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.

iPad App of the Day - PhotoLoader HD for Facebook

PhotoLoader HD for Facebook 
Yakamoz Internet Teknolojileri ve Danismanlik Ltd, 4.0 mb, $2.99

PhotoLoader HD is my highest recommendation for those who love posting pics on Facebook from the iPad. This, for several reasons: you can upload your pics in a bundle efficiently and quick. Reorder, crop and cut unwanted pics. Easy captioning, tagging and placing in albums. And, PhotoLoader HD rarely quits on you, which is more than I can say for the previous app I used for batch uploads - the iLoader, though it does have useful features PhotoLoader HD lacks, so I keep both handy.

Use Photoloader HD instead of the official Facebook app iPad update to upload pics. Yes, the official Facebook app is awesome for the iPad now, but still currently has its weaknesses - no choosing of album folders (it just sends it to the mobile album default, and you can't do batches). The PhotoLoader HD compensates for that and does it well in a simple, reliable manner. Also, you can also upload in high resolution, add simple effects and upload from your Dropbox account.

Well worth the $2.99.

The Official Facebook app for the iPad is now active.

Finally..

No more ridiculous permissions through past 3rd party Facebook iPad clients. No more silly enlarged iPhone app version. The Official Facebook app for the iPad is here, at last. Though, it's just the iPhone version with an update for the iPad with a ton of new features.

The iPad version is incredible simple and fast. Some great new features are including a handy location map for those "checking in." There is now the easy management of Pages, something I had much trouble doing before. There is also the easy loading, navigation and clarity of photos. I also appreciate the ability to check your account and privacy settings.

Though at first try, it seems I needed to delete the original iPhone app and re-install (kept crashing otherwise).  Just download and sign in as normal. Then, go about your normal, addictive routine.

iPad App of the Day - 3D Brain

3D Brain 
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 49.6 mb, FREE

Learn about the human brain, in the most exciting way! That is, not actually seeing, grossing from the sight of am open brain in real life. With this wonderful, free app users can get 360 degree spins and zooms on about 29 structures of our natural CPU. Through much exploration and clicking, we can also read provided information on the brain's functions, and information on disorders, damage and case studies. Also included are helpful links to explore the brain further online.

3D Brain is a top examples on the very best of the iPad's awesome features. I hope to someday see more body parts in similar interactive detail on the iPad. Even better, the workings of animals and mechanical devices would definitely make learning easier, perhaps even fun.

Coming soon to the IOS family - Infinity Blade 2!

Finally, the sequel to one of my favorite games for the iPad is coming this December! Infinity Blade 2 is the the sequel to the original; which is already an incredible game. The original Infinity Blade brought depth in story, gameplay and visuals to the devices it was made for. Here's hoping they boost all of that and the epic musical soundtrack to a whole new level. That and bigger challenges and longer, more intricate pathways for our protagonists to dramatically walk through.

$0.99 App Sale - Let's Create! Pottery HD

Let's create! Pottery HD 
Infinite Dreams Inc., 74.9 mb, $4.99 $0.99

Strangely addictive and now on the cheap! Mold clay into amazing shapes using your iPad fingers. Use and unlock brushes, patterns, colors and ornaments to make your masterpiece. Then, you may sell on a virtual market for pretend cash and unlock more. In the real world, you may share your finished work via email or Facebook.

iPad App of the Day - Free Wi-Fi Finder

Free Wi-Fi Finder 
JiWire Inc., 3.5 mb, FREE
(iphone version also available)

This app is essential to all travelers and nomadic folk. This, for the main reason that a 145,000+ database of locations can be stored for offline use and searched by zip code. Free Wi-Fi Finder comes in very handy when seeking an emergency spot to Tweet, Facebook, email, upload, ping and poke. In the online mode, a handy map comes up, which can very useful when that library closes, or the Starbucks gets too rowdy. Overall, the app is very easy and simple to use. Even better, Wi-Fi Finder is also free and low on storage space.

