LinkedIn for iPad for iOS

LinkedIn for iPad doesn't have all the features you'd find on the business-oriented networking Web site, but a nice layout and new integration with your calendar make it a worthy download.

Formerly just on smaller devices like iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, and Palm Pre, the new LinkedIn app for iPad has some interesting functionality built in that lets you map out your busy workday.

Upon launch, you can browse three categories: All Updates, You, and your Inbox. Touch You and you can see who has viewed your profile, people you may know (through your connections) and all your current connections. Or, you can Touch the Inbox to see your latest messages in a nice layout that shows invitations and messages on the left and a larger viewing screen to read them on the right. These are both straightforward and somewhat useful, but the Viewing All Updates section is really the meat of the product.

Viewing All Updates shows up like a Web page with stock and weather information at the top left, a headline story in the middle, and three news stories on the top right. Below that you can see who has recently viewed your profile, and see who from your connections has a new position at their respective companies.

Probably the most interesting feature is below the weather and stock info on the left. In this section, you'll now have the ability to connect your iPad's calendar to Linked in, showing your daily schedule with the LinkedIn members you might be meeting on a given day. The idea here is that you'll be able to read more information about the people you're meeting with today, with their LinkedIn profiles just a touch away.

The app is well laid out, and I can see how each of the features can be useful, but I wonder why they didn't include career searches and other useful features found at the Web site. It seems the LinkedIn app for iPad is off to a good start; hopefully there will be more features added in future updates.

Still, if you are member of LinkedIn and want to get more info about the workday ahead, the free iPad app will make for a great companion during your morning commute.