The general verdict seems to be that Apple have hit a home run with the launch of the iPad. Selling 700,000 on launch day is no mean feat, and a number of stunning applications are beginning to spring up on the App Store.

If you’re one of the lucky million to already have Apple’s latest gadget, this roundup of useful iPad applications should offer a few great additions to your device. If you don’t have an iPad yet, you’ll at least know what to expect when you do get your hands on one!

Things

I’m a huge fan of Things and, despite the fairly high price, think that this is a brilliant application for managing your task list on the iPad.

Things for iPad

Twitterrific

Many people are waiting to see what Tweetie will look like on the iPad, but Twitterrific is a fantastic solution in the meantime.

Twitterific

The Early Edition

A delightfully designed RSS reader, The Early Edition is a newspaper in the palm of your hand. Google Reader syncing would make it perfect.

The Early Edition

Bento

If you’re a fan of the desktop database tool “Bento”, you’ll find the iPad version a great companion. It’s well designed, and offers numerous different interface styles.

Bento

iBooks

We’d be remiss not to mention Apple’s iBooks. It’s received great reviews so far, and is the best reading solution available on the iPad at present.

iBooks

Sketchbook Pro

Any budding artists or doodlers should check out Sketchbook Pro. The larger canvas of the iPad makes it a far more useful platform for sketching and drawing.

Sketchbook Pro

WeatherBug

If you want to feel like Jack Bauer checking the weather, WeatherBug is the app for you. With a detailed and stylish interface, you’ll have a high-res futuristic forecast.

WeatherBug

OmniGraffle

For wire-framing and sketching quick diagrams, OmniGraffle is great. Again, the larger screen makes it immersive and realistic.

OmniGraffle

MLB At Bat

If you’re into baseball (I’m not, unfortunately!), MLB At Bat seems like the go-to application. The interface is packed with information, although a few reviews note the app is a little slow.

MLB At Bat

GoodReader

For reading any type of document on your iPad, GoodReader is the way to go. It supports a huge range of formats, and integrates with various online services such as MobileMe, Google Docs, and Dropbox.

GoodReader

Pandora

For streaming audio, Pandora is quickly becoming a very popular solution. The iPad application looks absolutely gorgeous.

Pandora

iWork App Suite

Another app from Apple, the iWork suite is topping the paid application charts. It’s very useful for creating documents on-the-go, but needs a slightly better solution for syncing files.

iWork

TweetDeck

Another, slightly more advanced, Twitter client, TweetDeck feels right at home on the iPad screen. If you’re a Twitter junkie, this one’s for you.

TweetDeck

X-Plane for iPad

Although it might be a push to call X-Plane “useful”, it’s certainly a great way to kill a few minutes of spare time. It looks absolutely gorgeous on the iPad.

X-Plane for iPad

Sketchpad HD

Another sketching/drawing tool, Sketchpad HD lets you quickly jot down a note on various different types of virtual paper.

SketchPad

NetNewsWire for iPad

My RSS reader of choice, NetNewsWire has moved across to the iPad successfully and makes good use of the larger screen for reading articles. Powerful and stylish.

NetNewsWire

Instapaper Pro

Another favourite of mine, Instapaper is – as you’d expect – a wonderful experience on Apple’s new tablet. The larger screen estate makes reading a pleasure, and I can see myself using this one far more than iBooks.

Instapaper Pro

1Password for iPad

If you like to have all your information with you on-the-go, 1Password keeps everything in sync. If only Mobile Safari allowed plugins…

1Password

Photogene

One of the first photo-manipulation/editing apps available, Photogene comes with a range of different features and actions for editing your images.

Photogene

Twittelator

The final Twitter app featured here, Twittelator is something of a mix-match of interface styles with a solid amount of functionality.

Twittelator

Night Stand HD

As far as simplicity goes, Night Stand HD couldn’t really do much less. It functions as a night clock, an alarm, and a great bedtime companion.

Night Stand HD

Wikipanion

For reading Wikipedia on the go, Wikipanion is a great solution. It makes the online encyclopaedia feel natural on a tablet sized screen.

Wikipanion

PCalc

Undoubtedly one of the best calculators available for the iPhone and iPad, PCalc is packed full of functions and powerful features for scientists, students and programmers.

PCalc

Papers

If you regularly need to perform research and read academic journals, Papers helps to keep everything organised.

Papers

Bloomberg

Finally, for those of you with stocks in Apple (congratulations, by the way) you can watch their share price rocket on this – typically jam-packed – financial app. Absolutely full of information.

Bloomberg

Share Your Favourites!

I’d love to hear which apps you’re using at this early stage. What do you feel is making the most of the iPad’s hardware, and which apps are really giving you the “wow” factor?

Please share your favourites in the comments below!