List: My Top 10 iPhone Apps
by Jenners • 02/12/2011 • Lists, My Take On... • 76 Comments
As I mentioned previously, I recently got an iPhone 4. (Yes … I was one of those dorks who got up at 3:00 a.m. to preorder the iPhone when it came to Verizon.) I never had a smartphone before, but after a year of feeling like Mr. Jenners was cheating on me with his iPhone, I felt like I had to take the plunge.
And I love it!
I really really love it.
So now that I have officially drunk the iPhone Kool-Aid (yes … that was a rather bizarre and unfortunate reference to the Jim Jones cult in Guyana), I thought I’d list my Top 10 iPhone apps that have been dominating my life since this past Monday. (And I believe you can use quite a few of them on an iPod Touch if you want.)
1: Toodledo: A really nifty to-do list app, Toodledo has basically been given the responsibility for reminding me to do everything. I’ve scheduled my housekeeping chores (although Mr. Jenners thinks “Every 2 weeks” for dusting the upstairs should be adjusted), my work tasks, errands and even blog posts! I’m a person who responds really well to a to-do list. Without one, I tend to end up reading or blogging. There is also a Toodledo web site.
2: Reeder: This is a pretty nifty little feed reader that I found and use to do my blog visiting. It even syncs up with Google Reader! If you are a blogger who likes to use your iPhone to catch up with your favorite blogs, I think this is a pretty good app. The fact that I was able to catch up on my favorite blogs while sitting at the Little One’s swimming lesson was awesome. (I suppose you could use it to read other things as well but I just use it for blogs.)
3: Facebook: Neither Mr. Jenners or I were big Facebook users. But when Mr. Jenners got the iPhone, he started posting stuff all the time (usually unattractive photos of me). I downloaded the Facebook app for the iPhone and was pretty impressed with it. They got it right. It is easy to read and catch up on stuff. I was so impressed that I decided to create a Facebook page for this blog. If you want to “like” this blog and follow it on Facebook, just click on the Facebook icon on my sidebar. (In addition, I promise to add up to 2% exclusive new content on the Facebook version!) And just to let you know: Due to security restrictions imposed by Mr. Jenners, I don’t mix my personal Facebook page with my blog stuff so I have probably rejected any friend requests you may have sent me in the past on Facebook. Now I’ll accept them!
4: The Onion: I’ve always been a fan of this satirical newspaper—at one point I even had a subscription to the paper version. Now I can read it on my iPhone whenever I’m in need of a laugh. (By the way, have you seen their news show? Mr. Jenners was watching it the other day while I was blogging and I heard “They are calling this storm the Snowlocaust…” and I went whipping around saying “Did I hear that right?!!? Is a news station calling something a Snowlocaust? That is horrible!!!” It actually would not surprise me if a real newscast used this term one day.)
5: Angry Birds: If you haven’t played this game yet, what are you waiting for? It is ridiculously addictive, oddly satisfying yet darned difficult. I am currently stuck on a level and have little hope of getting past it. (I think I’ll have to turn to the Little One, who completely rocks at this game.)
6: Unblock Me: Whenever I’m sick of Angry Birds, I play this game, which involves moving brown blocks around to get a red block out. Sounds simple but it can be difficult. (Or that could just be me … I stink at these kind of puzzle games.)
7: Teach Me First Grade: OK, this isn’t for my app. I downloaded it for the Little One for “his” iPod Touch (I had to do something about the fart noise app he was using!), and I’m very impressed with it. It combines reading sight words, spelling, addition and subtraction in a fun little app that actually has him writing with this finger. Highly recommended. And it only cost 99 cents!
8: Moron Test: My neighbor turned me on to this. I don’t want to tell you how far I’ve gotten in it as I’m rather embarrassed. (Hint: I may actually be a moron.)
9: App Shopper: This is a great little program for finding new apps. Plus you can find apps that have been discounted or offered for free for a limited time. I like checking it out to see if there are any good deals. (It was how I found Toodledo. They were offering at a discount as a welcome to Verizon folks like myself.)
10: MobileTag: Have you seen those little “smart tags” that have started showing up in magazines? I was always curious about them. Well, now I can scan them and read them. This app blew the Micrsoft Tag reader app out of the water. I’m sure I’ll tire of this soon but right now I’m just having fun with it. You can also use it to scan UPCs and barcodes to get price comparisons.
