The 10 best – and free – apps for iPad

It's the hottest tech toy of the year, thus far, and for good reason: Apple's latest iPad builds upon what made its predecessors so popular — an intuitive touchscreen interface, smooth integration with iTunes and 10-hour battery — but have added a high-resolution "Retina" display, better cameras and faster graphics processor. Finding and downloading applications at the App Store is also a cinch compared to other tablets, and with nearly 800,000 to choose from -- including support for apps designed for iPhone and iPod touch. In fact, not only are apps relatively affordable -- only a buck or two apiece, for the most part -- but many tens of thousands of them are completely free to use, as well. If you're looking to fill up your iPad with awesome apps that won't cost you a dime, consider these following suggestions -- ranging from the über popular to the obscure, but all worthy of your attention.

Skype for iPad Ok, so this one might not be much of a shocker. iPad 2 and new iPad owners can video chat for free with friends and family anywhere in the world — as long as they're using a Skype-enabled device, too, such as a tablet, smartphone, computer or television. Using a Wi-Fi network or cellular connectivity (if the tablet has it), you can see who you're talking to and they can see you, plus you can tap to change to the rear-facing camera for them to see what you're looking at (such as a home renovation, as you walk around the home). Another great video calling app for iPad is Apple's own FaceTime, which works over Wi-Fi but not cellular connectivity.

Planetary Music lovers, listen up. The free Planetary is a beautiful way to explore and listen to the music stored on your tablet. As the name suggests, Bloom Studio's app delivers a 3-D rendering of space -- but the stars are the artists in your music collection, the planets that rotate around them are the albums and the moons that rotate around the planets are your songs. As you listen to your tunes, the camera slowly pans around the beautifully animated celestial scene. Not only does it look great on the iPad's 9.7-inch screen, but you also can connect the tablet to a big-screen TV (via an optional HDMI adapter) to wow your friends during a house party.

Netflix Are you a Netflix subscriber? The free app for iPad gives you access to many thousands of movies and TV shows. Look for something to watch in the search window or peruse the lists divided into New Arrivals, Genres or Recently Watched (with how many minutes you're at for each movie or TV show). You can read a synopsis of each piece of content before watching as well as Netflix user ratings for each one (and you can vote, too). While the app is free, a $7.99/month Netflix subscription is required. Other great video streaming apps include HBO GO, Hulu Plus and Crackle.

Flipboard A must-have iPad app is the free Flipboard, dubbed your "personalized, social magazine." Flipboard fuses updates from your friend's Facebook and Twitter profiles, including text and photos, as well as folds in your favorite feeds from blogs and websites -- then you can flip through it all like a glossy, colorful magazine (with video, too). Like something you read or saw? Share it with your social network with a tap (or send it via email). With its slick user-interface, image-heavy design and crisp text, Flipboard is indeed your own personalized digital magazine that's constantly refreshed with the latest content.

Draw Something Free This is the hottest game since Angry Birds: OMGPOP's Draw Something Free is like a digital, online version of Pictionary. You're presented with three words and you must choose one to draw — such as "tweezers," "giraffe" or "Lady Gaga" -- and you'll use your finger to draw it on the screen to the best of your ability. When you're done, tap Send, and the person you're playing with over the Internet must guess what you've drawn — and vice-versa. You can play against friends (search by email or username) or against a random person — the more. It's insanely addictive.

Find My iPhone Despite the name of this app, this free tool works with iPads, iPod touches and even Macs, too. If your tablet is lost or stolen, you can remotely see where it is on a map when you sign into iCloud.com or when using the Find My iPhone app on another iOS device. Note: if your phone was stolen it's recommended to give this info to authorities rather than you trying to retrieve it yourself. Apple's Find My iPhone app also lets you make the iPad ring loudly (if, say, left under the couch cushions), display a message on the screen (such as "Please call me: 212-555-1212") or remotely lock or even wipe the iPad, to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. You need to download the app and sign in with your iTunes IS and password ahead of time -- so be sure to do that before it's too late.

TuneIn Radio Music lovers can access more than 50,000 radio stations from around the world (and online stations) with the free TuneIn Radio app for iPad. Whether you want to tune into a jazz station from New Orleans, reggae from Kingston or an Internet-based dance music station, you can listen as much as you like. Search for music by country or genre, plus there are thousands of stations featuring news, talk, comedy, sports and old time radio dramas. A $1 "Pro" version of TuneIn Radio lets you record audio to listen to at a later time, plus a timer you can set like digital video recorder.

