The ensuing firesale resulted in tablets being picked up brand new for under $100 on both sides of the Atlantic and ensured that this powerful tablet (with a spec not far removed from that of the iPad) found an audience (many of whom were keen to install Android once a port was made).

It’s a hardy device that holds its battery well – but there are certain things that you need to do to ensure that this remains the case. One false move (or twist…) and your TouchPad might seem to be bricked.

For more tips about dealing with problems concerning the HP TouchPad, please see my previous guide.

Looking After Your Cable

The HP TouchPad requires – nay, demands – that you charge it only with the shipped adapter and USB cable. This can prove frustrating at times, and the power supplied by alternative cables is quickly detected as “wrong” by the device (regardless of operating system) resulting in a “telling off”.

You should strive to keep the cable free of kinks, wrapping it up carefully whenever you’re in transit. If your original HP charger and cable aren’t available, charging from a PC is possible but much slower and a full charge will not be reached; however, this option is open.

For the best results in the absence of the genuine HP charger, you should take steps to purchase a HP replacement device.

No Charge? Reset!

Occasionally, charging the HP TouchPad will not be possible, perhaps resulting in the device battery discharging completely and the tablet unable to start.

It isn’t a good idea to let this happen, wherever possible, as recharging can take quite a while. If you have connected your HP Touchpad to the charger only to find that a charging symbol is perpetually displayed, you will probably need to reset the tablet.

This is done by holding the power and home buttons at the same time for around 15 seconds. During this time, the tablet should shut down, restart and then boot into the installed operating system – albeit with a very low charge.

That’s usually what happens, anyway…

Help! My HP TouchPad Won’t Charge!!!

It doesn’t always happen like this, however; from time to time, you might find that the TouchPad refuses to charge, and won’t respond to the reset command as described above.

Before you head to the webOS support forums in a panic only to be told that you have to send your tablet back to the manufacturer (not a great idea, under the circumstances) there is still time for a level head. You see, unless your battery is broken (pretty unlikely in my experience) then what you need to do is unplug your HP TouchPad and remove the adaptor from the mains.

This barrel-shaped device has a twist-and-lock feature for switching plugs (after all, we use different connectors in different countries) and this can become slightly untwisted over time. The result of this is that your HP TouchPad receives a small charge, but not enough to recharge the battery.

Should this happen, don’t worry. All you need to do is untwist the adaptor attachment, check the connections are smooth and shiny, and then re-attach it, listening out for a satisfying click. You can then reconnect your HP TouchPad to the mains charger and a few minutes later it should boot up.

That’s a quick 5 second check that could save you a lot of money buying a new tablet!

Conclusion: Don’t Worry If Your HP TouchPad Won’t Charge!

Charging a HP TouchPad should be straightforward, but from time to time it is not. This is the same for most battery-powered devices, but with the HP TouchPad there is always the possibility that the device has bricked.

However, I estimate that 90% of “bricked” HP TouchPads (beside the fact that it is a tough piece of hardware to brick, especially with the added bonus of the webOS Doctor tool) are in fact incorrectly connected to the charging power supply.

So, if you have any concerns about how well your TouchPad is charging, please take the time to run through these checks before burying your tablet in bubble wrap…

The post HP TouchPad Not Charging? Don’t Worry, It’s Probably Not Bricked! appeared first on MakeUseOf.

Recently, however, it has come to my attention that there is yet more that can be achieved with this most flexible of tablets. Whether you’re persisting with the super-slick webOS and its limited selection of apps or if you’ve upgraded your pretty amazing tablet to Android 4.0, there are several alternatives that you might be interested in.

Upgrade To Android First!

Whatever you decide to do after reading this guide, you simply must start off by following my previous article on installing Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich to the HP TouchPad. This represents the optimum level of performance that you can expect to squeeze out of this device, and the process is a great grounding in installing a new operating system to your tablet.

Basically, if you don’t follow the previous guide what comes next will seem a little tricky. You’ll also regret it, as Ice Cream Sandwich on the HP TouchPad is as perfect as….well, an ice cream sandwich!

Alternative Operating Systems For The HP TouchPad

You might think that having two operating systems running on the HP TouchPad is good enough – but would you believe that a third is available?

Remarkably, the popular Linux OS Ubuntu can be installed on the HP TouchPad. With this installed, users will be able to enjoy using applications such as AbiWord, Chromium Browser, GIMP, even the LibreOffice suite!

Indeed, any Linux application that can be compiled for ARM processors can be installed, bringing the feel of a very portable desktop computer to your HP TouchPad!

Other versions of Linux have been ported to the HP TouchPad, such as Arch Linux, but note that both Linux versions have a few hardware issues that make things like graphical hardware acceleration impossible. Ideal for office-based tasks, these Linux operating systems don’t have the same power on the HP TouchPad as Android 4.0.

More Android ROMs For The HP TouchPad

Don’t let that upset you, however. While Ubuntu is great on the HP TouchPad, there are plenty of alternative versions of Android that you might try.

The beauty of the XDA-Developers.com forum is that the guys there spend hours of their lives configuring and reconfiguring Android to work as efficiently and impressively as ever, often incorporating tweaks to the user interface as they go. One particularly astonishing piece of work is AOKP&CM9Remix with WebOS Style. This remarkable piece of work combines Android Ice Cream Sandwich for the HP TouchPad with a webOS-style card-based user interface.

Installation of this ROM is as simple as upgrading your HP TouchPad’s current version of Android, and shouldn’t take more than five minutes or so – the results are amazing! However, we shouldn’t ignore CM10. This is a HP TouchPad build that will bring the delights of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean to your tablet. At present it isn’t up to daily use, but the team behind it are working hard and the early signs have been impressive.

HP TouchPad Just Keeps On Giving!

All in all there are many alternative versions of Android that you can use on the HP TouchPad, from the basic Ice Cream Sandwich to the various builds that add additional features and performance boosts. You will be able to find them all via the XDA-Developer’s website.

Given the HP TouchPad’s initial poor sales, it is remarkable that over a year later it is still widely in use as an Android tablet rather than running webOS. Sadly, the native operating system looks unlikely to ever be favoured by the device. The recent act of making webOS “open” has resulted in HP announcing that a new version will not be made available for the HP TouchPad; the hardware producer continues to consider the tablet a failed product, despite its popularity.

So it’s just as well that enthusiasts are keeping it alive with all of these operating systems and ROM alternatives!

The post How To Install More Operating Systems On Your HP TouchPad appeared first on MakeUseOf.

However, there are a couple of problems with the build as it stands. The build recommended in our previous guide was missing camera and microphone functionality. Meanwhile, a new version of Android, Jellybean, has since been released.

Can the HP TouchPad be updated to resolve these issues, resulting in a fully functional, up-to-date Android tablet?

