Whether you're just getting to know your new HP TouchSmart, or evaluating whether you'll be picking up one of your very own, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of features, applications, and other cool things these all-in-one computers have to offer.

One of the best parts about the TouchSmart IQ500 series of desktop computers is the included TouchCenter suite of applications.  They really get to the heart of what makes the TouchSmart tick - the touch screen, of course!

I'd like to introduce what is, so far, my favorite app for the TouchCenter - the Notes application.  I've talked a lot about how attached I am to note-taking and how it helps me organize my life.  While the Notes application is not overly complicated, that's the true beauty of it - it's perfect for you, your family, friends, roommates, whomever - to jot down their thoughts or quick reminders.

Introduction to the Notes Application

All you have to do to get started with the Notes application is enter the TouchCenter interface, scroll to the Notes panel (as seen above) and touch the panel.  You'll be whisked away into the core of the Notes application view, and you'll be greeted with a screen containing any notes that were pre-installed in the computer, as well as notes you've created.

How To Create Notes

I'm sure that you've already noticed the Note creation bar in the lower left hand corner of your screen.  All you have to do to get started with a new note is to touch one of these icons.  From the left, these buttons will allow you to create a text/drawing note, a video/picture note, or a voice note.

Creating a Text or Drawing Note

Here's my personal favorite - the good old "Post-It" style note.  In this section, you can easily modify and fill out notes as you please.  On the left of the window, you can scroll through and select various styles and colors of notes to use.  On the right, you will find your toolbox.

Inside the toolbox, you can either "free draw" with your finger (included with you) or a stylus (not included with the TouchSmart) as you can see from my "hello!" text.  You can use the "ABC" icon to type standard text into your note, and you can select different fonts as well.  Finally, you can feel free to mix drawing and text as I have done above.  When you're done, you click "Done" to save your note onto the main screen.

Creating a Picture or Video Note

Just in case you'd like to leave a smiling video note for your family or kids to discover, or just capture your handsome mug in all its glory, HP has included a picture and video note feature!

Just touch the middle icon in the note selector on the main page, and you'll be brought to the recording screen.  Here, you'll see video pop up on the main screen, using the TouchSmart's built in webcam.  Here, you can choose to capture video, or just a snapshot.  I chose to capture a snapshot.

As you can see above, you're able to type a text or handwritten note on top of your photo.  Of course, I know what you're thinking...

YES, you can draw handlebar moustaches, silly hats, and other ridiculous things on the pictures that you take.  It's the first thing I did.  Seriously, herein lies hours of family fun.

Creating an Audio Note

Last, but not least, we have the audio note.  Maybe you have far more to say than can fit in one little square space or maybe you just don't have the time to organize your thoughts.  If that's the case, use the video note by clicking the microphone icon in the note chooser.

You'll be met with this screen, in which you can record whatever you'd like to say into the TouchSmart's built in microphone.

When you're done, you'll be able to review your audio recording as well as type (or write) notes.

Organizing and Deleting Your Notes

Of course, there will come a time when your screen is FILLED with notes and you couldn't possibly hope to be able to keep track of them all.  Or, maybe you have just the right amount of notes, and want to get them ordered up.

Fortunately, this is super easy.  To re-organize your notes, just touch and drag them wherever you want.  You can even stick them or hide some notes behind others.

You also have the trash can at the bottom right of your screen.  Just drag your notes into the trash can, and *poof*, they're gone from the main view.  You can restore or delete them permamently at a later time.

Conclusion

Once again, I'll echo my sentiment that the Notes application will become one of your favorites, too.  With the ability to create text, video, picture, or audio based notes, it's flexible and powerful while remaining simple to use.

Give it a try - let us know how you feel about the Notes application by commenting below!

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