The Best iPad Apps Of The Week, July 31-August 6, 2011

The AppAdvice iPad App Of The Week: Skype for iPad, Free, Released August 2 First Look: Skype For iPad After an interesting false start, it’s finally here: Skype for iPad. And this is AppAdvice’s first look at this amazing product. Available using both Wi-Fi and 3G, Skype for iPad makes video and voice calling easier than ever on Apple’s tablet device. Best of all, the app (like the service itself) allows you to talk to users on Android and Windows devices as well. New Releases CFG: Cosmo For Guys, Free, Released August 1 Move Over Maxim, Cosmo For Guys Arrives [Updated] The folks behind the popular Cosmopolitan magazine for women have just released a men's magazine exclusively for iPad. In doing so, CFG: Cosmo For Guys attempts to answer one of life’s most difficult (and yes, sexist) questions: What Do Women Want? Created by Hearst Communications, Inc., the iPad magazine is intended for readers 21 and older, which is a good thing given the subject matter. Each monthly issue offers advice and specific “detailed tips and techniques that will help you satisfy her in bed and out.” The Berenstain Bears’ Bedtime Battle, $2.99, Released August 2 The Berenstain Bears’ Bedtime Battle Will Now Commence Oceanhouse Media is pleased about their new partnership with another HarperCollins division, which allows more great Berenstain Bears titles to make it into the App Store and onto your iDevice. This expanded collaboration begins with the release of The Berenstain Bears’ Bedtime Battle.

“The Berenstain Bears omBooks continue to be one of our most beloved app series,” said Michel Kripalani, President of Oceanhouse Media. “It’s exciting to have the opportunity to expand the number of these treasured books in our omBook collection thanks to our wonderful partnership with HarperCollins Children’s Books.”

Bug Heroes Quest, $.99 & Universal, Released August 2 The Bug Heroes Follow-Up Is Now Available As A Universal App If you were a fan of the tower defense, dual-stick shooter, and action RPG hybrid — Bug Heroes — you will be in for a treat with the recent release of the game's spinoff (and follow-up). The new title has been released as a universal app and is called, Bug Heroes Quest. The art style and core gameplay mechanics appear similar to Bug Heroes, but the action follows a different formula. Bug Heroes Quest is a story-based adventure rather than just an arcade-style action game. The game has a deep story that progresses through a campaign based on completing a variety of missions. This makes the new title more of an action RPG, rather than a tower defense game like the first entry. Zepi: Classic HD, $.99, Released August 3 New Zepi: Classic HD App Looks Amazing On iPad Zepi: Classic HD is a fantastic new app that just arrived for the iPad. The reaction-based app is designed to test both your wit and reflexes. It is the latest in the Zepi app series for iOS. Created by OstinGames, the app has one primary goal: to tap/slide skins of the same color to link them into a single string. Doing so will give you points and eliminate those skins you've selected. As the game goes on, new objects appear and more quickly than those before. What makes the game difficult is that you must figure out the most efficient strategy for scoring high points and achievements. Slow down and you’ll be in trouble and the game will end. Updated Diigo Browser, Free, Updated August 1 Diigo Browser - Formerly Known As iChromy, Now Updated And Better Than Ever A while back we told you about the Chrome-style iPad Web browser, "iChromy." Following its initial release, the application received an update that added an "Incognito Mode," and now the app has been updated once again. Major changes include a new name ("Diigo Browser," instead of "iChromy") along with the ability to annotate text from within the app. Already, the application is feature-packed. As outlined in the app's release notes, the main features of Diigo Browser include:

•Tabs on Top
•Ominibox
•Extra space for the web content
•Read later and Reading list (Offline reading)
•Share to different places
•Context search
•Open link in new tab

Zombieville USA, $1.99 & Universal, Updated August 3 Zombieville USA Gets Retina Support And Goes Universal, Zombieville 2 Coming This Summer The popular zombie-smashing app Zombieville USA has recently received an update, adding support for the Retina display and iPad compatibility. Furthermore, the app's developer has announced that a sequel to the game - called "Zombieville 2" - is coming this summer. As outlined in the app's release notes, changes made in the latest version of Zombieville USA (1.7) include:

•Retina Display support
•Universal Support
•Support for fast app switching

Editions by AOL, Free, Updated August 4 AOL's New "Editions" Magazine Promises A Quick, Curated Experience AOL has announced a brand new magazine experience for iPad owners. Dubbed Editions, the unreleased app isn't entirely original in concept; but, having been in secret development for several months now, the content-heavy exercise looks to be a uniquely crafted, enjoyable experience for current events junkies. Rdio, Free & Universal, Updated August 4 Rdio Flies By Spotify by Launching First iPad App Today, Rdio became the first of the big three streaming music services in the U.S. to offer an iPad app. The Rdio app is now universal and works on the iPhone/iPod touch and iPad. First introduced in 2010, Rdio offers ad-free music for as little as $4.99 per month. It competes directly with MOG and Spotify, among others, which offer streaming music services. Unlike Spotify, Rdio doesn’t offer a free listening plan. However, it does allow new users to try out the service for free for seven days. To do so, just sign up using your email address within the app. Best of all, a credit card is not necessary during the promotion. The Best iPad Apps Of The Week is published each weekend; a companion piece, The Best iPhone Apps Of The Week, is published separately. Attention developers: If you would like your app to be considered for one of our “Best Of” lists, please me know by sending me a treat @bryanmwolfe. Note: Your app must have been new or updated in the last week to make the current list.