My dear friend and crafty queen Polly recently got an iPhone and asked around as to people’s favorite apps. First off, welcome to the vortex, cowgirl … it’s inevitable that we all become pod people, so embrace it!

I’ll list my essential apps, though it is a surprisingly meager list. I caught a quick look at the Boyf’s main screens last night and there were dozens and dozens, if not hundreds, of apps on his phone. He’s got a 4S with lots of capacity, and he’s got a mind for lots of capacity, as well. Me, I run a little leaner since my phone is littler in the brain department, and I am around computers with nice big screens a whole lot — therefore, my phone perhaps is a little more business and less recreational screen timey. Except for the games!

Communications

• Facebook app is pretty wonky, but passable. The Boyf likes Facebook Messenger, since FB is his main communications center.
• Of the Google family, I use Maps, Calendar, and Feed Reader all the time. I do not like nor recommend Google Voice nor the catchall Google app, which supposedly simplifies searches. Both are buggy and unreliable.
• Moe’s Notes. I don’t use it a whole hell of a lot, but I’ve begun to store recipes there. It’s a way to create notes that you can keep or email or post, and you can merge photo, audio, video, and sketches into a tiny multimedia experience, or virtual sketchbook. It also plays nice with calendars and with GPS. I’m fascinated by it, and look forward to playing with it more.

Keeping Track of Stuff

• Nike+ GPS. My running app. I love it, though there are problems with it (you can’t correct or enter runs by hand, and the website interface is horrible). I can’t ding it too much, though, because I really believe it really helps me stay in shape.
• My Fitness Pal, where I (sporadically) keep track of my nutritional intake and exercise. I like the fact that the data is loaded into a web interface (so I can input my info from my phone, iPod or computer), but I don’t really love the user-maintained food database. However, it does the trick, and it gives me a calorie countdown for the day, which works for my brain.
• AAA Roadside Assistance, for obvious reasons.
• Cozi, a shared calendar app (also with a good web interface). Some friends and I use it to keep a caregiving schedule. I can imagine it would work with lots of other things. The only thing is that it doesn’t really talk to other calendar interfaces, which limits its usefulness in some ways.

Eyes and Ears

• Netflix app. When I’m bored and have access to good wifi, I love to watch some movies.
• Shazam. Magical!
• WFMU Streaming app. Perfect.

Time Suckers

• Tiny Tower. Horrifyingly addictive and so so cute. I’m sorry in advance, Polly.
• Plant vs. Zombies. Another crack-like suite of games.

Not Recommended or Just Don’t Like

• Scrabble (for the Facebook Scrabble games). Buggy horrible.
• Google Voice and catchall app (mentioned above.) Ditto.
• WordPress. No choice but to use it every once in a while, but it needs major improvements.
• Groupon. It doesn’t always list my current active Groupons. I’ve been screwed twice when I’ve redeemed my Groupon, but have been unable to call it up on my app. Booooooo.