10 Insanely Great iPad Apps We Can’t Wait to Use

Christina Warren
@Mashable
In less than 24-hours the iPad will finally be released. Now, the hardware, however sexy it might be, is not why so many people are itching to buy the device: It’s all about the apps! In the ramp-up to the iPad release, more and more applications have been announced or previewed and now that the apps are live in iTunes, we already know what apps will be available on day one.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve thought a lot about what apps we most want to try on the iPad upon its release and these ten represent some of our favorites. The selection of applications is varied — from games to web services to whole new product types. However successful the iPad ends up being will hinge in part on the apps available for the device. If these ten are any indication — iPad users have a lot to look forward to!

1. Twitterrific for iPad

Price: Free
App Type: iPad Specific
Why We Can’t Wait: Twitterrific was one of the first Twitter clients for the iPhone, and before that, was one of the first Twitter clients period. Although the app has faced some serious competition over the years on both the Mac and iPhone, it remains one of the best designed, best looking Twitter clients out there. Oh, and the Iconfactory’s icon for Twitterrific, well, it’s become iconic in its own right.

Twitterrific for iPad looks extraordinary. The extra space provided by the iPad means that more Twitter details can be shown and that more features can be accessed, yet Iconfactory has chosen not to make things cluttered or unusable. Seriously, check out some of these screenshots. I want to lick the screen. Almost 18 months ago, I implored Craig Hockenberry to let me “be Twitterrific’s bitch again.” If looks are any indication, the iPad release of Twitterrific will accomplish that goal.

2. Magic Piano

Price: $2.99
App Type: iPad Specific
Why We Can’t Wait: In 2008, Smule’s Ge Wang released Ocarina for the iPhone, a brilliant concept app that turned the iPhone into a flute. Last fall, Smule returned to the scene with I Am T-Pain, one of my favorite iPhone apps of 2009.

For the iPad, Wang and the team at Smule worked in overdrive to build a brand new app in only two short months. The results, which were featured on ABC News earlier this week, are truly mind-blowing.

Magic Piano lets you play classic piano pieces on a circular keyboard or by following beams of light. It’s also got plenty of network features if you want to interact with other Magic Pianists from all over the world.

3. Bento for iPad

Price: $4.99
App Type: iPad Specific
Why We Can’t Wait: Bento for Mac is a personal database program aimed at home or small business users. It’s a really fantastic application that can manage things like collections, to-do lists, inventories, team lists and more.

Bento also has a companion iPhone app that lets you manage and sync with your databases and collections from your phone. Created by FileMaker (a subsidiary of Apple), Bento might as well be called iData because it fits in so well with the rest of the iWork/iLife products.

Read the rest of the article here at Mashable