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Neowin's top 10 iPhone apps you can't live without

Andrew Lyle   on 23 December 2008 - 18:48 · 69 comments & 23051 views

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Neowin and its members have compiled a list of their favourite applications that they can't live without. A list was compiled of the top 10 applications members require and keep on their iPhone.

#10 Palringo: An application to keep in touch with friends with Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo, AOL, Gadu-Gadu, AOL ICQ, XMPP / Jabber, Google Talk, and iChat. The applications lets users stay in touch from their iPhone by using a lot of the features in the full version of the messenger clients.

#9 Winterboard: Only known to be found on Cydia, this application allows full customization on the iPhone, from changing the background wallpaper, adding custom themes, changing icons, and many more tweaks, users can fully customize their iPhone to look and feel the way they want.

#8 Tris: Bringing back the basics from users childhood, Tris allows users to play the old fashion game of Tetris right on their iPhone. Users can enjoy and relive their past with Tetris.

#7 Tap Tap Revenge: Putting your skills and fingers to the test, the inspired application from the popular video game, Guitar Hero brings the unique style of game play, matching the beat and hitting the notes as the song plays.

#6 Night Stand: Night Stand is a portable digital read out clock for beside your bed with a variation of skins to change colour and appearance. Users can set up their iPhone anywhere, always bringing their clock on the go.

#5 Google Mobile App: The mobile applications can help users find businesses within their location using My Location software built into the iPhone. Search for places to eat within the area, bringing up detailed information about the business / restaurant. This application is an improved variation of the Safari browser experience with Google.

#4 Air Sharing: Now you can sync between your device and your Mac, Linux or Windows PC for files on the go. With a drag and drop, users can view and share documents over Wi-Fi without the need for using FTP clients.

#3 Shazam: An amazing application that can find details about a song by placing the iPhone up to a speaker, and Shazam will find the song title and artist for you, also providing links to the iTunes store, and even YouTube videos for users to enjoy. A must get application

#2 Remote: Control your iTunes or AppleTV from anywhere inside of your house, on Windows or your Mac. Users can search libraries, play, stop, skip music, and arrange music playlists all from their iPhone. A must get application

#1 Facebook: With social networks being so popular today, it is hard to not keep up with your friends, even on the go. Post messages on friend's wall, browse photos, upload photos, check your mail, and chat with friends online. Facebook application makes it easy for users to stay in touch with family and friends, but a facebook account is required. A must get application.

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 69 additional comments
(7 replies) #1 +majortom1981 on 23 Dec 2008 - 18:59
would you be able to do this for windows mobile phones also?
#1.1 lylesback2 on 23 Dec 2008 - 19:14
majortom1981 said,
would you be able to do this for windows mobile phones also?

Yup sure. But I need members input.

Windows Mobile Discussion

iPhone App Discussion
#1.2 +majortom1981 on 23 Dec 2008 - 19:33
lylesback2 said,
Yup sure. But I need members input.

Windows Mobile Discussion

iPhone App Discussion


Thanks. Just got an htc fuze and dont know any good programs for it.
#1.3 SoulEata on 24 Dec 2008 - 17:50
What's sad is that the iPhone list is being done before the WinMo list on a site called neowin.net
#1.4 creamhackered on 24 Dec 2008 - 18:48
What's sad is that windows mobile is a dated and horrible mobile operating system compared to Apple's iPhone. Also the iPhone is much more popular than any windows mobile device will ever be!

Last edited by creamhackered on 25 Dec 2008 - 00:05
#1.5 SoulEata on 25 Dec 2008 - 01:45
Which is sad in itself, because my phone has bluetooth.
#1.6 /- Razorfold on 25 Dec 2008 - 10:37
creamhackered said,
What's sad is that windows mobile is a dated and horrible mobile operating system compared to Apple's iPhone. Also the iPhone is much more popular than any windows mobile device will ever be!


Really?

The iPhone Sucks
Posted by creamhackered on Jun 30 2007, 15:13 ยท 7 CommentsYes that's right.

I'm fed up of hearing about this device as if it's an amazing phone. Sure it has some nice multi touch features that manufacturers like Nokia, Samsung and HTC are currently lacking but missing out the basic things like MMS, supporting other headphones, 3G, 3rd party application development, non removable battery, no adobe flash and a basic 2MP camera make it hardly "revolutionary".

