iPad Day

It's a bit of a disappointment for me, but the iPad is still a big enough deal to warrant much press. Is it only because it's an Apple product? Well, that fact is rather debatable especially because of the number of potentially incredible apps being developed for it, but whatever the case, the United States is gearing up for yet another line of ridiculous length.

There doesn't seem to be any last-minute change as far as the press can tell, but it has actually been garnering some surprisingly positive reviews from major news sites.

Still, the fact that the device is coming out with some rather excellent exclusive (and not so exclusive, but enhanced) apps this early in its cycle is kind of a good thing, so props to the developers!

Apple is not oblivious to this fact, and the company is actually using their marketing muscle to feature some familiar apps ported (and enhanced) from the iPhone (like Labyrinth 2 HD, Real Racing HD, At Bat 2010, Asphalt 5, Scrabble), as well as a few exclusive apps like The Elements and Marvel Comics.

The Elements is a rather particular standout, as it not only features a visual representation of a model of each element in the Table of Elements (aside from being connected to the Wolfram|Alpha search engine), it's compatible with 3D glasses which are sold separately. 3D's a bit of a gimmick, but at least it's a bit of a nice visual way to learn the table of elements.

Also of note are potential new standards for pricing in the App Store. Not only does the new device force a few potential buyers moving from an iPod touch or iPhone to rebuy a few of their apps (although some apps will update with "universal" compatibility), some of these apps will feature a higher price. Call of Duty: World at War Zombies, Need for Speed: Shift, and Mirror's Edge are all high-profile games that have a price tag of $14.99 instead of the usual $9.99. Still, some developers are at least working hard to make these enhanced iPhone apps worth a buy: Civilization: Revolution for example, will be adding a new scenario as well as a world editor to compensate.

Some major iPhone developers are also making some splashes on the platform; namely, Chillingo and Tapulous.

Tapulous now has its new iPad game out in the wild, and it is called Tap Tap Radiation, and it's pretty much Tap Tap Revenge but with "high-definition" 3D graphics. Like Tap Tap Revenge, it's free, and it will feature in-app purchases for premium artists as well.

Chillingo on the other hand, will be releasing Zen Bound 2, with better graphics and the same rope tying mechanics featured in the popular first game. It will offer much value for its $7.99 as it will not only feature the original levels found in the first game, but it will also offer more than a half a hundred new levels.

Surprisingly, Telltale Games will also be releasing Sam and Max: The Penal Zone, the first episode of the critically acclaimed Sam and Max series, for the iPad for $9.99. Activision will also offer Geometry Wars: Touch for the same price.