The ones I use most often are Wikipanion, for direct access to Wikipedia, and AirSharing, for the ability to move files between home and work.

I gotta say, as much as I'd like an iPhone, I still won't get one because I'd like to stick with Verizon as my service provider. I used to be an AT&T customer and wasn't happy with it reception-wise.

Gus: But can your phone iFart?

Most of the applications you list are on my iPhone, but I never use them. Here are the ones I actually use: Sol Free, a solitaire card game, good for checkout line ups, etc. WeDict, a dictionary program that also has a thesaurus and etymology feature if you opt for the pay version, very useful for writers or bar bets. I use it a lot. Stanza ebook reader, for reading when no real print material is available. Not much else.

From Gus: Interesting. Thanks, bshell. Today, while on the job, I've used my iPhone to browse news headlines while working from my car. I took photos and emailed them to my editor, who could get a sense of a crime scene I'm covering (not for this blog), and I used Google Maps live GPS to travel to a less-familiar part of the city, without having to break out my $350 GPS unit. Granted, I didn't make use of the few apps I've already downloaded, but I suspect I will, particularly in job-related instances.

I love ocarina .99
Also fitio for logging exercise
Vlingo for voice activation

From Gus: Cool. You're the second person to mention Ocarina to me today!

For the record, I was not the female co-worker fooled by the iFart.

From Gus: Oh, but one day, I will fool you when you least expect it. :-)

I use Pinger phone instead of the built in iPhone Phone feature. Mobile Files which does what Air Sharing does but doesn't need wifi. You just have access to whatever files you have in iDisk on MobileMe. iTV to see what's on TV and you can even access your Netflix account. GoodRec which is a user based recommendation app. I've used it to find good food when I travel and the recs are usually right on. iStockManager to see real-time quotes and even trade stock.

From Gus: Thanks, Jwon! I hadn't heard of most of those.

Like dan thanh, I'm a committed Verizon customer. I like that big crowd of people following me around.

But I have been thisclose to getting an iPod Touch. You wouldn't know if iFart is available for the Touch would you? That might be enough to push me over the edge.

(BTW, I haven't seen a Whoopee Cushion in years, but there is an electronic fart machine--with a remote control--out there. Someone brought it into the office one day and we had lots of fun with it.)

Bucky, rest assured that an iPod Touch should allow you to download and use the iFart application with reckless abandon. --- lfk

From Gus: Bucky, if you finally buy an iPod Touch and download the iFart app, feel free to email me your favorite fart. (yes, you can email farts to your friends.)

Gus,
I've been thinking about getting an iPhone. Can you please tell us what you think about it? Do you have internet access no matter where you are? Thanks.

George, I intend to write a followup post about my personal experience with it so far. Stay tuned. - Gus

iCaved, too. Last week specifically. The integration with my iMac is seamless and really really slick.

I transferred my number from Verizon to ATT and it went smoothly and have not lost service in any areas that I didn't lose with Verizon.

Cool. Do you find yourself using the data/Internet a lot? Do you mostly surf using the 3G network or whatever Wi-Fi hotspot you pick up? -Gus

You have to get vlingo. It's free and works great. best voice recognition software I ever worked with. No training, just talk and it does all the work. Phone calls, web search,whatever.

Thanks. I'll check it out. Just this morning, I downloaded the free Google Search app, which allows you to speak your search terms into the phone. So far, it's worked very well -- except it didn't recognize my last name, and instead searched for "sentimentalist." But it found "Baltimore Sun" and "Maryland Judiciary Case Search" on the first try. -Gus

Without a doubt, Beer Hero has been the most useful app for me. It cost couple of dollars but it was worth it.

The 2 apps that I like best are iHandy Level. This one allows you to display a bubble level on your iPhone or iPod Touch.
I also like the TipStar. My friends and I split restaurant bills equally. This one solves the question of how much per person with a few quick entries.

I've noticed iHandy has some of the best user reviews in the App Store. I don't do much carpentry (okay, you got me: I don't do ANY carpentry) but I still just might download that app b/c it seems to work very well. -Gus

I'm surprised no one mentioned these:

Evernote: superb for capturing text, picture or voice notes/memos

vlingo: Twitter handsfree (i.e. using voice), also voice dialing, voice Facebook status updates, voice Google search, and others)

Snaptell: Take a picture of a book cover, CD or videogame and get reviews and comparison prices at retailers -- like Shazam but with pictures. Just awesome.

Instapaper: capture webpages on your computer and automatically sync with your phone for reading later.

Flixster: keep on top of local movie showtimes, DVD releases, etc. Used this the other day to watch trailers of "second choice" movies when the one I wanted to see was sold out. Did this while IN LINE at the theater.

The Omnifocus iPhone app" If you use Omnifocus on your Mac, this needs no explanation.

Those are a few.

It's an incredible device. True game-changer IMHO, fart apps aside.

Thanks for the tips! I don't think I knew about most of these. Will check out. -Gus

I am a Verizon convert. The AT&T network is not as strong but it hasn't been too bad. Phone apps and overal user experience is way cool and easy to use. I know apps existed on Verizon but Apple makes them so easy to find and use.