Evernote Whether you need a more effective way to stay organized or simply want to jot down ideas wherever life takes you, a free app like Evernote is a great tool for iPad users. This app lets you create, view, organize, search and share your ideas — sort of like a digital version of yellow sticky notes, if you will -- but also with the option to include voice notes, photos and videos, too, if desired. An auto-sync "cloud" feature means your notes are automatically saved and accessible on other Evernote platforms, such as the web, personal computer or other mobile devices.

iBooks Apple's free iBooks app is an excellent electronic book (e-book) reading application for bookworms. You can preview and purchase books right from within the app -- and the book covers show up on a virtual bookshelf, ready for reading. When you tap to read the book, you can adjust the font size and type and page color, before "flipping" though the pages with your fingertip. Not sure what a word means? Double-tap it and select "Dictionary" for an instant definition. If you love your Kindle, Nook or Kobo, you can also download free apps to read on your tablet, too.

CNN
Other news networks can learn from CNN on how to create such as rich, informative and easy to use app for news junkies. iPad users can swipe through all the top headlines, watch countless videos (including live streams of breaking news) and read in-depth interviews ripped from today's headlines.
Save your favorite stories for offline viewing, comment on articles or video features and engage in conversions with other app readers, and share your favorite stories on Facebook, Twitter or via email. If you prefer other TV networks or national newspapers (such as USA Today), chances are they, too, have a free tablet app to download.

9 great road-trip cars

If you're thinking of hitting the road this summer, here are some of the best cars to take.

Ford Mustang

Price: $27,310
Fuel economy: 19 City / 31 Hwy

Sure, the backseats might be a little snug but what if you don't really need back seats? It's hard to imagine a better car to take out on the open road than a Mustang V6 convertible, a car that's fuel efficient, fun and very, very cool.

As we head into the warmer months and the kids are out of school it's time to think "road trip." Here are some picks for great cars and SUVs to take you on the journey. With these cars, the emphasis is on fuel economy, interior comfort and sublime highway cruising.

Chevrolet Sonic

Price: $13,865
Fuel economy: 26 City / 35 Hwy

Not everyone needs tons of space, just enough to do the job. For those folks, I picked the Fiat 500 last year, -- it's actually plenty roomy up front -- but I think the Chevy Sonic makes an even better choice.

On the street, the Sonic is quick and fun to drive. On the highway, it's comfortable, quiet and easy going while still feeling very much under control. It also has ample storage space in back. (You can get it with a trunk, but Ihe hatch just looks so much better.)

Hyundai Azera

Price: $32,000
Fuel economy: 20 City / 29 Hwy

Hyundai's all-new Azera has a drop-dead gorgeous interior, comfortable seats and a nice ride. It looks pretty nice from the outside, too. It's also got Hyundai's handy BlueLink technology that allows you to send text messages hands-free. You still shouldn't read them while behind the wheel, though.

Buick LaCrosse eAssist

Price: $30,170
Fuel economy: 25 City / 36 Hwy

The LaCrosse's eAssist system provides a slight battery-powered assist that improves fuel economy and does so unobtrusively. The LaCrosse still drives smoothly and quietly as a Buick should.The only downside is that the battery pack takes away a bit of trunk space. There's still plenty left, as long as you're not packing for a non-stop cross-country trip.

Mazda CX-5

Price: $20,695
Fuel economy: 26 City / 35 Hwy

Mada's new compact SUV is a better-driving alternative to the Honda CR-V, especially on the highway. It's well-mannered and balanced, even at relatively high speeds. At the same time, it's small enough to be quick and nimble in town and it still has plenty of cargo space.

Ford Flex

Price: $30,885
Fuel economy: 18 City / 25 Hwy

The long, low Flex may not be the best-seller on Ford's lots, but it's not for lack of utility and style. Basically, it's like a minivan with a personality. Considering how much space there is inside, fuel economy is remarkably good. And with a turbocharged EcoBoost engine, there's plenty of passing power.

Infiniti JX35

Price: $40,450
Fuel economy: 18 City / 24 Hwy

If you think the JX is nice looking outside, you should see it inside. Besides looking good, this roomy crossover -- although it is perhaps a bit narrow side-to-side -- is loaded with available technology designed to make your trip easier. It has active cruise control so you can take your foot off the gas even in traffic, lane departure warning that even helps you steer back into line and, of course, backseat entertainment for the kids.

Mercedes-Benz E350 Cabriolet

Price: $57,720
Fuel economy: 18 City / 28 Hwy

Mercedes engineers have figured out how to take the downsides out of top-down driving. For starters, the AirCap system uses wind baffles to keep the wind out of your hair. If it's a little too cool out, the AirScarf system blows warm air around your neck. Finally, active cruise control makes it easy to keep up with traffic without juggling between the gas and brakes. On top of all that, it's an open-topped Mercedes-Benz. What more do you need?

McLaren MP4-12C

Price: $229,000
Fuel economy: 15 cty / 22 Hwy

A car that looks like that? On a road trip?

Oh, yes, please. Other than it's wonky name, the MP4-12C is one of the friendliest supercars around.