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2 weeks later: iPhone apps I actually use

by Dave Caolo Jul 21st 2008 at 9:00PM

When the App Store went live on the 10th, I went a little nuts and downloaded a bunch of apps. Some I fell in love with. Some I launched once. Others lingered a for a few days while I decided their fate.

Now it's nearly two weeks later, and I've identified the keepers. Here I'll list each one as well as why and how I use them. As a bonus, I'll identify the three that have made the cut to my main screen -- what I'm calling my "front page apps."

Read the list after the jump.
  1. Twitterrific [App Store link] The first time I used Twitter on my phone via PocketTweets, I really got it. Twitter is the kind of application that you want to literally carry around in your pocket for instant accessibility. The TwitPic integration, built-in mini browser and single post view (good for my aging eyes) make it a winner. Sure, it doesn't scroll as smoothly as Hahlo, but I'm patient enough to wait a fraction of a second. Twitterrific for the iPhone is a winner. --This is a front page app.
  2. At Bat [App Store link] Several months ago, Major League Baseball (MLB) built a mobile version of their site. It wasn't much to look at, but was very snappy when browsing scores, scheduling and standings. So, I was blown away by At Bat, MLB's beautiful application that lets you flick through a day's or week's games, get real-time stats and scoring and even watch video clips from a game that's underway. I'm only hoping we get an NFL version. -- This is a front page app.
  3. Super Monkey Ball [App Store link] I'll admit that I was most excited about purchasing games for the iPhone, and Super Monkey Ball delivers even more than I expected. The graphics are very impressive for cell phone, gameplay is super smooth and the levels are challenging without being frustrating. Plus, you can't roll a monkey in a ball through a goal with the accelerometer and not smile. It's plain old fashioned fun and impresses everyone who gives it a try. --This is a front page app.
  4. FileMagnet [App Store link] This little diddy from Magnetism Studios, the guys behind Insanely Great Tees, is ridiculously simple and useful. When installed on your iPhone or iPod touch, you can have over-the-air transfer of a great number of files from your Mac via the companion desktop software. In my experience it has worked wonderfully and I've used it to transfer lists, photos, PDFs and more. The folks at Magnetisim have promised additional features and supported files in future versions, and I can't wait.
  5. BoxOffice [App Store link] Browse local theaters for movie times and even purchase tickets in advance from your iPhone or iPod touch. Watch trailers, get ratings from rottentomatoes and more. Once you use it to purchase tickets for after dinner while sitting in the restaurant, you'll love it, too.
  6. Remote [App Store link] Control your iTunes library and AppleTV with your iPhone. It's free, it's from Apple and it works. Remember that tiny white remote Apple used to ship with their hardware? Me, neither.
  7. Pandora Radio [App Store link] The iPhone version of the popular web application is a welcome addition to my iPhone. The way it works is simple. Identify a band or artist you like, and Pandora streams music by similar artists. Are you tired of the songs on your iPhone or iPod? Launch Pandora for an endless playlist that consumes zero storage space.
  8. Jirbo Arcade [App Store link] You parents might be familiar with The Public Meltdown. It happens when your toddler's patience ends before your errands do. I've started using the simple matching and patterning games from Jirbo to keep my five-year-old engaged for those final, crucial ten minutes and they've worked wonderfully. Plus, they're a little more engaging than another episode of Dora.
So there are the applications that I've grown to love. A few that almost made the cut include Cro-Mag Rally [App Store link] (something about the game play just didn't grab me) and Exposure [App Store link].

Finally, one-hit-wonders include PhoneSaber, [link] which turns your iPhone into a lightsaber (kind of) and Wooly Willy [link].

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When the App Store went live on the 10th, I went a little nuts and downloaded a bunch of apps. Some I fell in love with. Some I launched...
 

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Long Nguyen

I'm looking forward to the release of DataCase before I spend anything on FileMagnet.

July 22 2008 at 11:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Big John

MLB's At Bat? For shame. $5 per season and all I get are the video highlights? No thanks. I have SportsCenter, FSN Final Score and the ilk for things that matter. SportsTap is by and far the better application.

July 22 2008 at 9:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
DomPaul

Maybe I'm new, but it seems someone would have written an app that is an icon to turn bluetooth on/off as well as airplane mode on/off. Kind of a pain to have to go into the settings to do this every time. I've read it was possible using the "services" app when Jailbroken on the previous release. You'd think this would be something apple or some developer could easily create...

July 22 2008 at 5:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to DomPaul's comment
Big John

I'd love a WiFi on/off button somewhere other than the Settings. I'm relatively sure that iPhone apps cannot modify system settings, so our dreams are just that.

July 22 2008 at 9:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Seth Amott

The SDK doesn't allow direct access to the Phones settings. A lot of the things that were possible when Jailbreaking are not possible anymore. Really apps just run independently, which is why you haven't seen anything that really affects the phone or system, like themes, ect.

July 22 2008 at 9:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steveo

It was been 2 weeks already!!!!

Where is the engadget story called " How would you change the iPhone
3G "

July 22 2008 at 12:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Steveo's comment
Big John

They usually give it longer. Also, it hasn't been three weeks. 11 days. Try to keep up.

July 22 2008 at 9:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Corey J Feldman

NYTimes , morning coffee ritual
Twitteriffic, great app. Needs a view reply button. Pain updating location with first Gen phone.
AIM – only use occasionally – rather twitter or text
eReader – really wish it could load ebooks outside of bookshelf
Facebook – awesome app
MochaVNC – nice but hard to work with iPhone screensize.

Still waiting on true Navigation, flash and slingplayer! Upgrading to 3g next month would do earlier if had slingplayer or good Nav app already out…

http://www.coreyjf.com/blog

July 22 2008 at 11:57 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steveo

It was been 2 weeks already!!!!

Where is the engadget story called " How would you change the iPhone 3G "

July 22 2008 at 11:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dale

A few days in, and of the 10+ apps I've installed, Facebook and Aurora Feint get the most love, followed by NetNewsWire and AquaForest.

July 22 2008 at 9:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jack

the web app brigade are not to be left behind. http://iphone.HyperOffice.com just added an enhancement, and according to them now theyre the ONLY exchange alternative (hmm imagine the saved costs) that allows users to collaborate on documents right from your iPhone in addition to sharing and access of Outlook mail, contacts, tasks, calendars etc which they already allowed you.

July 22 2008 at 8:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Andai Cee

Tap Tap revenge, its like a miny guitar hero in your pocket and cube runner, just so fun

July 22 2008 at 5:52 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tys

My front page apps:
RPN Calc, eBay, Pandora, Tuner, Instapaper, Remote, Epocrates.
Page 2: Labyrinth, Pac-man, Caissa chess.

July 22 2008 at 1:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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