HP TouchPad as Kindle: Turn Your Tablet Into an E-reader

The Enduring Appeal of the HP TouchPad and the Kindle App Challenge

The HP TouchPad has proven remarkably resilient, continually regaining popularity despite initial uncertainty surrounding its future. Despite HP’s wavering commitment to the webOS operating system, the TouchPad has surpassed expectations. This success is largely attributed to significant discounts offered by numerous retailers, both online and in brick-and-mortar stores, coupled with its intuitive user experience.

A key challenge facing TouchPad users, however, stems from the limited official app support. Early decisions by HP to discontinue the webOS platform shortly after the TouchPad’s release created a substantial gap in the availability of native applications.

The Kindle App Availability Issue

A notable absence is the official Kindle app. While US customers can readily access Amazon’s eBook reader on their HP TouchPads, users in other regions – including Europe and Australia – find that the app is not listed within the HP App Catalog.

Given the widespread use of tablets for digital reading, this omission is a significant drawback for many international TouchPad owners.

A Workaround for International Users

Fortunately, a solution exists for installing the webOS Kindle app on HP TouchPads in territories where it is not officially offered.

This allows users to enjoy their eBooks despite the geographical restrictions imposed by the HP App Catalog.

The ability to circumvent this limitation underscores the resourceful nature of the TouchPad community and their dedication to maximizing the device’s potential.

The Limited Availability of the Kindle App on the HP TouchPad

The question of why the HP TouchPad's Kindle application is restricted to the United States arises from a nuanced situation. For a segment of TouchPad owners located in North America, the app provides a convenient and satisfying platform for reading electronic books.

However, this accessibility isn't universal. An initial issue, or perhaps a misunderstanding during rollout, led to the Kindle app being included on early TouchPad models, only to be subsequently withdrawn from later production runs.

This resulted in those later devices displaying a placeholder message indicating the app was “coming soon”.

Addressing the Issue for US TouchPad Users

Thankfully, TouchPad users in the US who find their devices lacking a functional Kindle app can now acquire it through the HP App Catalog.

This provides a solution for those affected by the initial distribution problem. The app remains a valuable resource for eBook enthusiasts.

The precise cause of the initial removal has never been officially explained by Amazon or HP.

Getting Your HP TouchPad Ready

Prior to installing the Kindle application on your HP TouchPad, several tools must be downloaded, and this process is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X operating systems.

Begin by navigating to this link and obtaining the Kindle .ipk file. The .ipk file serves as the installation package format specifically for webOS.

Following this, download the webOS Quick Install software from this location. This utility facilitates the testing of applications not officially approved on webOS devices, including the HP TouchPad.

Java must be installed on your computer for the webOS Quick Install to function correctly; it can be downloaded from here.

Connect your HP TouchPad to your computer utilizing the provided USB cable. A Connected dialog will appear, but selecting Close will allow you to proceed.

The USB Drive mode is not suitable for this installation process. You will then need to access Developer Mode by entering webos20090606 into the search field.

Selecting the Developer Mode icon will initiate the process. Activate the feature by sliding the switch located in the upper-right corner.

A password prompt may appear, but you can bypass it by clicking Submit.

The subsequent step involves executing the downloaded webOSQuickInstall-4.3.1.jar file (the version number may vary). Follow the on-screen instructions to download any necessary supplementary software.

This may include the Novacom driver, which is essential for establishing a reliable connection between your computer and the tablet.

Installing The Kindle Application

Having completed the preceding installations and ensuring everything is operational, the addition of the Kindle application – currently in beta and potentially subject to occasional instability – is a straightforward procedure.

The webOS Quick Install application, accessible on your computer, presents a mostly blank interface featuring several buttons, including plus (+) and minus (-) controls on the right side. Initiate the process by clicking the + button to locate the downloaded Kindle .ipk file.

This file will be named following a pattern like com.palm.app.kindle_0.11.499820_all.ipk, though the version number at the end may vary. Select the appropriate file and then click the Install button to begin the installation, allowing a short period for completion.