Having recently just acquired my new BFF, the 3G iPhone, I sought to determine which apps better enhanced the experience of being a total digital slave, wired (or chained) to e-mail and the Internet and multiple media at all times. I spent around six minutes trying out each app. If I couldn’t figure it out in at that amount of time, then the app has not done its job and needs an upgrade, or at least a better video tutorial.
One of the first things I downloaded, this is a streamlined version of the highly addictive social networking site but still based on the old version where the Wall and Mini-Feed are separated. It’s easier than accessing FB through the Internet browser, and here you can view photo albums, upload mobile photos already in your library, or snap a shot and immediately upload it to the feed. The chat feature is also present, as well as a Friends tab which alphabetically lists all your FB contacts, for easy stalking access.
Price: Free
iWalk
One of the many pedometers available on the Health and Fitness section of iTunes. I was told that you could lose a pound a week by walking 10,000 steps... a day. This sounded like an unimaginable amount of walking, so I tested iWalk to see just how much I normally do. From my house to the gym: around 100 steps, plus 2,000 from walking semi-briskly on the treadmill for 20 minutes. I guess I won’t be losing any weight soon. But strapped on to your hip or arm, the motion-sensitive iPhone is practically made for this app. The number of steps taken was in tune with my stride, and the rest of the information — like distance walked, calories burned and speed — all matched up to the numbers on the treadmill.
Price: $1.99
Muddled
Ever since the demise of Scrabulous on Facebook, life has not been the same. I’ve tried other word games, but they don’t give me the kind of extended thrill that comes from playing a long, drawn-out game with one or two friends in another part of the world, or even just in the next neighborhood. Bonds are formed and blood is spilled on a Scrabulous board. Anyway. Word Twist is perhaps the next best time waster, and Muddled for the iPhone is a similar anagram word game, which can serve as practice sessions for online tourneys.
Price: $1.99
GPS Tracker
This app uses GPS to track your location and map you online. Now why would I want to reveal to the world my latitudes much less my longitudes? Just in case I get lost (or God forbid my iPhone does), someone will be able to find me using Google Maps. You can even add the InstaMapper to your Facebook profile, which is creepy if you just sit in the office the whole day, but cool if you are chasing polar bears in the Arctic Circle. So far, I haven’t been “located” yet on this app, possibly because of the tall obstructive buildings in the city, or Makati hasn’t been fully mapped out yet. Get to work, Google!
Price: Free
Karaoke
This was the biggest disappointment. Its name promised music and lyrics, but it delivered nothing. It appears to be a song list organizer for some mystery karaoke database you must already be in possession of. The developer’s shady-looking, one-page website gives no further information either.
Price: $1.99
iDrum Hip-Hop Edition
It’s your very own beatbox machine! Pick among booty-shaking drum patterns like “Crunk as Funk,” “Tabla Rasa” and “Hyphy,” which are visualized as grids within grids. You can add layers upon layers of sounds like blips, hi hats, bass drones, and scratches to each section of the sample by simply pressing on blocks of colors. Even with random taps I have created some pretty complex beats that would do Kanye proud. They can be turned into ringtones as well. Now, if only I knew how to rap.
Price: $4.99