Coming Soon to the iPad: Aquaria

Here is an early look at Aquaria, a video game app to be released on the iPad sometime this Autumn season. Aquaria is a favorite indie game I played much, released as a downloadable PC game years ago. The game is set in a mysterious, dangerous oceanic world where you control Naija, the magical female protagonist, searching to unravel the mystery of her past. Now, as highlighted in the teaser trailer below, Aquaria is back and updated with exciting new features and gameplay improvements. I'm very excited and hope this wonderful game will reach new audiences on the iPad.

 

iPad App of the Day - Video Time Machine

Video Time Machine
Original Victories, 1.5 mb, $1.99
(iPhone version available)

Video Time Machine is an absolute gem for media history hounds and nostalgia fiends. With this app, users can go back throughout any year technologically possible and enjoy full motion videos. Over 10,000 videos featured in this app are embed from Youtube, and conveniently categorized by year and media type. Included are sports,video games, news, TV, advertisements and movies.

Some finds are well known but otherwise forgotten footnotes such as Micheal Jackson's Pepsi Ads, the second presidential Reagan-Mondale debate and Wendy's "Where's the Beef" video ads. Others are downright obscure like Arnold Schwarzenegger's appearance on the Dating Game, Vectorbeam (1977 video game ahead of its time), and Captain Planet fighting Hitler. Some finds are too awesome for words, like Apple's first computer commercial and the original Star Wars trailer. Much of it, we would never know without the spin of Video Time Machine's fantastic wheel.
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The app itself is very easy to use but can be very addictive. From there, users can share the fun via Twitter or Facebook. Sadly there is no search function. But then again, would that spoil the fun of browsing by year and category? Either way, Video Time Machine is well worth the $1.99.

50% off Sale on Comic Book! iPad App

ComicBook! 
3DTOPO Inc., 19.3 mb, $1.99 $0.99
(iphone version also available)

Heads up to all creative crew and comic loving nerds! This fantastic picture editing app is on sale for a limited time. Comic Book! is a great deal and well worth its regular price. But, for those looking to literally save a buck, this is your day. The easy using app edits your picture into a fun comic book style format by changing tones and adding traditional bubbles, effects with matching fonts. Then you may combine multiple pics for a comic style layout, then share. This app is also useful to artists who may may use the iPad for sketching..perhaps make that first comic on the go. Hmm..

iPad App of the Day - Gorilla Workout

Gorilla Workout
Heckr LLC, 32.5 mb, $1.99

Gorilla Workout is an an app with a fun gimmick, and a fantastic guide for those needing push and better direction in their fitness routine. Gorilla Workout has a plan for anyone, as users can choose their level, based on fitness experience and able body. Next, goals are set for each day, and with success, mastery of each workout in the suggested time (Level 1 is 20 days), the user may proceed to the next level (featuring a bigger gorilla) . Many workouts are listed for each level, as all the necessary info and video (!) are available to the user.

For iPad and iPhone users, the Gorilla Workout is the perfect plan at a very affordable price. It's also very easy to use, as the IOS devices are more practical than laptops for carry to the local gym or park. Over 40 exercises are available so far. Also, users may proudly announce their progress via Twitter or Facebook. Hopefully, more updates to the Gorilla Workout will be added, including eating and natural supplement suggestions. For now, this iPad Captain has much modified push-ups to do.

iPad App of the Day - Ruler for the iPad

Ruler for iPad or iPhone
Jonathan Walz, 7.4 mb, FREE
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Just a simple, free ruler for the iPad. Measure real things and stuff on it or with it. This app has the inches and centimeters switching option, a grid, line plotting, six different visual styles. Not bad for the price of free. There are ads, of which you can pay within the app to remove. You can also save and email (!) your measurements. The Ruler is a handy, low space solution for school and posting descriptions for selling eBay items or whatever else online.

Yeah, today's app is short and simple. It's the end of the work week; go out and enjoy some fresh air.

