If you own an iPhone, you know there are thousands of applications available for download from the iTunes App Store.
If you have a lot of patience and time, you could download them all and decide which ones you like the most.
Or, you could let me, RedEye’s iPhone expert, narrow it down for you.
Here are 50 apps you should have on your iPhone, including 10 that will change your life.
1. WunderRadio
Wunderbar. Who knew a weather company could create a streaming radio app and do it so well? Download and listen to pretty much any radio station you’ve ever listened to. One of my absolute favorites.
2. Twittelator Pro
I have four Twitter apps on my iPhone and this one is my hands-down favorite. The developer clearly uses Twitter often and realizes what people are looking for.
3. i.TV
TV listings and movie listings are just the beginning. Now, manage your Netflix account right in the sharp-looking app. That and the developers promise even more amazing stuff.
4. Facebook
I’m not sure what I’d do if I couldn’t update my status while riding the bus or waiting for a table. Update to version 2.0, making it better than ever.
5. Wurdle
Here’s a word: Addictive. I’ve gotten three hours of sleep on many an occasion because of this darn game. Curse you, Wurdle, for being so much fun.
6. MyWeather Mobile
Elegant weather app with the best looping radar I’ve ever seen on a mobile device.
7. Ocarina
It’s the iPhone meets the pan flute. Blow into your iPhone’s microphone, touch the rippling pond-like circles on your iPhone screen and play a symphony. And then, listen to symphonies from around the world. Absolutely incredible.
8. Google Earth
You know you love zooming in and seeing your car parked on the street in the desktop version. Now, you can see it anywhere — the picture of your car, not your actual car. Anyhow, awesome.
9. Tap-Tap Revenge
In the spirit of Rock Band comes a game that delivers great music, great colors and great fun. And now there’s a new Nine Inch Nails version, if Trent Reznor’s music is more your speed.
10. Last.FM
A radio station that you control and create by entering your favorite artists. Last.FM then finds artists you might like based on that entry. The coolest part is interacting with friends via groups.
MOBILE FOTOS
There are a few apps that serve as great gateways to Flickr, and this one does more than the others. You can even upload directly to your favorite groups.
BLOOMBERG
There is no cooler way to watch your stocks tank day after day.
BEEJIVE IM
An expensive app that’s worth every penny if instant messaging is a big part of your day. The integration with MobileMe’s push e-mail is genius and worth the price of admission.
GROCERY IQ
Never forget milk, vanilla ice cream or Acai berries (delicious on the vanilla ice cream) again with this great grocery store list app. Easy to use and pretty to look at.
MLB AT BAT
Major League Baseball hit a grand slam with this app, featuring play-by-play, live updated stats, videos and so much more. Full season comes in February, but for now, download for free and get all your offseason news.
REMOTE
Apple’s remote is free, elegant and it just works. And when you can control your iTunes via your iPhone at a party, all eyes are on you, not the onion dip.
AIR SHARING
Got something on your desktop that you want on your iPhone? Connect via your home network and voila! Done. What sets Air Sharing apart is that it’s so easy to use.
SHAZAM
What is the name of that song? It’s driving me crazy! Hold your iPhone up to the sound source and Shazam tells you the name. It’s freakishly cool and fun.
ACCOUNTS
A bunch of apps download transactions from your bank and keep your checkbook neat and balanced. This isn’t those apps. Accounts is just a simple substitute for your old paper check register.
MS. PAC-MAN
It’s just not as fun controlling Ms. Pac-Man on the iPhone as it is in the arcade, but I have to recommend it. Finally, a pleasant memory from my childhood.
TEXAS HOLD EM
Apple’s other app. And boy can Apple play poker! No bluffing — great graphics, sound keep you entertained for hours.
IMANGI
Addictive like Wurdle. Make words across and down, but be careful because you have to share the letters. Latest version lets you challenge people abroad.
MOTION X POKER
Shake your iPhone to roll the dice. Seriously? Seriously, and the phone vibrates while it’s happening. I was hooked the first time I tried it. Five of a kind unlocks special dice. As cool as it sounds.
LED FOOTBALL
Just like the handheld electronic game from the 70s/early 80s. I remember it well … Just me, that red blip, the whistle sound and a long car ride. For 99 cents, you owe it to yourself to be whisked back in time.
FLICK BOWLING
Strike!! To me, this is the best bowling app in the App Store. It has everything but the fan you put your hands under when waiting for the ball to come back.
ESPN CAMERAMAN
Remember those games where you see two photos and you try to find what’s different about one of them? That’s this. It’s sports related, but you don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy it.