MyLists - Can make all kinds of lists. Movies. Books. Loans. Resolutions. Gift IDeas.
ShoppingList - Great for grocery shopping
Zippo Lighter - Like iFart. Funny at concerts
AroundMe - Great locator when you travel for coffee, food, pubs, anything

Gus, If you are looking for a good to-do app, check out Things. Especially recommended if you are a Mac user since it syncs effortlessly with the desktop version.

Thanks, Brian. Will definitely check out, asap. -Gus

Most of the apps listed here are fun little things, and could lead people unfamiliar with iPhones to believe that's about all that's there. That's too bad because some of the apps are simply incredible. I am a professional pilot and one app in particular is worth every cent I have paid for the phone and service - it's called ForeFlight. With it I can plan domestic and international trips, obtain all the FAA weather products, NOTAMS, SIGMETS/AIRMETS, TAFS, METARS, ATC delays, do flight planning, file my flight plans, and even review all US approach plates. And that's just one app. There are outstanding, professional apps for every discipline I can think of - physics, medicine, transportation, engineering. The list is incredible. There is nothing else on the market that can compare because in the end, it really a powerful computer with a built-in phone. Don't believe the hype about Verizon service being so good. I had them for five years and ATT with 3G speeds knocks their socks off!

hahaa. That's too funny. I wish I had iFart for my android!

The At&t employees should state that if you have a 1st generation iphone you can't upgrade to the refurbish 3G for the 99.00 X-Mass sale or even their new online price for refurbish iphone $149.00. It's only for new customer. At least that's what they told me and a friend of mine. Old customer will have to still pay $199.00 to upgrade.

I have four pages of apps, but here are the ones I use over and over:

AP - Associated Press news feed. Super convenient and faster than firing up the browser for a quick news fix.

BofA - my Bank's iPhone app. Simple and basic, but it handles the odd need to check balance or transfer some more money to the joint checking account.

Air Sharing - great for transferring files to or from anywhere, and keeping a small mobile reference library on hand

Big Tipper - Great little tip calculator... I'm still seeking perfection there.

Flixster - Want to see a movie? See what's showing nearby, or at your favorite cineplex. Read reviews. See trailers. All free.

Evernote - Way better than Apple's note application, since it syncs online and is thus accessible on any computer.

Bejeweled - Best little time wasting game ever

Urban Spoon - So, where do you want to eat? What's good around here? It knows.

Amazon.com - Standing in the aisle at the department store, you ask yourself: Is this a good price, or should I try to save some bucks and buy it online? This app is way faster than surfing via the browser.

I have many more, and use most of them, but these ones see the most regular use.

Thanks Kalani. Those do sound like good apps. I'll check them ALL out. :-) - Gus

No, but I have a dog who farts! That's way better.

Great Time-wasters:
• Koi Pond
* Mr. Trivia
* Sextuple (word game)
• Ambiance
• Everest

Productivity:
• Google Mobile (voice recognition to ask questions)
• Recorder
• Say who (voice dialer...not the best)
• Jott
• Save Benji's

You guys need a phone to fart?

gus,

when i saw the tease that a sun reporter just bought an iphone because of the ifart application, i knew it had to be you. love it! 21st century journalism. ur going places.

mj

Matt -- if you ever host a press conference in the future, I will be sure to use my iFart to disrupt it! ;-) Gus

Gus-

I primarily use the G3 network as there are fewer and fewer free wifi hotspots around that one can tap into.

The unlimited data plan makes this no big deal. Today however, is my first day back at work (out in the sticks) and I am having some issues with the 3g network out here. Funny thing is that I was on the Eastern Shore this weekend and I had 3G service for nearly the entire time.

I upgraded my phone this weekend too but am a loyal Verizon customer and went with the LG phone that flips open to a full keyboard for texting and email craziness. Enjoy that application though Gus. Haha!

Let me know how that phone style works out for you. I have an aversion to too many moving parts on a cellphone, because I fear screws coming loose and parts snapping off. (I haven't played with the LG phone you describe, though.) - Gus

Gus, I usually use 3G. I have wifi at home and I honestly can't tell the speed difference between the two. I'm not sure why AT&T gets such a bad rap. I love my service here, have great coverage and also when I travel. I upgraded MobileFiles to MobileFiles Pro yesterday for $10 and love it. I am able to access my excel file from MobileMe or I can download it to my iPhone. I can edit and make changes to it which are functions that are well worth the 10 bucks. I absolutely love my iPhone. It truly keeps getting better each week as I find more cool apps. Not sure why anyone would go with an inferior phone just to stick with Verizon. Oh well, their loss.

So far so good Gus. I like the flip open to the keypad. I also like that the front key pad locks so the keys don't dumb dial in my purse. To unlock, I have to hit OK which also keeps my toddlers from calling anyone. They can't read yet. :) The screens look great and the sound and picture qualities are way better than what I was dealing with.