Cool iPad Apps: Best 104 iPad Apps

Yes, there are soooo many iPad apps – between 30,000 to 50,000 in total, and the number vaults higher every day. So among the zillions, which iPad apps are the very best? Which apps are truly “must-have”?

The iPad, after all, can enhance your life in many ways. There are iPad apps for work, fun, personal life, providing news and information, and tracking your favorite activities.

Oh, and did we mention the iPad apps just for goofing off? Gaming on the iPad has risen to its own art form (the Angry Birds app is a mega-hit, for instance).

And the iPad app is also transforming the work place. (Of course many companies don’t officially support the iPad, so let’s not count all the apps downloaded using company networks).

Given the overwhelming number of choices, we offer a list of the best iPad apps. The iPad apps that every iPad should have – yes, we unabashedly refer to our list as the “must have” app list.

Here then, for your downloading pleasure, are the cool iPad apps that every user should download. Jump to the iPad category or you want, or begin perusing the full list below.

iPad app categories:

ENTERTAINMENT // LIFESTYLE, SHOPPING // NEWS AND INFORMATION // JUST FUN // GAMES // EDUCATIONAL // PRODUCTIVITY // COMMUNICATION // UTILITIES AND TOOLS // BUSINESS, MONEY, JOBS

iPAD APPS: ENTERTAINMENT

1) Hulu Plus – TV on the iPad

Stream thousands from TV shows right on your iPad. Watch top current TV shows from NBC, Fox, ABC – Glee, 30 Rock, Modern Family, Saturday Night Live, The Office, Grey’s Anatomy, not to mention classics like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the X-Files, and Desperate Housewives. Watch when it’s convenient for you! Cost: Free.

2) Pandora Radio

I love Pandora. Pick a song, band or genre that you like, and Pandora will continuously stream music in that style. A great way to explore new music that’s similar to what you already like. Cost: Free.

3) Fandango Movies – Times & Tickets

Use this iPad app to check movie times and buy your ticket ahead of time – don’t wait in line for that blockbuster. Plus: watch movie trailers and read fan reviews and a summary of major reviews from Metactric. Do you really want to go to “Rocky VIII”? Cost: Free.

4) IMDb Movies & TV

The iPad app for the site that is pretty much the movie and TV online resource. Search a sprawling database of 1.5 million movie and TV titles and more than 3 million actors, actress, directors and other entertainment celebrities. Synopses, trailers, photos, show times. An awesome resource. Cost: Free.

The Hulu app

5) TV Guide Mobile

All the show times and channels for your favorite TV shows, in a user friendly interface for the iPad. Search by show or episode. Customize the listings to follow your favorite shows. Plus, get all the daily entertainment news – who’s dating whom, who’s breaking up with whom, and who’s in rehab. Cost: Free.

6) Slacker Radio

Unlimited free access to zillions of songs from thousands of bands and artists – yes, your favorites must be in this collection. Claims “over four times the music of the leading competitor.” (Hmm…could that be Pandora?) Set up your own station or choose from more than 120 expert-programmed playlists. Cost: Free.

7) TMZ

More entertainment news than any human can reasonably consume. The celebrity rumors, the recaps, the most aggressive paparazzi. Includes videos, photos, quick updates. How’s the Brangelina doing today? Cost: Free.

The Netflix app

8) Family Guy

A game based on the nutty Family Guy TV show. Hey, you thought you were going to be productive this afternoon. Think again! Cost: Free.

9) Netflix

I think this means the future is here: the Netflix app enables you to stream TV shows and movies (some of them free) on your iPhone or iPad. So you essentially have a movie theater and a TV set in your backpack or pocket. Wild. Cost: Free, but you need a Netflix subscription.

10) ESPN ScoreCenter

All the leagues, all the scores, all the sports, right there in interactive color on your iPad. Set up scoring alerts, customize coverage of your favorite team. Provides enough stats for even the most dedicated sports junkie. Cost: Free.

iPad app categories:

ENTERTAINMENT // LIFESTYLE, SHOPPING // NEWS AND INFORMATION // JUST FUN // GAMES // EDUCATIONAL // PRODUCTIVITY // COMMUNICATION // UTILITIES AND TOOLS // BUSINESS, MONEY, JOBS