This article was published on June 29, 2012

The best iPad apps of 2012 so far


The best iPad apps of 2012 so far

We’ve told you what the best Mac apps and Android apps launched in 2012 are.

At the end of last year, we even provided you with a handy list of which apps to install on your new iPad, and recently which apps should be in your iPhoneography ‘camera bag’. Basically, you’ve been rather spoiled. You’re welcome.

But we know you’ve been desperately longing for a post listing the best iPad apps released this year, so far, and no longer would we dare test your patience:

These are some cool iPad apps … that you can’t download just yet

We’re looking forward to Sparrow for iPad, which is on its way.

Not to mention Path, which says it will debut its iPad app later this year.

We’re even anxious to put our paws on Google’s tablet-optimized social networking app; Google+ for iPad is coming. But that’s not why you’re here.

Great iPad apps from the big boys

Apple launched some apps for the iPad. Yup.

Heck, even The Next Web released an iPad app – and an iPad magazine!

But we also finally have Chrome for iOS (our hands-on) as well as Google Drive for iOS, as announced at Google’s I/O event this week.

Download the Chrome iPad browser here.

Google Drive for iOS

Business social network LinkedIn released a mighty fine iPad app this year, while companies like Facebook, Netflix, Pulse, Skype and Fotopedia improved theirs.

➤ Sure, you could search for the new LinkedIn app on the App Store, but why bother when your friends from The Next Web give you a handy download link?

We’ve also finally witnessed the arrival of Spotify’s slick iPad application. Bliss.

➤ You may rock to the tablet beat after grabbing the app.

Or kill some time with Rovio’s latest Angry Birds game – called Space.

➤ Start flinging those cute birdies after downloading the app.

Oh and let’s not forget Amazon released an iPad-optimized Kindle Store.

If you hate reading and would rather spend your days turning photos into 3D models, check out Autodesk’s 123D Catch application for the iPad.

Find it here

Some nifty iPad apps from nimbler developers

Lots of justified praise for the ex-Microsoft Courier team’s drawing app Paper, which is very popular, and very cool.

Get it here and create something magical, mkay?

Like it? Then maybe you’ll also dig Lovely Charts’ iPad app.

Grab it here and be amazed.

If you want to tweet from your iPad, consider Tweetbot. Because it’s awesome.

Download Tweetbot from the App Store

The universe is wonderful and so is Brian Cox’s Wonders of the Universe app.

➤ Wanna brag about your iPad to your friends? Grab Wonders of the Universe.

Digital storytelling from the iPad was never easier thanks to Storify’s app.

Storify for iPad

Digital reading was also never easier thanks to iPad apps like Readability.

➤ Go forth and downloadeth Readbility for iPad

We called Beatsurfing, if a bit niche, one of the coolest music iPad apps, ever.

➤ You don’t have to take our word for it, just install it yourself.

We asserted that Slidewriter’s iPad app may actually change the way you type.

Download Slidewriter if that’s the kind of change you’re looking for.

Hotel Tonight lets you book same-day hotel rooms from your iPad

➤ Are you still here? Get the app and book away!

Diet Coda is a wonderfully slimmed-down Web editor for the iPad

Diet Coda for iPad

Svpply brought its cool online window shopping experience to the iPad.

Download Svpply from the App Store

Waiting for Microsoft Office to hit the iPad? Check out CloudOn while you wait.

➤ Increase your tablet productivity with CloudOn for iPad

More cool iPad apps launched this year that you may have missed

Iris delivers the beautiful Instagram experience that the iPad deserves, we said.

See for yourself

In the same vein, TumbleOn gives iPad owners a gorgeous way to browse and share Tumblr photos

➤ Treat yourself to TumbleOn for iPad

If you’re into data compression (and don’t lie to us, we know you), then you should definitely be aware that Onavo hit the iPad.

➤ You can download it, like, right here, right now.

It’s not a full on double rainbow across the sky, but you should still check out Reading Rainbow’s iPad app.

➤ Which is way easier when you actually download it on your iPad

Note-takers everywhere, listen up! Dunno will alter your behavior.

Get Dunno while it’s still hot.

Tweek is a cool social TV discovery app for the iPad

➤ Turn off the telly and go download it from the App Store

Run away from the temple. Be brave. Download Temple Run: Brave.

➤ You can get it at the App Store.

The sun shines on Minimeteo, a slick and minimal weather app for the iPad.

Download Minimeteo for iPad

Spell Tower is like Tetris meets wordsearch for the iPad

➤ What else is there to add? Grab it here.

Mix and mashup music videos on your iPad with Vjay.

➤ Rock on and download that app.

Hipstamatic launched its monthly iPad Magazine, called “Snap”

Grab Snap here before the virtual ink dries.

There’s also Brekkie, which offers daily servings of advertising and design inspiration

Get Brekkie for the iPad

Digital newsstands aplenty, but do check out PressReader for iPad

➤ You can get it from the App Store here

Like Hacker News? We have not one but two iPad apps for you.

➤ Check out news.yc and Hacker News for iOS

And last but not least, behold Total Film‘s interactive iPad magazine app

➤ You can get that one also from – you guessed it – the App Store

Other great iPad apps we didn’t write about … yet

GigaOM: Rebtel expands the VoIP calling assault with iPad app (download)

PC World: Zoho Launches Android, iPad Apps for Its CRM and Project Software (download)

The Verge: MOG for iPad quietly makes its debut (download)

Engadget: eBay launches Watch With eBay iPad app, lets you ‘shop like a star’ (download)

Fast Company: Khan Academy Enters Next Era With iPad App (download)

9to5Mac: Square Register iPad Point-of-Sale system makes old cash registers look like ‘POS’ (download)

All Things D: Avid Brings Its “Pro-sumer” Video Editing App to iPad (download)

SiliconFilter: OnLive Goes Beyond Gaming: Announces Cloud-Based Windows 7 Desktop for the iPad (download)

Venturebeat: Vimeo shows slick new video apps for Android, Windows Phone, iPhone, iPad (download)

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