“There's an app for that.”
Who knew that the above statement, prominently featured in iPhone ads, would become part of the lexicon? Ever since the iPhone's debut, related applications have exploded, claiming to help organize your life or just to have fun. Apple's App Store features an astounding range of programs — so many that the shopping experience can be overwhelming. O'Reilly Publishing helps navigate through this clutter in Best iPhone Apps: The Guide for Discriminating Downloaders, a must have for both new and experienced iPhone owners.
Author Josh Clark, who tested each of the apps included in the book, divides the programs into several categories: “At Work,” “On the Town,” “At Leisure,” “At Play,” “At Home,” “On the Road,” and “For Your Health.” Adding to the user-friendly quality is that each chapter is color-coded, allowing for easy and quick reference. Screen captures illustrate the capabilities of each program, letting readers make more informed choices.
Clark's conversational, casual writing style sustains interest and evokes occasional chuckles. His titles, such as “Best App for When You Can't Hold It” (which locates the closest public bathrooms), “Best Game for A God Complex” (the Sims) and “Best App for Robot Crooners.” He specializes in offbeat recommendations — if you've ever wanted to create music, meditate, or create a Zen garden, Best iPhone Apps can help — but he also lists practical programs for scheduling, finding flights, tracking travel expenses, and sending or receiving documents. Information on using Skype with an iPhone will particularly appeal to those wishing to stretch their minutes. Want to book a cab, locate the nearest ATM, or discover how to say “where is an ATM” in French? Clark has suggestions for all of those tasks, often listing “honorable mentions” for various categories. Costs vary, ranging from free to almost $20 per download.
Article comments
1 - Al Sussman
The newest iPhone software also works in the iPod Touch so, if you don't want to put up with AT&T's lousy coverage, you don't have to get an iPhone to use these apps. Most of them are free or very inexpensive. The most expensive one I found was a $10 Major League Baseball At Bat app that gives you radio coverage of every game (both tems broadcasts) and free video of several games every week. So far, I've gotten around a dozen apps and they are very handy.
2 - Kit O'Toole
Interesting, Al, thanks for pointing that out! MLB at Bat sounds like a useful--and inexpensive--app.