Ten essential apps for HP TouchPad owners

The bare essentials for new WebOS tablet buyers

HP MovieStore

This is just what it sounds like: A tablet-customised application where you can rent or buy movies and stream television shows to watch on your TouchPad. The application wasn't up and running from the start, although HP promises to send users a notice through Software Manager the minute it comes online. HP says the app will update available movies every week and available TV shows every day.

WordPress

For those of you who like to blog on the go, the WordPress app gives you all the capabilities of the popular blogging software on your tablet. WebOS's multitasking capabilities let the WordPress app give you the ability to quickly swipe through managing, editing and browsing your content on multiple panels. The software is available in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Italian, Dutch and Japanese.

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit

No tablet experience is complete without some games to play and EA's tablet adaptation of its acclaimed "Need for Speed" action racing game is one of the most promising out there. "Need for Speed" is a perfect game for tablets because it doesn't rely on overly complicated controls and lets you turn your car simply by shifting your tablet. EA is also hyping up an "enhanced interface" that takes advantage of the TouchPad's multi-touch capabilities.

Translator HD

This app uses Google's translation software to give you an easy and quick way to translate text from 45 languages. The Translator HD app is a tablet-centric version of the original Translator app that appeared on Palm's webOS-based smartphones.

Coffee Guy

For coffee aficionados who want to branch out beyond Starbucks, Coffee Guy searches your location to find any coffee shop in your area. So if you're on a business trip and looking for a high quality cup of coffee near your hotel, you'll never have to settle for the cheap hotel brand ever again. The app also lets you save your favourite cafes and record a list of your favourite drinks. Note: While this app was not specifically designed for tablets, it was simply too cool to let pass.

KitchenCalculator

If you've ever been stumped by a cookbook that only tells you how to make a meal with odd measurements, this app is for you. Know your pinches, dashes, pints, litres, teaspoons and tablespoons, all in one convenient location.

OfficetoPDF HD

Here's a nifty workplace application that will take any Microsoft Office file undefined whether it's Word, Excel or PowerPoint undefined and change it into a PDF. Cheaper versions that only convert Word, Excel or PowerPoint files to PDFs are also available.

NPR Reader

For people who like having their news told to them in a soothing, comforting voice (as opposed to having it yelled at them through the television), the NPR Reader brings all the fun of public radio to your tablet. This application is particularly great, because it performs YouTube searches for videos of the stories you happen to be reading.

iheartradio

iheartradio gives you access to more than 400 radio stations across the country. Whether you like pop, hip hop, country or Latin music, you'll probably find something to enjoy with this application.

Angry Birds HD

No mobile device these days is complete without Angry Birds, the hugely popular game that involves slinging wrecking ball birds at villainous green pigs. Owning a tablet without Angry Birds installed is a little like having a classic rock album collection without any Beatles records. It's something that's just not done.

  • HP MovieStore
  • WordPress
  • Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
  • Translator HD
  • Coffee Guy
  • KitchenCalculator
  • OfficetoPDF HD
  • NPR Reader
  • iheartradio
  • Angry Birds HD
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Translator HD

This app uses Google's translation software to give you an easy and quick way to translate text from 45 languages. The Translator HD app is a tablet-centric version of the original Translator app that appeared on Palm's webOS-based smartphones.

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