The hottest iPhone apps

It's really hotting up in the world of smartphone applications. Ever since Apple opened its App Store less than a year ago and with an estimated 25,000 applications published and more than 800 million downloads according to the company, other manufacturers have been quick to jump into the fray.

For the uninitiated, applications or apps, are software programs that can be downloaded and purchased from your phone while connected to the internet.

While Apple remains the leader, Microsoft, Palm Inc and Research in Motion (RIM) – makers of BlackBerry phones – have all announced or launched their apps stores, calling on third-party developers to create, sell and develop them. They have, thankfully, been quick to realise that offering a slate of interesting and diverse smartphone software – whether practical or entertaining – can mean the difference between keeping and losing a user.

A recent arrival to the UAE (at least officially), the iPhone is gaining popularity. Here's a selection of favourites from those in the know.

1. Asphalt 4: Elite racing

$5.99

Fast-paced car racing game with stunning graphics. Pick one of 28 cars and control it by tapping the screen or tilting the device.

2. Google Earth

FREE TO DOWNLOAD

Google Earth lets you view our planet in all its spectacular glory on your iPhone. Look at amazing locations, zoom in and out and find local places of interest.

3. iPray

FREE TO DOWNLOAD

With iPray it's easier than ever to keep up with prayer times. Based on your location it can tell you local times, the Qibla (direction of the Kaaba, the sacred building at Makkah) and display a list of important events in the Islamic calendar.

4. Facebook

FREE TO DOWNLOAD

The Facebook we love and use all the time is also available, officially, in our mobile device. Keep up with friends and family, chat with them, post photos, update your status and more.

5. Tweetie

$2.99

If you're on Twitter you will need Tweetie. It's easy to use and makes tweeting so much more fun. Tweetie supports posting your location, a photo, responding to direct messages and much, much more.

Magnus Nystedt is the Editor of Shufflegazine.com, an online magazine covering everything Apple, specially targeted at Middle East readers

1. Fieldrunners

$2.99

An incredibly addictive game that blows armies by placing guns strategically. Build defenses to destroy an assault of bad guys who are trying to get from one side of the screen to the other.

2. ColorSplash

$1.99

An app that lets you take a picture, turn it into black and white before selectively bringing colours back in the picture. Colorsplash can dramatically transform your photos and it's easy and fun to use.

3. Sugarsync

FREE TO DOWNLOAD 

Stay wirelessly connected to all your computers from your iPhone or iPod Touch, even when they are offline. With this app, you can view and share any of your files and photo albums anywhere.

4. Beejive

$15.99

An Instant Messenger application that connects to all such servers including MSN, Google Talk and Yahoo!. It lets you chat with friends, switch between multiple simultaneous chats and have fun with the customisable chat skins and emoticon support.

5. Newsstand

$4.99

An RSS reader that keeps people up-to-date with all the latest news from their favourite sites and blogs.

Abbas Jaffar Ali is the Editor-in-Chief of gaming website MEGamers.com and tech portal tbreak.com

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