Setting Up the Android Microphone

Since our initial article on installing Android on the HP TouchPad, the microphone issues have been resolved. This means that users can take advantage of the various voice command aspects of Ice Cream Sandwich, a great enhancement and one that almost completes the Android-on-TouchPad experience.

Why was there no microphone support in the earlier versions? It was simply a matter of missing drivers, something that has now been resolved. Adding microphone drivers to your HP TouchPad is extremely simple. Just follow our upgrade guide to install a recent build using the built-in tools, and the microphone will be activated. Note that if you’re concerned about updating your current ROM, a backup can be made using the ROM Manager upgrade tool.

Where’s My Webcam?

One issue that is yet to be resolved for the cmtenderloin Android Ice Cream Sandwich build for the HP TouchPad concerns the webcam.

This is due to the proprietary drivers in use by the device builder, Novacom. While several attempts have been made to reverse engineer the drivers and use substitute software, none of these have resulted in anything that can be described as favourable.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

In an effort to extend the life of the webOS platform, HP has committed to making it open source. The beta release of the open webOS was made public on August 31^st, 2012, and the hope is that this can be used to grab the driver for the webcam and finally activate this final hardware hurdle for HP TouchPad users running Ice Cream Sandwich.

What About The Jelly Bean?

As you may well know, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean has been available since July 2012, but is there a version for the HP TouchPad yet?

Well, yes there is – but it’s not one that you would want to spend too much time with. At this stage, the build is limited and considered an early Alpha, missing a lot of key functionality such as the typical webcam and microphone and even battery management.

It is going to be some time before the HP TouchPad is presented with a workable Jelly Bean build, so in the meantime any users that have installed Ice Cream Sandwich will need to sit tight.

Conclusion

Running an operating system on a device that it was never meant for is a curious experience. In the case of the HP TouchPad, it adds amazing functionality to what was a good but criminally under supported piece of hardware.

Added microphone support brings an excellent new dimension to Ice Cream Sandwich on the HP TouchPad, and should the webcam ever be fixed, this will mean users will never need to boot into webOS again!

I’ve been playing with different versions of Windows Mobile, Android and Windows Phone for several years, taking advantage of the work of specialist hackers (in the traditional sense) and developers and maximising the potential of mobile phones and tablets that have been constrained by proprietary operating systems and user interfaces. I can honestly say that the Ice Cream Sandwich port is one of the most accomplished pieces of work to come from the XDA Developers website.

Incidentally, development work on this platform has been performed by the team involved for little or no money, although they do accept donations. If you feel that their efforts deserve recompense, consider you can do so via the XDA-developers.com forum.

Image Credit: Android 4.0

The post Updating Your HP TouchPad: The Next Step appeared first on MakeUseOf.

Keeping your data safe on portable devices proved challenging when smartphones first came along, and these same challenges exist for tablet computers. The only way to realistically keep data safe in the absence of removable storage is to rely on the cloud.

Quirks in mobile Internet speed and the presence of Wi-Fi networking on mobile devices mean that syncing data with a cloud account is now so easy that we barely notice it happening.

HP TouchPad users have a number of cloud options (whether using webOS or Android), enabling them to ensure that data remains safe on a remote server that can be accessed from a different computer in the event of mobile device failure.

Cloud Backup for webOS

Before worrying about the existence of applications that can enable cloud storage of documents that you’re currently working on, however, concern yourself with the straightforward “how do I backup my TouchPad” problem that many users face – but only when it is too late.

Thanks to some excellent built-in software, webOS users can create backups of their operating system files which are backed up to a cloud server. These can then be used to get your HP TouchPad back into working order when the time comes.

Via Launcher > Settings > Backup you will find the relevant options. You can activate Backup by sliding the switch to On, initiating daily backups. It is also possible to make a manual backup via the Back Up Now option.

If data needs to be restored to your HP TouchPad (for instance following a failed backup) this can be done via the webOS Doctor.

Egnyte

Offering a minimum of 150 GB of storage, Egnyte is aimed at business users of the HP TouchPad; as such, it isn’t free, instead providing cloud functionality for five users starting at $24.99 a month (and rising, depending on the size of business). Fortunately, however, it does offer a trial version so that you can check the speed, reliability and overall quality of the service.

Signing up is simple, and the service has an easy to use interface.

The only problem, really, is that the app doesn’t appear to run as an app. Instead, users are directed to the browser-based interface to the service. This isn’t a problem as such – it’s nice to see an interface that is easy to use in the webOS browser – but obviously it means that this service isn’t exclusive to webOS. Of course, if you have access to another operating system with which you plan to swap files, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

DropBox Apps

Sadly there is no DropBox app for webOS – access is limited to the browser interface unless you’re wishing to spend $4 on Dropboxify HD. This doesn’t really come into the realms of “free” or “low cost” that we like to promote on MakeUseOf; nor does it offer a free trial.

Instead, if you want to use DropBox on the HP TouchPad, you will need to install Android on tablet; an official DropBox app is available that offers considerable functionality, enabling shares, uploads and downloads from the device.

If you haven’t yet installed Android on your HP TouchPad, these instructions will explain fully how this can be done.

Box

By far the best cloud option for webOS users is Box, an app that can be installed free on the HP TouchPad under its native operating system. Available from the HP App Catalog, Box offers an amazing 50 GB of storage to TouchPad owners, absolutely free!

Files can be accessed on any other device, shared with friends using a link and although there is a 100 MB file limit (preventing the upload of large video files, for instance) Box remains a must have app for any HP TouchPad owner, effectively increasing the available storage on the device by 50 GB!

HP TouchPad Android users can also access Box, using the same account name and thereby accessing the same degree of storage.

Large Storage, Limited Options

Despite the continued respect among TouchPad users for webOS as a functional operating system with a slick UI, it is sadly lacking in cloud storage options, another reason for the sad (but completely understandable) migration of users to other devices or installing Android on the tablet.

Fortunately the 50 GB from Box gives webOS users an excellent cloud storage option, while those users who have HP TouchPads via their employers should perhaps mention the existence of Egnyte.

Finally, remember that critical (non-app) data on your TouchPad is backed up daily to a remote HP server, ready for restoration in dire circumstances.

The post Cloud Storage Options For the HP TouchPad That You Should Know About appeared first on MakeUseOf.

In most cases, you should have found that this is a great way to breathe new life into your tablet. While webOS has a slick and pleasing user interface, the platform is sadly lacking in applications.

However the versions of Android Ice Cream Sandwich that are currently available for the HP TouchPad are also lacking. In particular, functionality of the camera and microphone has been missing, resulting in a tablet that looks great, has lots of apps but isn’t quite ready to use.

As time progresses, developments to the drivers for these devices will result in a fully functioning Ice Cream Sandwich for the HP TouchPad; but how can you easily upgrade your existing Android installation?

