Top of the apps - this week's iPad hits

WHAT'S the world refusing to pay for on its iPads this week? Here's the top free apps in countries that matter as recorded on March 21.

The top free iPad applications by country for the week, by number of downloads, recorded on March 21.

1. USA
Overkill (games)
Players adopt the character of a mercenary fighting against different enemies in the near future when civilization has collapsed. As players progress they have a chance to unlock hidden medals and weapons.

2. UK
Sky News for iPad (news)
This application from news channel Sky provides breaking news updates and allows users to stream live Sky News TV coverage. In addition users can access background news stories in order to put contemporary events in context and view a range of graphics and media.

3. France
Overkill (games)
It's the same as the US one, except with the option to stop fighting and share garlic-soaked baguettes instead. Probably.

4. Canada
CBC TV (entertainment)
Watch the latest episodes of popular series such as Dragon's Den from TV station CBC with this app. Users can stream full-length episodes, browse the CBC programming schedule and receive notifications when new episodes of their favorite programs become available.

5. Japan
"Age check - ears" (healthcare and fitness)
The developers claim it can be used to check the user's hearing. The app checks hearing by emitting increasingly harder to hear and higher frequency noises.

6. Australia
Flowpaper (entertainment)
The Flowpaper application serves as an interactive drawing tool for the iPad; users of the application can create their own designs which can then be shared with contacts or used as a background to the user's phone. 

7. Germany
Overkill (games)
It's the same as the French and US version, only with more sausage. You get the picture.

8. China
"QQ HD Browsser" (utilities)
An alternative internet browser for mobile devices. The browser is developed by the instant messaging service QQ and features multiple tab and page options as well as tools such as bookmarks.

9. Italy
Lane Splitter (games)
Users play as Jake Melton who must weave his motorbike in and out of heavy traffic at high speeds in order to make it to his wedding on time. The game is integrated with Facebook and includes a global online leader board.

10. Korea
"Around the world game" (games)
This iPad application loosely translates as "around the world game". The game involves trying to develop property in different countries around the world; according to the translation the game is designed to be played simultaneously by up to four people.