Cool Tool of the Week: Free iPhone app edition

I’ve always been a cheap-cell-phone kind of guy. I don’t really like talking on a phone, and I’m at a computer about 90% of my day, so I’ve never had a dire need to bump up to even the most low-hanging of BlackBerries.

Alas, times change, and it’s impossible to avoid the fact that mobile applications are going to be a centerpiece of social media evolution in the years ahead. So I broke down and got an iPhone.

I’ve already developed some strong opinions on the iPhone itself, but those are fodder for future posts. Today, I figured I’d devote the Cool Tool of the Week space to free iPhone applications that are worth every penny you aren’t paying.

• TwitterFon — A simple way to check new messages from your contacts on Twitter. The interface is a lot more clear-cut than alternatives like Twitterific, but TwitterFon admits to being a bit light on fancier features offered by competitors.

• Twinkle — Another Twitter app, this one uses the phone’s GPS system to figure out where you are, then show you other Twitter users who are nearby. I’m wary of using it on the road, but it’s a nice way to find other locals.

• UrbanSpoon — One of the most addictive apps I’ve seen, UrbanSpoon helps settle arguments about where you should go out to eat. First, it uses GPS to determine your city. Then it pulls up a slot machine of sorts. Shake the phone, and the slots spin, randomly picking a neighborhood, cuisine and price range for you. Based on these factors, you get a recommended restaurant. You can lock any of the categories to help limit your search. Very fun.

In case I didn't do the description any justice, here's a demonstration:

• Pandora — Streams customized radio stations right to your phone. Basically works just like a mobile version of the PandoraBoy application I featured a while back.

• Shazam — Hold your iPhone up to any speaker, and Shazam will identify the song that’s playing. It then offers you a link to buy the song from iTunes.

• 2 Across, Lite Edition — A beautifully designed crossword puzzle application, 2 Across features puzzles from The New York Times, USA Today, the Globe and Mail, and more. This is the free version, which limits the number of new puzzles a week. But for my limited free time, it’s plenty.

• Yelp — I’m still a bit lukewarm on this app, which shows you reviews of local restaurants and other businesses. Yelp.com is an info-packed site, and you benefit from that. But so far it’s proven impossible to leave reviews from your phone, which stinks.

As always, I’m open to your recommendations on other free applications that are worth a download.

Comments

[Kevin Dwinnell]

As another cost-conscious and phone averse person, I found the ipod touch a good solution for me. Never seem to be far from a wi-fi connection, so I can use most of the apps on the iphone.

Use a pay-as-you-go cell for the occasional call.