Introducing ROM Manager

Thanks to the ROM Manager utility, you can backup your current Android installation, download and install an update and even restore to the previous backup if necessary.

(The general flavour of what follows also applies to other Android devices, but we’re focussing here on the HP TouchPad.)

Using ROM Manager is pretty simple. The utility offers a range of options, dealing with recovery, ROM management, backup and restore and also offers some additional utilities.

ROM Manager should appear in the Apps list on your HP TouchPad after installing Ice Cream Sandwich. If it isn’t, simply visit Google Play, search for the app and install it.

To use ROM Manager successfully you will need to configure ClockworkMod Recovery. If you followed our previous guide for installing Android on your TouchPad, you will find that this is very simple. Select the Flash ClockworkMod Recovery option in ROM Manager, accepting cm_tenderloin as your “phone model”. Next, the tablet will ask “Have you installed a ClockworkMod based recovery manually?” Select Yes for this option, and then choose ClockworkMod 2.x to proceed.

Backup Your TouchPad with ROM Manager

Before installing a new ROM (the name given to an operating system image), you should backup the currently installed version of Android. In ROM Manager, scroll down to Backup and Restore and select the Backup Current ROM option.

Your device will request confirmation; click OK and the TouchPad will reboot. As it boots up again, the data is backed up; this may take a while, so leave your device alone until the process is completed.

Once done, Android will boot as normal, and you’ll be safe in the knowledge that there is a backup of the OS ready to install (or “flash”) in the event of problems.

Download and Install a New Android ROM

Finding a new ROM for your HP TouchPad is a case of going to download.cyanogenmod.com/tenderloin and selecting one of the most recent – and if you can, stable – nightly releases. This should then be downloaded to your computer, and copied to your HP TouchPad. If you’re mobile, however, you can also download directly to your TouchPad. Save the file in the cminstall folder (created when you installed Android previously) and remove the previous ZIP file if it is still there (from which your current Android installation was installed).

All you need to do now is open ROM Manager, select Install ROM from SD Card, select the appropriate ROM, remembering to select Wipe Data and Cache and Wipe Dalvik Cache before clicking OK.

(Note that in recent builds of Ice Cream Sandwich for the HP TouchPad, the GooManager app will alert you to new updates and download them for you, as well as managing installation. This software also enables you to browse for compatible ROMs which can be installed via the Flash ROMs option.)

Manage and Restore Backups

If there is something about the new ROM that you don’t like, however, worry not – there is an opportunity to restore a previous backup using ROM Manager.

Under the Backup and Restore section, you will be find the Manage and Restore Backups item. By tapping this you will see a list of backups that have been previously created. All you need to do is tap the one that corresponds with the date and time that you instructed Android to make the backup and then select Restore from the menu (you can also Rename and Delete backups using this screen).

Once the selection is made, confirm your choice and the TouchPad will restart; as the tablet boots up again, the backup will be restored!

Conclusion

With the constant development that is taking place in delivering Android to the HP TouchPad, changes are made on an almost daily basis. Nightly ROM builds demonstrate this perfectly, so you should be aware of how simple it is to backup, upgrade and if necessary restore a previous Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich ROM to your TouchPad.

Note that your user data should remain untouched by these changes. Any problems with apps can be resolved by removing them and then downloading again from the Play Store. Using the Downloads menu item will allow you to quickly find software previously downloaded, saving you time.

ROM Manager and ClockworkMod Recovery offer what is probably the slickest upgrade experience of any platform, but remember that problems can occur. In this situation, don’t panic – restart the device, boot into webOS and use the webOS Doctor to resolve the issue.

The post Backup, Restore, And Update Android On The HP TouchPad appeared first on MakeUseOf.

It’s true that WebOS is stagnating, less and less apps appear on the official HP App Catalog and there are fewer patches, tweaks and third-party apps turning up on Preware too. While you should not expect too much from the aging tablet, the old girl still has life in her yet.

Let’s take another look at some of the recent developments for WebOS and a few TouchPad apps that have eluded us in the past.

Add Proper Arrow Keys To The Keyboard

Unless you’re using a Bluetooth keyboard, typing on the TouchPad can be a painful experience. HP neglected to provide proper cursor control, and precisely tapping where you would like the cursor to appear is pretty much an impossible task which often ends in frustration and swearing.

Luckily thanks to the homebrew community there is a proper solution to this conundrum – arrow keys for your keyboard. There are a multitude of options, ideal for QWERTY, AZERTY and QWERTZ layouts which removes the requirement to clumsily poke at the screen to correct a spelling mistake or add a paragraph.

You’ll need a Preware’d TouchPad in developer mode to install. Download the appropriate .ZIP, extract and then use WebOS Quick Install to apply the patch.

View: Proper Arrow Keys on TouchPad Thread @ WebOSNation

Add GPS Functionality

The HP TouchPad does not include GPS functionality, so if you’ve been hoping to make use of the device as a location tool then you’ll find that it’s a bit limiting. Luckily it’s possible to pair the TouchPad via Bluetooth with an external GPS unit. Best of all these units are cheap and cheerful, and if you shop around you will pay around $15 for a small battery-powered device.

If you own a WebOS phone then you can also use an app called PreGO to share your device’s GPS capabilities with your TouchPad. PreGO is available via Preware – search, install and pair. Once you’ve got either an external GPS unit or a PreGO-enabled phone paired, use MapTool Pro to help find your way. Award yourself extra points for successfully mounting the TouchPad in your car.

Check out the video above for detailed steps to get MapTool Pro working with just about any Bluetooth GPS device.

Install Wi-Fi File Sharing

Wires are the bane of my life, and if you feel the same then you might like Wi-Fi File Sharing. If you use your WebOS tablet for eReading and comics, emulation, listening to music or watching videos then this has to be one of the best Preware downloads you can install.

In order to get it working you’re going to need a couple of packages from Preware first. The first is Easy Samba and this, being a large package, can take a while to install. Be patient, even though it looks unresponsive while installing, it probably hasn’t crashed. The second package is Homebrew JS Service Framework which you may already have installed from previous packages.

Once you’ve got these, download Wi-Fi File Sharing from Preware, restart Luna (you’ll be asked to do so) and launch the app. Your TouchPad will show up as a writeable SMB network share, allowing you to transfer files minus a cable.

Grab Some New Apps

Despite stagnation, there are still some new developments in the world of WebOS apps. The following are fresh and noteworthy enough to try out:

Touchpad Text Editor (Preware, Free)

A simple text editor, ideal for use with an external Bluetooth keyboard. It comes with a spellchecker and formats files according to the OS of your choice. Perfect for those who don’t need or value fancy text formatting!

AIOSettings (Preware, Free)

Tired of the settings menu being a scattered mess? Would you rather have one single UI from which to customize your tablet? AIOSettings (all-in-one settings) does just this.

