iPhone News Updated

11 cool new apps for the iPhone

With the release of the iPhone 2.0 software on Friday and the opening of the App Store — where hundreds of third-party applications are now available — Apple Inc.’s iPhone has taken a major leap toward becoming a premiere mobile platform.

Since the iPhone’s arrival last year, one of the constant complaints about it was that the hardware was a technological marvel but the software was lacking. A little over a year after its debut, Apple released not only the most significant hardware upgrade since the iPhone’s inception, but also the most significant software release to date. Best of all, the apps work on the first-generation iPhone as well as the newer iPhone 3G, and on the iPod Touch. (You have to pay $9.95 to update the iPod Touch so it can run third-party applications, though.)

While new hardware is important for attracting new buyers — what with a lower cost of entry and the 3G chipset — it’s the software and the arrival of the App Store that allows the iPhone to transcend being just another mobile phone. Officially opened on July 11, though accessible the day before, the App Store sprung to life with more than 550 third-party applications ranging from games to sketch pads to medical applications.

To get you started, we’ve chosen 11 applications that are decidedly worth looking at, though you should check out the App Store yourself and weigh in below with your own favorites. The first six are free; the rest will cost you a few bucks.

1. AOL Instant Messenger (free)
2. Remote (free)
3. AOL Radio (free)
4. Loopt (free)
5. Tips ($1.99)
6. Texas Hold ‘em ($4.99)
7. Bonus freebie: Midomi
8. Comic Touch ($4.99)
9. Enigmo ($9.99)
10. Shazam (free — for a limited time)
11. Super Monkey Ball ($9.99)

A few App Store caveats

As wonderful as these apps may sound, there are still a few niggling questions about what can’t — or won’t — be allowed at the App Store. For instance, even though the ability to record video was available via third-party applications on a Jailbroken previous-gen iPhone, no such utilities exist in the current App Store. Given that the iPhone’s camera is capable of recording video, the lack of such an application is glaring. There’s also a suspicious lack of navigation utilities featuring spoken directions, and a surprising lack of MMS applications. I can’t imagine Apple didn’t see a need for this, and like video recording, MMS capabilities were available on an application repository for Jailbroken iPhones.

It’s too soon to tell whether such applications will eventually make their way to the App Store, but their absence shouldn’t detract from the fact that the App Store opens the iPhone up to so many new, innovative and entertaining third-party possibilities. Maybe Apple froze them out because it’s working on similar apps itself.

Easy to navigate through iTunes and on the iPhone/iPod touch, the App Store is skillfully designed to the point of being nearly effortless to use. Apple has even made it easy for people who may have accidently deleted application. Just re-download the app! The App Store will check your purchase history, see that you’ve already bought the item and allow you to transfer the file again at no cost. It’s all automatic and all behind the scenes.

My only problem with the App store is also it’s greatest strength: It’s incredibly simple to browse through and purchase apps without thinking twice. As my iPhone’s abilities expand, my bank account decreases. It’s a testament to the development efforts by the third-party developers and a warning to you: Keep an eye on your spending.

My last piece of advice? You’re going to want a mobile charger. With everything that can be done with the iPhone and iPod Touch now, you might find yourself reaching for it often. Trust me: you’re going to want that extra juice.

[Thanks: http://computerworld.com/]