Apple's iTunes U tops iPad free apps chart

Apple's new iTunes U educational app has leaped to the top of the free iPad app charts, while stargazing app The Night Sky took the number one spot in the paid-for list.

Last week, Apple launched iTunes U as part of plans to "reinvent" the education curriculum, introducing a platform that enables students to view assignments and textbooks on their smartphone or tablet, as well as rate courses and leave feedback for their teachers.

According to Apple's Official UK App Store Chart for the week ending January 22, the new iTunes U app was the most popular free app on the iPad in the UK.

In the list of paid-for iPad services, astronomy app The Night Sky, which allows users to track and learn about the stars with their device, toppled classic gameshow Catchphrase from the top spot.

iPad (Free):

1) iTunes U - Apple.
2) Temple Run - Imangi Studios
3) Sky Sports News for iPad - Sky
4) Monkey Flight - Doughnut Games
5) Snappers HD - Michael Eliseev
6) BBC iPlayer - Media Applications Technologies
7) 4oD Catch Up - Channel 4
8) Calculator for iPad Free - International Travel Weather Calculator
9) Skype for iPad - Skype Software Sarl
10) Netflix - Netflix

iPad (Paid):

1) The Night Sky - iCandi Apps
2) Catchphrase for iPad - Deluxe Digital Studios London
3) FIFA 12 by EA Sports for iPad - EA Swiss Sarl
4) MONOPOLY for iPad - EA Swiss Sarl
5) Pages - Apple
6) Smash Cops - Hutch
7) Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 for iPad - EA Swiss Sarl
8) Where's My Water? - Disney
9) Countdown HD - Official TV Show App - Deluxe Digital Studios London
10) Angry Birds HD - Chilingo

On Apple's iPhone, WhatsApp Messenger just beat The Night Sky as the most downloaded paid-for app, while the previous week's number one, Keep Calm and Carry On, was shunted down to ninth place.

In terms of the free apps, Imangi Studios' popular game Temple Run retained the top spot, while Apple's iTunes U debuted at only number eight on the iPhone.

iPhone (Paid):

1) WhatsApp Messenger - WhatsApp
2) The Night Sky - iCandi Apps
3) iSpy Cameras - SKIM
4) NFL Flick Quarterback - Full Fat
5) Angry Birds - ClickGamer.com
6) Pimp Your Screen: Your Device Never Looked Cooler - Apalon
7) Fruit Ninja - Halfbrick Studios
8) FIFA 12 by EA Sports - EA Swiss Sarl
9) Keep Calm and Carry On - Daniel Mauer
10. Where's My Water? - Disney

iPhone (Free):

1) Temple Run - Imangi Studios
2) Many Bricks Breaker - FujiCubeSoft
3) How do others see you? - Via 21 Media Alternativa
4) Zombie Farm - The Playforge
5) BBC iPlayer - Media Applications Technologies
6) Parking Mania Free - Chillingo
7) Crush The Castle - Armor Games
8) iTunes U - Apple
9) Pimp My Text - Send Colour Text Messages - MobGen
10) Call of Duty ELITE - Activision Publishing