ReadOnTouch Pro (App Catalog, $1.99)

Fancy saving articles and webpages so you can read them offline, at your leisure? Try ReadOnTouch Pro, which has recently been updated to support images within articles. There’s also a free version if you would like to try before you buy.

MapTool Pro (App Catalog, $2.49)

Ideal for use with a GPS receiver (as mentioned) above, MapTool Pro uses maps from the free OpenStreetMap project and fully supports the offline downloading of maps so that you can travel anywhere and everywhere with a highly detailed map of your surroundings.

fTelnet (App Catalog, Free)

Why not use your TouchPad as a dedicated telnet terminal? It’s small, portable and fully compatible with Bluetooth keyboards (something you want if this appeals to you) plus the fTelnet app is completely free.

WebOSM (App Catalog & Preware, Free)

A completely free map viewer for the TouchPad that uses OpenStreetMap data. While the current version is compatible with some GPS units (any external Bluetooth unit with “GPS” in the name, or PreGO), WebOSM currently depends on a network connection for its maps (no offline download) so it’s a bit useless unless you are willing to tether your tablet to a 3G/4G device.

Saying that, the author is apparently working on offline support so it’s one to keep your eye on.

Conclusion

For now, the TouchPad is still receiving support and attention thanks to a dedicated WebOS community. If you have come across any novel uses for your tablet or any must-have apps you can’t put down then add your thoughts in the comments, below. Similarly, if you feel particularly strongly about whether or not Android is a must-have then have your say here.

The post HP TouchPad Update: More Things To Do With Your WebOS Tablet appeared first on MakeUseOf.

The only solution for HP TouchPad owners is a Bluetooth keyboard, which gives great results. There are a couple of ways in which you can connect a Bluetooth keyboard to the HP TouchPad, depending upon which operating system you have installed.

You might still be running the native webOS or you might have decided to upgrade your TouchPad to Android Ice Cream Sandwich. Either is fine; both operating systems will allow you to connect your Bluetooth keyboard. But why use an external keyboard with your tablet?

Advantages Of An External Keyboard

If you’re using a tablet computer the chances are that at some point you have used the software keyboard, either for typing in your name or email address or for searching the web. You might even have used the keyboard for emails or other longer documents.

With the HP TouchPad, a single software keyboard is available by default, and proves rather useful for text entry. However, it isn’t perfect – the dimensions of the display and the arrangement of the keyboard can make punctuation difficult, for instance.

This is why using an external hardware keyboard with a tablet is so useful. While it might not be ideal in all situations, you can certainly find plenty of use for a hardware keyboard when using your TouchPad on a desk, sat on a train or plane or other similar scenarios.

Connecting a Bluetooth Keyboard In WebOS

Setting up your Bluetooth keyboard with webOS requires that you pair the device to your tablet.

Open Launcher > Settings > Bluetooth and switch to On. The tablet will activate the short-range wireless protocol and then prompt you to +Add device. Tap this, and select Keyboard from the Type drop-down menu.

Once the keyboard is found, tap the device on your TouchPad display. The two devices should then pair.

If you need to unpair for any reason, open the Bluetooth screen again and drag the listed device to the right, selecting Delete to discard it.

Connecting Your Bluetooth Keyboard In Android ICS

Setting up a connection in Android Ice Cream Sandwich is just as easy.

With your Bluetooth keyboard switched on, fully charged or with fresh batteries and ready to use, open Settings > Bluetooth and switch to On.

Next, wait while the TouchPad searches for the keyboard; it should eventually display HP TouchPad Wireless Keyboard. Tap this, and enter the code on your keyboard as instructed.

With this entered, the keyboard will be paired with your TouchPad!

Choosing a Suitable Bluetooth Keyboard For Your HP TouchPad

Various Bluetooth keyboards can be used with the HP TouchPad. Basically, all you need is a device with Bluetooth capability and it should connect to the tablet without any problem.

Anything from a standard desktop keyboard with Bluetooth to the dedicated HP keyboard specifically released for the HP TouchPad should do, although there are plenty of alternatives, from small handheld keyboards to mobile phones with the capability of broadcasting text entry via Bluetooth.

If you use the specially-designed HP device, once paired, you will notice that there are several keys designed specifically for use with the TouchPad.

These might not be as comfortable as a standard sized keyboard but they will allow you to use your tablet in interesting new ways.

How Do You Type?

If you use a HP TouchPad and have access to a Bluetooth keyboard, these steps should enable you to quickly connect and set up your keyboard with your tablet. The results are similar to using a notebook device, and in terms of using your tablet as a word processor, extremely satisfactory.

However, this might not be the solution for everybody. There are various software keyboard applications for webOS and Android that you might prefer, for instance.

So which typing experience do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Improve Text Entry On The HP TouchPad – Use a Bluetooth Keyboard! appeared first on MakeUseOf.

While things may have improved in recent months – the addition of homebrew apps in Preware has been a particular boost – the fact remains that there are a whole host of application types and games that could run on the HP TouchPad, if only the developers had a mind to do so.

The economic factors clearly lean against this desire, so the legion of HP TouchPad owners (and there are a lot of us!) have one alternative – install Android Ice Cream Sandwich.

Benefits Of Android

Development of Android on the HP TouchPad has been proceeding apace over the past few months, with various Alpha releases making way for regular builds that fix bugs and enable key functionality. We’re at the stage now where the HP TouchPad can run the latest Android operating system with little effort.

Naturally, this multiplies the number of apps and games that are available; currently the HP TouchPad has around 10,000 titles in the HP App Catalog, compared with 450,000 in Google Play (formerly the Android Market).

Using the method of installation described here, you will be able to install Android on your tablet alongside webOS, enabling you to switch back to the native OS whenever necessary.

Are There Any Drawbacks?

There are several minor drawbacks of installing Android on your HP TouchPad. First, you will notice that there is less storage space available after you have used Android for a short time, mainly due to the fact that you have two operating systems and some shared tasks – email, for instance – will take up space (you will be able to share media files, however).

Naturally, switching between the two operating systems will require you to restart the device, so if you’re in a rush to use one over the other, this might prove frustrating.

In addition, you will be unable to rely on the device’s built-in camera. This is disappointing, but you can always boot back into webOS if you need to use it.

Preparing the Installation

Before installing Android onto your HP TouchPad, you will first need to ensure that the device is fully charged. You should do this by connecting it to the mains power supply rather than your computer’s USB port, as charging will occur more quickly. Once done, do not connect the tablet to your PC until instructed.

You will also need a suitable build of Android. One particularly good version can be downloaded from this Google share, created by Robo13.

After downloading to your preferred location, extract the contents of the ZIP archive and then open the folder, where you will find 7 files ready for you to use.