And now the real purpose of this post: What are your favorite iPhone apps? What app can’t you live without?
There are just so many apps out there know it can be tough to keep up with what is good and what isn’t , this post helped. I think my favorite is red laser, I like to know if I am getting a bargain or not and that barcode scanner app helps me do that
My husband had me download red laser almost as soon as I got my iPhone. It is very handy and already saved us some money. I like the amazon scanner app too.
So I’m jumping on your Facebook page and liking it right after this (feel free to “like” the Coffee and a Book Chick page, too!)
Also – aaghhh, Angry Birds and Unblock Me…the reasons why I can get nothing done sometimes…!!
I will “like” you back! : )
And the iPhone is great but I’ve been wasting tons of time on it since I got it (mostly on silly games).
Now I really want an IPhone!! Thanks for the list of apps. That first grade helper sounds like a good choice for Jillian. I also think I would get a lot of use out of that reeder app when checking on blogs. I’ll “like” your blog on Facebook
Wow … I’m getting like 100s of comments from you. I guess you had time to catch up on your blogging! : )
I am IN LOVE with my iPhone. It is unseemly how much I like it.
I am absolutely addicted to Bookworm. Sad but true!
I must check it out. I love the name! And we just discovered Fruit Ninja, which is ridiculously fun and silly.
You’ve got quite an interesting list of top 10 apps! Facebook and Reeder are the only ones that I’ve used from your list. I have Angry Birds too but after an incident with the game that caused it to lose all my saved stages, I got angry at the game and refused to play it again.
For me, I also use Dropbox (free) so that I can transfer files from my computer to my iphone and vice versa without too much hassle. I also use Wikipanion for all my wiki needs because I love reading random wiki’s every now and then. Oh and the Kindle app, can’t forget about that one since I don’t own a Kindle. Of course, not everyone is a fan of the smaller screen and text size but I get a lot of nighttime reading because of the backlight from the phone. Then again, reading in the dark is probably really bad for my eyes. I also use a variety of photo apps but then again, I am a “photographer” so I’m much more picky about that area
I didn’t know it was possible to have wiki needs. I can honestly say I don’t have any wiki needs at this point but maybe they will crop up! : )
Sadly, I have a very old, pathetic phone without even a keyboard. Sigh. I am happy for you though, really I am… (jealous, jealous, jealous!)
Not even a keyboard!!!!!!! That is wrong wrong wrong. You need to work on hubby to get you one!!!
I’m a bit addicted to my iPhone as well. I’m going to have to check out the Reeder and Toodledo apps. Those sound great!
I think, by its very nature, the iPhone is addictive. Right now, I’m going app crazy. I’m sure it will settle down eventually, right?
I didn’t know you were on facebook! I’m sure the iPhone is bliss! I love my droid and they have a lot of the same apps.
I actually just set up the Facebook page the other day. The iPhone made me do it!
Ok, so I am totally addicted to Angry Birds and Unblock Me as well.. Although, the second I pick up my daughter from school, she is the one to take the phone and pass the levels.. Who would have thought that a 5 year old could be better at those games than I am.. But yes, they are super fun and addictive.. The other one we play is the Spaghetti and Marshmallows LITE.. In the end, you can break the tower and hear the breaking spaghetti.. I think that’s my favorite part, it might have something to do with my popping bubble wrap addiction.
If you are into sound effects and popping, you might like Clickomatic, which has awesome sound effects, neat graphics and is mindlessly addictive. I’ll have to check out Spaghetti and Marshmallows (sounds like a nutritious meal, huh?)
The Droid is not inferior! it is NOT!
{{ok…calm down…}}
Hmmm…methinks she doth protest too much : )
I don’t have an iPhone – I have a droid. But if I had an iPhone, I would definitely check out Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything app. I have heard it is great and I love Bittman’s recipes/cooking ideas.
Also, have you tried the jewels game. (I am sure there is an iPhone app for it.) Also addictive – but perhaps all games are addictive when you are waiting in a carpool line.
BTW: Looking forward to your review of The Likeness.
My neighbor has a Droid and my husband and her husband tease her endlessly about its inferiority … but she loves it.
And yes … I have the jewels game!
I have wasted countless reading hours playing angry birds, so I know just what you are talking about. I am still stuck on a level, and can’t seem to get past it. I think the Netflix app is cool, as is the Twitterific app. Honestly, I have a lot of apps that I don’t use all that much, but few of them really stand out to me.
