My Top 5 iPad Applications of 2010

With the year of 2010 closing its curtain to get ready for 2011, I thought I would share my top 5 iPad applications for the year. The iPad also runs a similar operating system to the iPhone but it is specially made for its form factor. It is one of the most revolutionary devices that has been introduced this year as it is the first of its kind. I have previously posted my top 5 iPhone applications for 2010 and if you are interested please check it out here. 

5. Weather HD

Weather HD is one of the essential applications to have on the iPad since it does not come with any weather applications out of the box. This application feature beautiful sceneries in conjunction with the weather on the places that users have selected. 

4. Twitter for iPad

This one is a must. Twitter for iPad is a very simple application for all of your Twitter needs. This application uses screen real estate quite well and my favourite feature is that you can continue browsing through all the tweets when you have tapped on a link. This application is available for free on the app store. 

3. Scrabble

Scrabble is one or if not the best word game. Scrabble for iPad is currently on sale (as at 22/12/10) and it is worth purchasing as it will also allow  multiplayer game sessions, weather it would be "pass n' play" or party play. There is a companion application available on the app store that makes your iPhone to be the tile rack of the letters and it connects to the iPad via Bluetooth.

2. Goodreader

The iPad would be incomplete without this application. Goodreader basically allows people to open and download documents (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel) so that it would also be available for offline viewing. This is one of the essential applications that needs to be installed right now on your iPad if it has not been installed already. 

1. Remote

This is my favourite application installed on the iPad. Remote for the iPhone has been available since 2009. However, with the launch of the iPad, Apple has decided to update this application to be also optimised for the iPad a few months later. This application is a godsend as it will allow people to control their iTunes library on their computer or even control the Apple TV! Better yet the interface of this application is very similar to iTunes on the computer whether you are controlling the Apple TV or the iTunes library on the computer. Download this now!

So that is my top 5 iPad applications of 2010. What are your top 5 iPad applications? is it similar to mine or is it something completely different? Please comment on this post to share your top applications for the iPad. Happy holidays! 

My Christmas Wish List 2010

It seems to be the thing to do at the moment, so here is my Christmas Wishlist for 2010. It's in three different sections with stuff that's super important, not so important but would be good to get, and stocking filler ideas. Enjoy!

Super Important

-UFC Official Fight Gloves (Large)|These would be ideal as I have a punching bag, but the gloves that came with it are honestly rubbish. The UFC gloves are top class and what's more they're worn by all the top fighters in the world. They have good padding as well, which is excellent|: http://www.amazon.co.uk/UFC-Official-Fight-Glove-Large/dp/B0019EXPJY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1290963657&sr=8-1

-LEGO City Crawler Crane #7632|I need a new LEGO set, and as I'm collecting the City construction series at the moment, this set seems the obvious choice. It's tall and is quite cheap for what you get. More importantly it has a whole load of features|:http://www.amazon.co.uk/LEGO-City-7632-Crawler-Crane/dp/B001CQLUYG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1290963996&sr=8-1

-iPod Shuffle (Orange)|I need a new iPod, and seeing as I hate the new Nano, this is the only option. My current Nano is slowly crapping out on me and this new Shuffle does seem to have a good mix of features|: http://www.apple.com/uk/ipodshuffle/

-Money|Pretty obvious, but want it specifically to pay off the price of my Xbox and just to have more money in the bank|

-Flip Flops|Probably unconsciously the item i use most, the ones i have are all worn out and crappy, so would like a new pair of good ones|

-MATCH Annual 2010|I adore the football (soccer) magazine, and I always get the annual. It's pretty good this year and as usual it features tons of fun games and funny photos|

Not very Important, but would be good

-A few accessories for my fish tank|My goldfish (now 11) almost froze (literally!) when it was really cold a few weeks ago. He has now been put in a brand new tank in my room, so he gets fed properly and cared for properly. But his tank is a bit bare, so I want some good stuff to put in it|

-Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 (PS2)|I only like PES because of the sick graphics (better that FIFA) so I sort of want it for PS2, just to see if there have been any big improvements|:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-Evolution-Soccer-2011-PS2/dp/B00403MIF8

