The best iPad apps for work and play

Apple recently celebrated its 25 billionth App Store download. But anyone who's used the App Store knows it's a complex maze of useful, entertaining and sometimes totally pointless creations.

There's so much variety that deciding what to download can be quite daunting. Luckily, Mobilechoices.co.uk can help! These are our Top 15 apps to keep the whole family busy, whether they’re hard at work or play.

Some are free, others you pay for - but if anything's guaranteed, it's that there's an app on this list you can't live without.

iPad apps for work/business

Quickoffice Pro HD

Not the cheapest of apps but potentially a smart investment. Quickoffice Pro HD is a powerful document editing suite with a built-in PDF viewer and file manager system that work seamlessly with email attachments and cloud storage. It's a great tool for creating and editing Microsoft Office documents, spreadsheets and presentations on the move. Of course, there are a few limitations but all the essentials are there.

Download the Quickoffice Pro HD app for iPad

Noteshelf

If you're a keen note taker in meetings then you're bound to love Noteshelf from independent developer Ramki. It's a real hidden gem in the App Store and could be yours for just a few pounds. It allows you to write notes in numerous colours and formats using smooth and natural handwriting. You can even sketch page layouts or design concepts in detail. If you've already got an iPad it's time to throw out the notepad and pen.

Download the Noteshelf app for iPad

DocScan HD

There's nothing like a free app, especially one that's as useful in the office as the brilliant DocScan HD. Perhaps it's not the most exciting concept, but with this app you can "scan in" any document or note - even if it's crumpled and curled. Essentially, it just uses the iPad's lens to photograph your page and save a digital version. But with its added features, like auto-detect and quick-edit controls, it's far more than just a camera.

Download the DocScan HD app for iPad

iPad games

Fruit Ninja

Without a doubt the least violent game to involve samurai swords, Fruit Ninja is exactly what the name suggests. Swipe your finger around the screen and your blade will slice any apples, oranges or watermelons in its path. You've got to watch out for the occasional bomb, or else it'll be game over before you can say pomegranate. This one's a definite contender for both the most addictive and pointless iPad app around!

Download the Fruit Ninja app for iPad

Words With Friends

Anyone who loves playing Scrabble will also love Words With Friends. Beyond a basic grasp of English, all you really need are a couple of buddies to play against. It works in much the same way as the classic game, with each player searching for high-scoring words in their random selection of letters. And with extra features like instant chat and Facebook integration, it's more sociable than ever. Plus, you can have up to 20 games on the go!

Download the Words With Friends app for iPad

Touch Hockey 2

The original was downloaded 35 million times, and there's a good chance that Touch Hockey 2 will be every bit as successful. It's a fairly minimal concept but then simplicity is often king when it comes to making a popular app. The game is based on classic arcade air hockey and is equally fun - and frustrating - in 2D top-down view as it is in more realistic 3D. You can play against friends, either sharing the screen or online via Wi-Fi.

Download the Touch Hockey 2 app for iPad

Best iPad entertainment apps

Netflix

If you're a paying Netflix member, the iPad app is free as part of your subscription, so you might as well download it for unbeatable convenience in TV and movie entertainment. Just like the Netflix website - and apps for other devices - it lets you watch all your favourite films and TV shows, streamed instantly over the internet. You'll obviously need a connection, ideally unlimited broadband with Wi-Fi. That way there's no need to worry about running up extra charges for exceeding a download limit.

Download the Netflix app for iPad

Spotify

A fantastic free app for anyone who loves discovering new music, Spotify is like your own personalised jukebox that only plays songs it thinks you'll love. Just start with the name of your favourite band, track or album and Spotify will create a custom radio station that streams similar music over the internet. Paying subscribers can also create playlists that can be accessed offline by an iPod or similar music playing device.

Download the Spotify app for iPad

Shazam

Another one for the music lovers among us, Shazam can instantly solve a problem as old as time itself. We've all had those moments in cool bar or shop when the songs on the stereo are brilliant but we have no idea who the artist is. Or worse still, when you're sure you know - you just can't for the life of you bring it to mind. Shazam will "listen" for a few seconds then use a 3G or Wi-Fi connection to instantly give you the answer.

Download the Shazam app for iPad

iPad apps for children

Memory King

The last thing you want when your kids have a hold of the iPad is the risk of them spending your hard-earned cash on digital goods to improve their zoo or feed a virtual pet. Luckily, Memory King is totally free with absolutely no strings attached. It's a basic memory card matching game ideal for kids aged between two and six years. The settings are completely customisable so you can alter themes and difficulty.

Download the Memory King app for iPad

Toca Hair Salon

Not an easy one to categorise, the Toca Hair Salon app is more of a virtual barber's shop than a game. There isn't really a winner, and no record of points is kept - just grab the scissors, shampoo and dye then let your creativity run wild. Children will love the strange-looking characters and there's really no limit on the hours they can spend just laughing out loud at their wacky creations.

Download the Toca Hair Salon app for iPad

Dream PetHouse

If your children love animals, they'll no doubt love building a virtual treehouse filled with adorable critters in Dream PetHouse. It follows a similar form to other Zynga games, such as CityVille Hometown, where virtual in-game extras can be bought with your real money in just a few clicks. So make sure your child can be trusted before you let them out of your sight with it. This is another one for younger kids.

Download the Dream PetHouse app for iPad

Handy to have on your iPad

Tweetbot

Dubbed by developer Tapbots as a "Twitter client with personality", the Tweetbot app for iPad is a wonderful tool for anyone hooked on the popular micro-blogging site. It's a full-featured app with a meticulously-crafted interface, as well as customisable sounds and animation. If you've had problems with the official Twitter app, or maybe you just want to try something different, there's lots to love about Tweetbot.

Download the Tweetbot app for iPad

Clear

Technically, this one's designed for the iPhone but works just as well on your iPad display. With Clear you create a to-do list in order of priority, with shades of red, yellow and orange creating a "heatmap" of what's most important. It's stylishly minimalistic and very easy to use, but for quite a simple app you can do an awful lot with it. Simply swipe an item to cross it off your list, and slide two tasks apart to insert a new one between them.

Download the Clear app for iPad

Offline Pages Pro

Do you often struggle to find a Wi-Fi hotspot? Spend hours commuting by train or bus without a 3G signal? Offline Pages Pro could be for you if your iPad is frequently disconnected from the web - maybe you have the Wi-Fi only version or the 3G reception is poor in your area. It lets you download web pages while connected and then access them later offline. You can even set it to automatically download each day, so you always have the latest headlines to read on your commute.

Download the Offline Pages Pro app for iPad

One(black) £0.00	600 min Unlimited texts	£29.00
iPhone 5 (16GB)(white) £0.00	600 min Unlimited texts	£33.00
iPhone 4 (8GB)(black) £0.00	600 min Unlimited texts	£21.00

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