For 99 cents, you can actually BUY a “Golden Eagle” or something to get by a level that you are stuck on! My son was asking to buy it. Mr. Jenners just found a video on YouTube showing the “secret” and then got him past it. It was kind of funny.
And I imagine that my app craziness will die down as the excitement and newness wears off and I’ll have just a few apps I use all the time (like the to do list one, which basically runs my life now). : )
I have an Android Incredible…but I must say I don’t think we have any apps in common. I do have a Reader..but it is Google own version for Android.
Love …
My Amazon..
Barcode Scanner
Calender that syncs to my Google Calender (a life saver)
Camera
Dropbox (another life saver)
Flashlight
Gmail
Nook
Puzzle Blox (the only game I regularly play)
Sky Map..because it is WAY cool!
I’ll have to look into Puzzle Blox. I’m a bit of a game addict. I have most of the other ones that you mentioned (except Nook … I have the Kindle app). And how fun is the barcode scanner? I love doing that!
oh what fun! i still have the iphone 3 (att user for years) but it’s time to upgrade…i just hate that hour i have to spend in the store to arrange everything….anyhow, i’m a big fan of pandora and rhapsody – both music apps and i also have the kindle app for my phone; one off-the-wall app i discovered recently is octopus paul – he’s kind of like the old magic 8 ball with a twist – too cute! oh, and flixter is a great one for movies in the theater along with their trailers….hope you enjoy your phone!
Wow … you were an early adopter! I’m still very clumsy with my iPhone and it drives Mr. Jenners nuts. Thanks for the tips on some apps. I’m going a little app crazy now, which I suspect is typical. It is like being let loose in a candy store.
Too technical for me though I love the sound of The Onion.
Whilst here I seem to remember you doing a post of the book LIFE IN REWIND but I can’t find it on your blog. I’m reviewing it sometime next week and would love to read your post again and link to it. If I’m not mistaken and you did review it would it be possible for you to provide a link? Thanks.
I never read Life in Rewind so that wasn’t me! Good luck finding it though. You might want to look at the Book Blogs Search Engine to find out who reviewed it though. That link is: http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=017997935591651423304%3A5fpbgt6-tou&hl=en
Oh nonononono – no more addictive games. Not now when I’ve only just weaned myself off Bubble Shooter!
Why did you have to be specific and mention Bubble Shooter, which sounds terribly addictive and fun. (Off to check it out now … forget the housecleaning!)
My IPhone is one of our most used tools on the road. I use The Weather Channel app all the time so we know what to expect when visiting places of interest, on the road conditions or about the weather at our next destination. My bank app is so handy when we don’t have wi-fi. I do love FB too. Love Word Games and Peg Jump but they can suck up a LOT of time so I try to limit them. For fun I like Tulip Care and Screen Clean (yes, I know they are mindless
I don’t even use my paper dictionary anymore, the app is so handy! And I too only download free apps – there are better things to do with money than pay for fun apps!
I can imagine that life on the road would be much easier with an iPhone! And I need to stay away from time wasters … I have way too many of those already! : )
How fantastic is unblock me!!! I used to be really addicted and finished all the levels in the all the moses. So satisfying.
I couldn’t get by without Stanza (ebook reading app) and Trip View (Sydney trains and buses and ferry timetables) and weatherzone (Australian weather).
I also have a great hypnosis app which I play every night to help me sleep.
Congrats on finishing all the levels!!! I really enjoy it though some take me FOREVER to figure out (and I’m still on the “beginner” levels).
I’m intrigued by the hypnosis app! Is there NOTHING that can’t be done with an app? : )
I bet I’d love the iphone if I had one!
I bet you’d love it too. I hope one is in your future!
I have pretty decided that the iPhone is going to be my only Christmas wish gift this year. IF I get it, I have great dreams of learning how to use the camera and then downloading all the nifty photo apps that I have heard are available.
Until then (which is over ten months away)….I will live vicariously through your iPhone passion.
The camera is pretty darn cool and convenient as you pretty much always have it with you. I don’t carry my camera around all the time so I miss a lot of photo opportunities. You can also shoot short videos.
I think it would be a great gift to yourself … and by then, the iPhone 5 might be out!
I love that there’s an app for apps.
