‘Star Trek’ gets its first official app

Star Trek PADD (Personal Access Display Device) is the first official Star Trek app, allowing fans to flick, tap and pinch through more than 45 years of history.

Consider this $5 a thorough database of all things Star Trek – from The Original Series (1966 to 69) to Star Trek: Enterprise (2001 – 05) and everything in between – including an exhaustive list of all characters, aliens, ships, planets and technologies, as well as an episode guide packed with info and images.

Note: The app covers the television series and movies, but not other fiction (such as books), nor does it cover events depicted in the “alternate reality” – that is, the 2009 Star Trek movie, onward.

A treat for fans, the entire app was designed after LCARS (Library Computer Access/Retrieval System), the fictional computer interface used in Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets during the 24th century. It can be a little busy, but fans should enjoy tapping around the see what they can find, be it a top-down look at various ship layouts, futuristic food and drink consumed in the series and mini-bios on all cast members and staff.

Plus, for added authenticity, the app features a familiar computer voice and sound effects.

When tapped, many of the words link to other parts of the app. For example, if you’re reading about Leonard James Akaar, the son of the late Teer Akaar and his widow Eleen, you’ll learn he was named after James Kirk and Leonard McCoy – and you can tap on all highlighted character names to jump to their respective bios.

And if you’ve got an Internet connection (3G or Wi-Fi), Star Trek PADD also features links to additional content from StarTrek.com, as well as the latest Star Trek-related movie news – though it’s not that easy to find. Trekkers can also connect with others via Facebook or Twitter right from within the app.

There are a few small annoyances, such as the app changing screens while you’re reading something; I was learning about Klingon history and after I didn’t touch the screen for a while the app did a pretend “System Scan” and showed me the design of the USS Enterprise NCC 1701D (a 24th century screen saver, perhaps?). Plus, there are some things missing, including many photos (“Image Not Available,” it says). And where is a Klingon dictionary?

Shortcomings notwithstanding, Star Trek PADD is a stellar pick for fans.