My Top 20 Best iPhone Applications has been getting a ton of traffic ever since the app store came out. I like this, but at the same time, I am not giving readers what they are exactly looking for. My post was specifically for apps in installer.app, not for the App Store. The majority of this traffic is coming looking for the best app store apps, not for installer apps. Since I hate having traffic not be satisfied with my content, I am almost forced to do this post. Remember a few thinks, I cannot test all the apps since I do not feel like downloading them all and I am not willing to spend hundreds of dollars on iPhone apps. At the same time, I like to download a lot of iPhone apps, so don’t worry about my lack of testing… Here are my Top 20 Best APP STORE iPhone Applications:
I did a mini demo/review of this app a few weeks ago and it blew my mind. The graphics are stunning and the gameplay is just what you are expecting. I have never seen such quality of a game on a mobile device. Since this is a poker game, it has a ton of depth. If you like playing poker, this game can last you years. This game is not worth $10, it is worth $20.
This is a pretty obvious one. Super Monkey Ball brings the best out of the iPhone’s accelerometer. The tilting takes a little to get used to, but once you do, it is easy and fun. A little secret is to realize that when you tilt your iPhone, you are not physically moving the ball, but more the level itself. Pretend the whole level is on a fulcrum and you are simply putting more weight on the side you tilt. That should help you a lot when first trying to play. The levels start from stupidly easy to annoyingly hard. At first it seems like you will finish the game in no time, but then you realize that no only is there a TON of levels, but as levels get harder, it takes more and more time to finish a world. This was definitely a great buy, but I would suggest it more if you have not played Super Monkey Ball much before. It may feel a bit repetitive if you have played the levels before.
Pandora Radio is amazing! If you have not used Pandora before today, you will start using it now. Pandora is a service that analyzes artist and songs that you like and creates “radio stations” that play full songs that are musically similar to those artists are songs that you like. This is a great way to find new music that you can buy and download on iTunes. Pandora has brought Pandora mobile and man did they do it well. Pandora Radio is fully featured and works just like it would on your computer. This is a must have for music lovers.
4. Remote
Remote does exactly what you need it to do, perfectly. Even though I myself do not use it much, if I did, it would suit my needs perfectly. Lets put it this way, it is almost like opening up your iPod and having it play on external speakers. I say this because it you have so much control. It is not a simple remote with a pause/play, next/back, it is much more. This “remote” app is like wireless iTunes.
5. Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D
Out of all the racing games out, Crash Bandicoot is the best. The controls are dead on, the graphics are great and there are a ton of options. This game is a mix of Mario Kart (one of my favorite games ever) and Crash Bandicoot (also on of my favorite games). This game is challenging and a ton of fun, buy it.
6. Enigmo
Enigmo is a great game mostly because of the concept. The simple task on getting bouncing droplets of water into a bowl seems so simple, but it Enigmo makes is as intricate as it can be. After the 10th level, this puzzle game gets HARD. I am totally stuck on the 11th level and I love it since I know it is possible. Oh and I almost forgot, this game is stunning and the controls are perfectly fit for the iPhone. There are about 8 apps (as of now) I think are really worth buying. This is one of them.
7. BoxOffice
I love this app! I could not imagine a better app for getting movie show times, theater locations and movie reviews. It gives you the most information you could want before seeing a movie with an incredibly simple UI. One thing I love about it is the integration with Rotten Tomatoes. On the left side of every movie, it will show the Rotten Tomato score. This is great because you can list the movies by rating, something the other movie apps lack. Oh, and guess what… it doesn’t cost a penny.
8. Twinkle (vs. Twitteriffic)
In my opinion, Twinkle is a better, more richly featured version of the popular Twitteriffic. Twitteriffic is defiantly good, but Twinkle offers so much more that are essential to big twitter users. Twinkle offer the ability to view public tweets, view nearby tweets and tweets from people you are not subscribed to. These are 3 features Twitteriffic lacks. Also, don’t forget, they are both free, but Twitteriffic has small ads that can get a bit annoying. Twinkle is free, ad-free and absolutely beautiful.
MotionX Poker utilizes a new amazing motion technology that is the powerhouse of the app. When shaking the iPhone, your dice roll as if they were actually thrown. You will be stunned the first time you roll. The game is a little bit repetitive, but since the rolling is just so cool, you will find yourself rolling, and rolling, and rolling. Yes, this game is very very addicting. At first, 10,000 coins seems impossible, but with a little bit of work you will find that nothing is impossible.
