Must-have iPhone Apps

Some friends recently got iPhones, so it got me thinking-what are my "must-have" apps? Well here they are (in no particular order.)

• Mint (free)-App for the website Mint.com, great for keeping up with your expenses, even connects with most banks and pulls down your transactions

• Meebo (free)-Website/app that allows you to instant message through most accounts (Gtalk, AOL, Facebook, etc.) and it even has push notifications.

• Remember the Milk ( (free,though requires pro account)-For all of you out there that like to keep organized with a to-do list, RTM is the way to go, but in order to use it, you do have to have the pro account. I've yet to find an app that matches the kind of features offered by RTM, so if you know of anything better, please recommend.

• Groupon (free)-If you not checking out Groupon in some capacity, you really should be. Groupon offers great deals around the area usually at really good prices. Perks of the app include notifications (if you want them) and being able to carry the groupon (coupon) on your phone without a paper copy needed. If you sign up, please use my referral url http://www.groupon.com/r/uu20028287

• Twitter (free)-I've tried many twitter apps out there and haven't found one that beats out the official twitter app, though if you use Hootsuite, their app is pretty good.

• MobileRSS (free)-I live by Google reader for my RSS feeds and the great thing about MobileRSS is that fact that it syncs with your google account. I believe there is also a $2.99 version of this app that gets rid of the ads, but to be honest, the ads don't really bother me.

• The Weather Channel (free)-My go-to when it comes to the weather, very similar to what you get from the desktop app.

• Google Voice (free)-Google voice has many great features and the app does most of them here, my favorite is that I can send text messages using it without ever spending a dime. Goodbye texting plans.

• Skype (free)-This one is especially useful if you have the 3GS or iPhone 4, allowing you to video chat. I use this to let my son talk to his grandparents.

• PingChat (free)-If you tend to send messages to other people with iPhones (and Androids, too, I think), then this free app makes it easy to send a message without racking up the charges of a text.

• Simplenote (free)-Forget the default Notes app that came with the phone, replace it with Simplenote. My favorite feature of this app is the fact that you can sync and access the notes online too (in case you want to type on a real keyboard)

• Dropbox (free)-If you've used dropbox, then you know what this is. 2gb of free space (with the ability to upgrade) that you can access from your phone or online anytime you want.

• Hipstamatic ($1.99)-If you are going to buy one photo app, I recommend this one. Creates some great effects and well worth the price. My only wish-that you could apply some of the effects after you've taken a photo.

• CameraBag ($1.99)-Another highly recommended app, this one does post-processing effects. My only recommendation is that you try to catch it on sale. (see AppShopper below)

• PS Express (free)-Some of the features that you would hope for from photoshop. Allows cropping, adjustment, and effects. Definitely a must to download.

• Shutterfly (free)-Shutterfly's website allows you to upload and store an unlimited amount of photos. Basically a great way to backup your photos. The app allows for upload and viewing of pictures, essentially making your phone into a digital wallet or photo album to show off.

• Words with friends (free or $2.99 w/o ads)-Play scrabble with your friends and strangers. I think that sums it up. If you have this one or get it, hit my up for my ID so that we can play.

• Angry birds (& seasons) ($.99 ea.)-If you don't want to get addicted or waste lots of time playing, do not download this game, but if you don't you'll be missing out on a great game. Essentially you're tossing birds at pigs and structures. Tons of fun.

• Plants vs. Zombies ($2.99)-Another highly addictive game. The idea-you use plants to prevent a zombie invasion of your home, way more fun than it sounds. Try to catch this one on sale if you can.

• IMDB (free)-The website in compact form. If you've never used the website you're missing out on a treasure of movie and TV information. IMDB allows you to look up any movie, show, or actor getting detailed information.

• Netflix (free)-Obviously only good if you have a Netflix account, but this app allows you to watch their content on the go (though I recommend being on wifi, as it really eats up data)

• Goodreads (free)-Do you read books? Goodreads can keep track of what you are reading, what you want to read, and what you have already read. Connect with friends and see their reviews of a book.

• Pandora (free)-Great for listening to music. The website squeezed into the iPhone. If you love website, then the app will be no different, except you can take it with you.

• Shazam (free)-Ever wondered what song or artist is currently playing? Well look no further. Start up Shazam and bang, after listening to a song for a few seconds it will provide you with the song and artist with fairly accurate results.

• Grocery gadget ($4.99)-This is the highest price app that I will recommend, but it has been great for our family. Essentially it's a grocery list, but it allows for syncing. So my wife can add something on her phone and it will appear on mine. I am open for other recommendations on this kind of app though.

• Cardstar or key ring (free)-Get rid of those annoying reward cards. If it has a bar code, then these apps can store them on the phone and even show a bar code for scanning on the screen. An absolute must-have for everyone.

• Amazon mobile (free)-Not only can you shop and compare prices on Amazon with this app, but you can also add to your want list. If you're not using Amazon's want list feature, you really should, it's great for keeping up with gift ideas for yourself and others.

• App shopper (free)-The great thing about this app is that you can monitor other apps in the app store and have it notify you if it has dropped in price. Great for getting those apps that aren't free.

• Google (free)-Basically Google search optimized for the iPhone and evens includes voice recognition for searching. Plus, the newest update added some features

• Google Authenticator (free)-If you are a Google user (gmail, docs, calendar, etc.) and want security, you really should have this app. I won't go into great detail, but essentially it helps generate one-time use and secure passwords for your Google accounts.

• Boxcar (free)-If you're like me, I like to know what email I have received without having to go into my inbox every time. Boxcar sends push notifications that tell you sender, subject, and a few lines from the email, allowing for a quick glance.

These last few aren't must-have, but may be useful.

• Sleep cycle ($.99)-This app monitors your sleep and wakes you up at the best time (when you're sleeping lightest) within a 30 minute window of your choosing.

• Miso (free)-Social app for recording what show and movies you are watching. GetGlue seems to be good for this also.

• Scramble (free)-Word game where you try to find as many words as you can. You can even challenge your friends.

• Frenzic ($.99)-Fast moving game, very fun.

• EpTracker ($.99)-Having trouble keeping track of what episode of a TV show you are on. This app helps keeps track but providing the episodes and summary along with a check box so that you can check off the ones you've watched.

• Firefox home (free)-Are you a Firefox user? This app syncs the tabs and bookmarks with your computer. The one downside-it doesn't have a built in browser.

• Read it later (free)-Just like the website, you can access those webpages that you've marked to be read later.

• iAssociate2 (free)-Fun little game where you try to figure out the words that are associated with one another.

• FreeAppADay (free)-Provides free a few apps each day that normally aren't free.

Well, that's my list. Please let me know your favorites and if you know any apps better than the ones that I'm currently using.