Free and Wonderful - Snapseed (for a limited time)

Snapseed (for the iPad)
Nik Software, 15 mb, $4.99 FREE until 9/23!
(iPhone version also available)

For shutterbugs who love uploading and editing pics on the iPad, get this app right now. For just a few days, Snapseed is now free. That is no cost, a wonderful price for something this useful.

What makes this app wonderful and necessary are its uncommon photo enhancing techniques to the iPad, unavailable on most similar photo editing apps. "Autocorrect" and "Tune Image" are nice, almost cheating ways to quickly adjust the clarity, light and color of images. The "Selective Adjust" feature allows it's user to place points upon the picture than change that particular area. Other features include adding effects to pictures such as vintage fades, blurs, and borders. Most features are customizable, and easy to use. Pics can then be directly shared online or saved to the iPad.

Snapseed should be no replacement for other useful editing apps like Photoshop Express, but an additional tool to what's available. For photo editors who understand the iPads limitations on advanced photo editing, users should keep as many options available as possible among the many apps available. As a digital photo sharing and editing enthusiast, I will compile and share my personal list of these photo editing essentials soon. In the meantime, please share your favorite apps or techniques in the comments below.

iPad App of the Day - Celtx Script

Celtx Script (for the iPad)
Greyfirst Corp, 1.0 mb, $9.99 $4.99 for a limited time!
(iPhone version also available)

The Celtx Script app is a must have for iPad users engaged in script writing. Such writing on this app is not just for film screenwriting, but includes theater staged, audio dramas, and comic books. Users can create professional scripts, ready to transfer, print, share and use. The mechanics and convenience of the iPad makes script writing easy on the go, as creation and editing is quick and simple.

The wonderfulness of the Celtx app stems from its many touch-friendly features. First is the format choice, of which the user chooses between five. While there are other movie script apps, Celtx is perhaps the only option for those looking to make professional scripts for comic books, stage plays, audio dramas. Another fantastic feature is the sync option with your desktop Celtx application, as whatever you change and add is instantly done to duplicate files on other systems. Overall, the easy interface allows automatic formatting as you type, and simple touch based controls for quick changes. The app also remembers characters and other elements, so your brain flows more with the content you create, not the format mechanics. Also fantastuc is the altered app keyboard, which contains extra hot keys allowing quicker editing and writing on the go.

Celtx is currently on sale and worthwhile, even at the full price. Also, Celtx is a win for its minimal space needed, just 1 mb!. Don't hesitate if you love scriptwriting, or considering a new hobby.

Incoming iPad News

Calling all crew, here is your interesting iPad news links (with my two cents) of the day!

iPad 3 in '11? No. Two new iPhones? - CNN
Again with this? Every year, the bait and switch with headlines saying iPad or IOS device updating the same year as the previous. Why are we in such a hurry to make our gadgets outdated? Anyway, not going to happen, not even the so called "iPad Plus." iPad 3 is going to happen in 2012, hopefully not late and with something a bit more practical than some silly promise of a "retina display."

OnShift Unveils OnShift on the iPad - Marketwatch
The advanced scheduling manager of the future is now. I'm surprised tablet propelled business isn't happening faster. With this Onshift service, it seems workers can keep better tabs on their progress. With the iPad and its many innovations, we can perhaps have a workplace that has no need of desktops, pencils, or even traditional offices.

Mobile App Developers Now Have Easy Access to Cloud Services - Mashable
Appcelerator's Open Mobile Marketplace looks to be a useful resource for indie app developers. Lots of free and for pay modules and templates will hopefully inspire fresh minds towards new innovations and ideas.

Will Apple's Mac sales survive the PC price war? - Computerworld
Yes. But in my personal opinion, it will be due to the inadequacies of the hardware developers. The poor customer service over the phone towards those out of warranty, poorly designed internal hardware, boring advertising, and lack of individuality for each product beyond their company name.

Stevie Wonder sings Steve Jobs’ praises for iOS accessibility - The Next Web
Watch the video within the link, as legendary singer Stevie Wonder shares positive words about IOS devices in today's world. "We've only just begun..."

Free iPad Games Apps fer Speak Like a Pirate Day!

