Creating
Simplenote — Simple clutter-free UI, instant synchronization, iPad and iPhone apps, JustNotes on the Mac, Web access. My go-to note taking, idea dumping, list making, unstructured todo. Should come bundled in iOS instead of Notes.
Evernote — As much as I love the simplicity of Simplenote, I do end up using Evernote more often. With its multiple notebooks, Web clipper, PDF and image storage, Evernote is my big bucket of bits. I store more stuff for longer, using Simplenote mostly for short-term notes (some of which get copied to and archived in Evernote).
Adobe Ideas — Did you know Adobe made one of the first, decent, native iPad apps? That alone is worth a few points. Besides, it’s a great little apple for sketching out ideas, annotating screenshots and the occasional doodle.
iMockups — It’s more fun to use than mockup apps on the Mac (although not necessarily quicker), and I find it helps (a lot) to do early design work on the single-tasking iPad. Focus. Will set you back $10, though.
Popplet — Popplet exists somewhere between mind-mapping, single-person brain-storming and collaging. The UI is incredibly easy and smooth that I don’t have to think about it, what you’d expect from a true iPad app. This one works, where all the other mind-mapping tools I tried felt lacking. (Tip: there’s a free lite version you can try out)
Consuming
Reeder — One of, if not the best iPad app. After Reeder came out I stopped reading feeds on the Mac, at the same time subscribed to more feeds to read. The only feed reader that comes close is Reeder on the iPhone, which I keep around for the occasional DMV visit or weekend Costco check-out line.
Instapaper — Instapaper guarantees that I will always have more to read than time to read.
AirVideo — AirVideo is my Instapaper for videos. Download talks and presentations with ClickToFlash, organize and store on the Mac, watch on the treadmill. (Tip: you can boost the volume louder and zoom in before hitting Play)
Dropbox — DropBox is the easiest way to access files away from the computer. Mark a file as favorite and DropBox will download it and store a copy on your iPad (or iPhone). I use it to read books and reference material (PDFs mostly) offline, and sync videos when traveling (no cable required). (Tip: it can also view Pages, Numbers and many other file types, or open them in dedicated app)
Kindle — Truth is, between Reader, Instapaper, AirVideo and a healthy appreciation for sleep, it’s been long since I last looked at a book, but mentioning a book reader app makes me look more worldly. Also, I got two books waiting to be finished.
NetFlix — It’s like having a TV in every room, except the volume could use some boost (AirVideo got that part right)
I tweet a lot from the iPad, I use Twitterific for that, but I’m eager to replace it with a better Twitter client (anyone know what happened to Tweetie?). This list is for apps I’d recommend to others.
Helping Hand
1Password — Rule #1: use a unique password for every site, that way if one site gets compromised, the rest of your online life remains unharmed. Rule #2: use a password manager to prevent entering passwords into phishing sites. Hence, 1Password installed on both iPhone and iPad.
WeatherBug — What is it about iPad apps that make you walk across the room, turn the iPad on and fire up the app, even though you were just sitting in front of a powerful computer with x5 the screen real-estate? Let me rephrase: how come no one managed to create a weather site that doesn’t suck? At least we got an app for that.
Dictionary — Because my spelling needs all the help it can get.
Of course I have other stuff, 3 screenfuls of apps, but these are the ones I keep coming back to, the ones I couldn’t live with out. Well, I could, life just wouldn’t be as awesome.
Kobi
Jim Alateras