I'm a fan of the iPods, they're simple and have a great interface and work well but the iPhone is still a new device for Apple - maybe I'll pick one up in a few versions time once it has matured. I don't like the way Apple have locked it to AT&T and Apple only applications, that truly sucks compared to Windows Mobile.


Windows mobile is old, agreed, but it works great. Sure it has a few problems, but with a site like XDA-Developers they aren't hard to fix.

Get yourself a custom rom, flash it. Isn't that hard.
#1.7 creamhackered on 26 Dec 2008 - 13:14
Yeah my opinion changed on the 2nd revision (3G) with the AppStore. You can't deny that Apple has a great platform now.
(10 replies) #2 Airlink on 23 Dec 2008 - 19:14
I can live without all of those, considering I don't have or want the iPhone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL2l_Q1AR_Q
Now look sad and say "Think Different"
#2.1 excalpius on 23 Dec 2008 - 21:33
What's with the stupid Hulu ad spam?!
#2.2 Airlink on 24 Dec 2008 - 04:05
Considering it's not a Hulu ad, it's not stupid, and it's not spam; I have to conclude that you didn't actually watch the video, excalpius.
#2.3 Vezineth on 24 Dec 2008 - 06:00
'Youtube' is clearly written on the link , so where did Hulu come from ? Are you high ?
#2.4 RAID 0 on 24 Dec 2008 - 10:17
I'm high. Do I get a cookie?
#2.5 +d4v1d05 on 24 Dec 2008 - 10:36
So, Airlink, you base your purchases on what a cartoon says you should? Yeah, you're "thinking differently."
#2.6 Airlink on 24 Dec 2008 - 14:24
Are you so deluded that you think people base their purchasing decisions on what they see on an episode of the simpsons? Do you actually think I based my decision to not buy an iPhone off a cartoon, or did not think at all? Get real.

Here's a helpful hint: Try actually thinking about what you plan to write BEFORE you write it.

Merry Christmas.
#2.7 non.sequitur2 on 24 Dec 2008 - 18:44
RAID 0 said,
I'm high. Do I get a cookie?


You get handcuffs, or those cute little twisty tie-thingies. And hopefully a kick to the face that knocks all your teeth out...
#2.8 cyberdrone2000 on 24 Dec 2008 - 18:48
Airlink said,
Considering it's not a Hulu ad, it's not stupid, and it's not spam; I have to conclude that you didn't actually watch the video, excalpius.

Vezineth said,
'Youtube' is clearly written on the link , so where did Hulu come from ? Are you high ?

If you WATCH THE VIDEO, despite being on YouTube, it starts and ends with an ad for Hulu (or a Hulu intro with the url of Hulu).
Looks like a Hulu ad to me...
Oh, and the Simpsons ad this came from was pretty funny for all the (m)Apple humour.
#2.9 RAID 0 on 24 Dec 2008 - 20:34
non.sequitur2 said,
You get handcuffs, or those cute little twisty tie-thingies. And hopefully a kick to the face that knocks all your teeth out...


With all that anger, it sounds like you need to smoke a fat DOOBIE, brother.
#2.10 DecoyDuck on 24 Dec 2008 - 23:45
RAID 0 said,
I'm high. Do I get a cookie?


Nope, I already ate them all...
(5 replies) #3 Dane2003 on 23 Dec 2008 - 19:38
How did Palringo get on there? Its absolute garbage compared to BeeJive IM for iPhone.
#3.1 lylesback2 on 23 Dec 2008 - 20:38
Dane2003 said,
How did Palringo get on there? Its absolute garbage compared to BeeJive IM for iPhone.

It was put on there because that is what the members voted for.
#3.2 MulletRobZ on 24 Dec 2008 - 01:14
At least Palringo works. I tested other iPhone IM apps that don't work at all.
#3.3 Dane2003 on 24 Dec 2008 - 06:36
lylesback2 said,
It was put on there because that is what the members voted for.

Oh, I wasnt aware people actually voted on this list. I still think BeeJive IM is a better app and worth the premium...but the members have spoken!
#3.4 creamhackered on 24 Dec 2008 - 18:50
Beejive is by far the best im I agree
#3.5 saxondale. on 25 Dec 2008 - 17:12
I'm a beta tester for Palringo and they definitely have some awesome ideas, which are currently being implemented. It's also free.
(3 replies) #4 Galley on 23 Dec 2008 - 20:09
Why include apps that require a jailbroken iPhone?
#4.1 lylesback2 on 23 Dec 2008 - 20:38
Galley said,
Why include apps that require a jailbroken iPhone?

