In case you hadn't noticed, the new iPad is here, with a gorgeous retina display. Although virtually every app will look better on the new screen, software that's designed for it from the beginning will always look best.
Good thing Apple made that easy. By going with a 2,048 x 1,536 resolution -- exactly double the pixel count of the old iPad in both directions -- all developers need to do is perform some grade-school math, add high-res artwork, and they're done.
Since last week, developers have begun updating their apps for the retina display. Although by some counts there are thousands of retina-ready apps already, some benefit from the extra pixels much more than others. A photography-centered app will look more vibrant than a simple line-drawn game, for example.
Book and news readers, though not as eye-catching as some multimedia apps, benefit greatly from the retina display. The increased screen resolution doesn't just make text look sharper -- it can actually help reduce eye strain, letting you read for longer periods.
That's just a taste of how much retina-optimized apps improve your tablet experience. We've picked out the best iPad apps that are now optimized for the retina display from the thousands available. From games to star maps to social media to video players, these are the apps that will really make your eyes smile (and your friends jealous).