10. Units
At first look, Units seems like a simple calculator, but with just a few clicks, you realize that it is much more. Units allows you to convert just about anything to anything. This conversion app has on of the cleanest, simplest UI I have ever seen. For only $.99 this is a steal. If you travel a lot, this app is essential.
11. Labyrinth
Labyrinth is a game that shows the full potential of the iPhone. Just like Super Monkey Ball, it uses the iPhone accelerometer to its fullest. If you wanted to show anyone how cool the iPhone is, this is the app to show. Labyrinth’s controls are so perfect, it actually feels like you are using a real labyrinth table. With over 500 levels, Labyrinth almost never gets old and is definitely worth the $7.
Midiomi and Shazam both help you find songs that you do not know the name of, or who it is by. If there was a mix of the two apps, it would definitely be worth money. The reason is that they both have features that the other lacks. Shazam is a little more reliable than Midomi and also has a better “results” interface than Midomi. At the same time, Shazam lacks the ability to sing or hum a song, which Midomi supports. This is HUGE because this app’s purpose is almost always when you do not have the song playing. This is why I suggest Midomi. It almost never fails when I sing a song to it and will work just perfectly when in need.
13. Tips
I have tested almost 15 different Tip apps and this one is my number one. A Tip app needs to be simple, easy and fast. Tips looks good, gets the job done and has a nice, easy UI. It is as simple as that.
14. Tap Tap Revenge
The reason Tap Tap Revenge is on this list is because it is free and has a ton of potential. It’s concept came from a game called Tap Tap Revolution and in my opinion, Tap Tap Revolution was a lot better. This is because anyone could make tap playlists for any song and you could tap to your own music library. Nevertheless, this is a very fun game as it is and since it is free…download it.
15. FaceBook
Almost everyone now of days has a FaceBook. Everyone changes their status, uploads pictures, comments on people’s walls, etc. With a new update that just came out, FaceBook.app has become the only thing you will ever need for FaceBook on your iPhone. Even your friend list looks just like your contact list. Trust me, this app is great and if you use FaceBook, DOWNLOAD IT.
16. WordPress
Wordpress is a must have app for everyone who owns a Wordpress blog. This app works very smoothly and has the key features that are needed when posting to your blog. You can have as many blogs as you want and save posts as pending for review so you can check it when you get home. This is a perfect app for your “on the go” post that you just need to get out there.
17. NetSketch
NetSketch is a wonderful application for people who love to draw. One of the coolest things about NetSketch is the ability to draw as big as a picture as you want. It is as simple as zooming out. Your original drawing will get smaller, as if you have unlimited paper space. Once you are done with your drawing, you can share it and upload it to your NetSketch account. If you have two iPhones on the same wifi network, you can both simultaneously draw on the same piece of paper, in realtime! I could play with this app all day.
18. Garf
Ok, I know what your thinking…”how could a Simon game be on a Top 20 Best App Store iPhone Applications list.” Well, I will tell you. Have you ever wondered why Simon was so popular back in the day? It is because it was simple, but brilliant. That is exactly what Garf is. Garf is a simple memory game, but since it is so brilliant, it is very…. Addicting. This game is well done, has tons of levels and will keep you wanting to come back to get higher scores. Hey, if you don’t believe me, read some of the reviews.
19. Versus Chess
Here is the reason this game is worth buying: You can play a simple, but elegant game of chess with a real human being anywhere around the world as long as you have an edge or wifi connection. Are you sold?
20. Trism
My last app is a one of my favorite games on my iPhone. Trism uses all of iPhones technologies to create a bejeweled like game that will blow your mind away. The graphics are amazing, the gameplay is very original and it is a hell lot of fun. You use the iPhone accelerometer to choose which way the rows and column will fall. This type of control is very unique and fun to use. I find this game to be flawless and deserves every penny. Buy it.
If I had the time, I would add 40 more apps to this list. Hopefully you found this useful, whether you were trying to find some apps to download or just wanted small reviews of them. Thanks for reading 
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July 27th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
One app that I can’t live without but isn’t as well-known as it ought to be (yet) is Appigo’s Todo task management app. I tried out a few of the free apps, bought OmniFocus and Things, and they can’t compare to how simple and powerful Todo is.
Gabe Jacobs reply on July 27th, 2008 1:49 pm:
I am not much of a to do app kind of guy. Personally I do not find any use for them. From first look, Omnifocus looks the best, but I will definitely try out todo after reading your comment. Thanks!
August 8th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Thanks Gabe, very cool! Jim
October 31st, 2008 at 8:57 am
Awesome!
Thank you for ur review