Legend-
Icon for each app leads to the respective app store
app optimized for Apple iPad
app optimized for Android tablets
app optimized for Apple iPhone
app optimized for Android phones
Dropbox
(available for iPad, iPhone, Android)
Free for 2GB of storage; additional storage available for monthly fee
Dropbox allows you to store documents, photos, and other files, and sync documents across all of your computers and mobile devices. Many apps will allow you to upload from and download files to Dropbox.
Advantages: Access to documents from any mobile device/computer
Disadvantages: Some apps do not support Dropbox
Genius Scan/Genius Scan+
(available for iPhone)
Free/$2.99
Allows your iPhone to scan documents, whiteboards, photographs and anything else that you want to turn into a JPEG or PDF. Your files can them be exported to any app that can read PDF files, sent as emails, or shared on Twitter. With Genius Scan+, you can print with AirPrint and export to Dropbox, Evernote, and Google Docs.
Advantages: Scan and save documents; export to popular apps
GoodReader
(available for iPad, iPhone)
$4.99
GoodReader is a file reader and management app that allows you to import, organize and view most file types including documents, images, and video. Can import from and export to a wide variety of apps and programs. Allows auto-syncing with file management apps/programs such as Dropbox. Can also markup PDF files.
Advantages: Access across mobile devices/computers; sync to Dropbox and other services; annotate PDFs
Disadvantages: Can not annotate/modify non-PDF files
Instapaper
(available for iPad, iPhone)
$4.99
Instapaper saves web articles without the ads, navigation, and other elements of the web page for easier reading. Install the “Read Later” button on your browser to save articles to read in Instapaper. Generally does a good job of eliminating extraneous information and providing an easier to read page, although sometimes navigation elements will still appear at the beginning or end of the article.
Advantages: Easier to read web pages; sync across mobile devices and computers
Disadvantages: Does not save to standard file formats
AudioNote
(available for iPad, iPhone)
$4.99 (also available as a free Lite version)
Notepad and Voice Recorder. AudioNote syncs your notes with the recorded audio. You can use your notes to find a particular section of the audio recording to listen to and additional notes can be added later.
Advantages: Ability to take written and audio notes; typed or handwritten notes and drawings; add additional notes later
Evernote
(available for iPad, iPhone, Android)
Free
Evernote is a suite of software that can save many formats and sync them across devices and computers. Text, webpages, pictures, voice recordings, handwritten notes and drawings, and more can be saved. Evernote also allows for sorting into folders, tagging, annotation, editing, comments, and searching within notes and images.
Advantages: Automatically syncs across devices; Notes can be exported
Disadvantages: Free account is limited to 60 MB/month transferred. Premium account is $5/month for 1 GB/month.
Penultimate
(available for iPad)
$0.99
Take notes and draw with your fingers or a stylus. Contains a variety of paper styles and additional styles can be purchased. Images and notebooks can be exported as PDF files.
Advantages: Good for taking freehand notes; save pages or notebooks as PDFs
Remarks for iPad
(available for iPad)
$4.99
Remarks for iPad is a handwriting, notetaking, drawing, and PDF annotating app. Can import images from the camera or photo album to add to notes. Notes can be opened in any app that can read PDFs. Notes can also be shared and edited by others.
Advantages: Multiple functions in one app
Skitch
(available for iPad)
Free
Annotate photos, maps, screen shots, webpages, and other images with Skitch. Save to Evernote.
Advantages: Ability to annotate images; save to Evernote
Disadvantages: Limited export options
Documents To Go Premium
(available for iPad)
$9.99/$16.99
Access, create, and modify Microsoft Office documents. Compatible with Word (.doc/.docx), Excel (.xls/.xlsx), and Powerpoint (.ppt/.pptx). Syncs with Dropbox, Google Docs, and other popular services. Word processor has a good variety of options for fonts and paragraph formatting. Can do subscripts and superscripts, change line spacing, and use different bullet types. Also has word count and find and replace features.
