There are now well over 100,000 apps available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and, surprisingly, many of the best are free.
The following list showcases our ten favourites, and includes iPhone applications for social networking, travel, news, photography, productivity and more.
If your favourites aren't covered, tell us all about them in the comments.
1. Facebook
Once an ugly duckling, but now - as of version 3 - a social-network-aware swan, Facebook is a triumph. The revised grid-based 'home screens' provide speedy access to regularly visited sections (news feed, notifications, and so on) and pages, and the experience is such that it in many ways beats the browser version.
2. Gorillacam
Pretty much from nowhere, Gorillacam arrived in December 2009 from the creators of the Gorillapod tripods. It mashes together a slew of features to hugely improve an iPhone's camera (timer, multi-shot, spirit-level, on-screen grid, 'press anywhere' capture), meaning you can bin a half-dozen standalone apps that offer similar things.
3. RunKeeper Free
The prospect of Nike+ but better and for free might sound unlikely, but that's what RunKeeper Free provides. The app uses an iPhone's GPS capabilities to track your jogging route, and provides mapping and details of pace and calories burned. Activities can be shared online, and treadmill runs can be entered manually.
4. Stanza
Kindle's grabbed many 'electronic book' headlines, but an iPhone or iPod touch is a perfectly competent alternative - at least if you have the right app to hand. Stanza enables you to download books from various sources (many of which offer free titles), and you can transfer your own ePub, PDF or eReader titles from the free Stanza Desktop.
5. Dropbox
Plenty of apps exist for transferring content between your computer and your device, but Dropbox is free and easier to use than most of its contemporaries. Dump files you want to sync in a folder on your computer and Dropbox for your device will enable you to access them, download them for offline viewing, and, in many cases, view them.
Your comments (5) Click to add a new comment
iphonedude
February 19th
5. FastMall really is the coolest and most helpful interactive and FREE app in iTunes. Thanks!
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hunty
January 14th
4. How could you forget the Natwest banking app? Techradar, shame on you!
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susiepluff
January 14th
3. Overall no complaint. You really can't beat Facebook. I also like socialflyr. The free version is OK, but the .99 is 100Xs better :p
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frankieboy
January 14th
2. Ignore suggestion 3. Use Everytrail instead. It tracks your GPS, speed etc and you can add photos. And it's free! Amazing!
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castaway666
January 14th
1. no iPity?
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