Top 10 iPad apps (plus a sneak preview of a cool app)

Summary: These apps are the most-used apps on my iPad. They include writer's tools, research tools, and even remote access utilities. There is a bonus sneak peek at an app not yet available.

By James Kendrick | February 19, 2012 -- 19:21 GMT (11:21 PST)

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Panes brings multi-tasking and widgets to the iPad. The app displays up to three columns (panes), each containing one or two widgets. The widgets are rich and varied, from a full Twitter client to a web browser. Using Panes you can follow Twitter and Facebook side-by-side with yet another widget alongside them both. The widgets include an RSS reader, Google Reader, calculator, and calendar app just to name a few. The Panes can be closed as desired with a simple swipe, allowing any one or two apps to take the full screen.

Those familiar with the app Glimpse for the HP TouchPad will recognize Panes, as it is a direct port to the iPad, bringing widgets and multiple windows to iOS.

Panes is in beta and not yet available, but should be in the App Store soon. It is a very useful app and already one of the apps I use the most on my iPad.

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9 comments

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RE: Top 10 iPad apps (plus a sneak preview of a cool app)

The free version of Onlive is not available for download in the Philippines.

aestrada58@...
20 February, 2012 17:03

Reply Vote
RE: Top 10 iPad apps (plus a sneak preview of a cool app)

Flipbook has been skipping random Facebook and Twitter posts. Odd indeed.

henselj@...
20 February, 2012 18:04

Reply Vote
RE: Top 10 iPad apps (plus a sneak preview of a cool app)

Download not available in Malaysia?

LuckySkunk
21 February, 2012 05:18

Reply Vote
Who's the app developer for Panes?

Tried a search for some info on this new Panes app on the "interwebs" and couldn't find anything, looks like a great app though.

mbonasso
21 February, 2012 07:10

Reply Vote
- Who's the app developer for Panes? Inglorious Apps!
  
  @mbonasso Panes is a port of Glimpse for the HP Touchpad by Inglorious Apps. You can read a review of Glimpse here: http://www.webosnation.com/app-review-glimpse-for-touchpad
  
  spreng
  21 February, 2012 08:37
  
  Reply Vote
not in Canada

onlive desktop not available in Canada

cbc1@...
21 February, 2012 07:54

Reply Vote
Panes looks to bring some Android/WM/WP like functionality to iOS

I don't want to start a silly war here, but such facilities are one of the key differences between iOS and other portable OSs. Widget/gadget/live icons/tiles of various sizes are a feature of Android and WM/WP.<br><br>However, it also opens up the possibility that the OS gets heavily used as Panes may end up doing a lot of work, which may well lead to GUI jumpiness. There is a reason Apple chose not to allow it directly, besides wanting a simple paradigm for users.<br><br>I dare say that most users of Panes would probably understand if things got a bit shaky if they load it up too much, as it is more likely a tool for power users, who would understand that the iPad is not a PC (of any OS persuasion).

Patanjali
21 February, 2012 08:41

Reply Vote
Weather Live is also providing a widget space

Interesting phenomena. Perhaps it is multiple platform developers who are seeing ways to Androidise iOS.

One day someone may just make a single app that takes over the whole display all the time and provides a counter-culture widget ecosystem for other developers to plug into!

Sort of like Parallels for iOS!

Patanjali
21 February, 2012 08:50

Reply Vote
RE: Top 10 iPad apps (plus a sneak preview of a cool app)

I really like the look of the onLive Desktop, but sadly its not available in Australia.

karlem
21 February, 2012 15:51

Reply Vote