Since acquiring the Nokia N810 there are a few applications that make the device that much more useful; in some cases they make it a killer device. Most of these applications are available on OS2008 Chinook and Diablo repositories. If you haven’t yet upgraded to Diablo, I highly recommend it. With a few exceptions most of the key applications have been updated to Diablo: as a precaution double check your critical applications before making the switch at the Maemo Garage.

Claws-mail. Despite the inclusion of Modest in Diablo, Claws-mail remains the best and most powerful email client for Maemo. The inclusion of filters, RSS reader, Tray Icon and a few other plug-ins make it the first application installed on my N810. Email is a must have on any mobile device and while I could get by using Modest, Claws-mail puts it to shame. Now if only Maemo allowed users to select their default applications life would be truly grand indeed.

Pidgin. You can’t have a mobile device without talking about Instant Messaging (IM). This is usually the second application I install on my Tablet. With support for nearly everything IM network known to man, Pidgin is very robust and easy to use. I particularly love the meta-contacts feature (creating a combined contact for friends with logins on a multitude of networks). Pidgin also has a number of great plug-ins you may find useful, such as LED notification. Linux users will feel right at home with Pidgin on Maemo, as it is nearly identical in every way.

Xournal. My newest favorite application that as quickly earned a fond place in my heart. I love its simplicity and yet the powerful features it offers. Xournal truly is a pen and paper replacement.

Maemo WordPy. Maybe not a must install for all users, its one handy application for anyone using Wordpress or Blogger. With included support for Flickr upload and inclusion into posts WordPy is a handy application for veteran and new bloggers a like. Given the portability of the Internet Tablet, this is one application any blogger will find useful. Drafts can only be saved locally if planning to re-edit later as it does lack the ability to access any posts already published or saved online but this one of the few draw backs. Another great addition to this application would be a spell checker. The small keys on the N810 lend themselves to easy and frequent typos if not careful, as I will testify.

Mauku. Mauku is a must for users of Jaiku. The recent update has the added benefit of gestures making navigating simpler including access URLs, both Jaiku and Internet. Twitter fans will be jealous of this application. If you want to try the latest and greatest of Mauku change the Innologies Package Repository components field from user to unstable (this is at your own risk).

Large Status Clock. As the name implies it is a clock for the status bar. There are a few settings that make it unique to typical clock applications such as the ability to change color as a preset alarm nears. Large Status clock fills one of the obvious voids in the Internet Tablet OS.

LoadApplet. This is the Task Manager of the Internet Tablet world with the added benefit of being able to take screenshots (all the screenshots seen here and Flickr are taken using LoadApplet).

OMWeather. Other Maemo Weather is a great applet that sits right on the desktop that it highly customizable for any number of cities around the world. Admittedly I have had some issues with this application from time to time which may or may not relate to the weather data but nothing a uninstall, reinstall and reboot hasn’t fixed. Despite these hiccups I do enjoy the ease of use for the most current weather data.

Others

There are a few other applications that I use but more for fun than anything e.g. Countdown Home. The best advise I can give you is to check the Maemo Garage or browse the Application Manager for that application that is going make the Internet Tablet that much better. Don’t be afraid to play, you can always flash should things go horribly wrong. Best of luck and happy application hunting.

What Are Your Favorite Apps?

We’d like to know your favorite applications for the Nokia Internet Tablet. Let us know your top applications in the comments below or write a blog post and send linkback or pingback!