[article id="1635300"]The iPad[/article] will inherit 150,000 apps when it lands in consumers' hands this weekend, according to Apple. With more than a thousand new ones entering the fray that are uniquely optimized for the device, however, casual browsers will have a lot to sift through.

Given the iPad's hardware strengths and the new roles it could play as both a work tool and entertainment platform, a few apps could become game-changers and justify the Apple tablet on their own.

Netflix App

A leaked look at Netflix's stream-able video app for the iPad indicates that subscribers with unlimited accounts might be able to get access to their queues on the go. Its availability would put the app in direct competition with iTunes, but a streaming process that requires a constant Internet connection may distinguish Netflix's app from iTunes' rental service enough that they can still play nicely together in the App Store.

iWork Keynote, Numbers and Pages Apps

The iPhone and iPod Touch hit home runs in portable gaming, but they came up short competing with netbooks and laptops in terms of business applications. Google Docs support was great, but iWork apps that will allow word processing as well as spreadsheet and slideshow creation may be the software Apple needs to serve students and working adults in a whole new way.

ABC App

ABC, CBS and NBC reportedly all have plans for delivering TV shows to the iPad with methods that don't require iTunes, but ABC may be the first to come out with their own app capable of streaming programs without a browser. Depending on how ABC's app performs, this could become a new model for networks to consider going forward.

Amazon Kindle App

Kindle provided a smooth yet simplified experience on the iPhone, but a larger HD screen capable of displaying big images in normal book and eReader-size dimensions could mean big things for Amazon. The Kindle app would also mean competition for Apple iBook downloads, but competing models and options for consumers can only mean better products in the long run.

Marvel Comics App

The iPad will be well suited for reading prose novels and textbooks, but when discussing killer apps for Spider-Man and Iron Man followers, the Marvel Comics app, designed by ComiXology, stands to make huge waves if it takes off as a distribution platform for the number-one monthly comic book publisher in America right now. Panelfly's Comic Book Reader app will provide another source of digital graphic-novel distribution as well, so those two, Amazon and Apple's ePub format will all be looking to define how comics get consumed on the iPad.

Risk App

The iPad means game developers will have to think in new proportions with new gameplay options, but no genre of gaming will be more ready to walk onto a flat multi-touch screen than board games. The potential to play table-top games over Bluetooth, WiFi and 3G with other players means EA will have a great foot in the door if they leverage Hasbro properties like Risk onto the iPad. And they will, according to Kotaku.

Will you be first in line for an iPad? What apps are you excited about? Let us know in the comments below!