Before proceeding, ensure you have the latest version of Java installed on your computer. Head here and click the button to test which version is installed, and if necessary, follow any instructions to upgrade.

Preparing The Files On Your HP TouchPad

• With the open folder containing the extracted files displayed on your desktop, double click UniversalNovacomInstaller.jar, a Java-based tool which will enable your PC to talk to your HP TouchPad.
• This will detect your operating system and display a button – click Install Novacom to proceed.
• Click Download to get the latest drivers.
• Once complete, you will receive a notification to this effect. Close this and the Novacom dialogue box.

• The next step is to browse to C:\Program Files\Palm, Inc where you should see two folders and a single file. In your original open folder containing the extracted contents of the downloaded ZIP file, select the two files ACMEInstaller2 and ACMEUninstaller, which should both be copied to C:\Program Files\Palm, Inc. You can now connect your HP TouchPad to your computer via USB.
• On the TouchPad display, you should see a dialogue box – select USB Drive (from time to time this will not work correctly – follow the instructions on your TouchPad to close all cards/windows, and if this still does not work, restart the device.)
• Open My Computer, find the HP TouchPad, where it should be listed as a drive, and open to view its contents.
• Click New Folder and name the directory cminstall (all lower case characters). Open this and copy the following unzipped files into the folder:

gapps-ics-20120317-signed.zip
moboot_0.3.5
update-cm-9-20120329-NIGHTLY-tenderloin-signed.zip
update-cwm_tenderloin-1012.zip

• Once this has been done, close the HP TouchPad window and use the Eject command to detach it safely from your computer. These files do not need to be unzipped.

Installing Android On The HP TouchPad

You can now close any windows that you have open on your PC. At this stage, although your HP TouchPad has been ejected by Windows, it is still connected to your computer.

• Press Start and type CMD, then tap Enter to display a black command prompt window.

Here, first enter cd/ to switch to the root of C:\ and then cd Program Files\Palm, Inc to open that folder. Then input dir to list the contents of the directory.

On your TouchPad, meanwhile, hit the Launcher button, switch to Settings > Device Info > Reset Options and tap Restart. As the device shuts down, watch for the spinning circle emblem, and when this appears hold the volume up button on the side of the TouchPad until you hear the Windows connect/disconnect audio alert and the USB symbol is displayed on the tablet screen – you’re now in Recovery Mode.

You can then head back to your command prompt, and enter:

novacom boot mem:// < ACMEInstaller2

Over the next few minutes you will see lots of text appearing on your TouchPad screen, along with two Linux penguins. All you need to do now is wait; you might fix yourself a coffee so that you can prepare yourself for enjoying the next stage.

Configuring Android On The HP TouchPad

Your tablet will eventually inform you that it is going to reboot, and when it does so, will display a boot options screen. The moboot 8.3.5 screen will enable you to choose between the following, navigating the list using the volume buttons:

• Boot webOS
• Boot CyanogenMod
• Boot ClockworkMod
• Boot webOS Recovery
• Reboot
• Shutdown

CyanogenMod is the option you want, so select this and press the Home button on your TouchPad, prompting Android Ice Cream Sandwich to load!

Conclusion

At this stage, all you need to do is wait for Android to load and then set up your account. A few moments later you’ll be ready to start browsing the web with Android 4.0, accessing the Market and enjoying yourself.

With the problems that you will encounter on the camera, meanwhile, your only option is to restart the device and use the moboot menu to boot into webOS if you really need to use that feature.

All in all, this is a fast, streamlined installation of Android on the HP TouchPad. If you have so far avoided installing Android on your HP tablet, this is the way to do it, with the minimum of fuss.

Have you installed Android Ice Cream Sandwich or any other ROM on your TouchPad? Do you have a preferred build that you use? Let us know!

The post How To Install Android Ice Cream Sandwich On The HP TouchPad In Minutes appeared first on MakeUseOf.

One way of achieving this is to head out and use your tablet in cafes and bistros so people can see it in action. While you can no longer find the TouchPad for $99 those that are still available remain affordable, so it is worth spreading the word. The only problem with this is that by default, the HP TouchPad home screen looks a little dull…

Looking at a boring plain background isn’t going to pique anyone’s interest but fortunately there are various ways in which you can liven up the HP TouchPad with fun, attractive wallpapers. These devices have a selection of images stored natively which can be applied; there is also the option to add your own backgrounds.

Native Background Choices

In order to check what options for background images are available natively, you can open the Launcher (the arrow in the lower-right corner) and select Settings > Screen & Lock where you will find the Change Wallpaper option.

Using the Select a File dialogue box you can then browse through your collection of images. These might have either been saved to your tablet, downloaded from a website, synced via a social network or be one of those that are provided natively.

To select a native option, open the Wallpapers directory, then the appropriate sub-directory and tap one of the displayed options. This will now become the new wallpaper and lock screen image on your HP TouchPad.

Adding Your Own Wallpaper

Don’t be limited by the native options – there are plenty of ways in which you can source images to use as wallpaper on your TouchPad.

The following options all require that you use the steps described above to apply the wallpaper image.

First, you can take advantage of the tablet’s front-facing camera to create an image that can be used as wallpaper. This might not be wholly flexible as getting an idea of the item you’re snapping (assuming it isn’t you!) can prove tricky without a viewfinder, but it can prove a useful option. Photos are stored on your TouchPad in the Photo roll directory.

You might alternatively download an image from the web. To do this, open a web page, find the image you wish to use and long-tap (or tab-and-hold) the image to display the context menu. Here, choose the Copy To Photos option to save to your tablet (you can also use Set Wallpaper to apply it instantly).

A third way of adding your own wallpaper to your HP TouchPad is to select an image that has been synced to your device via a social network. For instance if you use the Facebook app then any images that you have saved on that service will be synced to your tablet, stored in a folder with the same name as that on the social network.

So, you have three great options for finding and applying new backgrounds to your HP TouchPad. Surely there can’t be any more?

Wallpaper Switcharoo Lite

Available from the HP App Catalog (available only on webOS devices), Wallpaper Switcharoo Lite is a very useful free app that not only allows you to set a random wallpaper based on a preferred category (or group of categories) it will also change the wallpaper from time to time, thereby keeping the background and lock screen looking fresh!

After downloading, open Wallpaper Switcharoo Lite from the Downloads menu in the Launcher. Begin by browsing through the categories, where you will find images grouped into such options as Architecture, Space and Cute (and many others beside).

With your choice selected, flick the On/Off switch to make Switcharoo Active and then alter your timing – you can choose anything from a change of background every 5 minutes to once a week.

When done, tap the Switch Now button and enjoy the wallpaper!

A premium version of this app is available with a larger selection of images. However you should find that the lite version is more than sufficient.

