Top 10 iPad 2 apps

5. Accuweather

Unlike the iPhone, the iPad doesn’t come with a weather app. We’re not entirely sure why this is the case, but fortunately you can install Accuweather. It’s one of the best free apps for weather forecasts around and, as with so many of the apps here, provides more information than most people need.

When you tap the location button at the top-right, you can add a location by searching for it, or by automatically detecting your current location. You can add as many as you like, meaning you can check the forecast for different areas – just as you could with the iPhone app.

Accuweather works best in portrait mode, as it shows more information. The forecast for the next four days is shown, and includes a brief description such as “A passing shower or two”, the minimum and maximum temperature, wind speed and direction, plus a handy ‘RealFeel’ temperature, which takes the chill factor into consideration to provide a more accurate estimate of what it actually feels like outside.

As well an an hourly forecast for the next 24 hours, you can also scroll down the main page to see the forecast for the next two weeks. Bizarrely, a lifestyle section provides dozens of ratings for conditions such as mosquito risk and kite flying forecast, but not pollen levels.

For weather forecasts, Accuweather is superb

4. Skype

Price: Free
Rating: 4/5

There’s no official Skype application for the iPad 2, and now that Microsoft has bought Skype, it could be a while before there is one. However, you can still install the iPhone and iPod Touch version, which works well. Obviously, you’ll need an iPad 2 for video calling, as the original has no cameras.

Skype is so much better than using Apple’s FaceTime, as you can talk to any of your contacts, no matter whether they’re using a PC, Mac or even an iPhone. Granted, the interface looks blocky when blown up to fill the iPad’s screen, but you barely notice when you’re chatting to someone.

As well as video calls, you can use the traditional Skype audio call, turning your iPad into a massive hands-free phone. The app lets you edit your profile information, even down to choosing a photo from the Camera Roll for your avatar. As the app supports multitasking, you can load another app, perhaps to check your calendar, while continuing to chat.

Not an iPad app as such, but it still works well and is great for video chats