5 Essential App Cataloging Apps For Your HP TouchPad
The Limited App Ecosystem of the HP TouchPad
A frank assessment reveals a significant limitation for users of the HP TouchPad, particularly those who acquired the device during the substantial price reductions offered a few weeks prior. The scarcity of available applications was a key factor contributing to the tablet’s unfavorable reception and ultimately, its discontinuation by HP.
Despite this challenge, a selection of well-crafted, highly functional, and completely free applications and services are available. While the TouchPad may not represent the pinnacle of tablet technology, this does not equate to it being an unusable device.
Essential Applications for Your WebOS Tablet
MakeUseOf presents a curated list of must-have applications to enhance the functionality of your WebOS tablet.
Important Consideration: Prior to exploring applications, installing Preware is recommended. This allows for the download of homebrew patches and applications, potentially improving the tablet’s performance.
Further information regarding preparing your device for homebrew can be found here. For those seeking even greater performance gains, overclocking is also an option.
These steps can help maximize the potential of your HP TouchPad, despite the initial limitations in app availability.
Box.net
The Box application was likely pre-installed on your HP TouchPad, and this was a deliberate choice. Users who sign up through the WebOS app are granted 50GB of cloud storage completely free of charge, for the duration of their account’s lifespan.
This storage allocation remains available to you even if the Box app isn't actively used on your TouchPad, providing a substantial capacity for backups.
File Transfer and Backup Capabilities
Box simplifies the process of file transfers and document backups. However, a limitation of the TouchPad app is its single-file upload restriction, which can be somewhat inconvenient.
Conversely, the web interface offers unrestricted uploading, allowing you to store a wide variety of content, including music, videos, photographs, and documents.
This enables access to your files from any location with an internet connection.
Considering it's offered at no cost, the benefits are considerable!
- Free Storage: 50GB provided for life.
- Easy Backup: Conveniently back up important files.
- Accessibility: Access files from any internet-connected device.
Box provides a valuable service for TouchPad users seeking reliable cloud storage.
Epicurious
The convergence of cooking applications and tablet devices presents a promising synergy. Epicurious effectively demonstrates this potential, offering a comprehensive suite of features and a recipe collection designed to accommodate cooks of all skill levels.
Feature Overview
The application organizes recipes into intuitive categories. A dedicated section, labeled "I Can Barely Cook," is specifically tailored for novice culinary enthusiasts.
For more experienced chefs, the "I Cook Like A Pro" category provides challenging and sophisticated options.
Recipe Organization & Functionality
Beyond skill level, recipes are also categorized by meal type, including quick lunch ideas, vegetarian entrees, and nutritious dishes that appeal to children.
A convenient slider is integrated into each recipe display, ensuring users maintain their position within the instructions. This prevents accidental scrolling and facilitates a seamless cooking experience.
Shopping List Integration
The app includes a shopping list function. This allows users to effortlessly compile a list of ingredients from selected recipes, organized for efficient grocery shopping.
Ingredients are added to the list in a logical sequence, streamlining the shopping process and minimizing the chance of forgotten items.
InterfaceLIFT HD for HP TouchPad
The HP TouchPad features a 1024x768 display resolution, suggesting that locating suitable wallpapers should be straightforward. However, utilizing a 1024x768 image as a wallpaper and then rotating the device to portrait orientation often results in undesirable black bars appearing on the screen.
For optimal coverage in portrait mode, wallpapers with a 1024x1024 resolution are preferable, though this size isn't commonly found. While images can be cropped and resized using programs like Paint.net or Photoshop, a more convenient solution exists.
That solution is InterfaceLIFT HD.
This application offers a vast and continuously updated collection of wallpapers specifically designed for the TouchPad. These wallpapers are formatted to display correctly in both landscape and portrait orientations.
The app organizes images by artist and utilizes tagging, allowing users to easily discover and follow photographers whose work they enjoy, and stay updated on their latest submissions.
InterfaceLIFT HD provides a simple and effective method for personalizing your tablet with visually appealing backgrounds.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) Emulation
The SuperNES emulator provides a functional means of experiencing Super Nintendo ROMs directly on your tablet device. Currently, the software is under active development, with the creator indicating future enhancements through posts on the PreCentral forums.
Adapting to a touch-based control scheme, in lieu of a traditional gamepad, requires a period of adjustment. Certain game genres are demonstrably better suited to this input method; role-playing games, for instance, function exceptionally well, while quicker action platformers may present challenges.
Despite being in its initial phases of development, the emulator exhibits impressive console emulation capabilities. No compatibility issues have been observed, with all tested games running smoothly.
It is hoped that members of the homebrew community will successfully integrate support for peripherals such as the Wiimote, PS3 Sixaxis controller, or the iControlPad, further enhancing the user experience.
rad.io
For straightforward radio streaming, rad.io delivers rapid access to both local and international radio stations, making it an essential application for immediate audio enjoyment.
Stations are categorized for convenient discovery, based on genre, subject matter, and country of origin. Editorial selections and a useful search function are also provided.
Key Features
- Stations are readily searchable and organized.
- The app leverages your location to showcase nearby stations directly on the main screen.
- Creating an account enables the saving of preferred stations for quick retrieval.
rad.io is known for its speed, dependability, and user-friendly interface.
It offers a seamless experience for listeners seeking a simple and efficient way to tune into their favorite broadcasts.
The application prioritizes a clean design and intuitive navigation, ensuring a hassle-free listening experience.
With its focus on performance and ease of use, rad.io stands out as a top choice for radio enthusiasts.
Kindle
Currently, the Kindle application isn't widely accessible in numerous countries beyond the United States. This limited availability explains its placement at the end of this compilation.
If you reside in the US and possess a TouchPad device, it's highly probable that Kindle was among the initial applications you installed.
Availability and Expansion
For users outside the US, accessing the Kindle app requires patience. Reports circulating on Twitter indicate that the Kindle development team is actively creating versions tailored for different regions.
Until these localized versions are released, international users are unable to access the extensive Amazon eBook library through the app. However, it remains a crucial application to obtain once it becomes available in your local app store.
The Kindle app provides access to a vast digital library, and its eventual global rollout is anticipated with considerable interest.
Final Thoughts
This concludes our overview of recommended software from MakeUseOf. While numerous applications exist – including popular titles like Angry Birds – determining what constitutes an 'essential' app is ultimately a matter of personal preference.
The applications highlighted above are certain to prove both beneficial and enjoyable across a wide range of scenarios. However, for certain specialized tasks, users may find themselves exploring options available through Preware and homebrew applications.
Share Your Experiences
We anticipate covering these alternative application sources in a future article.
Have you had the opportunity to utilize any of the apps discussed? Do you have any particular favorites? Perhaps you’ve discovered other valuable applications within the app store? We invite you to share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments section below.