However,

The Compete survey showed that the kinds of apps downloaded most aren’t necessarily the ones used most often. Games and entertainment were the most popular categories of downloads cited by iPhone users, at 79% and 78%, respectively. Weather apps were third at 57%.

Data released by comScore last week showed that Tapulous’ “Tap Tap Revenge” music game has been the most downloaded iPhone app to date, with one in three users jamming with it.

[via Media Post]

On the one-year anniversary of third-party iPhone App development, developers need to renew their contracts to avoid having their software pulled from the App Store. This is one thing, problem is that they are facing difficulty having the contract and cooperation from Apple finalized in time. The reasons behind this have not become obvious. However the March deadline is Apple’s first definitive test of its ability to maintain long-term development relationships with those writing apps for the iPhone and iPod touch.

The contracts are needed as part of the iPhone Developer Program in order to have iPhone applications listed in the App Store. Apparently, in March 2008 developers were told that an online option would be available 90 days before the contract(s) expired. The end of March however is 20 days away. There are currently 25,000 Apps out there, 10,000 were registered since January. This is a major kink the in the system for the iPhone developer and could see major panic in the industry, whats happening Apple?

[via CNET]

MacRumors wrote:

While Apple has made no official acknowledgements, it appears these applications were likely in a special queue awaiting for approval. We had seen a similar “group” delays with other categories of apps. The most notable example involved flatulence applications such as Pull My Finger and iFart Mobile. Once Apple decided to allow the category within the App Store, a backlog of apps quickly appeared.

Hopefully, it could be a good sign for mobile versions of Opera and Firefox to be included into App Store. How do you think?

[via Engadget]

Pinger is a new application that allows users to stay connected to friends in a number of ways using social networking services such as MySpace, Twitter and Facebook. Users can use Pinger to see the IM status of their friends and elect to call, text, instant message, email or even send a Facebook, MySpace or Twitter message, all from one simple menu.

Among all the rumors of the new iPhone Nano a photo that claimed to be the actual device surfaced. Later some photos that looked remarkably like the iPhone Nano surfaced of a knockoff device being currently sold in Thailand. The boxing of this knockoff device is identical to that of the original iPhone 3G. Snapture has managed to bring Xenon Flash to the iPhone 3G for the first time ever. The concept device gives of an instantaneous flash more than 100 times brighter than any conventional LED flash accessory.

Smudge has finally introduced their Remind Me application for the iPhone that we have been hearing about. For only $.99 you can get a really useful note application with plenty of different looks and interfaces. Mint.com has also released their financial management application into the App Store at no cost to users. Another patent that Apple has filed has surfaced and as usual this one is very exciting. The patent outlines gestures used when composing a text message. A downward gesture would then enter a return in the message. A swipe to the left would then delete one character.

Just when you thought the iPhone 3G could not get any cheaper AT&T goes and offers it for $99. Of course this price is for a refurbished version of the 8GB model and is only available with the signing of a new two-year agreement. Now the iPhone 3G is available to virtually anybody who would like one. Thanks to Citrix Receiver, Windows users can use Windows apps in their iPhone 3G. Citrix allows users to access their PCs Microsoft Windows operating systems from a remote location.

Fans of Japanese sushi will be happy to know the Sushi encyclopedia has been released for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The Sushi Encyclopedia will provide 82 pictures and descriptions of 82 different kinds of sushi as your culinary refference. Initially the Sushi encyclopedia will available in Japanese with an english version to soon follow. Now for only $2.99 iPhone owners can watch TV on their iPhone with the new TV application, called Television, for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. This application is still not without flaws, videos are not live and a Wi-Fi connection is needed. All of the channels offered are already available for free on the Internet.

Walmart has jumped on the iPhone bandwagon tenfold, first by carrying the iPhone 3G and now by creating an iPhone mobile adapted version of their site. This version allows users to create shopping lists and view product descriptions. The one thing that makes turns heads away from this web app is the lack of the ability to purchase goods without visiting the real site on a PC.

The iPhone Dev Team has finally done it, what you ask? After months of hard work they have managed to crack the baseband and unlock the iPhone 3G. Users who were warned not to upgrade to the new firmware version 2.2 are not able to unlock their iPhone 3G now. They told us! The unlocking program will be simple, just like jailbreaking your iPhone. The program is set to release on New Years Day.

