Show off your new iPad display with these Retina-ready apps

The Retina display on the new iPad, available Friday, is absolutely stunning. However, the increase in resolution actually makes some older apps appear all pixelated and gross. You don’t want to show off your brand new iPad and leave your friends with the impression that the screen on your new tablet is any less clear than a shimmering pool of unicorn tears.

Here are several iPad apps that have been updated with Retina-ready graphics so everyone within eyesight can witness the pixel-pushing power of your new Apple tablet.

Besides the titles that were featured in the iPad introduction event, Apple has setup a new section on the iTunes App Store to highlight Retina-ready titles. I’ve handpicked a few titles from this list and from other updates I’m aware of for you to try out. Keep in mind, this list is not comprehensive and there should be new Retina-optimized apps coming to the App Store pretty quickly.

Games

Real Racing 2

Motion graphics in games are particularly impressive on the new screen. Apple showed off Infinity Blade II and Sky Gamblers: Air Support at the introduction event. In addition to those, I would check out Flight Control Rocket (a new space-themed update to the beloved Flight Control series) and Real

Racing 2 HD. Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation looks interesting too if you like shooters.

Infinity Blade II
Sky Gamblers: Air Support
Flight Control Rocket
Real Racing 2 HD
Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation

Visual Arts

iPhoto and iMovie are pretty much must-buy apps for the new iPad. While the iPad’s built-in camera is much improved over the last version’s, you might want to load up iPhoto with some hi-res images from a Digital SLR just to put on a show for your jealous friends on the hi-res screen.
I would recommend Sketchbook Pro, but I think you still have to display some actual talent for drawing to make this a true showpiece for your Retina display iPad. If you can draw (and I don’t mean you’ve scored some points in Draw Something), then by all means show off with this amazing app for artists.

iPhoto
iMovie
Sketchbook Pro

Education / Science

Star Walk is already a gorgeous app. Updated for the Retina display, this will be an absolute stunner. Solar Walk too.

Star Walk
Solar Walk

Social Networking

A few of the major Twitter apps have been updated, including the official Twitter app, Twitterrific, and TweetBot. Facebook’s app is expected to be updated soon as well. These aren’t necessarily great show-off material, but people seem to love looking at Twitter and Facebook streams (I know I do).

Twitter
Twitterrific
TweetBot

Reading

Kindle for iPad

The Retina display is actually really useful for showing off how sharp and crisp text is rendered on screen. iBooks is a good place to start. The Kindle app was updated Thursday so that text would render correctly, but otherwise the graphic elements are still standard resolution. The Daily has been updated as well if you already own that news app. Instapaper should be updated in the next week or so.

iBooks
Kindle
The Daily

More Apple Apps

Apple Remote
Find my Friends
Find my iPhone
GarageBand
Keynote
Numbers
Pages

Personal Pick

I’m a huge soccer fan and MLS MatchDay 2012 is awesome for keeping up with U.S. soccer action. The Colorado Rapids aren’t quite setup to make another run at the league cup, but I still like to follow all the games.

MLS MatchDay 2012

Wallpaper

Don’t forget to pick out a full-resolution image for your lock screen and wallpaper. Apple provides some, of course, but you might want to check out this Reddit thread to find some hi-res wallpaper images to show something a little different than the built-in choices.

If you didn’t find something above or on Apple’s Featured Apps page, TechCrunch has an even longer list of Retina-ready apps that is worth checking out.

If you find something else to show off your beautiful new iPad screen, be sure to share in the comments below.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
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