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I have a number of friends who recently purchased a new iPhone 4 with Verizon Wireless (I think they may have dropped the word “wireless”). I’m sure a good number of people are simply switching to Verizon from AT&T and already owned an iPhone, but there are also a number of people who are completely new to the iPhone experience. I have decided to compile a list of apps that I like to use on a somewhat regular basis. I am not sure if this review/list will be helpful to anyone, but nonetheless, here goes…

Social Networking:

• Facebook- This free app is easy to use and takes advantage of geotagging via the “Places” tool. It also allows chat, and gives the user the option to sync contact photos and other information with their iPhone.

• Twitter for iPhone- This free app is easy to use, and supports push notification for @ replies, direct messages. I’ve used several other Twitter apps, and this one, in my opinion, is the easiest to use. It also works well and looks good, too.

• Tumblr- For the blogger, this app is also free. It syncs with the user’s tumblr.com blog account and allows them to create many different types of posts. It is very easy to use, though it does not offer full feature support that the user may find on the traditional browser dashboard.

Reference:

• iBooks- Free ebook app from Apple, purchase ebooks via iTunes. Also available are Barnes & Noble’s Nook app, and Amazon.com’s Kindle app. I’m not much of an ebook user as of yet, so I don’t use the latter two apps, but know others who do. These also sync with iPad versions.

• Olive Tree Bible Reader- Free Bible software, includes several translations of the Bible and other versions can be purchased as well. A little tricky within certain menus, but overall easy to use.

• IMDB- Internet Movie Database app, free, access to information on thousands of movies, TV shows, etc. Very close to the IMDB website experience.

• Fandango- Free app to purchase etickets to movie theaters and search for movie trailers, etc.

• UPS- Free app, gives the user the ability to track shipments as well as calculate shipping costs.

Dining, Shopping, etc.:

• Ebay Mobile- Free, easy

• Amazon Mobile- Free, easy

• Chipotle- Very useful app when in a hurry. Orders can be placed via the app and picked up at the restaurant with little waiting time. Amazing!

• Redbox- Free, a great way to reserve movies online and pick them up at the kiosk. Love RedBox, use it quite often.

• Starbucks Mobile Card- This free app allows you to load Starbucks gift card balances onto the user’s app and use the balance in Starbucks stores without having to carry around a bunch of gift cards or try to remember how much is on each card. Simply tap the “Pay” button and the app displays a barcode that is then scanned at the cash register. The purchase amount is almost instantly reflected on the balance within the app. Great app, easy to use, and don’t let the Barista tell you they can’t take mobile payment, because they can.

• Southwest Airlines- Free, shows flight status info as well as pushes notifications about Southwest’s “Ding” fares. I personally haven’t purchased any Ding flights within the app, but I have used it many times to check in and check flight statuses.

I think this is enough for now. Stay tuned for reviews on Games, Photography, and other Utilities.