6 May 2009 511 views No Comment Email This Post

Although the Apple iPhone is one of the most sought after tech items in the world, the huge popularity of the handset itself is not the only reason why everyone loves the iPhone. A large part of its success can be attributed to the vast – almost immeasurable number of apps available at Apple’s iTunes App Store for use on the iPhone.

But what is it about the breath taking array of apps that make them so popular with just about every iPhone user? Generally – the answer is simplicity. Simple to get, simple to install and simple to use.

Open yourself an account on iTunes with your credit card and you’re away. You can download apps direct to your Mac or PC or straight to your iPhone, and install it – all in just a few seconds. But what app will you get? Well, you can get an app for just about anything – from a fart machine to an app to monitor a diabetics blood sugar and the effects of a meal on the blood sugar level. Most of the more than 28,000 apps in the iTunes App Store cost less than $10, and a fair proportion of those available are actually free! More than 500 million downloads have been made from the Store since it opened.

With more than 700,000 iPhones in use in Australia (and more than 18 million world wide) the demand is huge, driving the inventive amongst us to pump hundreds of new apps up to Apple every month for approval.

Here in Australia one of the most popular apps is an AFL (Australian Football League) app – Aussie Rules Live – which pulls together live score, goals kickers, ladder updates and much more. Of course, if you’re a footy nut you probably have a pie or a beer in your other hand, so you can update all the scores and details with a quick shake of the iPhone.

There are serious apps for doctors, electricians, plumbers – in fact there is an app for most occupations and then there are the games. Yes games – games made as one off or offerings from companies such as Electronic Arts. Monopoly, Sim City as well as other old favourites such as Yahtzee and Sudoku all make an appearance.

We all know that the Apple iPhone is great. But you can make it even better and far more personalised by adding some great apps. Give it a try.