Because those are applications that Neowin members use. The highest voted application gets put on there, and Winterboard had votes. Can't say no to jailbroken applications now can I?
#4.2 zalman on 24 Dec 2008 - 02:57
good, quit being a douche galley, I plan to jailbreak mine too
#4.3 +Vlad on 31 Dec 2008 - 09:57
zalman said,
good, quit being a douche galley, I plan to jailbreak mine too


Chill out. It wouldn't hurt to indicate which apps require a jailbroken iphone or have just have two lists for the two groups. No need to go all wharrgarbl on people.
#5 DomZ on 23 Dec 2008 - 20:11
Some from me:

Free RSS
PDAnet
(2 replies) #6 Si on 23 Dec 2008 - 20:22
Mocha VNC
Mocha RDP
iSSH
WiFinder
Tuner

FTW.
#6.1 +M2Ys4U on 24 Dec 2008 - 01:43
Si said,
Mocha VNC
Mocha RDP
iSSH
WiFinder
Tuner

FTW.

The latest update of Mocha VNC Lite (the free one) sucks now
#6.2 zalman on 24 Dec 2008 - 02:58
explain my2ysresdfdfs
#7 bdsams on 23 Dec 2008 - 20:30
Everyone needs to get Lux Touch, its a free, risk type, game that is hours of fun
(2 replies) #8 Rob on 23 Dec 2008 - 21:08
Link to them on the App store (or their official web pages) please!
#8.1 Popcorned1 on 23 Dec 2008 - 21:12
Add screenshots too.
#8.2 +d4v1d05 on 24 Dec 2008 - 10:37
Popcorned1 said,
Add screenshots too.

pics or it didn't happen...
#9 Sam Symons Live on 23 Dec 2008 - 21:39
Strongly agree with Winterboard. Fantastic app, although I don't get to use it any more -- 2G iPod touch.
(1 reply) #10 tareqsiraj on 23 Dec 2008 - 22:00
Interesting ... didn't know about Shazam. What I really want to see is luxor game on the iphone .
#10.1 +TCLN Ryster on 23 Dec 2008 - 22:29
tareqsiraj said,
Interesting ... didn't know about Shazam. What I really want to see is luxor game on the iphone .

Shazam is great. I've used it in many places where I've heard a song playing that I like. I just fire up Shazam and it tells me the title and artist of the song, and even links to the iTunes Music store so I can buy it if I want. It's very handy.
(1 reply) #11 +JMann on 23 Dec 2008 - 22:31
Great Article, time to start downloading more Apps then!
#11.1 lylesback2 on 23 Dec 2008 - 22:51
JMann said,
Great Article, time to start downloading more Apps then!

Thank you
#12 Jelly2003 on 23 Dec 2008 - 23:05
Also, don't forget my personal favourite, Fairfax Radio News:
http://www.fairfaxradionews.com.au/

A great little app that plays radio news to you via a cute little built in player, it's supposedly updated every hour of the day, and every half hour between 6am and 11am.
(1 reply) #13 cardg on 23 Dec 2008 - 23:57
#0 (future 1) Documents to go
I cant wait this to be launched... editing word finally
#13.1 LTD on 24 Dec 2008 - 00:28
cardg said,
#0 (future 1) Documents to go
I cant wait this to be launched... editing word finally


Office doc editing is on the way, rest assured.
(2 replies) #14 J400uk on 24 Dec 2008 - 00:13
Tris is great, but I feel it does not deserve a place on the leaderboard as ITS NOT possible to download this app anymore..
#14.1 LTD on 24 Dec 2008 - 00:29
J400uk said,
Tris is great, but I feel it does not deserve a place on the leaderboard as ITS NOT possible to download this app anymore..