Conclusion

It is good to see so many options for alternative wallpaper/lock screen images on the HP TouchPad. While the native options might be sufficient for most, the options Wallpaper Switcharoo features can really bring your TouchPad to life, particularly if you are a power user.

The flexibility of the web download option, creating images from the camera and third party options makes this yet another excellent reason in favour of the HP TouchPad.

Let us know if you have found any other webOS wallpaper apps that you would like to share.

The post The Secret Of Changing Backgrounds On The HP TouchPad appeared first on MakeUseOf.

Like all pieces of hardware, however, there are occasional problems with the HP TouchPad. This might be due to running an application that requires too much RAM, or it might be because your tablet is low on power. Alternatively all that might be required is an update to the latest release of webOS.

Discarding Applications

The obvious way to deal with performance issues is to discard the apps that are currently running. With a strong likelihood that the problem is related to a particular web page in your browser or perhaps a game or social networking app, these are the items that you should focus on closing first of all (closing your email is also recommended).

Closing an app is a simple case of pressing the center button, displaying the apps in card view and then swiping upwards to “throw” the app off the desktop, thereby closing it.

With the release of webOS 3.0.5 comes a new method for closing apps. Some software stay running when closed in the usual way, often required by the OS to run in the background (an example might be the email app). A new slingshot effect – where the app is pulled down and released to be sent flying off the desktop – is recommended in this case and is designed to completely close apps.

Restarting the TouchPad

If closing your apps doesn’t help, restarting your device should. This is typically done by holding the power button on the top-right of the tablet and waiting for the Shut Down button to appear, which you should tap.

However this method doesn’t always work, in which case you will need to hold the center button and the power button together, forcing a shutdown.

Rebooting your tablet is normally a case of holding the power button for a moment, but from time to time this doesn’t work. If you find that you cannot start your HP TouchPad then as long as it is fully charged (see below) the your best option is to repeat the center+power button combination as described. As soon as you see the HP emblem on the display, your TouchPad should boot.

Recharging Your WebOS Tablet

It isn’t unheard of for issues relating to poor performance to be caused by a low battery. In situations such as this the simple answer is to recharge your tablet.

But how can you do this most efficiently?

The answer is to ignore your computer or Touchstone dock and connect the TouchPad directly to the mains via the USB cable and adaptor. A direct connection will charge your device quicker; additionally, if you are having problems booting due to a low battery then connecting in this way will “wake” your tablet almost instantly.

Running Diagnostic Checks

If none of the above proves of any use in resolving your current performance issues, it is probably time to run diagnostics.

Begin by opening the Launcher, switching to Settings and selecting Device Info. In the application menu (top left) select Diagnostics and use the Interactive option to check Power.

You should run all four of the displayed tests, clicking Start to proceed and following the steps that are displayed (usually involving the connection and disconnection of your USB cable). Once complete, you should find that any issues are fixed.

Other diagnostic checks can also be used, although these won’t typically assist with performance issues.

Updating Apps and Reinstalling WebOS

Not all problems can be resolved by closing apps and restarting your machine, of course. In the unlikely event that you are still experiencing slow, laggy performance on your HP TouchPad, the answer is to either check for updates or reinstall webOS.

The first updates you should check for are apps; it could be that a specific app is causing a known issue on your TouchPad, so deal with this by opening Launcher > Settings > Software Manager and downloading any updates.

If this fails to resolve the problem, check for updates to the operating system via Launcher > Settings > System Updates. Any updates you find here will then be downloaded to your tablet.

Could your TouchPad require a reinstallation of webOS? If none of the above solutions have helped then the answer to this is probably “yes”. In order to perform this step, first open the web browser on your PC or laptop and open http://hpwebos.com/account. From here, select Device Options > Get webOS Doctor, installing Java if required.

Before doing anything else, you will need to make a backup of your data. Do this by selecting Launcher > Settings > Backup > Back Up Now. Once this has completed, switch your TouchPad to USB Update Mode by connecting the tablet to the AC charger and plugging this into your mains outlet. In the Launcher, open Settings > Device Info > Reset Options > Shut Down. As your tablet closes, hold the volume up button, situated on the right-hand side of the device (just around the corner from the power button).

As you hold the volume button, connect the TouchPad to your computer, releasing the volume up button when the large USB icon appears. With your tablet in USB update mode, you are ready to proceed.

You will then be required to Download webOS Doctor and run it, following the prompts to update your HP TouchPad.

Conclusion

Obviously there are several steps listed here and it is recommended that you attempt them in the order that they are presented. Reinstalling webOS can take a lot longer than simply using the slingshot method to close apps so there is no point doing this until you have ruled out any other issues.

The post 5 Little Known Ways To Troubleshoot The HP TouchPad appeared first on MakeUseOf.

Ideal for all manner of portable computing tasks and with games also available, webOS is a flexible operating system that HP plans to offer to the user community under an open source licence. This at least should enable continued development on the platform and software to run on it, but in the meantime there are various useful apps that can help to enhance access to the apps that are already available.

One such tool is App Tuckerbox, basically a utility that adjusts the way in which you can view and install apps by adding previously restricted application index feeds to your webOS device.

What Does WebOS App Tuckerbox Do?

Essentially, App Tuckerbox enables users to find information about and install apps that might be region locked or restricted from specific devices. One particularly popular piece of software that can be installed in this way is the Amazon Kindle app, currently restricted from installation via the HP App Catalog in territories outside of North America (the current method of installation is via webOS Quick Install).

This is only one example, however. App Tuckerbox also allows you to override device-specific instructions; you might use this to install software intended for the Palm Pre on a HP TouchPad, for instance, although of course you would do so at your own risk.

All in all this is a useful utility that can further enhance the way you use your TouchPad or other webOS device.

Preparing Your Touchpad for App Tuckerbox

Using Windows or Mac OS X you can install App Tuckerbox on a HP TouchPad (or webOS phone) that has already been developer unlocked and has had Preware installed. The steps in this guide focus on running App Tuckerbox on a HP TouchPad with a Windows computer.

To proceed you will need to install the utility via Preware or webOS Quick Install. Our full guide to updating the HP TouchPad and installing Preware will give you the full details on preparing for this step.

Configuring App Tuckerbox

With Preware installed you can use the search facility in the software to find and download App Tuckerbox – alternatively you can simply sideload using webOS Quick Install (which is quicker if you have your TouchPad connected to your computer).

With App Tuckerbox installed, launch the tool from the Downloads screen.

You will then need to follow the various prompts to register your device with the App Tuckerbox servers; this requires the sending of your email address, device number and an authorization code in encrypted form (namely RSA with a 4096 bit key); so if you have any concerns about this you have the option to back out.

After registration is complete, tap the Configure Preware Feeds button, which will update Preware accordingly. When you next launch Preware, open the menu and select Manage Feeds and check that the palm-beta, palm-catalog and palm-web feeds are enabled. Then use the Update Feeds option in the menu to add these to Preware.