THE WEATHER CHANNEL
Of all the weather apps in the app store this is the only one with an actual video local forecast that’s updated often. Sets it apart from the others, but lacks looping radar. Hopefully coming soon.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE SPORTS READER
Doesn’t make the list not because I work for the company, but because it’s fun, user-friendly and one of the most unique ways to get your daily sports fix.
DISTANT SUNS
Like a planetarium in your pocket. You’ll know everything about the sky, sun, moon, planets and beyond with this beautifully-designed and easy-to-use app.
REAL SOCCER 2009
Gooooooooooooooooooooooal!! Shows how bright the future of mobile gaming on the iPhone really is. Fluid play, beautiful 3-D graphics and a lot of fun.
STANZA
It’s like iTunes for books, complete with a cover flow-type view. Read electronic books — more than 40,000 titles available.
TOPPLE
And I thought Tetris was addictive. But oh, the graphics, the music, the facial expressions — absolutely worth the 99 cents.
TODO
Manage your tasks like you never could before — simple, elegant and fun. Connect with desktop apps and other iPhone apps for even more organization.
NEWSSTAND
RSS reader with a twist — literally. Turn your iPhone width-wise and the usual text turns into a magazine-shelf type layout.
SONIC LIGHTER
There are a bunch of lighter apps, but only Smule’s lets you blow out the flame with your breath and tap the globe to see where other lighters are ignited. Guaranteed to make you — or anyone else — say wow!
PRO FOOTBALL LIVE
Unfortunately, the NFL doesn’t have an official app like MLB does, but for anyone who loves football (the American kind), well, this should do just fine. Plus, social features let you interact with other fans.
SOMBA GASHOUND
Luckily the price of gas is going down, but that doesn’t mean you don’t want to find a bargain. Search by current location or enter a location to find a station. The company donates profits to clean-energy research.
PLUM RECORD
Audio recorder that lets you use a corresponding free server program to send the recordings to your computer. And, coolest recording app icon — a parrot! Polly wanna a good app? Squawk!!
TRISM
Think a little bit Bejewled, a little bit Tetris and then add the power of twisting and tilting on your iPhone and you’ve got Trism. Colorful and just plain cool.
LOOPT
Pinch, tap and drag your interactive map to find out where your friends are and what they’re up to. Connects with Facebook, MySpace and Twitter and you can even find and meet new people nearby.
WEIGHTBOT
It’s a robot that tracks your weight and lets you see how you are doing on a graph. Plus, if you don’t want anyone to see your progress, you can password protect it. Bonus points for cool icon.
MOBILE ZODIAC
You’ll download a great app today — and maybe meet your soulmate. The former is more likely to happen than the latter.
FRING
Interact with your online peeps via Skype, MSN, Google Talk, ICQ, Twitter, Yahoo and AIM — plus, voice calls over WiFi.
VOICEBOX DIALER
Hold your iPhone 6 to 8 inches from your mouth, press the talk button and say a command and release. Now, saying “call Scott” has never been easier.
PANDORA
Free personalized radio lets you stream the music you want on your iPhone. Similar to Last.fm, and you can’t go wrong with either.
MYSPACE MOBILE
If you are a MySpace user, you shouldn’t be without this app. Update status, your profile, your mood, see what your friends — including Tom — are up to, read bulletins, mail, comments and find people.
LIGHTSABER UNLEASHED
Never mind that your iPhone is a sophisticated Internet device … it’s a lightsaber with multiple colors. Swing your phone and amaze your friends — and potentially scare others.
METROMIX WHAT’S NEARBY
Find a spot to eat or drink in a variety of cities from Atlanta to Washington. And if you have no idea where to go or what to do, try the Magic Shaker — shake your iPhone and let it recommend a place for you.
MEMEOPHOTO
Instant photo sharing from your iPhone — your photos can be sent directly to any computer, anywhere.
CROSSWORDS
If you are into crosswords, this will be the best $10 you ever spend. Download new puzzles every day. With hints and clues, you’ll be a better Crossword puzzle solver in no time at all. Lite version too.
OVERHEARD ON TWITTER
We asked iPTIB’s Twitter followers to share their favorite apps. Here’s what they said.
@babyfishmouth Favorite app is Shazam for most original, AP Mobile News for most used, RTM and Evernote for best productivity and Lux for best game.
@jackhennessy Apple remote let’s me access 4 iTunes libraries including many iradio stations and Apple TV all connected to my entertainment center.