Just get Tetris, same thing. Works very well.
#14.2 simon360 on 24 Dec 2008 - 01:14
Tetris costs money, doesn't it? Back in the day, Tris was free, and imo is far better than the official Tetris anyway.
#15 bdsams on 24 Dec 2008 - 00:31
Also forgot, Pandora is a must have!
#16 zalman on 24 Dec 2008 - 02:48
provide itunes link
#17 m!ke on 24 Dec 2008 - 07:14
Timmie Me for canadians!
#18 +Jase on 24 Dec 2008 - 07:44
Might want to add Rolando to this list
#19 barteh on 24 Dec 2008 - 08:02
night stand isnt that great.
The clock is far too bright to be in a bedroom and you dont want to be adjusting your brightness everythime you go to bed.
#20 ivan300 on 24 Dec 2008 - 08:26
Some apps i cant live without that weren't mentioned
WunderRadio - Simply the best radio program out there!!!!!!!!!!!! has every station i can think of, sorted by city or type
Warfare Inc - rts game
BeejiveIm - the best IM program hands down
OneTap - shows near by theaters
snes4iphone,gpSPhone,genesis4iphone - emulators
Cycorder - free video recorder in cydia, its amazing
BossTool and BossPrefs - Lots of features like, numeric battery
MxTube - downloads youtube videos in high quality
Converter - converts every possible unit into another
Installous -


#21 BlackTigerAP on 24 Dec 2008 - 09:23
Does Winterboard work on (non hacked) iPhone 2.x?
I'm still on 1.x because I hate how Apple "reinvented wallpaper".
(1 reply) #22 Fagutish on 24 Dec 2008 - 11:32
why the facebook app? That one doesnt compute. What can you do on the facebook appstore application that you cant with the iphone.facebook site..or better yet the standard facebook.com you can access any of these on an iphone.

BlackTigerAP: Winterboard is for jailbroken iPhones ( hax ) but its a pretty easy hack to accomplish Highly recommended.
http://blog.iphone-dev.org/post/61060174/t...onte-he-say-yes
#22.1 lylesback2 on 24 Dec 2008 - 16:10
Fagutish said,
why the facebook app? That one doesnt compute. What can you do on the facebook appstore application that you cant with the iphone.facebook site..or better yet the standard facebook.com you can access any of these on an iphone.

BlackTigerAP: Winterboard is for jailbroken iPhones ( hax ) but its a pretty easy hack to accomplish Highly recommended.
http://blog.iphone-dev.org/post/61060174/t...onte-he-say-yes

Because it was the top "Application" people had on their iPhones. These are the applications neowin members use, and "can't live without". Sure people could even use the Google.com, but some have the Google Mobile App installed on their phone
#23 MountainSnake on 24 Dec 2008 - 12:28
#11 Copy and Paste Suite
#24 supernova_00 on 24 Dec 2008 - 15:49
No iBoobs :shocked:
(1 reply) #25 C_Guy on 24 Dec 2008 - 16:06
You know, in my day, people used mobile phones to talk to each other. With their voice. Using full words and sentences. That never seems to be mentioned as a feature of the iPhone. Wonder if it's even included.
#25.1 LTD on 24 Dec 2008 - 19:18
Is this a commentary on the social alienation caused by a commodity-driven society?

Or are you just being facetious?
#26 +techbeck on 25 Dec 2008 - 03:30
Yea, I can live without an iPhone...I can live without these apps.
(1 reply) #27 Hills420 on 25 Dec 2008 - 04:03
facebook crashes a lot, I disagree with it being #1. I'd move Remote up to the top spot.
#27.1 creamhackered on 26 Dec 2008 - 13:15
Yeah and the developer seems to have gone on radio silence and isn't fixing anything.
(1 reply) #28 Optimash Prime on 25 Dec 2008 - 07:56
can you use such appz on a ipodtouch ?...
#28.1 gazebee2001 on 25 Dec 2008 - 23:20
Yup, except for Shazam 'cuz we dont have microphones in the touches. My vote goes to Fring instead of Palringo (in the discussion of free IM apps). Having skype is pretty sweet too.
#29 mmannai on 29 Dec 2008 - 09:52
actually u can use mics in the 2G Touches by using the new Apple In-ear headphones....
Shazam works perfectly along with fring and tru-phone.
(1 reply) #30 este on 29 Dec 2008 - 14:32
Can anyone recommend a (free) IRC client app?
#30.1 lylesback2 on 30 Dec 2008 - 00:31
este said,
Can anyone recommend a (free) IRC client app?

I could only find this useful link for IRC on the iPhone. I didn't know it was possible until now:
http://www.gearlive.com/news/article/q307-...-on-the-iphone/

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