Mike’s 10 Essential iPhone/iPod Touch Apps

So people always ask me “Mike, I’m getting an iPod Touch. What apps should I get first?” And I just chuckle and give them this list. So, without further ado, here is my list of 10 essential iPhone/iPod Touch apps.

1.Facebook [Free] [iTunes Link]

I think this one is just obvious. It seems like today, almost everyone I know has a Facebook. The interface is very easy and fast, with features such as Status Updating, Message Writing, Event Planning, and even built in chat. And with the 3.1 update, the app now boasts push notifications for status comments and new messages in your inbox.

2.Tweetie 2 [$2.99] [iTunes Link]

On the opposite side of the social network family is Twitter, the 140 character updating madhouse that has taken the world by storm. Twitter apps are a dime a dozen today, but this is my personal favorite. The streamlined interface makes it very easy to read a whole group of tweets, then pick up later where you left off. And the nice metallic sheen gives the whole app a clean and polished look.

3.Pandora Radio [Free] [iTunes Link]

Sometimes I just want to turn on music but without worrying about what playlist or song to listen to. That’s where Pandora Radio comes in. You choose a song or an artist that you like, and Pandora plays songs by that artist and songs that sound like the music of that artist. If you don’t have an iPhone or an iPod Touch you can still visit the web interface here.

4.Dropbox [Free] [iTunes Link]

Everyone here likes Dropbox, right? Right? Dropbox is the free service where you can sync files across multiple computers. Along with a nifty web interface, Dropbox also comes with it’s on iPhone app! You can see your files and view text files and documents. If you wish you can also add files as your “favorites”, making them available for offline use. This app is so simple it just works!

5. Canabalt [$2.99] [iTunes Link]

This has to be my go-to game for a quick spin. The premise is simple: you jump from building to building while all hell breaks loose around you. All you have to do is press the screen to jump. Mechas loom in the background, bulildings crumble, and ships fall right in front of you. Clever, simple, and addicting, this game is work every penny.

6.NetNewsWire [Free, Premium=$4.99][iTunes Link]

Let’s face it: the Google Reader mobile interface is terrible. I was looking for a new way to read my Google Reader subscriptions. Hence I stumbled on this little gem. The first thing you do when you start NetNewsWire is enter your Google account username and password. And Waboom! All your news is right there, sorted by the source. There is a premium version of the app, but I can’t speak for you’re $4.99 you would spend on it.

7.Skype [Free] [iTunes Link]

If there’s one desktop program I loooooooove, it’s Skype. Skype is the IM client known for it’s amazing quality video conferencing. With an iPod touch you can text chat with your Skype buddies. With an iPhone, you can actually talk to your contacts. I don’t think there’s much more to say about this app, besides that if you use Skype at all, even a little bit, you need to download this app.

8.IMDB [Free] [iTunes Link]

IMDB, or The Internet Movie Database, is an amazing project. It is THE place to go for everything about actors, directors, and movies in general. And this app brings the entire database to your fingertips, so to speak. This app is great for those times when you’re watching a movie and you think “Now where have I seen that actor before?” I really think that the most amazing part about this information is that it’s 100% free!

9. Evernote [Free] [iTunes Link]

Now what would an iPhone Swiss-Army kit be without good ‘ol Evernote? Evernote is not only an app, but also a desktop application and a web interface. You can write notes with text, add pictures, .mp3 files, .pdfs, and many more. My favorite part about this app is the ability to sync between iPhone to desktop to web and back over again. Never will you ever forget anything again!

10.Dan Bricklin’s Note Taker [Free, Premium $1.99] [iTunes Link]

Now this is one you don’t hear about every day. Note Taker is exactly what it sounds like: you take notes. But unlike other apps like Evernote, you actually write notes with your finger here. The interface is smooth and snappy, and writing with one finger feels very good. The app automatically pans over when you run out of room to write.

So there you have it. From the fun to the productive, these are the 10 apps you need to have on any iPhone or iPod Touch. I suggest getting a $15 iTunes card and buying all of these apps. You can get them all for $13, and still have $2 left to buy a new one-hit wonder song. What are your favorite iPhone/iPod Touch apps?

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