Make your iPad more capable without having to splash the cash
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HEN APPLE FIRST made the iPad, it wasn’t entirely sure what it was for. The answer turns out to be: everything. It’s a music–maker, document–creator, news–reader, sketchbook, photo–editor, and graphic–designer. And we haven’t even mentioned the huge selection of TV apps such as catch–up TV and video streaming, or the many free games and kids’ apps available for iPadOS. The free apps here will make your life easier, more entertaining, or both.
NETNEWSWIRE
From Brent Simmons, ranchero.com/netnewswire Also on iPhone
> The iPad is a very good reading device. However, reading things from web pages or social media can be a real pain these days with endless cookie warnings, notification requests, odd formatting, and entire jungles of adverts. RSS feeds, which are published by most blogs and major publishing platforms, strip all that out and enable you to focus on the actual words.
There are lots of good RSS readers out there, but not many good free ones. NetNewsWire is in very select company. It pulls feeds from as many sources as you like and delivers them in a clean and consistent way, and there are lots of features for power users to manage even massive collections. It’s blazingly fast, easy to customize, and ideal for even the most serious news addict.
PAPER
From WeTransfer, paper.bywetransfer.com Also on iPhone
> Paper is a sketching and journalling app with a difference. In addition to the usual sketching brushes it offers a range of prompts, tips and help to assist you in getting what’s in your head down on Paper with speed and style.
FLIPBOARD
From Flipboard, flipboard.com
Also on iPhone
> This combines RSS reading, editors’ picks and your social media feeds to create a personalized and customizable news magazine. It’s best on the iPad’s bigger screen, where it really does feel like a magazine as you flick through.
HABIT TRACKER From Davetech, intuitive. studio Also on iPhone
> Forming or breaking habits is easier with a little help. Set up your goals in the app then use calendar and location– based reminders and notifications to get a nudge to do the right thing. There’s cloud backup and sync, and the ability to compete with friends.