Apple iPad App Store Opens, Sticker Shock Ensues

By Nick Mokey Published April 1, 2010

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Come one, come all, the iPad app store is now open for business.

Although only about eight people in the world outside Apple now claim to the device, Apple has thrown open the doors to its iPad app store via iTunes. A toggle switch on the main page of the app store now allows users to browse features iPad apps, and searching “for iPad” or “HD” reveals hundreds more.

(Click here for a complete list that will open within iTunes.)

So far, the selection includes a number of notable iPhone ports, including games like Scrabble, Fieldrunners and Flight Control, as well as applications like Shazam, Brushes, and eBay.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

But be prepared for sticker shock. Developers appear to be charging roughly double what they charge for the same games on the iPhone and iPod Touch. Scrabble for iPad goes for $9.99 while the original goes for $2.99. Labyrinth 2 HD goes for $7.99 while the regular version goes for $4.99. Fieldrunners for iPad hits $7.99, the regular version still sells for $2.99.

Because apps have a tendency to drop in price and go on sale over time, the iPad app ecosystem could still look – in the long run – a lot like the bargain basement app store we know and love. However, come April 3, new iPad owners will pay a premium to be the first to play with this new batch of digital goodies

Topics

Managing Editor

As Digital Trends’ Managing Editor, Nick Mokey oversees an editorial team delivering definitive reviews, enlightening…

Mobile

Best tablet deals: iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Fire, and more

Front face of Samsung Galaxy Tab S8.

Whether for work, play, or anything in between, one of the best tablets can make a nice addition to your tech lineup. But there are way more tablets out there than what’s at the top of the line, and plenty of them offer up capability and some savings. In fact, shopping the best tablet deals can make sense if the going laptop deals are more than you’re looking for and the current phone deals don’t offer enough. And with so many tablet brands and places to buy we decided to round up all of the best tablet deals below. Reading onward you’ll find some big time savings on a new tablet, and if you prefer to shop more specifically you can check out the current Samsung tablet deals, Surface Laptop and Surface Pro deals, and iPad deals. There are even some good Amazon Fire Tablet deals and Kindle deals worth exploring right now as well.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (64GB) -- $160, was $199

If you need an Android tablet for simple tasks like browsing the internet and watching streaming shows, the affordable Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite may be enough for you. Its 8.7-inch screen is decent with WXGA+ resolution, while maintaining portability so you can easily hold the tablet in one hand. Its internal storage is limited at 32GB, but you can expand it by up to 1TB using a microSD card. For the clumsy ones, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is perfect for you because it's protected by a sturdy metal frame.

Mobile

5 tablets you should buy instead of the iPad Air (2024)

Two iPad Air models showing the screens.

Apple finally released some new iPads this year after going over a year without any updates. The iPad Air got a big refresh, now with an M2 chip inside and a new size -- 13 inches -- to go along with the regular 11-inch size from before.

The new iPad Air starts at $599 for the 11-inch Wi-Fi base model and increases depending on the size and configuration you choose. If you want the new 13-inch model, be prepared to spend at least $799.

Mobile

One missing feature has almost ruined the new iPad Air for me

A person holding the iPad Air M2.

I’m a few days into using the new 11-inch iPad Air (2024), and one single feature decision has annoyed me to the point where I’m questioning why it exists at all.

In Apple’s current iPad range, the iPad Pro (2024) is definitely the professional’s choice, while the regular iPad is the one for the bargain hunter. The iPad Air sits awkwardly in between them. While it seems to offer all the power and ability you could want without paying the iPad Pro’s high price, it doesn’t have the ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate screen — and that’s a serious drawback.