by Christine Costlow

Created on: December 03, 2009

"There's an app for that!" states the commercial, and boy, is it accurate. An Ipod Touch is the perfect way to tap into your unique personal tastes and preferences, with an interface that makes it unbelievable simple to use. Here's a list of applications, commonly called apps, that will get you started.

If you are already well introduced to social networking, there are apps to keep you current with Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Once the app is downloaded, you simply touch the icon, and the pages appear on your touchscreen within minutes. If you are a member of other networks that do not have direct apps, you can simply access their site from the internet and login. You can also view Youtube movies. Unfortunately, the Ipod Touch is not presently equipped with a camera or video capabilities, which limits your ability to post anything but dialog to these sites. There have been consistent rumors that a newer version with photo abilities is in the planning stages, but Apple has not confirmed these speculations.

You can easily stay current with your stock portfolio, the local weather, time in various locations, and email accounts with this device. You can also manage your contacts, calendar, and the time in various zones, all by using apps that come pre-installed and ready to operate with the tap of a finger.

If you are just getting started on the internet, the Touch is a wonderful way to test the waters. You can dowload apps from the Itunes store, that are educational, useful, or just plain fun. Itunes U provides material for the lifelong learner, ofter free of charge. You can hear lectures from the London School of Economics, MIT, and dozens more.

The most useful app my family discovered is What's On, an app that puts the local television listings in the palm of your hand. No more messing with the remote, or searching out the listings channel. You can even check what's on later this evening from the wifi at work or your cafe at lunchtime. That lets us plan our family time a little better. Where the Ipod Touch really shines is in the gaming area. You can play a miniaturized version of the popular Assasin's Creed, or revisit you classic favorites like Tetris or Monopoly. Also available is The Sims 3, where you build an avatar and turn him loose in a virtual world where anything can happen.

Typically, these games cost 99 cents, with the most expensive one I've purchased costing $4.99. It is easy to give apps as gifts, simply by purchasing an itunes gift

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