iPhone Apps

If you were to ask me, what is my favorite iPhone app, I'd probably draw a blank.  I have a ton of them on my phone, but for some reason I can never give a great answer to that question on the fly.  But yesterday I looked at my phone because I was trying to prove a point to someone by stressing that apps need to provide either utility or fun.  Or best case, both.  Turns out most of my apps provide utility.

Like most smart phone owners, I have the Facebook app.  I also have a Twitter-related app (Echofon to be exact).  But those are the obvious ones.  I have my own SmartMktg app on there too, but I won't lie, I never look at that.  I'm proud of it and will gladly show it to anyone that will look, but it doesn't offer much utility to me.  It might be to you if you prefer to read this blog via your iPhone.  But enough with the shameless plug.

Here are my current favorite apps and why:

1. Yelp - I use this app on average once a day.  If I'm at a restaurant that I've never been to, I Yelp it.  The specific reason is that I want to know what to order.  I'd rather see what regular people like me recommend rather than ask the waiter.  
2. OpenTable - One of the greatest websites ever created and an equally great iPhone app.  If you are like me and you hate calling restaurants to make a reservation, this makes it so much easier.  No more dealing with bored out-of-work actors who take pride in telling you there is no availability at the exact time you would like to dine.
3. Shazam - One of the first iPhone apps and still one of the best.  I know I'm getting old because there was a time when I knew EVERY song on the radio.  Is finding out who is singing that song a must?  Probably not for most people, but it is for me.  If it wasn't for Shazam, I'd be scouring the internet Googling misinterpreted song lyrics.  I'm saving myself hours over the course of a year!  
4. Starbucks Store Locator - This one is for the wife.  She needs her Mocha!  This app has saved us hours and maybe even our marriage. 
5. Free WiFi - I've never used this app, but it's good to know it's there.  If I'm feeling especially cheap and looking to borrow a shop's WiFi, it's good to know I have this app.  I also have a Library finder app that would fall into the never used but good to know it's there category.
6. Foursquare / Gowalla / MyTown - These fall into the fun category.  I'll admit, I'm hooked.  Especially on MyTown.  I'm the proud owner of a multi-billion dollar city on MyTown.  I'm checking in several times a day so that I can upgrade my properties.  I check in on Foursquare a lot too but I've been bounced out of the mayor slot so many times I'm a little frustrated. In Austin at SXSW it was great to check in on Foursquare and Gowalla and know who was in the venue with me.  It cut down on phone calls and text messages when I could just say, "watch me on Foursquare and Gowalla to find out where I am."
7. Solebon - Everyone has their vices, mine is Solitaire.  Solebon has about 25 variations of the mindless card game (my favorite is Baker's Game).  This falls in the no utility whatsoever, it's a pure fun, time killer. 

As you can tell, utility is a relative term. 

What about you?