One of the subtle shortcomings of the iPad app store is that it presents all of the apps you might be interested in installing is such a random manner (within some category guidelines) that it makes getting some systematic implementations of apps more difficult that it should be. I intend to start presenting suites of related apps which are possibly worth your time in checking out.
For this week, I have decided to showcase how well I can deal with as many sorts of social networking services as possible with the least effort and with the fewest apps. I have one app specifically for Facebook and Twitter, an app for all of my IM accounts, and I can sms text from the iPad using another app.
Since the iPad doesn’t come with a camera (yet, but that is another story, which may be resolved in only a month or so…), I have passed on a specific Skype app (which I have on my iPhone and NetBook). For Twitter and Facebook I also have implemented them in to the feeds I use on my Flipboard and Pulse News reader apps. These tow apps also give me a pretty flashy presentation for many of my Google Reader feeds.
So, the apps I have are:
1. The Official Twitter iPad App: this app may not have as many bells and whistles as some of the other Twitter based apps, but it is (1) free, and (2) allows me to deal with Twitter in a reasonably simple manner.
2. Friendly, a Facebook implementation for iPad. As with the Twitter app, this is simple, clean, and very similar to the traditional online Facebook account. This app allows me to accomplish everything I need to do on Facebook.
3. IM+: Instant Messaging, this app allows me log in to all of the Instant Messenger accounts which I have (excluding my Facebook IM app…see above). I have access to my Gtalk account, my MSN messenger account, my Yahoo Messenger account, my Skype account, and there are plenty of other services to load onto this app. I use the free version (which includes some relatively painless advertisements; the pro version is less than $5.00 and eliminates these distractions).
4. Textnow, this is an app which I have, but rarely use. I have the free version (a similar set up as with IM+ as far as free and paid versions, with or without ads…). In a pinch I can send a receive SMS or MMS messages …but from a different phone number…This is the reason that I keep this app in reserve. I suppose I could try to connect this in some sort of Google Voice account (oh yeah, this service isn’t provided up here in the woods…). So, I have it, and may use it…
This list could show you that with three (free) apps and possibly implementations in tow other (free) apps (namely Flipboard and Pulse News) you can deal with social networking communications pretty easily
IPad Social Networking Apps
http://gizmodo.com/5511609/ipad-social-networking-apps
IPad apps: Twitter and social networking essentials
http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/04/ipad-apps-twitter-and-social-networking-essentials
Top 5 Best Social Networking Apps for iPad
http://www.appconsumer.com/top-5-best-social-networking-apps-for-ipad-2
