Jailbreaking the iPhone has become more common among technologically-savvy users, but there are risks to doing this. Not only does this void your warranty, but it can negatively affect basic phone functions. Official software updates have tried to reduce the need to do this, but I am going to need a new phone to enjoy some of the most recent updates. Jailbreaking the software would allow me to multitask for free, but it isn't worth it in the long run. I can honestly say that I am content with the phone I have now though. The primary reason for this is the two hundred and fifty thousand applications and counting available in the App Store. The Android market doesn't even come close to that number, but Apple had a huge head start. They all try to make life easier or less boring. Apps are added almost every day, but a sizable percentage of them are either useless or worthless. I download several new apps each week, but I don't always keep what I don't pay for. "Lite" versions are essentially free demos that allow the user to see a limited range of what it can do. I hardly ever keep these for more than a few days, but I do appreciate the functional preview. As of right now, I have almost fifty apps organized into eight different folders.
Here's a list of my favorite...
FREE APPS- (in no particular order)
- Shazam- Identifies songs within seconds. Find out what's playing on the radio immediately.
- Pandora- Find new bands that are similar to the ones you love with quality streaming radio.
- iTunes Remote- Pick the exact song you want from across the room. Requires a WI-FI connection to sync up with your iTunes library.
- IMDb- Easily access a wealth of entertainment information that can settle any argument.
- Vlingo- Allows you do almost anything with the power your voice. In-app purchases are required to utilize the updated version, which allows you to say what you want to text or e-mail. This is no gimmick, it actually works!
- Facebook- Social networking on the go, what more can I say? It's pretty addictive, haha.
- Flixster- The most convenient way of looking up movie times, trailers, reviews, and box-office results.
- Words With Friends- Scrabble is actually a really fun game, who knew? Buy the full version if you get annoyed with the advertisements.
- Traffic Rush- An addictive game that puts you in control of a busy intersection. Push the motorists through as fast as you can without causing an accident.
- iBooks- Turn your phone into a Kindle! The store gives you access to an expansive book store. You can read relatively long samples of everything you are interested in buying. A Kindle app is also available.
- YellowPages- The best way to find phone numbers and directions to any local business.
- Vevo- Official music videos are rare on YouTube nowadays, use Vevo to watch them.
- NLog Synthesizer- My favorite instrument app that includes a multitude of different sound effects.
- ESPN ScoreCenter- Follow all of your favorite sports teams at once, even when you can't watch them. Push notifications can be sent as often as you would like. Play-by-play statistics are also available.
- Adobe Photoshop Express- "Fix" every picture you have ever taken; upload to Facebook as soon as you do.
- Mino- It's Tetris, with online gameplay!
- iLike Concerts- Shows you when and where your favorite artists are performing near you. You can even buy the tickets through the app.
- Air Mouse Pro-$1.99- Turn your phone into the ultimate remote! Connect your laptop to your TV using an s-video cable, then sit back, relax, and enjoy all of the entertainment the internet has to offer.
- Sound Hound-$4.99- Like Shazam, but better! You can even identify songs by singing or humming them.
- Angry Birds- $0.99- One of the most addictive and bizarre games ever! The physics are incredibly accurate.
- Spawn Illuminati HD-$0.99- A music visualizer that has the power to mesmerize you with it's bright colors and quick movement. Symmetry mode is a beautiful thing!
- Snood- $2.99- I can't tell you how often I played this game in high school on my TI-83 graphing calculator. Now I can play it in color!
- Tetris-$2.99- I don't know why it doesn't offer online gameplay, but the magic mode is really fun.
- Need For Speed: Underground-$4.99- Exceptional graphics and interactive steering prove that the iPhone is a legitimate gaming device.
- Boost-$0.99- Avoid the colorful blocks in this hypnotizing game of interactive steering.
- iTranslate-$1.99- Learn how to say and pronounce anything in every major language. It will even say it for you!
- iBartender-$0.99- An extensive list of every mixed drink ever created, and how to make them!
- Hispstamatic-$1.99- Take old school looking photographs that can make anyone feel nostalgic.
- Night Stand-$0.99- Need a new alarm clock? Look no further! It shows you what time it is in landscape mode, and wakes you up when you need to.
- Ambiance-$2.99- Contains over hundred sound effects that can help you fall asleep. I prefer the thunderstorm.
- Weatherbug Elite-$0.99- Doppler Radar and active alerts give you all the meteorological data you could ever need.
- Netflix-$9/month- The app itself is free, but it requires a subscription. No commercials, just all your favorite streaming movies and shows. Hulu Plus doesn't stand a chance! Watching a full movie will require some kind of update at this point.
- Voices-$1.99- One of the most humorous apps available. Transform your recorded voice eighteen different ways!
- Coin Flip-$0.99- Need help making a decision? Digital versions of every new and old American coin can help you do just that. Flick your wrist to "throw it up in the air." Remember to turn the cheat mode off.
- 5-0 Radio-$0.99- Listen in on what the police are saying in your neck of the woods. See if there are any emergencies or if there are cops are close by while you're driving.
- Let's Golf- $4.99- The most fun you can have playing a golf game. It resembles Hot Shots Golf on the PlayStation, which means that it has great graphics and simplistic game play.
I will add more when I find them!