Advantages: Works with most recent Microsoft Office formats; good variety of formatting options; syncs with many other popular document apps
Keynote
(available for iPad, iPhone)
$9.99
Keynote is Apple's presentation app for creating visual presentation. It read and save presentations as PowerPoint or Keynote files.
Advantages: Save as Powerpoint or Keynote files
Disadvantages: Limited export options
Numbers
(available for iPad, iPhone)
$9.99
Numbers is a simplified version of Apple's spreadsheet program. Numbers can import and save Microsoft Excel files.
Advantages: Save as Numbers or Excel file formats
Disadvantages: Limited export options
Pages
(available for iPad, iPhone)
$9.99
Pages is a simplified version of the Apple word processor that still offers reasonable features. Files can be saved as Pages or Word documents and as PDFs.
Advantages: Save as Pages, Word, or PDF formats
Disadvantages: Limited export options
Quickoffice Pro HD
(available for iPad)
$14.99
Access, create, and modify Microsoft Office documents. Compatible with Word (.doc/.docx), Excel (.xls/.xlsx), PowerPoint (.ppt/.pptx files), and .txt files. Can also save files as PDFs. Syncs with Drobbox, Google Docs, and other popular services.
Advantages: Works with most recent Microsoft Office formats; syncs with many other popular document apps
Disadvantages: Limited formatting options
The recommendations below include apps related to the research process, in other words, those that allow you to find, read, annotate, and cite materials related to a research project or assignment.
Find | Read | Annotate | Cite | Homework
Apps that support finding materials
EBSCOhost
(available for iPad, iPhone)
Free
Provides access to some of Penn State's research databases for finding journal articles. You can choose which database to search, retrieve full text articles and save them to view offline later. Instructions for installing the EBSCO app are at:
http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/toolswidgets/install_ebsco.html
Advantages: Search PSU library databases; view full text articles
Papers
(available for iPad, iPhone)
$14.99
Search for research articles from eight major science search engines: ACM, NASA-ADS, arXiv, Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, JSTOR, Pubmed, and Web of Science.
Advantages: Searches multiple, popular databases
Disadvantages: Cannot access PSU subscribed content; desktop version is Mac only
PubMed on Tap
(available for iPad, iPhone)
Free and Paid versions available
Searches PubMed and allows you to store references and PDFs of articles. Advanced search options. Results can be emailed in format for use with citation software such as EndNote. Has an internal web browser. Penn State students, staff, and faculty can access additional full text articles through the ezproxy address under the settings for the app. The address is (enter exactly as is):
http://ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/login?url=%@
Advantages: Access to full text medical research; save PDFs; export to citation software
Bluefire Reader
(available for iPad, iPhone)
Free
E-book reader that works with e-books from many sources. Works with Adobe's e-book format and can be used with the e-books in the Penn State Library's catalog (EBL books, etc.)
Need to add instructions on how to set this up and download books.
Advantages: Download and read e-books from the Penn State Library
Disadvantages: Need to create Adobe account; can’t search for library’s ebooks from app
GoodReader
(available for iPad, iPhone)
$4.99
GoodReader is a file reader and management app that allows you to import, organize and view most file types including documents, images, and video. Can import from and export to a wide variety of apps and programs. Allows auto-syncing with file management apps/programs such as Dropbox. Can also markup PDF files.
Advantages: Access across mobile devices/computers; sync to Dropbox and other services; annotate PDFs
Disadvantages: Cannot annotate/modify non-PDF files
iBooks
(available for iPad, iPhone)
Free
Purchase books including recent releases. Also works as a PDF reader.
Advantages: Recent releases available; PDF reader
Disadvantages: Cannot annotate PDFs
Kindle
(available for iPad, iPhone, Android)
Free
Purchase a wide variety of books from the Amazon Kindle bookstore. Syncs across devices and computers.