Electronic Arts has finally brought the huge hit Sim City to the App Store. Touch controls make this version extremely easy to use over previous versions. Recently gaming on the iPhone has become mainstream and what a way to seal the deal. Just like other huge titles such as Spore: Origins, Sim City will be selling for no less than $9.99.

AT&T has now started offering refurbished iPhone 3Gs on their site. Of course there is a discount, but it may not be as much of a discount as you would find on other handsets. The 8GB black version you will be shelling out $149 with a two-year agreement and for the black or white 16GB version you will have to come up with $250. Apple has even decided to bring back in home activation. For those who are always on the search for the next weird iPhone accessories, the breathalyzer/FM transmitter just may be what you’re looking for. Not only will this device tell you’re your BAC, you can also stream tunes to your radio without the need for cords.

Today Truphone added the Truphone Anywhere functionality to their iPhone application, enabling users to make international calls for as little as £0.03/$0.06 per minute even when not connected to the internet. Truphone also added inbound calling on the iPhone for the first time.

Truphone currently works in 33 countries around the world to save iPhone users money on international calling when not on Wi-Fi. Unlike calling cards, there is very little to placing a call. Whenever an international number is dialed from outside a Wi-Fi area, Truphone Anywhere will ask if you would like to make a Truphone call and you accept or decline.

“No-one likes big mobile bills, and they don’t come any bigger than for international calls” said Geraldine Wilson, Truphone’s new CEO.  “But for iPhone users, that no longer needs to be the case.  They can choose either to pay standard international call rates, or to reduce them to as little as 3 pence or 6 cents per minute.  It’s as simple as that, no catches.”

Truphone has added a new presence feature to see which one of their other Truphone using contacts are online. Now for the first time users can place a free iPhone-to-iPhone Truphone call. The new inbound call capability means that iPhone users can avoid inbound call charges – for example, when abroad – provided they are connected to a Wi-Fi network, enabling significant cost savings. Here is a list of benefits those who do not know the benefit of using Truphone for the iPhone:

• Truphone routes calls over the Internet whenever possible, saving loads of money both on international calls from a user’s home country and on calls when connected to Wi-Fi abroad

• Truphone routes calls over the Internet, so customers don’t need to worry about poor mobile reception.  Calls are crystal clear and voice quality is superb from almost any Wi-Fi zone

• No monthly line rental, subscription or other hidden charges.  Truphone customers only ever pay for the calls they make.  Additional credit is simply purchased online, or an account may be set to top up [refill] automatically when it falls to a certain level

• Truphone is free to download via the iPhone App Store and takes seconds to install.  New customers receive £1/$1 [UK/RoW] free calling credit to get them started

• With Truphone’s American Tru Saver bundle, calls within and to the USA and Canada can be as low as 0.75 pence/1.5 cents [UK/RoW] per minute

• Calls within and to 40 countries (including UK, Australia, Brazil and most of Europe) are £0.03/$0.06 [UK/RoW] per minute to landlines and £0.15/$0.30 [UK/RoW] per minute to mobiles

• Making a Truphone call couldn’t be simpler: open the Truphone application and dial as normal.  Truphone uses the iPhone’s own address book.

These promo codes allow anyone who the developers wish, to download the full version of the application for free. By distributing these applications to reviewers and beta testers, developers can better get the word out about new applications that they have released.

In the App Store, codes may be entered in by using the “Redeem” link. This service is currently only available in the US. We are really curious to see what other changes Apple will make to help developers promote their applications in a sea of over 10,000.

[Via TheiPhoneBlog]

Now if your expecting guitar hero you better go back to Tap Tap Revenge because Tap Tap Dance has music that butter suits electro bangers. Better yet this application uses the new OpenGL-based platform, switching up the layout of the tracks themselves. The ability to embed video into the background adds a whole new level of craziness to the game play.

As of right now, the video does give the game some unwanted slowdown, which takes from the overall game play. For now the original Tap Tap Revolution will stay the way it’s been only to be ported over to the new OpenGL framework sometime next year. We recommend going to the App Store and forking over $4.99 if you enjoyed the original at all.

While this Amazon application is not the exact same as Amazon MP3, it still takes a little bit of the G1’s sunshine. The Amazon app allows you to browse and shop Amazon.com, read reviews and even snap a picture of an item that you are interested in.  The photo is then uploaded to your account where it will be matched up to the photo of the product you would like. If your product is found you will receive a notification email.

