7 iPad Apps We Can’t Wait to Use

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We’re just about 24 hours away from the launch of what may be the hottest gadget of 2010, the iPad. The apps are filing in and we’ve picked a few that we just can’t wait to get our hands on. What are the first apps you’ll be installing on your iPad? Leave a comment after checking our picks after the break.

1. iBooks

Yes, iBooks is actually an app in the App Store since it doesn’t come pre-loaded on the device for some odd reason. Maybe so they can update the app without updating the entire OS? Nevertheless, iBooks is going to be a game-changer in the eBook industry. It’ll even come with a free copy of Winnie-the-Pooh for you to peruse and test out on your brand new ‘pad. Free in the App Store

2. Popular Science +

It looks like this could be the first magazine published for the iPad, though that could change in the matter of a few hours as Apple approves them. Popular Science has been a geek staple for since 1872, and browsing it in digital form makes it even better. The app costs $4.99, though there’s no word on how much each issue will cost. Flick left or right to navigate through an issue and tap to dive into an article. No search or bookmarking yet, but the developers say that will be added in a future version. Get a video sneak peek from the developers here. $4.99 in the App Store

3. Yahoo! Entertainment

Imagine your iPad sitting on the coffee table in your living room. Pick it up and you have your full TV guide in your hands. We can only hope that it’s better than navigating your slow DirecTV or Comcast menu system. The Yahoo! Entertainment app is more than that, however. It includes access to Yahoo! Video and the latest news on Yahoo’s website. Free in the App Store

4. Flight Control HD

Quite possibly the most addicting iPhone game is now available for the iPad. If you’re not familiar with the original Flight Control, your task is to land multiple planes safely by dragging them to their landing zones without colliding into each other. The new HD version brings more space to land planes on the larger maps, eight different airports, co-op and split-screen modes, and other improvements. $4.99 in the App Store

5. Epicurious Recipes & Shopping List

The neatly designed iPhone app has made it’s way to the iPad. This is where the larger screen shines. On the small 3.5-inch iPhone screen, you couldn’t have both your ingredients and recipe visible at once, but on the iPad you can. You can even bookmark steps as you cook by dragging the slider tab down the screen. Free in the App Store

6. Netflix

So the rumors were true, Netflix is now on the iPad (but not on the iPhone?). If you have an unlimited Netflix membership, you can watch streaming movies and TV shows and manage your Netflix queue all on the iPad. From what we’ve seen in the store, the app looks identical to the website, but there’s more than likely some code specifically for the iPad to play a QuickTime compatible movie. Free, requires a Netflix membership

7. NYT Editors’ Choice

We mentioned it yesterday as one of the first apps available in the App Store, and we’re mentioning it again because we think it’ll change the way we read a newspaper. While it doesn’t offer all of The New York Times content, it offers a limited selection that’s automatically updated. And when you don’t have a Wi-Fi hotspot near you, you’ll still be able to read your favorite articles thanks to the offline reading functionality. Free in the App Store