My husband and I always make fun of the weather forecasters and the way they get so excited when a big storm comes (and how they try to act so serious but you can tell they’re really giddy about the whole thing).
I have about the dumbest phone out there. It’s the freebie you get for signing a contract. It makes calls and takes photos (which I don’t really need to do or know how to do because I don’t want to have to pay for them). It is a step up from my last phone which only made calls.
My husband has one of those uber-phones that does everything.
The first grade app sounds really cool. I should talk to my husband about adding that to his ipad for our son.
It is funny to have an app for apps! (I’m a bit crazy with it … I’m constantly loooking to see if anything good has been discounted and offered for free. I’m sure it will wear off eventually.)
The first grade app is pretty darn good … and I bet it would be even more effective on an iPad. (That is the next item on my wish list.)
I have to carry a cell phone for work now. I like the feature where you can enter people’s names in, and be able to call them without remembering their phone number. I think I’d like “texting” too, but it’s a very old phone and can’t handle that.
You would be a menace with an iPhone I think. Chess, word games, random thoughts/photos posted instantly to Facebook or your blog. It may be just as well that you don’t have it … yet. : )
Yeah. Really, the only problem with the handheld gadgets is that they have PHONES. I hate talking on the phone, and I hate the idea of people being able to call me at random. Otherwise I’d be all over those suckers.
Well, just get a data plan then and don’t get a phone number. Or don’t give out the number to anyone. I barely use the phone portion.
I’ve been looking for a feed reader app for my phone so I’ll have to check out reeder (maybe on the iPad as well?). Commenting is tough on the phone, but I don’t like the way Google Reader acts on the phone (automatially checking opened items as “read”…can’t that be changed?).
Other than twitter I don’t really use my phone much for apps. I refuse to get sucked into Angry Birds–if only because Snood has me totally addicted on the iPad.
Hmmm–am I totally missing how to subscribe to follow up comments?
My next goal in life is to get an iPad. I’m working Mr. Jenners pretty hard for it now!
And I’m intrigued by Snood…I’ll have to look into it.
As far as how to subscribe to follow-up comments, I’m not if I have that option. I will have to look into it.
Well, something must have happened because I got an email when you replied! Works for me.
Yay! Works for me too.
The apps that suck up all of my free time are: Facebook, Twitter and Words with Friends.
The apps that are most useful are: WeatherBug, IMDb, Wikipanion, Starbucks Mobile Card (if you have Sbux cards), Lose It! (calorie tracker, blah – but I use it every day) and Amazon.com.
The apps that are the most fun are: Instagram, Netflix, Urbanspoon, Tesla Toy and Mega Jump.
And then, of course, I have tons on there that I never use at all. Enjoy your upgrade to the world of iPhone! You will never be able to go back.
A few people have mentioned Words with Friends. I have to figure out how to play it first I think.
And I’ve got to check out your fun ones as well as the “useful” ones — but not Starbucks. I’m not a Starbucks person. (Blasphemy I know!)
I love my Hipstamatic app: it’s a photography app that lets you use different lenses to reach different effects.
Oooh oooh oooh … that sounds good!! Mr. Jenners showed me an app last night called PhotoStudio that is really fun too. I’m going to look for Hipstamatic too. I love the iPhone camera!
Hi Jenners, really enjoyed reading this. Currently my games app addiction is (this is very low key but I find myself hopelessly hooked) Uno. My most serious addiction to a games app to date was “Bejeweled 2.” So simple yet so gratifying. I played that silly games for hours and hours at the beginning of last year when I first bought the iPhone. If you haven’t tried it yet don’t! Consider yourself warned
I had a Bejewled phase so I know what you are talking about! If you liked that, another variation on it with extra stuff is Montezuma. The Little One and I are currently obsessed with this silly game called Clickomatic that is all about popping balls. It has great sound effects and it very addicting. I wonder how much time I waste every day now on these silly games! I’ll have to check out Uno.
You’ve just confirmed to me that I can never, ever get an iPhone. I’ll be consumed completely.
I love angry birds. My friend’s two year old taught me how to play.
I love that a 2-year-old taught you to play. I’m sure he/she is better than me. And it is weird how all-consuming the iPhone can be once you have it. I thought Mr. Jenners was nuts when he got his but now I’m as bad as him.
Wow – I’ve been missing a lot of fun out there. Some day. I’m still getting used to my old, old, old iPod touch. And my cell phone is so ancient it cannot text.
