HowStuffWorks: Free iPad app is impressive

One of the more popular and trusted resources that explains "how stuff works" is now optimized for the iPad.

With the free HowStuffWorks for iPad app, use your fingertips to swipe through tens of thousands of articles -- ranging from "Five home repairs you should know how to do" to "How great white sharks work" -- along with many thousands of videos, podcasts, quizzes, fast facts, famous quotes and more.

The user interface has been designed specifically for the 9.7-inch tablet, with large icons for featured articles and videos, the ability to flick and pinch through media, and accessible buttons in the top right corner to quickly jump to specific sections.

While the quantity of articles and videos is impressive -- totaling more than 52,000 between the two -- it's the quality of the content that will keep you coming back. Whether it's the fascinating "How nuns work," the informative "How gas prices work" or the historical "10 inventions that changed the world," there is most definitely something for everyone. This collection of diverse topics should also be a gold mine for students as they head back into the classroom.

Every article lets you tag it as a favorite, adjust font size, share it (through e-mail, Facebook or Twitter) or wirelessly print the piece. If you like what you're reading, you can also tap to read suggestions for related articles and audio or video podcasts.

Shows and video podcasts, which can play full screen (but not in high-definition), load quickly and run smoothly. But as you'd expect, a fast online connection is required to view this content. Internet access (3G or Wi-Fi) is also needed for articles, unfortunately, as I learned on a long plane flight last week. It's too bad you can't flag selected articles or videos to read or watch offline.

At least this app supports AirPlay, so you can wirelessly stream HowStuffWorks and Discovery videos to your big-screen TV via Apple TV when at home. Show highlights include Stuff They Don't Want You to Know, Coolest Stuff on the Planet and Stuff from the Future.

As with the website and iPhone app, HowStuffWorks for iPad is perfect for those who love to learn about new things -- as such, the addition of more than 1,000 quizzes to test what you know is a great idea. Containing more than 30,000 questions, you can take quizzes, challenge your friends and earn badges as a reward for your knowledge.

Those who'd like to have immediate access to a wealth of knowledge, offering incredible breadth and depth, will no doubt agree this free, ad-supported app is a gem of a find for their beloved iPads.

Category:	Entertainment
Developer:	HowStuffWorks.com
Rated:	3.5 out of 4