iPad apps and books in the UK: How to make yourself American

So you've got free iPad apps from the US store, paid iPhone apps and content from the UK store that you can transfer over USB, and Kindle books on your iPad. But what if you want some paid iPad apps? You'll need some US iTunes credit.

You could move to the US, get a credit card, get married and settle down. But emigrating is hard -- so try buying an iTunes gift card or email gift certificate instead.

If you're popping over the pond for a holiday, you can buy gift cards at countless shops in the US. If not, there are plenty of Web sites offering US iTunes cards and credit to British buyers, as well as a booming eBay business. This market is full of scammers however, so beware who you're dealing with -- check their eBay feedback and reviews.

Or why not simply befriend an American? Try hanging out in Covent Garden on weekday afternoons and chatting up loud couples with matching backpacks. Once they get home, ask them to send you some gift credit in iTunes, and pay them back using PayPal. Man, we love the Internet.