5 iPhone apps that will rock on a tablet

Filed under: Hardware, Multimedia, Features, iPhone

Until we’re holding our Apple tablets in our hands, we can only speculate as to what the next wondergadget will do. Still, it’s safe to assume that the tablet will offer more than web browsing from the bathroom. With that in mind, let’s have a little fun. Here are five iPhone apps that would be a joy to use on a large, touch-screen device.

Panelfly

My favorite comic app [iTunes link] is just begging for a larger format. When first launched, Panelfly presents four options across two layouts. In portrait mode, it lists your library of comics, bookmarks, news and finally the Panelfly store. In landscape, you can flick through your library and tap any title to begin reading.

Reading a comic is a pleasure. Simply tap the right-hand side of the screen to move from element to element (like bits of dialogue or important parts of the image). This “narrative navigation” leads you through the story as opposed to just moving through the pages. You can flick pages back and forth, of course, but the built-in navigation is the best way to go, and all you need to do is tap the page.

Adding a bookmark or bringing up additional information is just as easy. Simply tap the middle of a page to bring up three options: add a bookmark, more info on a given issue or an overview of all pages.

While in the store, you can browse featured comics, top tens, genres and publishers. Most cost about a dollar and there are even some freebies. Every issue can be downloaded with a tap and is ready for reading in seconds.

Panelfly is nice on the iPhone and would be stellar on something the size of a legal pad of paper. With its beautiful and intuitive UI, clever navigation and inexpensive, access-anywhere store, it’s just the kind of thing a comic fan would use during a commute or a lazy afternoon. And what artist wouldn’t rather have his or her art on a nice, big screen? Count me in for Panelfly for the tablet.

Gallery: Panelfly