Jessica’s most-used iPhone and iPad apps of 2011
It has taken me so long to write up my most used apps of 2011 because – how was I supposed to choose just five apps? However, I’ve managed to narrow it down. My first home screen page is dedicated to my most used apps. This list isn’t in any particular, so here we go!
- Jessica
1Password
I live and breathe this app 24/7. I can’t live without it. My entire life is stored within it. It’s way more than a password manager to me. 1Password has the best customer support and it’s a well designed, easy to use app.
- $14.99 for iPhone and iPad – iTunes link
- $9.99 for iPhone – App Store link
- $9.99 for iPad – App Store link
Echofon Pro for Twitter
I love Twitter but trying to keep up with my timeline was killing me. It wasn’t bad when I was only using Twitter via my iPhone. Then I added my iMac to the mix and it got a tad bit more complicated. And, well, I was completely done for once I got an iPad. Echofon is my Twitter app of choice. Echofon had tweet syncing long before other apps and Tweet Marker. Tweet syncing is my number one priority when it comes to any Twitter client. But that’s not the only thing I love about Echofon. It’s a universal app and it’s inline photo/video preview is topnotch! It’s not the prettiest Twitter app but it is one of the most function. I’ll take function over pretty any day of the week. The Mac app is full of awesome too.
- $4.99 for iPhone and iPad – App Store link
Downcast
Oh how I love this app! This is app is AMAZING! It doesn’t get the credit it deserves either. This app does so much. You can customize it as little or as much as you like because it has a TON of features and settings. I’m pretty hardcore when it comes to my podcasts because I’m subscribed to so many. I like to be as efficient as possible so I love how I have control over every feed individually. This app is universal and the iCloud syncing rocks.
- $1.99 for iPhone and iPad – App Store link
iBooks
I still adore this app. The latest update has fixed everything I didn’t like when I made iBooks my Pick of the Week many months ago. ‘Nuff said!
- Free for iPhone and iPad – App Store link
Reeder
What can I say about this app that hasn’t already been said by Rene, Ally, Andrew, and Chris? So I’ll just say, “Ditto” but I’ll also say the Mac version rocks too.
- $2.99 for iPhone – App Store link
- $4.99 for iPad – App Store link
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![Top 10 accessories for your iPad [Sponsored]](http://www.tipb.com/images/stories/2010/11/otterbox_defender_case_ipad-021-400x266.jpg)
You can’t get much lighter than an ultra-strong, ultra-durable protective skin like Bodyguardz for your iPad. If you like the look of your iPad, don’t want the bulk of a regular case, but do want to protect it from scratches and abrasions, then this is the way to go. [$29.95 - 
The Marware Eco-Vue is the executive iPad case with all the trimmings. It’s the Cadillac option. Eco-friendly leather exterior meets plush suede interior meets hand-strap and keyboard stand. This is the iPad case for those who mean business or want to look like they do. [$42.95 - 
The Otterbox Defender case is multilayer armor for your iPad. A hard inner shell with clear plastic protection for the screen and Apple Logo is covered by a soft rubber outer shell that covers all the buttons and ports and keeps your iPad safe from impact, abrasion, and incidental weather. It even has a kickstand you can fold up and use as a faceplate for extra protection. It’s pretty only in the bulldog sense of the word but if you need to keep your iPad safe, it’s also your go-to case. [$86.95 - 
The SPE Retractable Sync and Charge Cable is just like the standard iPad cable — USB 2.0 on one end, 30-pin dock connector on the other — but can go from 24-inches fully extended down to just 4.5-inches to easily fit in your jacket, bag, purse, or pocket. You can plug it into your WIndows or Mac PC, or into an AC adapter to charge your iPad without worrying about excess cable getting in your way. That makes it especially useful for road warriors, students, and frequent travelers. [$4.95 - 
The Griffin A-Frame has high quality, aluminum construction that not only matches your iPad’s good looks but makes it more convenient as well. You can either set it up easel-style to watch movies, look at photos, or follow recipes, or lay it back so it props up your iPad at a more comfortable keyboard angle. [$49.99 - 
The iPad has a good virtual, multitouch keyboard but if you want to pound out pages of prose, slave away on spreadsheets, or just get a lot of document work done, you're going to need some hardware keys. The Freedom i-Connex Mini connects via Bluetooth and gives you that tactile feedback while staying ultra small and ultra portable on the road, in the air, or at the coffee shop. [$37.95 - 
Since iPad doesn’t have a removable battery crafty accessory makers have made all sorts of different external battery packs for it, including Ventev PowerCELL. Rather than a case or dongle, the Ventev is a power pack with ports for not only iiPad’s dock cable but also mini and micro USB so you can charge Bluetooth headsets and even other devices. This makes it the perfect universal power solution for travelers. [$54.95 - 
