The 3 Best Designed (& free) iPad Apps

25,000,000,000.  That is the number of app downloads the Apple Store surpassed last month.  Some kid in China was the 25 billionth download, and ended up winning a $10k iTunes gift certificate and a phone call from CEO Tim Cook.  I could of sworn I timed my download perfectly to win, oh well.  I only pull out these facts to show how large the app community has gotten over these past few years, and the fast pace it is setting.  The number of downloads and the number of apps to supply it will only keep growing.  I’ll admit, I do my fair share of app downloading, but I instill a rule of thumb:  If I don’t see use of the application within a month, it gets the chop.  It’s a good rule to follow if you want to keep you screen “app cluttered” free.  Now I know when getting a new “iDevice” people head on over to Facebook with a status update of, “I got an iPhone/iPad!!! What apps should I download??”.  To which the reply 90% of the time is, ” Nice Grandma! You have to get Shazam, Angry Birds, and Words with Friends, my username is Shap Attack!” (that is my username if you want to play by the way).  I’m not saying those apps aren’t worth downloading (they are), but people are missing out on some really good “blue chip” apps that not only have the magical function but the beautiful design.  I’m listing off my top 3 best designed and…wait for it….FREE iPad apps worth every non-penny you pay.  Do you have an app that didn’t make my top 3 but is just as awesome?  Comment below, and let me know!

1. Paper (iPad) [1]  :  A fairly new app by FiftyThree [2]  that takes note-taking and idea sketching to a new level of design.  The free app includes one brush (full set of brushes $8) and an amazing designed user experience from the moment you open it.  Watch the video below to get the full experience and capability.

2. Waze (iPhone + iPad) [3]   :  Please do not ever buy a GPS app on any mobile device.  Waze is a free GPS app that combines social crowd sourcing data to give you real time reports on speed traps, traffic jams, construction…etc.  It has search capability, turn by turn navigation with voice command, and no advertisements.  It uses a fun cartoon quality design with soft colors, making it seem like a casual game instead of a hard lined mobile GPS.  I couldn’t come up with a complaint if I tried.

3. Band of the Day (iPhone + iPad) [4] : A fun daily app that allows you to explore and find new great bands.  It uses a monthly calendar with each day being a new band to listen to, read about, and if interested, purchase their music.  I love the design layout, social media integration, and use of large imagery.  It’s a very inviting app allowing music exploration and broadcasting to the fullest.

Links

1. ^{^} 1. Paper (iPad) (itunes.apple.com)
2. ^{^} FiftyThree (www.fiftythree.com)
3. ^{^} 2. Waze (iPhone + iPad) (itunes.apple.com)
4. ^{^} 3. Band of the Day (iPhone + iPad) (itunes.apple.com)

source: www.rowlanddesign.com