Once configured, you shouldn’t need to access App Tuckerbox again, simply download the apps you require via Preware.

Finding & Installing Apps

Using Preware you should be able to find suitable apps either grouped in their categories or via the search function. When an app that you like the look of is listed, you can tap it to display further information. Remember that those listed will be both official titles from the HP App Catalog and homebrew apps.

When you’re ready to add an app to your device, click the Install button; the main HP App Catalog will then launch, allowing you to purchase the app in question. Any apps that aren’t already available via the catalog will be downloaded and installed directly via Preware.

This is a great way to streamline the addition of previously restricted apps to your HP TouchPad. Let us know if it works for you or if you know of an alternative method that works even better.

The post Streamline Your WebOS Homebrew App Installations With App Tuckerbox appeared first on MakeUseOf.

One of these missing apps is Kindle. While you will easily find Amazon’s eBook reading app on the HP TouchPad in the USA, outside of the country (in places such as Europe and Australia) Kindle isn’t listed in the HP App Catalog. As tablets are popularly used for reading, this is clearly disappointing. Thankfully, however, there is a way of installing the webOS Kindle app on HP TouchPads in territories where the app is unavailable.

So Why Is the HP TouchPad Kindle App US-only?

Well, to begin with it depends on your definition of “US-only”. For many TouchPad users in North America, the Kindle app is an easy to use and enjoyable eBook reading experience. But these are the lucky ones. Thanks to some initial confusion or a problem with the app (the reason has never been made clear) the Amazon Kindle app was shipped with some first wave TouchPads but then removed from later devices, replaced with a placeholder “coming soon” app.

Fortunately, if your US-based TouchPad doesn’t have a working Kindle app, you can now find it via the HP App Catalog.

Preparing Your HP TouchPad

Before proceeding to install the Kindle app on your HP TouchPad, you will need to download a few tools (this method can be used on Windows and Mac OS X). The first thing you should do is head to this link and download the Kindle .ipk file. An .ipk is the installer file format used on webOS.

After doing this, download the webOS Quick Install software from here. This is a tool that allows the testing of unapproved applications on webOS devices such as the HP TouchPad, and requires you to have Java installed on your computer (available from here).

Next, connect your HP TouchPad to your computer using the supplied USB cable. The Connected dialogue box will appear, but you can select Close to continue – the USB Drive mode cannot be used for this process. You will then need to find Developer Mode, revealed by typing the following string into the search box: webos20090606

Tap the Developer Mode icon to proceed and then slide the switch in the top-right corner to activate; you may be prompted for a password, but click Submit to bypass this.

The next stage is to run the downloaded webOSQuickInstall-4.3.1.jar (you might have a different version) file and follow any prompts to download additional software (such as the Novacom driver for creating a stable connection between your computer and the tablet).

Installing The Kindle App

With all of the above installed and running, adding the Kindle app – which is in beta so might be slightly unreliable at times – is a simple task.

The webOS Quick Install application on your desktop computer will display a largely empty screen with a handful of buttons, including + and – on the right-hand side. Click the + button to browse for the previously downloaded Kindle .ipk, which will have a filename in the form of com.palm.app.kindle_0.11.499820_all.ipk (although the version number at the end may differ). Select this file and then click the Install button and wait a few moments.

When the process is complete the .ipk file will no longer be listed in the Files to Install section of the webOS Quick Install application, so you will be free to close the software (it can be relaunched by running webOSQuickInstall-4.3.1.jar).

Next, double-tap the menu button on your HP TouchPad and go to the Downloads tab where you will find the Amazon Kindle app listed. Tap to launch and enter your credentials (or register) to continue.

A few moments later, the main screen of the app will appear. If you have used Kindle in the past,  your books will be listed; otherwise you will be prompted to visit the Amazon Kindle store, where you will find free and paid-for titles to download direct to your TouchPad.

Reading Books On Your TouchPad

Amazon’s Kindle app provides similar functionality to tablets and mobile phones as can be found on the popular dedicated eBook reader. Utilizing an Amazon account and providing access to the Kindle store, the app allows the user to download free out-of-copyright titles (such as the works of Shakespeare and Charles Dickens) as well as find the latest titles to download and read on their device.

With versions available for Mac, iOS, Android, Windows and Windows Phone, Kindle apps extend the functionality of the dedicated device to users of other hardware, often those for whom an Amazon Kindle app would be desirable if it didn’t mean carrying multiple devices. The HP TouchPad version of Kindle is just as good as the others and will allow you to download and enjoy books on your tablet wherever you are.

If you are a HP Touchpad owner, and you tried to download the Kindle app using this method, let us know if you were successful.  Or maybe you know of another way to install the Kindle app on the Touchpad?

The post The Secret To Turning Your HP TouchPad Tablet Into An Amazon Kindle appeared first on MakeUseOf.

However, there are a few very nice applications and services that are well-designed, very useful and totally free. OK, so you’re not holding the world’s finest tablet in your hands but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s crap. Here are MakeUseOf’s must-haves for your WebOS tablet.

Note: Before we begin you might want to install Preware to download homebrew patches and applications to generally speed up your tablet. Click here to read all about readying your device for homebrew, and if you fancy a bigger speed bump then don’t forget you can overclock too.

Box.net

Your TouchPad undoubtedly came with the Box application already installed – and for good reason. Those who register via this WebOS app receives 50GB cloud storage for free, for life. Even if you never use the Box app on your TouchPad it still counts, and it makes for a roomy backup option indeed.

Box also makes transferring files and backing up documents a breeze, though as far as I can tell, you can only upload one file at a time from the TouchPad app, which is frustrating. Still, from the web interface anything goes – load it up with music, videos, photos, documents and anything you’d like to access from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Not bad, for free!

Epicurious

Cooking apps and tablet computers should be a match made in heaven. Epicurious goes some way towards confirming this, with a feast of features and a recipe index that will suit even the most basic of cooks.

The app splits recipes into categories that make sense – including an “I Can Barely Cook” category for those just starting out. If you’re feeling adventurous then there’s the “I Cook Like A Pro“category too, as well as ideas for quick lunches, vegetarian main courses and healthy meals children will (read: should) love.

Each recipe provides a slider to the right so you won’t lose your place, and the shopping list function allows you to add all the ingredients from a particular recipe to the list in a cohesive order.

InterfaceLIFT HD

HP’s TouchPad displays a 1024×768 resolution, which should (in theory) make finding wallpapers a breeze. However, if you apply a 1024×768 resolution picture as your wallpaper and switch to portrait mode, you’ll find yourself looking at some fairly ugly black space.

