‘Reeder’ is an iPad app that could make your life a little better every day. I rarely make a blanket statement that bold when it comes to, well, iPad apps. So let me clarify. I’m not going to try to sell you on snake oil today, and it’s not really about one single app; it’s about making the most of your time, and finding the app that makes a pleasure out of what can be a chore. Think of it this way: The Internet is a huge fruit bowl. And we can all benefit from a juicer to extract the essential parts. Reeder does just that. Beautifully. Continue reading Reeder for iPad: The Internet’s Jack LaLanne Power Juicer

There’s a hint of fall in the air, and I love it. Don’t get me wrong; I’ll miss summer, and the carefree fun I had… those first 2 days. After that my life snowballed into a pressure cooker of obligations, stress, and to-dos. Fortunately I took the opportunity to test several productivity apps for iPad. I’ll be sharing my findings over the next several weeks. First up is Evernote, my trusty brain-dump tool. I kid you not: I would kick and scream like a little girl if someone took it away from me. As for the iPad app, it’s definitely got high and low points. After a quick overview of Evernote, we’ll sink into the details of the iPad app functionality and where improvements are needed. Continue reading Evernote for iPad: Cleanse your Brain of Junk!

It does one thing, but does it well. I downloaded this app on my iPad after seeing it on the top 10 list a couple days straight, and I feel like I’ve struck gold with ColorSplash for iPad. It has nothing to do with David Bromstad (HGTV Fans will get the reference) – it’s a way to take color photos or illustrations and treat them so they become further works of art. Continue reading ColorSplash for iPad Brings Intuitive Touch-Control Editing to Color Photos and Illustrations

I’ve never really taken to iPad’s native Safari app. I’m too attached to tabs and I don’t particularly like the overall browsing experience. I’ve tried out a couple other browser apps but they’ve fallen flat to my expectations. But at 5:30pm Wednesday June 2nd, I downloaded A1 Perfect Web Browser for iPad. Call me crazy, but it’s a moment I will remember secondary to April 8th, 12:35pm (when I bought my iPad). And let me tell you, you are going to want this app on your iPad too. It still has a ways to go aesthetically, but it kicks iPad’s Safari app out of the water. It’s on sale right now, so get it while it’s hot! It’ll be worth the money later on, but you’ll feel the thrill of a good deal if you get it now while it’s only $2.99. Continue reading A1 Perfect Web Browser for iPad: An Absolute Must-Have App (Get it while it’s on sale!)

Exclamation points by nature drive home a point. Sometimes good, (“I just got a raise!”) and sometimes bad (“Stop it, you’re hurting me!”). It’s difficult to tell what the punctuation of this app’s name implies. “Dictionary!” is sort of like exclaiming “Hamburger!” or “Shoe!” Well, with a one word title gleefully calling attention to itself, I could only assume it was going to knock my socks off. Did it? Keep reading to find out! Continue reading Dictionary! for the iPad: My Excitement Overfloweth!?

My latest iPad app purchase — LiveSketch HD — put me into a(pp) coma. For 3 hours I sat doodling, oblivious to thirst, hunger, my favorite TV shows, and who knows what else. Guys, this is the real deal. If you’re an artist, you’ll want to check it out. Continue reading LiveSketch HD for iPad: A Game Changer for Mobile Designers

The first iPad app from Adobe is free (for now). While Adobe Ideas is far from perfect, it shows great promise as a tool for mobile producers. I’ll tell you why – but first let’s set the stage for Adobe’s grand entrance. Cue the music, maestro!

Designers are a fickle but largely loyal bunch, and the iPad is a perfect marriage of all the stereotypes we’ve come to know them by. (I design interfaces for a living; I am the stereotype). iPads combine the product design we’ve come to expect from Apple, with the feel of a Wacom tablet. No, I can’t picture any of my colleagues switching to an iPad full-time yet, but apps like Adobe Ideas are helpful for off-site client meetings, brainstorming sessions, design critiques, and napkin-sketches. Continue reading Adobe Ideas for iPad: Not CS5 – But Not too Shabby Either