The Case-Mate Barely There is tough enough to protect your iPhone 4 from scratches or scrapes without adding a lot of bulk — just enough to keep your signal from dropping if you’re in a low-reception area. It comes in a wide variety of colors, including black, blue, pink, green, and chrome, and has wide cutouts so it works with pretty much any cable or connector. There’s also a cutout for the Apple logo on the back, if that’s the kind of thing that appeals to you. Includes a screen protector. [$22.95 - 
The Griffen Elan Passport is a wallet-style case that keeps your iPhone safe, secure, and in the same place as your cash and most-used credit cards. It comes in black with a platinum variant that includes a lanyard. Rich leather with tasteful metallic accents give it just the right touch of class and styling. It even includes a cutout for the camera so you can take snapshots and shoot video without removing your iPhone from the case. [$37.95 - 
The Otterbox Defender case is multilayer armor for your iPhone. A hard inner shell with clear plastic protection for the screen and Apple Logo is covered by a soft rubber outer shell that covers all the buttons and ports and keeps your iPhone safe from impact, abrasion, and incidental weather. It comes in black, blue, or red and includes a fast-action belt clip if you want to wear your iPhone at your side. It’s pretty only in the bulldog sense of the word but if you need to keep your iPhone safe, it’s also your go-to case. [$47.95 - 
iOS 4.2 is a big deal. If you have been using 3.2 for iPad, then the new version updates your iPad with a bunch of new features that make it seem “new”. For starters, the multitasking we have gotten used to on iPhone is now available on iPad as part of the update. Multitasking has really improved my workflow. I do a lot of app switching from email to web, Evernote to Pages and more. Being able to almost instantaneously switch apps is a great productivity enhancer and goes along way towards making the iPad a producing device rather than a consuming one.
I have an issue with the way Apple markets their products. It seems too overdrawn sometimes. Whether it’s the Beatles coming to iTunes being called a day we’ll never forget or iOS 4.2.1 being called a whole new magical iPad, it just sets expectations far too high and leads to disappointment when reality never quite matches up with the distortion field. 
iOS 4.2.1 has brought my iPad to a whole new level of awesomeness. After 4.0 dropped for the iPhone and iPod Touch, I found myself readily using those devices a lot more than my iPad. I’m now back to using my iPad a lot more under iOS 4.2.1. The biggest addition to me would be folders and multitasking. It was much needed and makes the user experience much more enjoyable. I got so used to folders on my iPhone 4 that scrolling through pages and pages of apps on the iPad became daunting. I also found myself double tapping my home button on the iPad expecting a multitasking tray to pop up. Every time it didn’t, I died a little inside. Now that it actually does, my iPad is becoming something I use on a daily basis again instead of something I was only picking up to browse the web casually and play full screen games. 
While many folks are in love with the new Airplay features, it’s never been a concern for me. That said, I’m pleased as punch to finally have real folders on my iPad, as well as multitasking. Overall, some great additions to iOS can be found in 4.2.1 for iPad users but for me it’s still pretty much the same device as before. (nothing wrong with that) Just now, I can keep things better organized.
Haven’t updated yet so can’t really comment yet. 
When I purchased my iPad on launch day several months ago I thought I was just buying it as a device to test out and use occasionally since it didn’t seem to really fit any need. My iPad is now my constant travel companion and serves in the role of hotel room surfing machine, portable television, airplane seat movie player, gaming machine, and universal ebook reader. I was looking forward to the advantages gained in the iOS 4.2 update and my iPad has turned into an even more useful device with the update.
iOS 4.2.1 is the grand unification update, the software that brings iPhone, iPod touch, and for the first time, iPad all onto the same version number and at the same time. Yes, it’s the one firmware to rule them all.
I’m not as “seasoned” as other users, but from my perspective I’d say same old same old. While folders definitely add to the organization of things, there not much there in my opinion that keeping apps on separate pages can’t accomplish. I suppose you could say I’m a “low level” iPad user, so I VERY rarely use multitasking and Airplay/print not at all. Multitasking is great for killing apps, but honestly doesn’t offer that much more for me in terms of how I use the device. I’m a simple guy so really just having things work is fine by me. I do like the folders and think they definitely help keep things more organized and where I need them, but I can totally live without them. 