-LEGO City Single Drum Roller #7746|Another possible LEGO set, again, just continuing in the LEGO City construction range|: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lego-7746-Exclusive-Single-Roller/dp/B001U3ZMFO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys&qid=1290964567&sr=8-1

-A DVD Case Stand|This would actually be for my video games (for PS2 and Xbox) as I don't really have a good place to put them|

Stocking filler ideas

-iTunes Giftcards

-DVDs

-Vouchers

-Stationary (pens especially)

-Anything Cadburys

-Mac Software

-Books (not many)

My Blog

Elago M2 Mobile Stand

This is a quick review of the Elago M2 Mobile Stand. It is designed for the iPhone and iPod Touch. It is made out of aluminum so it is not only very strong, but it also matches the MacBook Pro and iMac. I think it's a great stand because you can use your iPhone in both portrait and landscape. Also, when you are using it, you still have complete access to all of your ports.

YouTube

iLife '11 — the all new iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand

Apple recently announced their latest upgrade to the iLife suite during the “Back to the Mac” event in October. iLife ’11 includes new releases of iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand. Apple did a great job in adding more advanced features while maintaining their trademark simplicity. The upgrade is priced at only $49 USD and is definitely worth the price.

The incredible new iPhoto has added support for Facebook/Flickr and sharing photos through email. The changes to the full-screen mode allow you to utilize every pixel of your display to its fullest. Apple has also improved the slideshows feature with new transitions and themes. Their book/card-printing service has been updated and now allows for more customization of photo albums and holiday cards. iPhoto continues to keep its “Faces” and “Places” features, as well as its great image retouching tools.

The album view in iPhoto's full-screen mode looks amazing.

iPhoto's face recognition automatically recognizes faces in your photos and allows you to tag then.

The biggest change in the suite is in iMovie. Apple has added a “movie trailers” feature that makes producing short teasers for your films a breeze. Choose a series of clips you would like to use, fill in the credits, and choose a theme and iMovie will automatically stitch together a professional-grade trailer for you next movie.

Apple has also included more advanced audio editing tools in iMovie ’11. Audio clips are now color-coded and provide options for adding fades and filters. Another new feature is what Apple calls “one-step effects”. With the dozens of new effects, such as “instant replay” and color correction, your iMovie project will definitely stand out from other home videos.

iMovie ’11 has also included more exporting options, including iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, QuickTime movies, and more. You can also publish your videos directly to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, and even CNN’s iReport. You can also create a video podcast and send it directly to Podcast Producer.

iMovie '11 give you more control over your audio.

Making professional trailers has never been easier.

Making great music in GarageBand has never been simpler. The iLife ’11 upgrade introduced Flex Time, a function that fixes timing issues when something sounds a little off.  Flex Time allows you to manually move, stretch, or shorten individual notes without changing the rest of your recording.GarageBand ’11 adds more guitar amps the Apple’s library and allows you to reproduce the sound of foot pedals with new stompbox effects. Apple also included many new instrument lessons with the update.

Flex Time makes it easy to fix timing errors in your music. 

Apple's instrument lessons make learning the piano or guitar fun.

More lessons can be downloaded or purchased from the Lesson Store.

iLife ’11 allows you to do more with your photos, video, and music than ever before. In iPhoto, you can enjoy your photos in the new full-screen modes. You can turn your home videos into professional films with the latest iMovie and create the perfect soundtrack within GarageBand. iLife ’11 is included with every new Mac, but every existing user should consider the upgrade. If you enjoyed this post, please check out MacDesign, a blog centered around graphic design and video production on the Mac platform.

News Corp. and Apple to Launch Tablet-Only Newspaper Later this Month

There have been many reports and rumors of a tablet only newspaper, and today The Guardian reports that the project will be unvailed unveiled later this month. Reports say the newspaper will be called "The Daily" and it will be exclusive to the iPad and other tablets in the future.

Apple were hailing the iPad as the future of newspapers, books and other publications. Apple are still trying to gain