Dr. Z has a LOT of apps on his iPad.

But he uses about 20 of them most of the time–the rest he checks and evaluates for his “patients” who come to him for advice all over the country. Most of the apps he uses are free.

The basic criteria he uses is that the app must have “backup” capability in the “cloud”. This means, if he loses his iPad or the iPad crashes, he can access the same information from his computer through the web. What good would it be if you cannot access the information if you lose it. Also, he protects his iPad with a passcode that he sets up using the “Settings” icon. Some apps have another password to protect other people from accessing the app. So there are 2 levels of protection–never use the same code for the passcode and the password! And remember those codes!

The top apps he uses are:

1) Evernote – which allows you to clip anything off the web and save it. It makes it very easy for you to search anything you clip off the web.

2) Toodledo – which is a task and todo manager. Dr. Z is by nature a not very organized person – Toodledo keeps him on track as much as possible (not 100%). The app is good only if he checks it. It also sends him reminders for some tasks, such as taking medicine.

3) Pocket – which saves articles on the web for reading later. You can read such articles offline when on the plane or the like.

4) Appzilla – which has about 50 mini apps for different things that you never thought of.

5) Skitch – which allows you to draw things and send them on, with or without pictures you take.

More to come–have fun!

Dr. Z cares about your communication access.

Disclosure: Dr. Z (Philip W. Bravin) is associated with CSDVRS, currently its Vice-President of Business Development and Outreach.