v3.0
Apple’s iPhone has changed the way many of us go about our daily lives, not because the iPhone is the most revolutionary handheld device ever conceived, but because Apple’s polish made the iPhone’s features accessible to a large audience (and the subsidized price hasn’t hurt). Even a stock iPhone has many useful features, but the iPhone’s true power is in its third-party applications, be they tied to the internet or not. Our take on the most useful, arguably must-have, applications follows.
AppStore apps.
1Password Pro – We picked up the OS X 1Password application as part of the MacHeist bundle back in 2007, and we didn’t think much of it until later. It turns out that not only does 1Password make Apple’s keychain better (memorizing all login information for our favorite websites), but it also stores encrypted notes, wallet items (e.g. credit card info, frequent flier numbers, etc), and software serial numbers. Since it synchronizes with the iPhone application of the same name, 1Password has become our number one application for storing secure information, and has replaced the stock Notes application that lacks any synchronization at all. The Pro version has a few more features than the basic version, and it’s been on sale a number of times. [$7.99]
Air Sharing Pro – Rather than carry around a USB thumb drive, this app turns your iPhone into a wireless hard drive. You can drag documents of various types to it, and use the app to view them (.doc, .pdf, etc). The pro version sports additional features like FTP file transfers, but doesn’t currently sport advanced features like changing file permissions. It’s a solid all-around file transfer/viewing tool. [$9.99]
Amazon – This is basically an interface for amazon.com, with the ability to view wish lists and the complete Amazon catalogue. The ability to purchase Kindle books was removed, however, which makes the app a bit less useful. [Free]
AppSniper- Find out which AppStore apps are new and/or on sale. Tag applications you want and be alerted when the price drops. For avid app buyers, this app pays for itself. [$0.99]
Bento – Database application that syncs with the desktop version. Easily set up templates to track tasks, inventory, and many other projects. Fantastic by itself, and even better alongside the desktop version. [$4.99]
ByLine – Still the best RSS reader that synchronizes with Google Reader, and even incorporates Reader’s Notes function. A key feature is the ability to read articles offline, which many RSS readers don’t do. [$3.99]
Convertbot> – Fantastic unit conversion app. [$1.99]
craigsphone – Oddly, there’s no phenomenal craigslist app in the AppStore, but craigsphone handles most craigslist browsing adequately. Even lets you post items from the iPhone, which is really nice. [Free]
eBay – For eBay junkies, this app makes checking on items a breeze, for both buyers and sellers. The interface is simple to follow, and replaces the web site for most functionality. If this baby had a sniping feature and a way to post items for sale, it’d be a godsend, but it’s still pretty nice as is. [Free]
Facebook – A compact Facebook client that makes logging in via MobileSafari a thing of the past. Still missing some features from the web version, but the most commonly needed features are obviously there. Now sports push notifications, too. [Free]
FitnessBuilder> – Great workout app, with many exercises for different equipment and location limitations. The price tag is a bit steeper than most, but considering how many exercises are included, its a solid investment, serving use at home and at the gym. [$9.99]
GeoCaching – The official app for the Geocaching hobby. [$9.99]
GoodGuide – Scan barcodes on most household items to receive information on the respective product, such as how ethical and healthy they are. [Free]
Good Reader – Utility to read (very) large PDF files. [$0.99]
Google – When this app was little more than an interface to Google’s web search, it got little use from us. Since it now incorporates searching by voice, it’s become much more useful for the road warrior, however. No more dangerously inputting text from behind the wheel – just say what you want to look up and quickly click on the results. [Free]
i.TV – Retrieves information on the latest theater movies, as well as upcoming TV shows based on your local programming. Also integrates NetFlix and TiVo, even supporting a virtual remote for the latter. [Free]
iBlogger – Mobile blogging application that works with a number of blogging platforms. [$9.99]
iHandy Carpenter – Various tools for carpentry work and general household projects. Commonly used tools in this package include a level and a ruler. [$1.99]
Mint – A client for the Mint web site – Mint helps manage one’s budget and financial accounts, giving great reporting. [Free]
Mobile Card – Keep track of, and adjust, the balance on one’s Starbucks card(s). I areas that support it, even pay for Starbucks drinks via the iPhone. [Free]
myWireless – Check your balance/minutes on AT&T, and pay monthly balances. [Free]
OpenTable – Make dinner reservations online at a wide variety of venues in many cities. [Free]
Pandora – Customized radio stations based on what artists/songs one likes. What’s not to love? [Free]
PayPal – Handle PayPal transactions quickly and easily. [Free]
Red Laser – Offers the ability to scan product barcodes, which then presents a list of online prices for comparison purposes. [$1.99]
Remote – Allows users to control iTunes from the iPhone. Great for parties, or whenever running to the computer is a hassle. [Free]
Shazam – Records a brief clip of a song via the microphone, and then returns the name of the song, the artist, and the respective album. [Free]
Stanza – An eBook reader that allows users to download titles from the iPhone or from the desktop client. Users can import documents into the application, or purchase new publications if the massive catalogue of public domain titles aren’t enough. [Free]
Taxi Magic – Call a cab to one’s location quickly and easily, supporting online payments. [Free]
Things – One would think that to-do list applications would be aplenty in the app store, and while that’s true, most are simply horrible, and don’t sync with Apple’s iCal to-do items. Things not only syncs with their desktop client, but allows one to properly organize to-do items in a Getting Things Done (GTD) type of way. Perhaps priced steeply compared to other to-do managers, it’s also significantly better. [$9.99]
Tweetie 2 – Simply the best Twitter client for the iPhone. [$2.99]
Yelp – Another web site front-end, the Yelp app lets one search for places nearby, and is an easy way to check reviews on local venues. [Free]
Wi-Fi Finder – Locates nearby wireless hotspots (free and for-pay), and even gives directions to them if needed. [Free]
WiFiFoFum – Locates wireless hotspots currently in range. [$2.99]
Wikipanion – Wikipedia interface for better article viewing on the iPhone. [Free]
Cydia apps.
3G Unrestrictor – Download larger files via 3G by tricking apps that you’re on wifi. [$2.00]
Backgrounder> – With Backgrounder installed, any iPhone app can run in the background. Using Backgrounder is situation-dependent, but for when you don’t want to shut down a process just to do something else, Background is great (like for keeping Pandora playing music while doing something else). [Free]
GV Mobile< – A native Google Voice app. [$1.99]
PdaNet – Allows one to tether their laptop to their iPhone’s data plan. Since AT&T still doesn’t offer tethering (even though iPhone OS 3.0 does), PdaNet is still worthwhile for those using the iPhone 3G. [Free]
ProSwitcher – An easy way to jump between background-running apps. [Free]
SBSettings – A replacement for the infamous BossPrefs, SBSettings allows one to quickly access a menu to toggle on/off various features (wifi, bluetooth, etc). In addition, SBSettings lets one hide icons for unused apps, add applications to a special launch-bar, and best of all, stays resident so it can be accessed from almost anywhere, just by swiping the status bar. [Free]
Have an iPhone application you think should be included on this list? Make the suggestion in the comments below!