Our favourite iPhone apps

14/10/09 posted by Liz Niland

If you haven’t boarded the bandwagon already, you should probably get an iPhone. Do they live up to the hype? In a word, yes. And not to try to convince you or anything but, here are our favourite applications (say “apps” to sound like you know the score!) that make our lives easier or simply make things more fun.

1. Online Banking - Queue at the local branch too long? Finished at the office for the day and forgot to transfer your play money across for a night on the town? Made for your mobile, finance apps are the epitome of convenience. Check your balance, transfer funds and even locate the nearest ATM; all for just the cost of the net connection, which if you can come across some free wifi, will be, well, free.
    
2. Social Networking - If you don’t get your fill of Facebook and Twitter through the day, report in on the go with an easy access app. Take a photo from your phone and upload it straight to your profile or read up on the day’s action while waiting in line at the supermarket. These apps are also handy for those types that need to share with the world exactly what they just had for dinner.
    
3. Games - Whether you want to play Assassin Creed, Flight Control or plain old Solitaire, the iPhone enables you to download games to your handset, meaning you’ll never have a boring bus ride again. Another good thing about iPhone apps is that you have the option of downloading either free or paid programs. And while you might think the best ones are bound to be expensive, there are some top free apps available.
    
4. Skype - The favoured cross-continental communication tool of many a scattered family, is also available as an iPhone app. Best to use when you’re in a wireless hotspot to avoid the dreaded “bill-shock”, this app means you can contact loved ones on the go - for far less than a standard international mobile phone call.
    
5. Random cool stuff - specific apps we love include:
   • pUniverse - use it to find where the sun, moon and stars are sitting in the sky at your current location; even when you’re inside.
   • Remote - this app turns your iPhone into a remote control for the iTunes playlist blaring out of your computer speakers. We like to think it’s handy, rather than thinking we’re just lazy.
   • Coastal Watch - for surfing fans, like our own Michael Sharkey, this app lets you check the waves and pretend you actually have the time to go see it for yourself.
   • Battery Magic - iPhones are fairly heavy duty when it comes to battery life, but this app can help you control your usage so you don’t get stuck in the dark with no phone.

And don’t forget, at Sharkey Media, our web design and development skills can also be put into action to make an iPhone app for your business. Contact us to discuss your options.