Finding and installing apps on the HP TouchPad

Because the

HP TouchPad

uses webOS, the same platform used by Palm Pre smartphones, there is already a decent number of apps available to it through the App Catalog. To see what's available, first swipe up from the bottom bezel and then, type on the upward-facing arrow. Now, swipe over to Downloads and tap on HP App Catalog. Choose your country and agree to the license agreement.

Once you're in, you'll see the apps listed in four main categories: Featured Apps, Top Paid, Top Free and Latest Apps. Tap any one to see that category. At the bottom, you'll also see buttons that allow you to search for apps or see featured apps, bookmarked apps or apps by category.

When looking at apps by category, you'll see a long list of different app categories. Most of these can be browsed by sub-category. Tap Games, for example, and you'll have the choice of looking at Classics, Sports, Arcade and so on. Swipe up or down to browse through the list. On each line, you'll see the name of the app, the developer's name, the app's rating and the price. You'll also see a button that allows you to bookmark the app for later. Tap the app to go to a screen with more information or tap the button with the price (it might say FREE if the app is free) to download.

When an app is installed, you'll find it on the downloads page. From here, you can either start up the app or drag it to one of your other app pages like the main Apps page or to Favorites.