Nexus 7 and iPad mini -- hot tablets for the holiday buying season

The two hottest tablets this year are the Nexus 7 by Google and the iPad mini by Apple. They are both highly portable and powerful tablets for a decent price. Neither are the most powerful in the Android and iOS stables but they will be highly popular gifts.

Those finding one of these tablets in their Christmas stocking or under the tree will be looking for good apps. The apps in this collection are a good place to start getting the most use out of the new Nexus 7 or iPad mini.

Google+ for Nexus 7

Google+ is the social network from Google, and this app on the Nexus 7 is a joy to use. It presents network updates in a gorgeous graphical layout that is a smooth performer. All major Google+ functions are a simple tap away.

The app is so good I find myself using the Google+ network far more often than I used to.

Free

Quickoffice Pro for Nexus 7

Quickoffice Pro is a full-function office suite that makes it easy to work with Microsoft Office documents. It works with Google Drive cloud storage (and most other popular cloud services) and has an outstanding word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation editor in the package. It also features a good PDF editor.

$14.99

Quickoffice Pro for Nexus 7

Quickoffice Pro is a full-function office suite that makes it easy to work with Microsoft Office documents. It works with Google Drive cloud storage and has an outstanding word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation editor in the package. It also features a good PDF editor.

The screen above shows a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet being editing in Quickoffice Pro.

$14.99

LinkedIn for Nexus 7

LinkedIn is a popular networking service for professionals and this app is a great way to work with LinkedIn. It provides a good streaming update from your professional network and access to all functions of LinkedIn.

Free

Google+ for iPad

Like the app for the Nexus 7 previously mentioned, the Google+ app is also great on the iPad mini. The same graphical interface is present, and it is a joy to use the network with this app.

Free

Angry Birds Star Wars for iPad

It's Angry Birds and Star Wars. This is the best of the Angry Birds franchise and playing it on the iPad mini is wonderful. The Star Wars theme is particularly well done and gameplay is a hoot.

Be careful when you start playing this game as you may lose far more time than intended.

$2.99

Google Maps for iPad

Apple made a mess of things by replacing Google Maps with its own flawed Maps app. Google has recently released its familiar Google Maps for iOS and it's a must-have for iPad mini owners.

While it's technically an iPhone app it also works well on the iPad mini with a full iPad version coming soon according to Google. It's complete with turn-by-turn nagivation to get you where you need to be.

Free

Camera+ Pro for iPad

While the iPad is not good to use as a camera, the iPad mini with its smaller size can step in when needed. The camera in the iPad mini takes good pictures with little fuss.

Camera+ Pro is an app that makes the iPhone/iPad camera a great tool. It brings a lot of filters and special effects right into the camera app to make it easy to take distinctive photos and share them with popular services from inside the apps. Simple photo editing is also handled right in the app making it possible to improve any photo.

$1.99

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket for iPad

DirecTV customers with an iPad Mini need to get this app. It offers the entire NFL on the iPad screen, including all games streamed live. Even when you are far from home you can watch your local team live using this app. Follow your favorite team including video highlights from the latest game right on the iPad mini.

Free