Tech Blog

[#1]

You know I at least have to try to put in an apple-related pun. Regardless, I rely on a core set of apps on my iPad to make it a useful tool. I'm going to exclude Mail and iBooks from the list. Mail is just there and there is no doubt that it is key to the iPad's success. Sure you have to download iBooks separately, but it should be one of the first you snag. Also, I'm not going to stick to just work apps. Games and other fun apps are key, in my mind, to making the iPad something you want to tote around. So, let's get to it.

Creating and reading documents :

This is a core area of how I use my iPad. Arming myself with an array of apps to get the job done was pretty important. Yes I have several apps that do the job. I don't think I've got my workflow completely down, so I'm learning and keeping my options open.

• Pages for iPad— Apple - iPad —I resisted getting Pages at first. Come on, it's $10! But I broke down and with today's update to 1.1, it's a solid writing app.
• Simplenote is easy, free and can sync with apps like Notational Velocity— Simplenote . If I need to work on part of my next book, Simplenote is a great option to then bring into Scrivener or Yojimbo.
• ReaddleDocs isn't the first doc reader I tried. I started with GoodReader ($0.99), but was offered a free copy of ReaddleDocs from the developer— ReaddleDocs for iPad by Readdle —and I'm glad I accepted. I like the UI better and I can quickly tap into my Gmail attachments or even connect to my iPad as a shared disk on my Mac (GoodReader lets you do this too, but ReaddleDocs is nicer). Myself, I'd go for ReaddleDocs first.
• Penultimate is one of my core sketching and note taking apps. The $3 was well worth the price. I quickly sketch an idea or jot a note, then I can email a page or whole notebook as an image (a single page) or PDF (whole notebooks). I'm checking out Sundry Notes as well. It's free, which is nice, and has a lot of cool features.

It's time for fun

Hey, the iPad is about fun too. I highly recommend Pinball HD , Scrabble , Words with Friends HD , and Labyrith Lite in the gaming front. For just useful and cool I suggest Weather HD and GoSkyWatch .

Other cool tools to look for: DropBox , Instapaper , Converter , and Epicurious .

Are you ready to get your iPad yet?

[#2]

I've been using the CIBC banking app for a couple of weeks now. It's become the most useful app on my phone.

MTHIRTY has just shared a widget with you on behalf of CIBC