10 free iPhone apps
All the must-have apps, none of the cost
Feature
iPhones are awesome, aren't they? They're so good, in fact, that Itchy are pretty sure they'll rule the world one day. We'd vote for Apple in an election any day. In a perfect, utopian world, everything would operate via a creation of Steve Jobs. It'd be boring, of course, but God would it be efficient and sleek.
Anyway – apps make owning your little metal box worthwhile. And what better than free ones. Here is a list of 10 applications we think you should be uploading to make your life easier and your bank balance happier. Who says nothing in life is free?
Gorilla cam One thing about the iPhone is that the camera has never been brilliant. You can't zoom, the pixels are lacking and sometimes your shots come out looking as if you've taken them through cling film. This app goes some way to improving your snapper, amalgamating a lot of features that several other apps offer, such as a timer, multi shot feature, spirit level, onscreen grid, and 'press anywhere' capture.
Thetrainline Trains are an excellent way of, you know, travelling. The tricky, important part is getting on the right one. With this nifty app, the trainline lets you plan journeys, have access to offline results, and see timetables. It's extremely easy to use and there's also a very handy location aware 'next train home' feature. What's more, this app basically does the same job as a more expensive, £5 alternative.
Tonepad Sometimes the iPhone is good because of it's 'fucking around' abilities. Here we have a digital sound toy that's as addictive as it is pointless. A grid based interface enables you to turn notes on and off and compose nice loops to allow the creation of noises. Edit, save and upload your masterpieces.
Now playing Select a film and Now Playing will seek you out, list cinemas relevant to your area and movie, and show corresponding times. It's easy to use and a perfect companion if going to the flicks is your thing.
Stanza Who needs a Kindle when you've got an iPhone and apps like Stanza. With this freebie you can download an impossibly vast array of titles and have them all in your pocket for perusal at any time. Choose from different sources, and select the material you want. Come to think of it...who needs a bookshop?
Skype
With a clean, efficient interface and free calls to any Skype users, you can't really argue with this important app. If you have a pay and go mobile, or an ipod touch, you'll feel the benefit of this even more as it enables parts of your handsets that were previously unattainable. If you're friends don't have Skype, not to worry, as the calls are on the cheap side.
Wikipanion Perfect for those arguments down the pub, or for a spot of idle learning – this wealth of knowledge in your pocket is a must-have app. The Wikipedia client boasts quick article access, in article searching, bookmarking ability and a feature to tweet whatever randomness you've just discovered.
Pandora This music wonderment is a free, personalized radio service that allows you to create custom radio stations that stream straight to your iPhone. Never be without music again. Voila: a personal jukebox.
Ebay If you're always on the lookout for a bargain or interested in making a sale then this app will be right up your street. Of course, everyone's heard of the famous auction site, but some of you might not have downloaded the fantastically well designed app. Search, bid and check auction activity with a functional summary screen that gathers things you're watching, winning bids and stuff you've won and been outbid on. Going, going, gone.
Shazam Another music based one now with the free and fun Shazam. Ever find yourself listening to a tune you love, but can't pick the name? This app dispels with those embarrassing moments when you have to sing terribly at your mates in the vain hope they know what the hell you're on about. Simply activate Shazam and hold it up to the speaker and it'll 'tag' your song within seconds and give you the exact result. It's surprisingly reliable and knowledgable and provides links to buy the music once it's identified it.
Gorilla cam One thing about the iPhone is that the camera has never been brilliant. You can't zoom, the pixels are lacking and sometimes your shots come out looking as if you've taken them through cling film. This app goes some way to improving your snapper, amalgamating a lot of features that several other apps offer, such as a timer, multi shot feature, spirit level, onscreen grid, and 'press anywhere' capture.
Thetrainline Trains are an excellent way of, you know, travelling. The tricky, important part is getting on the right one. With this nifty app, the trainline lets you plan journeys, have access to offline results, and see timetables. It's extremely easy to use and there's also a very handy location aware 'next train home' feature. What's more, this app basically does the same job as a more expensive, £5 alternative.
Tonepad Sometimes the iPhone is good because of it's 'fucking around' abilities. Here we have a digital sound toy that's as addictive as it is pointless. A grid based interface enables you to turn notes on and off and compose nice loops to allow the creation of noises. Edit, save and upload your masterpieces.
Now playing Select a film and Now Playing will seek you out, list cinemas relevant to your area and movie, and show corresponding times. It's easy to use and a perfect companion if going to the flicks is your thing.
Stanza Who needs a Kindle when you've got an iPhone and apps like Stanza. With this freebie you can download an impossibly vast array of titles and have them all in your pocket for perusal at any time. Choose from different sources, and select the material you want. Come to think of it...who needs a bookshop?
Skype
With a clean, efficient interface and free calls to any Skype users, you can't really argue with this important app. If you have a pay and go mobile, or an ipod touch, you'll feel the benefit of this even more as it enables parts of your handsets that were previously unattainable. If you're friends don't have Skype, not to worry, as the calls are on the cheap side.Wikipanion Perfect for those arguments down the pub, or for a spot of idle learning – this wealth of knowledge in your pocket is a must-have app. The Wikipedia client boasts quick article access, in article searching, bookmarking ability and a feature to tweet whatever randomness you've just discovered.
Pandora This music wonderment is a free, personalized radio service that allows you to create custom radio stations that stream straight to your iPhone. Never be without music again. Voila: a personal jukebox.
Ebay If you're always on the lookout for a bargain or interested in making a sale then this app will be right up your street. Of course, everyone's heard of the famous auction site, but some of you might not have downloaded the fantastically well designed app. Search, bid and check auction activity with a functional summary screen that gathers things you're watching, winning bids and stuff you've won and been outbid on. Going, going, gone.
Shazam Another music based one now with the free and fun Shazam. Ever find yourself listening to a tune you love, but can't pick the name? This app dispels with those embarrassing moments when you have to sing terribly at your mates in the vain hope they know what the hell you're on about. Simply activate Shazam and hold it up to the speaker and it'll 'tag' your song within seconds and give you the exact result. It's surprisingly reliable and knowledgable and provides links to buy the music once it's identified it.
