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Watch TV, relax, and find your way with these apps
Sure, the iPad is a great piece of hardware. But it’s nothing without a lot of great apps. Here are our picks for the best free iPad apps to download to get you started. We cover a range of interests, so you’re sure to find some great apps to download.
1. Share and Store Files: Dropbox
PROS
- Upload, transfer, and share files to the cloud.
- Set up automatic video and photo uploads.
- Easy way to send large files.
CONS
- You’ll need to upgrade to Dropbox Plus for additional storage and features.
- The free version doesn’t offer as much free storage as Google Drive.
Dropbox Basic (its free plan) is a great way to get 2 GB of free storage on your iPad. This cloud-based storage solution also lets you easily share files between your devices, so if you want a fast way to transfer photos from your iPad to your PC without a cable, use Dropbox. If you have a lot of documents on your PC you want to access from your iPad, use Dropbox to store them.
Dropbox works with most devices; use it to share files between your PC and laptop, your laptop and your iPad, or your iPhone.
2. Movie Reviews and Previews: IMDb
PROS
- Learn anything you want to know about actors, movies, and directors.
- Get personalized movie recommendations.
- Use the Watchlist to track your favourites.
CONS
- Warning: You may lose hours exploring IMDb.
- The app contains ads.
- Some users report poor site navigation.
If the iPad is the ultimate couch potato device, IMDb is the ultimate couch potato app. With access to the Internet Movie Database, you’ll never be left wondering why an actor’s face looks familiar or what other movies were made by a certain director. And you’ll quickly become an ace at Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.
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3. Look Up New Words: Dictionary.com
PROS
- More than two million definitions and synonyms.
- Test your vocabulary with a Quiz Widget.
- Special tools for English learners.
CONS
- You’ll need to upgrade to remove ads.
- Helpful features, like example sentences, are available only with a paid subscription.
We’ve covered entertainment, news, and the social experience, but the iPad can also be educational. The Dictionary.com iPad app has one of the best online dictionaries around without the usual high price tag. You’ll also get access to a Thesaurus and a Word of the Day. Tip: Use vocal pronunciations of each word so you can make sure you’re saying it right.
4. Listen to the Radio: iHeartRadio
PROS
- Find thousands of live radio stations.
- Stream sports from stations like ESPN.
- Find and follow your favourite podcasts.
CONS
- You’ll need a Plus or All Access paid subscription to download music for offline listening.
- Can’t select podcast genres.
Pandora may be the best music app for creating your custom radio stations, but it won’t help you listen to real stations. iHeartRadio is a combination of both, allowing you to create custom stations based on a favourite band or play real radio stations from around the world. A fun feature is the Weekly Music Mixtape, where iHeartRadio will compile your favourite tunes from the week.
5. Study Any Subject: Khan Academy
PROS
- Prepare with practice tests, quizzes, and exercises.
- Expertly created videos.
- Bookmark content and learn while offline.
CONS
- Not all the Khan Academy website functionality is available in the app.
- No easy way to report mistakes found in a lesson.
Khan Academy is a great companion for any student, whether they’re in college, high school, or middle school. The app includes lessons that span a variety of topics and classes. It even helps with SAT preparation.
But Khan Academy isn’t just for students. Anyone can use it as a virtual classroom, so if you love watching the history or science channels on your TV, you’ll love watching history and science videos with Khan Academy.
6. Access Your Computer Remotely: LogMeIn
PROS
- Integrates perfectly with Mac and Windows.
- Frequent updates with new improvements.
CONS
- Requires a paid subscription
- Occasional technical issues following updates.
With the LogMeIn app, you can get remote access to your laptop or desktop computer. Once you create an account, you can control the keyboard, mouse, command keys, and most other features on your iPad.
LogMeIn also offers a desktop version, which must be installed to enable remote access. If you already set up an account on your computer, use the same account with the app.
7. Best Time Waster: Temple Run 2
PROS
- Mobile game makes great use of the iPad platform.
- Addictive gameplay.
- Updated graphics, obstacles, and power-ups.
CONS
- Limited characters and costumes.
- This game could become a serious time-consumer.
Let’s not forget about gaming. There are any number of great free games to download on your iPad, but if you’re looking for something that combines the unique controls of the iPad with frantic action and addictive gameplay, the choice is simple: Temple Run 2. The sequel to the game that really defined the endless-runner genre is a whole lot of fun in an unassuming package.
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8. Check Your Internet Speed: Speedtest by Ookla
PROS
- Real-time assessment of network streaming quality.
- Troubleshoot or verify a promised speed.
- See connection consistency with real-time graphs.
CONS
- The free version contains ads.
- The results screen isn’t intuitive.
Speedtest by Ookla allows you to test the overall speed of your internet connection measured in megabits-per-second (Mbps). While it may sound like something only a techno-geek would want on their iPad, it’s handy for anyone, especially if you have an area of the house where you don’t get a good Wi-Fi signal. Speedtest will help you determine how bad your connection gets and help you test solutions.
The actual numbers will vary based on the top speed of your internet connection. Many people these days have connections capable of 25 to 50 Mbps or even faster. It generally takes about 8 to 12 Mbps to stream an HD movie without getting a lot of interruptions, though 15 or higher is ideal.
9. Control Your Apple TV: iTunes Remote
PROS
- Controls Apple TV, Apple Music, and iTunes.
- Playlist creation and editing.
- Use AirPlay to send or listen to music.
CONS
- Must make sure your Apple TV, Music, and OS are up to date.
- Your iPad must be running iOS 11.4 or later.
If you own an Apple TV or if you stream a lot of music from Apple Music on your PC, iTunes Remote is a must-have app. It is basically a remote control for Apple TV, which is great because the small remote that comes with Apple TV is easy to lose. The iTunes Remote app will also let you play music from your PC if you have Apple Music or iTunes loaded and Home Sharing turned on.
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10. Stream Free Movies and TV: Crackle
PROS
- Great selection of movies and TV shows.
- Free with no subscription commitment.
- Original and on-demand content.
CONS
- No live-streaming choices.
- You’ll see ads before watching content.
- Few kids’ options.
Move over Netflix and Hulu Plus, there’s a great new movie app in town. Crackle delivers excellent entertainment in an interface that stands up to Hulu Plus and exceeds Netflix. Plus, it’s a free download with no subscription costs. With free movies and TV shows, Crackle is a must-have app and one of the best free apps on the App Store.
