Even though the iPad only goes on sale today, and then only in the U.S., and then just the Wi-Fi-only model, a number of apps for the gadget are already available, and several sites have been pointing to a bunch that look interesting: Appolicious, Gizmodo, Wired. I have to say that some of these look good enough to sell iPads by themselves, just so that people can use these things. It’s calling, the Precious is calling …

On the other hand, I note that a number of iPad apps are more expensive than their iPhone/iPod touch counterparts (e.g., $10 instead of $5), as though developers are trying to reset expectations this time around so that people don’t consider apps the same way they do ringtones or songs, and only expect to pay a buck or two for them. The worst trend would be something I saw a couple of months ago: a $2 iPhone app to access a website that is normally free, but which blocks iPhone users to ensure that they pay for the $2 app. Things will not go well if users think that developers are just trying to fleece them.