Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPhone, App Store
2 weeks later: iPhone apps I actually use
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Finally, one-hit-wonders include PhoneSaber, [link] which turns your iPhone into a lightsaber (kind of) and Wooly Willy [link].
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
buck said 9:11PM on 7-21-2008
MochaVNC pales next to VNSea and TouchPad Pro, and I miss Snapture and Video Recorder and VNotes. I *always* use PocketTouch in the car to flip songs without looking. The AppStore has a long way to go before it catches up with 1.1.4's JailBroken apps.
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Thomas said 9:24PM on 7-21-2008
What no Phonesaber?
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Tom said 9:25PM on 7-21-2008
Good list. Would have liked to know why BoxOffice beats Movies.app but hey, you didn't feel like writing a comparison.
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Zews said 11:49PM on 7-21-2008
Movies.app sucks. In San Francisco it only shows 10 movies! That's it.
Why would anyone like a movie app. that shows only 10 movies, when there are at least 30 to 40 different movies playing in the area.
chuck said 12:07AM on 7-22-2008
I agree. movies.app has some flaws (e.g. doesn't list ironman at a theater I know it's showing at), but I love it for offering links to IMDB and the movie trailer for each movie. Can't beat that when browsing for a good movie to see.
Steve Gates said 7:44AM on 7-22-2008
I'm keeping BoxOffice - I got rid of Movies.app less than a minute after I downloaded it.
William said 4:43PM on 7-22-2008
I just think it's ironic that Movies.app has a Box Office section while BoxOffice shows no box office information. I think both apps have their upsides and downsides; for now, I am keeping both apps.
Thomas said 9:25PM on 7-21-2008
Nevermind I should've finished reading.
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spyker said 9:29PM on 7-21-2008
My list!
AIM, Twinkle, Sudoku, Tuner, BoxOffice, Sketches, Crash Racer, Tap Tap Revenge, Galcon, and Trism. But I still use my other ones a lot. And some I just have for those small occasions.
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Jeff Scott said 9:29PM on 7-21-2008
Little bit premature -- it hasn't been 2 weeks yet.
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totoro said 9:32PM on 7-21-2008
This should be a regular blog post every couple weeks-see what people are using.
1) Stanza-great eBook reader
2) AOL Radio-because it found my local stations
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dtpollitt said 9:32PM on 7-21-2008
My favorites, besides the ones you've mentioned:
--PhoneSaber...for those moments you need a light saber, which is almost every moment
--Tap Tap Revenge is GREAT
--Baseball is a great historical app for all things baseball
--HoldEm is the best poker game out there, and the app I play the most while waiting for life
--SportsTap is the best sports app, and it's free
--Auroa Feint is easily the best RPG, and it is FREE and addictive!!
--Just got Vay, the classic RPG port, haven't started it
Dan
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CaptSaltyJack said 11:44PM on 7-21-2008
Aurora Feint isn't really an RPG (role playing game), as you're not playing any kind of role, really. ;) It IS a puzzle game, though.
Bob S. said 12:31AM on 7-22-2008
You can't get your money back, but IMO Scenario Poker is much, much better than Hold 'Em. If you're a casual player Hold 'Em is probably fine, but since Scenario is free, it's worth checking out regardless. And if you're genuinely interested in poker, SP's, well, much better.
Scott said 9:33PM on 7-21-2008
Facebook app is a must for any facebook user.. it's great for uploading mobile photos easily.
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patrik said 10:04AM on 7-22-2008
So is email... mobile@facebook.com done.
Matt Burris said 3:37PM on 7-24-2008
The Facebook app is woefully inferior to the webapp version. Unless you just want to use it to send pics, but as someone said, the email function does this better. I'm sticking with the webapp until they spruce up their native app more.
lightmast said 9:48PM on 7-21-2008
I'd love to use my apps, but anything downloaded crashes everytime I try to open it. I tried restoring, restarting, et al, but nothing works. Not happy.
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gordon said 11:49PM on 7-21-2008
try restoring your phone, i had the same problem and that cleared it up
lightmast said 11:56PM on 7-21-2008
Yeah, I tried that, still no dice. My local apple store is out of phones too.