Ideally you want to apply 1024×1024 wallpapers to cover portrait mode, and this isn’t a readily available size. Sure, you can chop up some of your favourites in Paint.net or Photoshop, but isn’t there an easier way? Yup – InterfaceLIFT HD.

Simply put this app provides a near-endless stream of TouchPad wallpapers which display correctly in both landscape and portrait. The app splits images up by artist and tags, so if you find a particular individual whose photography you like you can monitor for new submissions.

InterfaceLIFT HD is the easiest way to give your tablet a fresh look.

SuperNES

There’s not much to say about this one – it’s a free and fully functional SNES emulator that allows you to play Super Nintendo ROMs on your tablet. At the moment the software is in early stages, though the developer has hinted at further updates in forum posts over at PreCentral.

Using a touch interface instead of a physical joypad can take some getting used to, and there are certain games that make more sense using this method of control (RPGs work a treat, fast-paced platformers not so much).

Whilst the software is a little rough around the edges at the moment, console emulation is top-notch and I have yet to encounter a game that this thing won’t happily run. Fingers crossed that someone in the homebrew community manages to hook up a Wiimote, PS3 Sixaxis or iControlPad, eh?

rad.io

A no-nonsense radio streaming app that provides quick access to local and global radio stations, rad.io is another must-have for instant audio entertainment. Stations are easy to find depending on your poison, and are split into genres, topics and countries as well as editorial picks and a handy search box.

The app uses your location to determine local stations which are displayed on the home screen, and signing up allows you to save all your favourite stations for rapid access. Fast, reliable and easy to use!

Kindle

At the time of writing the Kindle app is not available in many countries outside of the US, hence its inclusion at the bottom of this list. Chances are if you live in the US and own a TouchPad then Kindle was one of the first apps you downloaded.

For the rest of us it’s a waiting game. Buzz on Twitter suggests the Kindle team are working on versions for other territories – until then there’s no gargantuan Amazon eBook collection for the rest of us. Still, it’s a must-have when it finally makes it into an app store near you.

Conclusion

That’s it for the official software from MakeUseOf. There are more apps available (Angry Birds, for instance) but I’ll leave it up to you to decide what else qualifies as an essential app. The few I’ve mentioned here are undoubtedly going to be useful and entertaining in many situations, though you might need to turn to Preware and homebrew applications for some tasks. Of course, that means we’ll have an article on those soon too.

Have you used the apps featured here? Any favourites? Any others you’ve found in the app store? Leave us a comment below, and have your say.

The post 5 Essential App Cataloging Apps For Your HP TouchPad appeared first on MakeUseOf.

The lukewarm reviews received by the TouchPad shouldn’t put you off – those reviews took the previous price-point into account. Now you’ve got yourself a dual-core tablet with 1GB of RAM and at least 16GB of storage – and it cost you roughly the price of an eReader. Let’s see what this baby can do!

The Generic “Everywhere” PC

I’ve seen this mentioned a lot online, though much of the time the subject in question are cheap Android tablets – or “abominations” as I like to call them – not expensive dual-core WebOS devices. HP’s TouchPad could just as easily sit on the couch, and for $99 perform as a stellar 9.7″ touchscreen browser.

With a name like WebOS, you’d expect the TouchPad to chew through webpages – and it’s certainly not a bad browsing experience. Unfortunately, the browser isn’t quite fully HTML5 compliant though you have got a competent version of Flash running. I gave Flash a hard time in my Blackberry PlayBook article, and that’s because it’s presented as a great selling point. I’ve no doubts that the TouchPad would have sold just as quickly without Flash support at clearance prices, and I’m not going to complain about its inclusion either. At least you can browse Newgrounds, right?

The Perfect Comic Book Reader

The TouchPad isn’t in the same league as Android or iOS when it comes to apps, but there’s already a highly competent comic book reader available called Comicshelf HD. Both the 16GB and 32GB models provide enough space to load up on .CBZ files (comic book archives) and enjoy on a glorious 9.7″ capacitive touchscreen.

It’s not free (it costs around €1.50, depending on your region) but it’s not going to break the bank either. If you’ve been looking for the perfect device for reading comics then you’ve found it in your cheap-as-chips TouchPad.

A Glorified eReader

So it’s not quite an eReader – after all, the TouchPad uses a standard backlit LCD as opposed to e-ink as seen in the Kindle. However, there is already a Kindle app available for the TouchPad, and this provides a wealth of reading materials both for free and as separate purchases.

At the moment Amazon’s Kindle service trumps iBooks for content (quite considerably), so you’ll probably not miss Apple’s service too much if you’re already accustomed via an iPhone. PDF and standard document viewing is also supported, so you can check important documents or even our amazing guides out on the go too.

Oh, and the backlit display means you won’t be keeping anyone awake with a bedside lamp any more.

Games! Games! Games!

The fate of WebOS still hangs in the balance, and the likelihood of developers supporting the tablet in future apps and games looks slim. Not to worry – there are plenty of other games you can enjoy on a TouchPad for hours.

Flash works – so as long as there are browser-friendly versions of your favourites you will be able to play them. This goes for games like Bejeweled and other Pop Cap titles as well, provided a mouse isn’t imperative. There’s also a free version of Angry Birds HD, which you should avoid like the plague when trying to get some work done.

An Android Tablet Or Touchscreen Linux?

Did you know that a $1,500 reward has been offered to get the TouchPad running Android? Some developers have already started engineering Google’s tablet and smartphone OS to play nice with the TouchPad’s hardware, and it’s surely only a matter of time before real progress is made.

The 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor coupled with the on-board 1GB of RAM should handle Gingerbread just fine, with plans to introduce a Honeycomb port and far more optimistic Ice Cream Sandwich ports somewhere down the road.

Another exciting development is one blogger’s conquest of getting Ubuntu Linux running on the TouchPad. This is something you can do right now – with web browsers Firefox, Chromium and Flash plugins all working swimmingly. Not every Ubuntu app is supported yet, of course, but in time it’s possible we may see a TouchPad-optimized branch of Ubuntu.

Not bad for a $99 tablet!

Conclusion

If you were wondering whether your purchase of a TouchPad really was a bargain then hopefully I’ve answered that one here. Yes, it’s a great deal. $99 doesn’t get you much in the world of tablets, but the TouchPad is a surprisingly competent and pleasantly powerful piece of kit for the money you paid.

Keep your eyes peeled for an article next week about speeding up your TouchPad by installing custom patches and other tweaks.

Did you bite the bullet and buy a TouchPad? Good decision? Do you like WebOS? Did you decide against the purchase? Thinking of selling? Let us know in the comments below.

Image credits: TouchPad Apps (savs), Quick Office & Adobe Reader (savs), TouchPad Ubuntu (Liliputing, Brad Linder)

The post So You Bought A TouchPad: 5 Uses For Your “Dead” Tablet PC appeared first on MakeUseOf.