See someone wearing a pair of socks that you simply must have? Just snap a photo and your well on your way. This service is still in the experimental stages, but seems to be a fantastic way to help customers shop for whatever they need while on the go.  The Amazon app has a very clean usable interface that makes browsing and comparing prices a breeze.

Not you can bypass the SMS-based connection process and connect in one simple step. If you act quickly and download this application tool by December 5th you will be lucky enough to get if for free. If you don’t get a chance by then it’s going to cost you $1.99, which is not too bad. After launching the application all you have to do is register for a free account on Devicescape’s servers and you’re ready to go.

This application will handle all types of connections you may face without ever bothering you, whether it be entering a username and password or clicking the “I accept” button to start browsing. Devicescape plans to have more operator-specific applications for the iPhone as well. Company head Dave Fraser said, “Part of our Easy Wi-Fi for handsets strategy is to really focus on these operator-locked clients, so this AT&T version is actually our first example of one of those, but there are about four others that have already been submitted to the App Store approval nightmare.”

[Via Arstechnica]

Your going to need to know how to setup it up through a Wi-Fi network though, which is not as hard as it seems. If you are not particularly fond of the new MacBook keys you can choose from one of the other more traditions key skins. Windows users are out of luck this time as the application will only work on a Mac.

With no physical remote control, sitting at the computer controlling the Rovio can sometimes be a pain. WowWee has done us a huge favor and made one of our favorite devices an optional controller for the Rovio! Now you can control your Rovio from your iPhone with an application called the Rovio Driver.

All it takes is a quick download and the input of a few settings and your ready to go. You get a much larger view to watch the camera than the standard application. Drive your Rovio using the iPhone’s built-in accelerometer. Rovio Driver even allows you to control the head position and rotation of Rovio. Pick up Rovio Driver in the App Store for free today.

[Via RoboCommunity]

For any of you out there that have trouble avoiding speed traps, NMobile is the application for you. This application shows you the location of speed traps, red light cameras and radar locations. All of these locations are then displayed on a map for you.

Using your internal GPS in conjunction with the tracking service form Njection, you can enter browse mode and check if your area has any of the above speed traps. The database is user submitted giving you the most up to date locations. Users can submit locations with the application or on Njection’s website. Stationary red light cameras and radar locations are submitted by users and then verified by developers for accuracy. Speed traps however, are only verified by users.

Alert mode will quickly become your best friend by giving you an audio alert of upcoming traps and show you just how many miles ahead a trap is, just hope you don’t get a phone call. This application really must be used with caution on the road. You can download this application directly through the App Store right now for $9.99, far from the price of a ticket.

[Via TUAW]

With this application users will virtually be able to ask their iPhone any question like, “Where is the nearest Starbucks?” or “How old is the oldest man in the world?” The application converts the audio to a digital file that is sent to Google’s servers, which try to determine which words were spoken and send them to Google search engine. With the use of the iPhone’s built-in GPS, Google can give local results.

Both Yahoo and Microsoft have offered similar voice services that just do not match up to what Google has to offer. Yahoo’s oneSearch service does not appear to be nearly as accurate as the service offered by Google. Microsoft’s Tellme service will only give results in specific categories such as directions, maps and movies. Google voice search however is far from perfect. “It’s important to understand that machine recognition will never be perfect,” Mr. Reddy added. “The question is, How close can they come to human performance?”

Google has declined to say how often the service is inaccurate, but they do believe that it is easily accurate enough to be useful to customers. If you want restaurant recommendations and driving directions this application can help you out. You can also look up contacts in your in you iPhone’s address book.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYLTiecN-EE[/youtube]

[Via NYT]

Although Apple would never allow such a useful application, it did not stop the development of such a feature.  There are three catches to this feature that will be deal-breakers for most. The first roadblock that users will face is the fact that your iPhone must be jailbroken to get the service to begin with.

The second issue is the cost, not everyone is willing to first jailbreak their iPhone, then fork over the $4.95 to get the full version. The third problem that users must face is the fact that this keyboard is not integrated into the iPhone itself. It is more of an application than anything. The phone numbers and contact information is not displayed correctly or in any visually stunning fashion.

Overall we found that this is a nice step in the right direction. Without it being an integrated service we really don’t see anyone paying $4.95 for this application. It just won’t get any use. Even the free trial is not worth switching from the native SMS application.