with this app, you can match the unmade tie. With simple instruction, follow each step as you match the progress to the pattern on screen. To ease process even further, use your voice to turn to the next step. There are four tie types to learn - the Windsor, the Four Hand, the Pratt, the Half Windsor.

Overall, a simple program that makes good, practical use of the iPad. $1.99 is a fair price for those looking to save time from the Googling and asking.

iPad App of the Day - Fluidity HD

Fluidity HD
Nebulus Design, 3.9 mb, Free (2.99 full version unlock)

A pleasant, yet trippy way to stare at something. This is the lava lamp that flows by your touch, controlling the flow of the ever changing HD vibrant colorful fluid. It's nice, calming, yet addictive. This is free, but with the $2.99 full unlock you can also add special audio or allow an outside projection through a special cable to your iPad. Perfect for that next freak out.

iPad App of the Day - Red Laser

RedLaser Barcode Scanner and QR Code Reader 
Occipital, 3.7 mb, Free

Actually, this app is built for the iPhone and iPod. However, RedLaser can be downloaded, perfectly used on the iPad 2 (using its camera).

I recently tried out RedLaser for my massive collection of books in storage. But, I was lacking decent WiFi and that is when I discovered the best features of this cool (and free!) app. RedLaser can scan and save the UPC barcode numbers while offline. Scanning is quick, simple and very responsive to the iPad 2. You can put the scanner on its "multiple" option, allowing faster scanning. Save the list and go online later to uncover the info from a variety of resources, including the going prices - great for online selling research. The list then can be exported to your email for easy sharing.

The RedLaser works on pretty much everything modern that has a barcode - toys, food, DVDs, whatever. Information can come from local places for price comparisons, or from the popular online markets. Its reliable, easy to use and fantastic for the iPad's long running battery, a necessity for all-day scanning  projects.

iPad App of the Day - My Writing Spot (for the iPad)

My Writing Spot (for the iPad)
PT Software Solutions, 1.1 mb, $4.99

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is almost upon again for the coming November. For those without an office and a heavy work schedule, consider something a bit more portable, easier to handle and useful in that writing endeavor. Consider My Writing Spot.

My Writing Spot is a personal favorite of mine. For several reasons, this app is great for NaNoWriMo and the iPad. The keyboard is customized for fiction, with that needed much needed tab key, some extra punctuation marks up top for quicker access and two keys for word skipping. Users can add chapters,each with word count and change the font style, size. The interface is simple, easy to use with an background that is light on the eyes and you can switch to a "night" mode. Also, the app is enabled for Bluetooth keyboards. And for added security, you may password protect your work.

Overall, My Writing Spot is a nice and worthwhile program for novel and short fiction writers, and perfect for NaNoWriMo.

Creating, coding games and simulations on the iPad with Codify

Codify
Two Lives Left, 10.5 mb, $7.99



Codify is now on the iPad, an amazing easy to use interface allowing users to make,code games and simulations (using Lua programming code). For those still learning, there are also handy examples and sprites available for use and study. Very interesting, as I feel suddenly inspired.

iPad App of the Day - Crazy Face

Crazy Face
Ezone.com, 4.3 mb, Free (Crazy Face Lite) $2.99 "Full" version.

Use Crazy Face to make small children laugh this Halloween weekend, especially in the dark. This app brings a full monster face to the screen as it recognizes your voice, or at least the noises you make. Then, mouth and brows quickly animate depending on the sound or tap of the iPad, so give it a good scare. Even better, put a hood on and find a way to strap the entire iPad in, for a fun kid-friendly surprise scare. Also, great for Trick or Treaters, if the user is creative enough...hmm!

Crazy Face is for the iPad and iPhone, but more practically on the iPad screen. There is the Crazy Face Lite edition, which gives you one free face with the option to pay for more face (many available.) And there is the "full" version that has four of its main monster faces for $2.99 with the option to buy more. I would advise the Lite version first, see if you or any kids present love the animated fun, then go for more faces ($0.99 each). Sure, the entertainment may not last as long as a game, but having this handy does lighten the mood, especially in the dark.

iPad App of the Day - Dexigner

Dexigner
Dexigner, 0.8 mb, Free

Dexigner is THE essential app for anyone interested in art, design, fashion, architecture, and related fields.

This wonderful, yet simple app gives you the latest news, local events, competitions and directory of related businesses and organizations wherever you need. Most of the content is short text and some colorful pics, all pulled in from their resources at dexigner.com. The info is always update, as users may share via Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, email. All free, with very little storage on your iPad.