NASA has released the NASA App HD, a new mobile application designed for the iPad. The application is available free of charge at the App Store from Apple.
 
NASA already has apps for iPhone and iPod touch. The app was announced on Oct 23, 2009. Unfortunately, there is no app for Android. Android devices now have a far bigger market share than iOS running devices, so it's a bit disappointing for Android users that they are still deprived of NASA apps. While Android user kept waiting, Apple' next product iPad which was launched after Android had also bagged the NASA app.

When we asked NASA, we were referred to NASA's faq page which says:

Will you be making a version for (or will it run on) my mobile device (Android, Blackberry, Palm, Nokia, Windows Mobile…) or computer (Windows, Mac OS, Linux...)?

We are tracking a wealth of public commentary, suggestions, and requests for enhancements, new features, additional platforms and desktop versions. These will be integrated into our debrief and recommendations to NASA management regarding future efforts.

So, while we don’t have any news on future mobile platform development at this time, we are happy to report that NASA is strongly committed to expanding public awareness of the Agency’s knowledge, activities and results.

In the meantime, you can find NASA content formatted for most mobile platforms by visiting NASA’s Mobile website: http://mobile.nasa.gov

NASA App HD features live streaming video from NASA Television, an interactive map with links to all the agency's field centers, quick links to feature stories and launch schedules, a scrolling "alerts banner," and a "NASA Featured" link. The first featured link focuses on women in space.

The app's landing page features the solar system, where users can learn more about our neighborhood, the universe and NASA missions. The app also enables users to experience and search updated, higher resolution NASA Image of the Day and Astronomy Picture of the Day collections and agency videos on demand.

"Our goal with the first NASA App was to deliver current mission information, images, videos and news updates in the best possible way for the iPhone and iPod touch," said Jerry Colen, NASA App project manager at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. "Now we've enhanced and expanded the application to include even more content and really take advantage of the iPad's larger screen."

Are you an Android user? Don't you need a NASA app? Are you less interested about NASA's work than Apple users? Tell us if you need NASA app for your android.

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