It’s that lovely week in between Christmas and New Year’s where there’s little to do but spend time with loved ones and revel in the goodies from Santa! Hopefully you all had a great holiday and got some cool new gadgets to play with, including this year’s number one in demand gift – tablets!

We figured with the launch of all the Android, Windows and iOS tablets, many of our readers might be looking for the best apps to get started. So we’ve compiled a list of some of our faves that every tablet owner should have.

Check them out and let us know if you like them or have other favourites in the comments below.

For the media lovers:

Songza

A personal favourite, this app recently made the iTunes “App Store Best of 2012” list. Stream thousands of original playlists from music experts, select the “Music Concierge” to find the right music for your moments, OR browse curated playlists for activity, genre, decade, or mood. The best part? It’s FREE.

Available for Android and Apple.

Honourable mention: TuneIn Radio on Windows – browse by music, sport, news, comedy, chat, language, country, or even just find a local station with this handy app!

Rogers Anyplace TV Tablet

No time for prime-time? Catch up on your favorite shows with Rogers Anyplace TV Tablet app. Use your tablet to access on demand shows, movies and more anywhere you go. (Some restrictions may apply).

Available for Apple, Android, and Windows.

For the jet-setters:

Flightboard

Winner of the 2012 Webby Award for best travel app, FlightBoard lets you check out the boards of your favorite airports and view all the flight information in real-time!

Available for Android and Apple.

Fotopedia Heritage

Created in cooperation with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Fotopedia Heritage provides a virtual passport to the hundreds of sites that constitute the world’s collective cultural and natural human legacy. This gorgeous app is a must-have for any explorer.

Available for Apple.

Honourable mention: Wikipedia on Windows – “featured pictures” will catch your eye, then clicking on any of these drills down to the relevant article, carefully formatted for better display on mobile devices.

For the news gurus:

Flipboard

Create a personalized magazine out of everything being shared with you. Flip through both your social media newsfeeds and publications in one app. See why Flipboard has been named Apple’s iPad App of the Year, one of TIME’s Top 50 Innovations, the top social app at the 2012 Webby Awards!

Available for Apple and Android.

Pocket

Formerly known as ‘Read it Later,’ Pocket automatically syncs to your phone, tablet, or computer so you can view anything you find online any time, even without an internet connection. A great companion to Flipboard for any online addict!

Available on Android and Apple.

Honourable mention: News Bento on Windows – shows you tiles constantly-updating news photos and headlines from top US sites.

For New Year’s fitness resolutions:

My Fitness Pal

With the largest food database of any calorie counter (over 2 million foods), and amazingly fast food and exercise entry, it’s no wonder PC Magazine made it the Editor’s Choice Selection, and Wired Magazine’s Editor’s Pick for Lifestyle Apps.

Available for Apple, Android, Blackberry, and Windows.

Nike Training Club

Get lean, toned and strong with more than 114 custom-built workouts. Just choose a workout that fits your goal, set it to your music, share your progress, and earn rewards, Finally, your own personal trainer, anytime, anywhere!

Available for Android and Apple.

Which apps are your favourites?

Kelly is a regular contributor to RedBoard