ARRRR! Fer this day, it be International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Let's look at ye buried treasure, that be on the iPad today at no cost.

Lil Pirates
Capcom Interactive, 53.8 mb, FREE
Silly cartoon style scurvy pirate a ruckas. Customize 'n build ye ship. Battle 'n recruit through Facebook or rotten Apple's Game Center.

Pirates Life
Dreamix Studio, 47.1 mb, FREE
A more simplistic, yet frantic touch 'n swipe battle. 'tis one crude detailed ship vs. th' other from a birds-eye view, in a classic early 80's style 'o fight. Great fer them seekin' casual a ruckas.

Crimson Steam Pirates
Bungie Aerospace Corporation, 142 mb, FREE
Scurvy pirate warfare, turn based strategy wit' a steampunk edge. Fantastic a ruckas fer th' more hardcore tabletop thinker. Also, lust th' epic 'n familiar music. Highly recommended!

Pirates
GreenRobot LLC, 11.7 mb, FREE
A multiplayer, extra detailed battle 'o th' scurvy pirate life. Sadly th' iPad version kept crashin'. woefully, such troubles gunna be fixed. In th' meantime, worth a download 'n a woe they gunna fix.

Scurvy pirate translation assistance provided by postlikeapirate.com. Gift it a give a go' if ye be knowin' whats good fer ye.

iPad App of the Day - Fanhatten

Fanhattan for iPad
Fanhatten, 7.3 mb, FREE

Fanhattan is a must for iPad movie and TV lovers. Here, is the combination of much convenient information and the measure of your moving picture obsessions. It's best feature, finding a movie or TV show. Then swipe to the side to find the fastest way to watch it, hopefully available on iTunes, Netflix, or Vudu. The rest is easy information on the go, including top casting/crew credits, plot, reviews,clips. Users can step further and seek out related Facebook Pages, buy the soundtrack if available on iTunes and other merchandise. 

While this app tends to feature new and popular movies, it does not disappoint where such features really matter to us movie geeks. Pretty much every search turned out results including such obscure classics as Black Belt Jones and Monster Squad. Quick price comparisons between iTunes and Vudu (and hopefully more) help, if I need to save a buck or two on instant viewing, but also nice to know when something is not readily available.

Fanhattan is still fresh after a few months and needs time to grow. Later, I hope they will add the existence of Hulu, Crackle and more instant viewing services. Perhaps in time, they will have a following as large as other social networking hubs as GetGlue as they have some similar features. But for now, Fanhattan is at least a worthy reference resource for your iPad.

 

Gameloft 99¢ Back to School Sale!

In time for the weekend, Gameloft is having a sale for seven of its top iPad video games. Each below is now $0.99, but for a limited time.

BackStab 584 mb $6.99

Silent Ops 657 mb  $6.99

Fast Five the Movie: Official Game HD 441 mb $4.99

N.O.V.A. 2 - Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance HD 504 mb $6.99
Dungeon Hunter 2 HD 467 mb $6.99

NFL 2011 HD 327 mb $4.99
Splinter Cell Conviction™ HD 522 mb $4.99

iPad App of the Day - Imo Instant Messenger

Imo Instant Messenger

The Imo Instant Messenger iPad app is the one instant chat service to rule them all. It does better than supporting and bringing chat functions to your iPad from Facebook, Google Talk, Skype, MSN, ICQ/AIM, Yahoo, Jabber, Myspace, Hyves, and Vkontakte. It can combine and synch them all in one vertical field on your screen allowing a quick, simplified view on who is online and ready to talk.

From there, you can easily switch between chats, have them open while you use other apps, switch individual accounts off with a touch, and allow notifications outside the app. I found the chatting itself to be very reliable and quick, no difference in performance if I had used each service directly. For reasons I have yet to understand, Imo does spontaneously forget my saved passwords once in a while before synching in. Not a biggie, but can be annoying when I need to talk or check up on someone in a hurried situation.

The Imo Instant Messenger is free and covers only 2.7 MB with no ads.