Macgasm

Christine Morris is the host of the quirky iPhone application review show Apps and Hats, as well as one of our co-jurors over at The App Star Awards, . We’ve decided to get some application recommendations from members of the jury since they’re all as geeky about iPhones as we are. It’s win-win-win for all of us.

You can check out our other App Star Jury guest posts here.

5 Apps that illustrate what the iPhone is all about.

If you were to make a list of your favorite apps I’m sure you would find it difficult. For me, it would come down to that exact moment in time that I was using my iPhone, and what I was using it for. I have favorite productivity, books, photography, games… the list goes on, and apps that I really can’t live without (yes that would be a Twitter apps of course!).

That made me think … actually, if I was going to make a list of 5 apps I’d have to highlight, for me something that is essential, I call it *iPhoneness*.

That’s what it’s all about.

Which apps take the unique interface and properties of this device and really spend some time, effort and perspiration to give us the new and innovative… These apps got my pulse racing and they used that sexy iPhoneness in new and unique or even ground breaking ways (yes, I know, they’re just apps!). Interestingly it seems that the people working in the games field seem to be the most innovative. This isn’t scientific research of course, just my observation.

Here are 5 apps that I feel have captured the essence of the iPhone (hmm wonder if I could bottle & wear that).

Flight Control

Flight Control was a real bright spark when it came out. It really took the idea of us using the touchscreen to control the planes. It was exciting! The interface of this game is simple, elegant and it has a cute soundtrack (which I think is too brief). When it came to our screens it was a huge hit, even for folks who were not big game players, they wanted to see what all the fuss was about. The first version released was basic, having just one style of game play and no real connection for high scores. Now we see it in all its glory with many different airfields and connection to high scores. This makes for real addiction. What’s not to love?

Just to mention of course that it also led the spin off games of the equally addictive Harbor Master and Car Mania which both deserve a look at.

Assassin FPS

Assassin FPS this beauty really makes a cross over with the traditional FPS style games because it lets us use our environment. What the app does is it uses the camera as the games background and let’s us ‘shoot’ what’s on screen. I can tell you from experience that if I am having any type of car journey with the kids my device always ends up with them and they shoot the traffic non-stop. Sure it’s essentially a simple idea, but they did it and I love it! You can also use the camera to take a picture and keep your shooting as an image file. They are busy making even more weapons for us to take our frustrations out! Worth a try.

Bed Bugs

Bed Bugs is a game that I loved from the second I saw it. I couldn’t put it down once I started to play! The design of it is so crisp and imaginative but that’s not even the reason why I love it so much. It really uses the device in a way that makes us really get that adrenaline pumping through the manic gameplay. There are levels in this game that require us to use both hands for squishing these bugs! It can be fast and furious and only on this device is it possible.

My only complaint is that I really really *really* want more levels. Or even an infinity mode, I just can’t get enough of this game and infinity would make my life complete.

Tweet ‘n Walk

Tweet ‘n Walk also uses the camera to make those of us with slight addictions to Twitter a happier bunch. Basically, when you use this app, it will show you Twitter and your environment (using the camera as your eyes). If I am walking I can launch this app and ‘see’ where I am going. Great for those busy days when you just want to send a quick tweet or two between tasks. It has a really nice design when you tweet, showing the twitter bird on your screen and is a great app to use when you are on the go. I’m still undecided if it makes me feel noxious or not when I use it but it just doesn’t matter, they made an app that uses the iPhone cleverly and there have since been copies of it.

Slight downside to this app still and not the fault of the developer is that the keyboard is solid, reducing the visible area slightly. I’m not sure if this is something that can be altered or not.

Air Mouse

Lastly, Air Mouse is a great idea for an alternative use for your iPhone. You need a working wifi connection to get your device to connect with your computer, but once you do it has so many options. You can use it as a trackpad device, but you can also access shortcuts to popular programs, like iTunes, Safari etc. You can click basic keyboard items (and full keyboard if you want to) such as your F keys, arrows, home, enter and full music volume controls. It has three modes of use, Air Motion, Touch Motion and Scrolling so you can use this device how it suits you best. You can also use it in landscape so there is more room for your fingers. I can’t think of any other features I’d like this app to have, it easily feels like the most comprehensive app for use as a trackpad/air device.

Sometimes my network isn’t as great as it should be so there are slight issues with connectivity, and you may need to keep your phone plugged in if you will be using it all day.

Conclusion

These apps for me really make the difference between having an iPhone compared to other types of smartphones. They are usually the ones that I take out to show people to explain why this device is so amazing and why there is still so much room for development. Let’s keep those clever sexy apps coming folks! Hope you give some of them a try if you haven’t already.

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