5 iPad apps to start 2013 in the cloud

Clever HD

The Evernote cloud-based note-taking service is very popular and one of the most used cloud services for me. Recent changes to the Evernote app on the iPad left a lot to be desired in the interface department.

Clever HD is an app that works with the user's Evernote cloud storage and puts a simple, clean interface for working with it. There's an editor for creating text notes, an audio utility for recording audio notes, and complete features for working with Evernote notebooks.

One of the most useful features of Clever HD for me is the ability to create a shortcut to an Evernote note for inclusion in another note.

Clever HD - $4.99

CloudMagic

If you are like me you aren't just dabbling in the cloud, you are firmly entrenched in it. That means using multiple cloud services like Gmail, Dropbox, Google Drive, Twitter, Facebook, and.. well you get the picture.

Having so much information spread around multiple services complicates the ability to search through it all for the nugget of information you need. 

That's where CloudMagic steps in and it is extremely useful. Once you allow the app to access your cloud services you can search for any keyword or phrase across all of them at once. As demonstrated in the screen image above, the app handles most popular cloud services including Twitter.

Now you can find anything in your information with one simple search.

CloudMagic - Free for 50 previews/ month or $4.99/month for unlimited previews

CloudMagic search results

The CloudMagic app searches across all of your information no matter where it lives. This screen shows an example of a search. All results are in the pane on the left with a big preview window on the right.

This makes it a breeze to find any piece of information no matter where it lives.

See the previous slide for all the cloud services that can be searched with CloudMagic

CloudMagic - Free for 50 previews/month or $4.99/month for unlimited previews

Photoshop Express

When it comes to photo editors, Photoshop from Adobe is the king of them all. Photoshop Express brings a light version of the app to the iPad.

Common editing tools are easily accessed in Photoshop Express by sliding fingers up/down and lieft/right on the iPad screen. There are also effects that can be applied to photos with a simple tap.

Photoshop Express works directly with locally stored photos on the iPad and also with images stored in iCloud in Photo Stream.

Photoshop Express - Free

Office2 HD

The iPad may not have Microsoft Office as does the Surface tablet but the Office2 HD app makes up for the ommission. It is a full office suite that works with cloud services to directly access documents remotely.

There is a good word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and PDF editor incorporated in the app. It works with most popular cloud storage solutions to give instant access to your work.

Office2 HD- $7.99

Google+

Google may be the creator of Android but the iPad app for accessing the Google+ service is first-rate. The app displays the user's news feed in a graphical magazine-like layout that makes working with the service a joy.

All functions of Google+ are possible in the iPad app, including Google Hangouts, including video chats

Google+ - Free