The popularity of iPhones has skyrocketed over the past year, and the release of the iPhone 4S model and the expansion of the phone to many cellular services is mostly responsible for this. However, what most people fail to realize is that with more and more people carrying around an iPhone, there is an increasing demand for iPhone “apps.” For what seems like the small population that does not possess an iPhone, iTouch, or iPad, these “apps” or more formally ‘applications', are programs on these devices that are downloaded by the user via iTunes, and are displayed on the device through intriguing picture icons begging to be used. Currently, there are over 500,000 “apps” on iTunes, some paid and some free, and they exist for almost anything.
Applications exist for practical reasons such as news, weather, travel, and business but also for pure entertainment in games, social networking, and sports. With such a wide array of “apps” available, one never knows what to expect when an iPhone is unlocked.
Temple Run
This addicting game has recently been sweeping through the school with students in a fury to beat their friends’ all-time high score. The scene reflects a treasure hunting experience, as the character must navigate through a never-ending obstacle course, his moves being designated by the swipe of the player’s fingers. Currently, the game takes the title for top free game on iTunes, and more are joining the frenzy every day.
Facebook/Twitter/Tumblr
Social networking “apps” are among the most popular and consistent items you see when unlocking any iPhone. Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr all provide the same advantage to users: an on the go connection with the rest of the world. Whether it’s to tweet constantly or be updated with Facebook notifications, with the help of these “apps” communicating with peers is at your fingertips wherever you go.
Instagram
“Instagram” is an app for artsy photographers as well as curious viewers. By downloading the app and setting up an account, one can upload photos taken by the iPhone camera and add special effects or photoshop it in any way. Instagram also offers an opportunity to view friends’ uploaded photos or the photos of strangers voted popular by the rest of the instagram community.
Shazam
“Shazam” is the perfect app for iPhone users who are constantly cranking up the stereo or jamming to the car radio. This app has the astounding ability to listen to a song from any outside source, whether it be car speakers, stereo speakers, or the booming surround sound system of a sports game and “tag” it within seconds. When Shazam “tags” a song it simply identifies the title, artist, and album of the song. “Shazam” is a life saver when the name of a great new song or an old classic tune is right on the tip of your tongue, but you just cannot remember what it is. “Shazam” also keeps all previous “tags” for you to refer back to and provides a preview of the song courtesy of iTunes should you want to hear the song again.
Fruit Ninja
This classic game is a little outdated, but is still among the most popular game choices. It consists of fruits flying across the screen waiting to be slashed in half with the swipe of a finger. Fruits flying from all directions can get a little chaotic and be careful slash any bombs, which will automatically cause all your fruits to explode and will earn you a quick game over. Be warned, this game is not quite as easy as it sounds; after three fruits pass the screen unslashed it is game over. “Fruit Ninja” comes both free and paid with added perks.
Pandora
“Pandora” is a personalized radio that plays only the music you love. By searching the artists, songs, or genres you love and “Pandora” will create custom station that plays music that is “similar”. Pandora Radio truly tries to adapt to your musical taste; there is even a thumbs up or down button you can click to tell “Pandora” you like or dislike the song you are listening to and it will use that feedback when choosing the next song to play. You can bookmark an unlimited number of stations on Pandora Radio, listen to music with minimal interruptions, and pause any song and come back to it hours later.
Words with Friends
This “app” is an oldie but a goodie. “Words with Friends” gives iPhone users a chance to compete against friends in a Scrabble-like scene, building words on a virtual game board while seeking double point spaces and triple point letters. You can connect with friends through Facebook, search usernames, or play against random opponents. Perhaps the most addictive feature of the game is the ability to play up to 20 games with different opponents simultaneously.
Angry Birds
“Angry Birds” is a much loved entertainment “app” with many different versions and appeals to a wide variety of age groups and audiences. The purpose of the game is to slingshot the Angry Birds to destroy the defenses of the greedy pigs. The $0.99 version of “Angry Birds” currently holds the number six position on iTunes’s top paid “apps” list and has gained extreme popularity in countries around the globe.
Driver’s Ed
This is the perfect “app” for 16-year-olds trying to pass their permit tests and hit the roads! This “app” offers sample permit test quizzes by using a bank of 350 questions about the rules of the road; the questions are generated randomly so no two quizzes are alike! Other study techniques this “app” features include a downloaded manual, flashcards, and the ability to review old quizzes.
Family Feud & Friends
“Family Feud & Friends” is the “app” that brings the friendly TV competition to you on the go. Use it to challenge your friends to guess the most popular answers in thousands of survey questions posed to a 100 people. The familiar feud scoreboard and theme music make it feel like you are actually on the show!
Unblock Me
“Unblock Me” is yet another addictive iPhone “app” which involves simple puzzles ranging among different levels that are too tempting not to solve. The object of the game is to get the red block out of the board by sliding the other blocks out of the way. Warning: With over 4,200 different puzzles to solve, this game is not as easy as it sounds.
Translator
Although a pretty self-explanatory “app”, it is one that could come in handy in Foreign Language classes throughout DHS. Whether it means translating a word in the middle of class or while doing Spanish homework on the go, a translator could always be needed.
Cut the Rope
“Cut the Rope” is an original and colorful iPhone game in which players must slide their finger across ropes in various arrangements to cut them and free the dangling candy in order to feed it to a loveable little monster “Om Nom”. This game is filled with many different interactive obstacles among various levels and there are multiple versions of this entertaining game as well.
When looking for new “apps” to add to an iPhone, too often the buyer goes straight for the top 10 lists of itunes to see what everyone is interested in these days in an effort to keep up with the latest trend. However, by doing this the personalization of and diversity of “apps” becomes lost, and some of the best “apps” remain undiscovered.
Zooborns
This is the case with Zooborns, an application few know about. “Zooborns” is an “app” that updates you daily on the birth of animals in zoos and aquariums around the world. You can browse through pictures of the newborn animals, which senior Mac Bartram refers to as “zoobabiez”, as well as read the details of their births. “I can’t believe this app was undiscovered for so long,” senior Maggie Close said.
AroundMe
This “app” uses your location to give you information about your surroundings. It is perfect for long road trips and unfamiliar territory when you want to know where the nearest gas station or McDonalds is. “AroundMe” separates your surroundings into different categories including retail stores, banks, hospitals, gas stations, restaurants, hotels, parking, and supermarkets. For every category it will provide you with a list of your closest options as well as contact information for the chosen destination, and directions.
Talking Tom
“Talking Tom” is one of the best sources of cheap entertainment and a good laugh the iPhone offers. Tom the cat is the best listener you’ll ever find; he repeats whatever he hears in a funny high-pitched voice. You can also pet him, poke him, or grab his tail to incite a comical reaction.
Live Nation
“Live Nation” is the ultimate “app” for those who love to spend their Saturday nights at any arena, stage, or stadium where a performance is being held. This “app” gives you updates on the nearest concerts based on your current location, tour dates of your favorite artist, and even presale discounts on the most popular shows. You can even access the set lists of any top artist’s previous performance. There is also a live feed feature where your mobile ticket can get you into the concert, and you can know which performer is about to hit the stage and what song they will sing before anyone else! If you are someone who never wants to miss a show-stopping performance then you have to get this “app” to become part of the awestruck crowd.
Bump
“Bump” allows you to download any “app” your friend has simply by “bumping” your phones together. You can pick whatever you want to send to your friend’s phone, “apps”; music; locations; calendar appointments; messages; contacts; and then holding your phone “bump” your hand against another “Bump” user and your chosen items will be shared!