Advantages: Syncs across many devices
Nook
(available for iPad, iPhone, Android)
Free
Purchase a wide variety of books and magazines from the Barnes & Noble bookstore. Syncs across devices and computers.
Advantages: Syncs across many devices
OverDrive
(available for iPad, iPhone, Android)
Free
The OverDrive app is used to "checkout" library books from public libraries. Public libraries using OverDrive in Pennsylvania include Schlow (State College), etc.
Advantages: Checkout library Ebooks from your public library
Disadvantages: Need a library account that supports OverDrive
Apps that support annotation of documents and texts
iAnnotate PDF
(available for iPad)
$9.99
PDF annotation app with an extensive range of annotation tools and features. Can do keyword searches across all of your documents in iAnnotate PDF. Syncs with a variety of accounts including Dropbox.
Advantages: Wide range of annotation tools
Pagewell (GreenBooks)
(available for iPad, iPhone)
Free
Annotation app that converts email attachments, including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint documents, into PDF files that can be annotated.
Advantages: Converts multiple document formats to PDFs
Apps that support management of citations
Mendeley Reference Manager (Lite)
(available for iPad, iPhone)
Free
Mendeley indexes and organizes your articles and citations and allows you to read papers offline. Syncs with your Mendeley account so you can access your research across devices. Also allows you to read articles offline.
Advantages: Access to your citations on the go; read articles offline
Sente Viewer/Sente Reference Manager
(available for iPad)
Free/$19.99
A reference manager for the iPad that can sync libraries across devices. You can download, view, and annotate PDFs. Can add new references from some websites through Sente's embedded web browser.
Advantages: Download and annotate PDFs; add additional references
Disadvantages: Free Sente Viewer does not allow you to add references or annotate PDFs; desktop version is Mac only
Apps that support homework and research organization
iHomework
(available for iPad, iPhone)
$1.99
Organization app that keeps track of courses, assignments, and other school information.
Advantages: Keeps track of multiple types of course information
iThoughtsHD/iThoughts
(available for iPad, iPhone)
$9.99/$7.99
Mindmapping app that allows you to visualize your thoughts and ideas, and is useful for brainstorming, project planning, and goal setting. Can import and export to and from many mindmapping applications and as well as to PDF and PNG files. Imports and exports to many popular apps.
Advantages: Works well with many other apps and computers programs
Arts & Humanities | Social Sciences & Government Information
The Civil War Today
(available for iPad)
$7.99
A History Channel commemorative app that gives you a daily dose of Civil War history in a newspaper interface using accounts from both sides.
Naxos Music Library (NML)
(available for iPhone)
Free
Similar to a service like Pandora, stream Naxos Music Library's extensive catalog of tracks, create playlists or choose from existing playlists. Naxos' collection focuses on recordings from independent labels, classical, jazz, world, and classic rock genres.
Advantages: Access Penn State's subscription to Naxos
See also: NML Jazz app
TED (Technology, Education, Design)
(available for iPad, iPhone)
Free
Access those inspiring TED talks on your mobile device for easy listening or viewing while traveling, walking, or from the couch. New talks are added weekly.
Advantages: Lots of talks to choose from on a large variety of subjects, works with Airplay for viewing on larger displays
Disadvantages: limited sorting options, no captions in mobile app
Social Sciences & Government Information
Constitution for iPad/ Constitution for iPhone
(available for iPad, iPhone)
Free
Simple, clean app lets you browse the full Constitution by Article, includes biographical info about its signers.
Manual for the United States of America
(available for iPad, iPhone)
$3.99
Combination of a number of founding documents related to the formation of the United States including: Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, 1964 Civil Rights Act, 2001 Patriot Act, a list of presidents, and many other reference materials.
Advantages: Many important United States documents in one app
USA.gov
(available for iPad, iPhone)
Free
This app serves as a mobile-optimized version of the U.S. Government's web portal to help you find a multitude of government information including: documents, applications, forms, recalls, images, and more.
