1. Pandora

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

Stream music on customized radio-like stations that "learn" from your likes and dislikes, becoming increasingly personalized over time.

2. Rhapsody

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

If you prefer to listen to exactly what you like exactly when you want it, Rhapsody music player lets you stream your favorite artists, make playlists, and explore genre stations. Subscribers can download and listen offline, too.

3. Netflix

Price: Free app; requires monthly subscription

Download: From Amazon

Every Kindle owner will want Netflix to stream TV shows and movies galore.

4. HBO Go

Price: Free app; requires cable TV subscription including HBO

Download: From Amazon

If you want to watch cool shows like "Game of Thrones" (and you have an active cable TV subscription that includes HBO), this app lets you stream it on your Kindle.

5. IMDb

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

If you love movies, IMDb gives you the inside scoop with trailers, cast lists, reviews, and all sorts of behind-the-scenes tidbits.

6. Comics by comiXology

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

If you're a comics fan (or if you haven't tried them since you were a kid and wonder if the digital versions might not be a fresh way to take another look), this is the comics reader you want. Not just for iPad and Android, this apps lets you dig into more than 50 freebies and a library of more than 20,000 titles.

Staying current

7. Pocket (formerly Read It Later)

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

When you come across something on the web you'd like to read later, just pop it in your Pocket! Save articles, videos, and images on your Kindle Fire, Android phone, or computer for offline reading.

8. NewsHog

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

Aggregate your news in one handy spot. More than 100+ preconfigured channels such as top news, technology, health, and (love this one!) lifehacker collect thousands of stories via Google News.

9. ESPN ScoreCenter

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon; preloaded in the cloud for your Kindle Fire

Keep up with your favorite teams with this quick and easy window on current news, standings, and scores.

Enjoy some downtime

10. GoodReads

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

Bookworm heaven: Keep track of your reading lists, from what you've already finished to what's piling up on your nightstand, review and rate what you've read, see what friends are reading, and discover recommended selections.

11. Pinterest

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

The official app from Pinterest has only been out since August, and it makes scrolling through all manner of luscious images and clever ideas on your Kindle Fire simply irresistible.

12. Urbanspoon

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

Find out where the insiders eat, from haute cuisine to local diners. Professional reviews combined with diner feedback make help you find great local spots to dine.

13. Scope (Tumblr, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare)

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

There's no official Facebook app yet for the Kindle Fire, but Scope helps you post and read not only Facebook but Twitter, Tumblr, Foursquare, and Instagram as well. It's your social media life in one easy app!

14. Trillian

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

One handy app lets you instant message with friends on AIM, Facebook chat, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, and even ICQ.

Get stuff done

15. Wifi Analyzer

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

At the airport, the mall, or just a neighbor's house, finding a strong wifi signal for your Kindle Fire is a simple matter with this handy app.

16. Evernote

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

Evernote is the gold standard in note-taking apps. Manage text, image, and audio notes, and sync with your PC or Mac or EvenNote on the web.

17. The Weather Channel

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

Get accurate weather reports you can rely on, now including pollen counts as well.

18. Cozi Family Organizer

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

This app works hard so your family gets it all done: a centralized calendar, shared grocery lists, and individual chore and to-lists with email reminders.

19. Calculator Plus Free

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

Add up all the money you're saving with your other free app essentials with this handy calculator app that's garnered great user ratings

20. Alarm Clock Xtreme Free

Price: Free

Download: From Amazon

This alarm has all the bells and whistles: slowly increasing alarm volume, wake to music, math calculations to enable snoozing, and scads of snooze settings and options.

Play time!

21. Minecraft Pocket Edition

Price: $6.99

Download: From Amazon

There's a reason we leap from recommending free apps to one that costs a decent handful of change. So much more than a Lego-esque kids' game, Minecraft will suck you in and keep you building, tweaking, and creating.

22. Angry Birds Space HD

Price: $2.99

Download: From Amazon

Sure, you could get a free version of the game that's taken mobile gaming by storm — or you could snatch up the latest and greatest installment for a relative pittance.

23. Temple Run: Brave

Price: 99 cents

Download: From Amazon

Yep, it's a "Brave"-inspired version of Temple Run. Join Merida as you bound across bonny Scotland (or try out the classic Temple Run for free).

24. Cut the Rope

Price: $1.99

Download: From Amazon

You'll say "Om Nom" yourself when you try the premium version of this mobile gaming classic. Be sure to set the parental controls to block in-app purchases if you hand this one to the kids.

25. Plants vs. Zombies

Price: $2.99

Download: From Amazon

Get ready to soil your plants! That's your battle cry in this unbelievably addictive game that twists gardening with zombies.