A cell phone that cannot text??? Is it made of stone??? HAHA!
Actually, the iPod Touch is a great little tool for kids. The Little One just loves it and is learning so many different things with it.
I had facebook on my phone as well for several years and thought I would never be able to live without it. But somehow I got logged off for a few days and it was SOOOO freeing!! So, now I don’t do fb on my phone. Unfortunately, that normally just means I check it more often on the computer:)
I just never think to post anything on it. But having the camera and being able to post photos and make funny remarks about it is easy and appealing to me. I’m sure I”ll burn out on it soon. I get overwhelmed by the updates from everyone.
Congrats Jenner — you are totally cool now! Try CHICKTIONARY — it is an addictive word game.
Wow … I’ve never been called cool before. Chicktionary sound really fun. Thanks for the tip!
Okay…I hit something I shouldn’t have and don’t know if the comment I was working on went through or not. If so, just delete since I’m starting over.
I’m not sure I can pick just 10 (so this may not make a Favorite Five topic for me over at my place), but I’ll try:
1. Words With Friends (much like Scrabble…wanna play?)
2. Word Warp (my VERY favorite. I HAVE to play it every day!!!)
3. Amazon (dangerous to have on my phone)
4. Quell (pure-D logic)
5. Skee-Ball (just like the real thing, sound effects and all)
6. Poetry Daily
7. Fluent News (a great source of news at a glance from a good variety of sources)
8. IMDb (I like this app better than the actual website. I use it all the time while watching movies)
9. Funny Pages ( so I can read the comics that don’t run in my local paper)
10. A variety of “Doodle” apps… CakeDoodle, Cookie Doodle, DoodleJump, DoodleBuddy
There are other “useful” apps that I like, but I didn’t figure you wanted to know ALL the apps on my phone. ahahahah!!!
Oh I can see that you are going to be my new go-to source for app suggestions!!!! I have to check these out. (And I suck at Scrabble. Really really badly. Which surprised me since I love words. My mind just freezes and I can only see 2 letter and 3 letter words.)
Thanks for the tips!
This post is making me sad. I don’t have an iphone and I won’t ever get one either as I’m stuck with Sprint till I get divorced or The TO gets a new job. (Deep discount for employees of the local hospital.) However, I’m working on getting that ipad…
PS Does Mr. Jenners work for the FBI or something? JK
Well, the iPhone is pretty damn good so divorce might be a viable and attractive option for you. HAHA! Totally kidding … maybe. A little.
And Mr. Jenners kids himself about the amount of people who are interested in us or our whereabouts. He is just very very paranoid.
I love my iPhone too! I don’t like to pay for Apps, so I don’t have many. I made a Facebook Page for my blog, but don’t really “get” Facebook, so it’s kind of flopped.
I’m pretty sure my Facebook page for my blog will flop too. We’ll see. : )
And you would probably like App Shopper then. It tells you apps that have been discounted (i.e., free) for a limited time so you can try them out.
I don’t have a smartphone, and don’t really want one, because I hate cell phones. Nobody needs to reach me 24 hours a day, I tell ya, nobody!
Cozi.com is also a site with calendar/to-do list/grocery list. Some schools even have their calendar available for download, so you can keep up with holidays/breaks.
Since it’s online, The Mister can look at it from out of town, and see what evil I may be up to in his absence.
Maybe they have The Moron test online, for us non-iPhone users?
I have to tell you, the smartphone is hardly about getting phone calls. That is the probably the LEAST thing I do on it! HAHA!
I’ll have to look in to Cozi. thanks for the tip even though it sounds rather “Big Brotherish.”
I’ve been stuck on level 5-17 of Angry Birds for over a week! Gah!!!
You are further than me … I’m stuck on 3-12!
I don’t have an iphone yet but I gave one to my DH for Christmas. I told him I wanted to try Angry Birds and now the whole family plays it, and they are all much better than me. Sigh. I want an iphone too!! I’m just too lazy to go get one. Apparently there’s an app that will let you hold your phone to a radio or speaker and it’ll tell you the name of the song and the artist which I would LOVE.
yes!!! I have that app: It is called Shazam. It really does work. I think we got “cut off” after a few songs on the “free” version though.
And I highly encourage you to get one. It is sooooooo much fun (and helpful too.)
And my Little One is better at Angry Birds than me. Grrrrr.