by Claudia Tietze

Created on: November 22, 2010

My iPod Touch is loaded with free apps. I've only paid for two of them and the small fee was well worth it. The best apps really depend on what you want want to do with your Touch. For me, I do a lot of research into pet products, particularly harmful flea and tick products which includes pesticides. It's much easier to weed through the information on the Touch than on the internet with my laptop. Apps tend to be more focused and so keep me from hopping down from all those bunny trails that one article seems to send me down.

I will try to break down the most useful ones for you and leave out the boring specialty scientific, medical, legal and specific mumbo jumbo that would only appeal to a select few.

WIKIPANION: The app answer to Wikipedia.

Facebook: Being active on Facebook, I had to have this app. You have easy access to all the things you have access to on your own Facebook. You can post pictures to albums directly, which is a boon. You can also add favorites to your launch pad such as often visited pages and friends. It does not allow you to add hidden/secret groups though. Also, it can be frustratingly slow to load or catch up compared to other apps. 

TweetDeck: TweetDeck combines the best of Twitter and lets you add other pages to scan such as mentions, direct messages and your Facebook feeds. You can post statuses, reply, retweet and mention. Amazingly easy and fast.

NetNewsWire: This is the same RSS reader I use on my laptop. It's easy to use, fast and has a load of useful features.

BlogBooster: I was looking for an app that would let me post, with pictures, to my self-hosted WordPress blog. This makes it easy to do so. I also use BlogWriter, which makes it a little easier to post photos and runs faster.

Ingredient Watch: This great app lets you look up common ingredients in cosmetics and household items. It lists the chemicals usage, where it's found and how toxic it is. You might be shocked what you find out!

CPSC (Consumer Product and Safety Commision) Recalls: Keep up to date with all sorts of recalls.

Amazon Kindle: That's right! Who needs a $180 Kindle when you can read eBooks right on your Touch! Many of the books offered for Kindle are free as well, particularly classics.

Madow: Watch video and listen to audio of the top picks of the Rachel Madow show.

BlackFriday: Find Black Friday like savings every day of the year in your area.

Grocery IQ: An amazing app! Let's you make lists by scanning bar codes or inputting directly. You can organize

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