My iPhone Apps
Here’s a summary of the apps I’ve tried on my iPhone. I’ll keep this list updated as my experience evolves.
Purchased Apps
Super Monkey Ball ($9.99) - A clever game with amazing graphics. The control of the game (tilting the surface on which the monkey ball rolls) is done by tilting the device, using the accelerometer. I need a lot of practice, but I’m sure I’ll get it.
Enigmo ($9.99) - Another interesting game that consists of directing the flow of water droplets. This one is drag-and-drop rather than accelerometer, but it is fun.
Free Apps
AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) - This is a great IM client that partly replaces the need for costly SMS messages. I look forward to this becoming a standard.
AOL Radio - Sure… I could listen to music loaded from iTunes or carry an old-fashioned pocket radio, but this is a handy alternative with lots of radio choices.
Break - a game like breakout. I haven’t played it much yet, but it works well.
Bubbles - drag your finger around on the screen and bubbles appear along the path.
Google Mobile App - handy access to Google. I’m not sure if I’ll use this since the search is built into the browser, but it’s free, so I’ll give it a try.
Movies - When you need information about what movies are showing where, this is handy. It also provides quick access to IMDB.
PhoneSaber - This is a silly-but-fun application that displays a light saber and when you swing the phone around it makes sounds that Darth Vader would be proud of.
Remote - a handy replacement for the remote control hardware that Apple includes with its media devices (AppleTV and computers).
SnapMyLife - I loaded this, but I haven’t used it yet. I believe it is a way to photo-record your experiences, associating the photos with your location.
Twitteriffic - the great Twitter client made by the IconFactory. I use the Mac client and, not surprisingly, it feels just right on the iPhone if not better because I can report what I’m doing no matter where I am.
Urban Spoon - A fun restaurant finder with a Jackpot-style interface. Within a metro area, you have three criteria - all of which can be random or locked: geographic area, type of food, and price group. You spin the unlocked wheels and see which restaurant it yields. If you don’t like what it gives you, keep on spinning.
VoiceNotes - a voice recorder. I haven’t used it yet, but it seems like I might.
Yes|No Free - the equivalent of a coin-toss. I doubt I’ll keep this, but I want to hang on to it long enough to use it next time I need to decide about calling a poker bet.
YPmobile - a nice Yellow Pages client. I’m glad that AT&T did a good job with this one. I was scared that we wouldn’t have any apps ready for the initial release.
Zenbe Lists - a handy way to maintain lists. It’s perfect for to-do and grocery lists. The online version is just right for updating via the computer and easily syncs with the iPhone client. The interface is well-designed. I added this one to the main row of my iPhone because I want quick access to it.
Removed Apps
I’ve downloaded these apps and given them a try, but decided they weren’t what I needed. So far, all of them are free, so there’s no loss other than time.
Evernote - I thought this would be my note and list manager. It is accompanied by an client application for the computer. Both clients have an awkward interface and it may be good at maintaining complex information, but it is not easy with simple lists. Basic notes are hard to read, for example. The syncing is good, but it all comes down to interface and Zenbe is better. I haven’t yet removed the client from my computer, so I might give it another try.
reQall - This was my second try for a note/list manager, but I can’t quite figure out if its role is to help you keep up with stuff or to improve your natural memory.
Loopt - this app maintains your location and communicates it to other applications. Unfortunately, it does so through SMS and that’s just not practical.
Whrrl - this app lets you share your location with others, but the interface was not clear. I’m not sure if there was a problem in my area, but it never seemed to reflect my location.
Category: Apple, Technology
Posted by: Chuck @ 12:03 pm on July 19, 2008