Advantages: Access to wide variety of U.S. government information
Biology and Health Sciences | Chemistry | Earth Science | Engineering | Math
Leafsnap/Leafsnap for iPad
(available for iPad, iPhone)
Free
Leafsnap is an electronic field guide that uses visual recognition software to identify trees from leaf photos taken using the camera on your iPhone or iPad. Currently limited to trees in the northeastern United States. This app is a collaborative development by Columbia University, the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution.
Advantages: Easy identification of trees by photographing their leaves; will eventually include the entire United States
Disadvantages: Currently contains only trees found in the northeastern United States
PubMed on Tap
(available for iPad, iPhone)
Free/Paid versions
Searches PubMed and allows you to store references and PDFs of articles. Advanced search options. Results can be emailed in format for use with citation software such as EndNote. Has an internal web browser. Penn State students, staff, and faculty can access additional full text articles through the ezproxy address under the settings for the app. The address is (enter exactly as is):
http://ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/login?url=%@
Advantages: Access to full text medical research; save PDFs; export to citation software
TimeTree/TimeTree HD
(available for iPad, iPhone)
Free
TimeTree is an evolutionary timescale app that provides divergence times for organisms based on published molecular data. Summary data links out to the NCBI taxonomy database and the TimeTree website. This app was created based on work by researchers at Penn State and Arizona State.
Advantages: Summary data based on published research; shows geologic time period of results
EMD PTE
(available for iPad, iPhone)
Free
Periodic table of the elements. Includes physical properties, histories, and visualization tools.
Advantages: Lots of information on chemical elements
Earth Observer
(available for iPad, iPhone)
$0.99
Earth Observer is a global atlas that can display a wide variety of physical earth data including topographic, geologic, and geophysical data; coastal bathymetry; ocean floor and surface data; hydrology; atmosphere and cloud data; natural hazards; and other data. Developed by the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University.
Advantages: Access to maps of a variety of physical and geographical data about the Earth's surface
Disadvantages: No export options
Epicentral/Epicentral+
(available for iPad, iPhone)
$2.99 (iPad version)/Free (iPhone version)
Displays up-to-date earthquake and volcanic activity across the earth using data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Can view seismograms of earthquakes. Created by Penn State geoscientist Charles Ammon.
Advantages: Near-real time global earthquake and volcanic activity data
Disadvantages: No export options
Google Earth
(available for iPad, iPhone, Android)
Free
Global maps from Google. Zoom in to any location. Additional local information and photos. Can change angle of view.
Advantages: Global coverage; added information
AutoCAD WS
(available for iPad, iPhone)
Free
View, edit, and share DWG files. Free AutoCAD WS online workspace to save files to. Multiple people can share and edit documents.
Advantages: Ability to work with AutoCAD files on your mobile device; multiple people can edit and collaborate on documents.
Free Graphing Calculator
(available for iPad, iPhone)
Free
Full function graphing and scientific calculator. Includes a unit converter, scientific constants, and a basic math reference feature.
Graphing Calculator HD
(available for iPad, iPhone)
$1.99
Full function graphing and scientific calculator. Allows you to take screenshots and email graphs. Supports video output with VGA connector.
The sites listed here are not native apps and therefore platform agnostic and optimized for mobile devices and tablets.
Penn State's Mobile site- m.psu.edu
Check real-time computer availability, track CATA busses at UP, people directory, access library resources, and more. The Wireless 2.0 configuration is a convenient way to configure your device for PSU wireless.
Advantages: New items are being added; the most centralized place for PSU info
Disadvantages: Some services may be specific to University Park
Chronicle of Higher Education- mobile.chronicle.com
Advantages: PSU faculty, staff and students who sign up for a free Chronicle account using their psu.edu email address are able to access all Chronicle content on their device
A repository of digitized materials in many disciplines.
Advantages: Has a search inside the book feature once you select an item
Disadvantages: Some items are only available in "limited view" (aka snippets), but can choose "full view" only for your search to filter these out.
