You can get the iPhone 3GS for $49.00, which I what I recently did. The monthly service plan is actually $20 less than what I was paying on the original iPhone 2G ($40 compared to $60). Upgrades between the 2G and 3G include recording video and texting photos.
What’s the first thing I did when I received my new phone? Started downloading apps!
My Favorite Apps
When I have some down time, I visit Facebook to see what is up with all of my friends. It’s easy to add a photo or a location like I did when I was chowing down at In-N-Out Burger (pre-diet).
Yes, I’m digging being the Mayor of McDonalds. This app allows you to check in to local businesses, become Mayor, and take advantage of special offers. Newbie (first check-in) Specials include $2. off Arby’s Market Fresh sandwich and 20% off at RadioShack. You can opt out of FB/Twitter sharing if you’d like, meaning you don’t have to broadcast your whereabouts.
Hipstamatic really should have a post all to itself. It’s a cool photo filter program that helps you create amazingly fun photos. A few filters come with the app, and additional filters can be purchased.
The top game for me and my entire family would be Angry Birds. All of the versions. Free, upgraded, Seasons, Rio… they are all great. Rio just released an update, and has several updates scheduled. This newest update includes a Beach Volleyball level.
This app notifies you when there’s a sale on airfare. Tell the app which airport you fly out of, and it will send you great deals. Last year we flew to Sacramento for under $40 per person.
Want to know the latest about Arnold & Maria? TMZ is the app for celebrity news. You’ve heard of TMZ. They were the first to report Michael Jackson died, and the first to release photos of Rihanna. They provided pics of Tiger Woods’ smashed SUV. If you can’t pick up an Enquirer, download TMZ.
Hypnotic mind-play. Waiting in the doctor’s office? Play Bejeweled. Hubby watching football? Play Bejeweled. Kids want supervision in the shower? Play Bejeweled.
Kids, yes, I’ve got ’em. Sometimes they need to keep themselves busy like when we’re waiting on food at a restaurant, or waiting for the fireworks to start while camped out across the river from Laughlin. You will need apps for them too.
Kids’ Favorite Apps
Burp, Fart, Relief. Totally disgusting, just what kids like. Many foul burps, farts, sighs and screams from which to choose.
With the addition of the new Charlie character who has tiger’s blood, the pygmies survival rate decreases even more. You are the Pocket God, controlling the fate of the little island pygmies. You can strike them with lightening, have ants attack them, throw them in the volcano, drop them into the ocean and spear them. You can give them fish and coconuts, help them start a fire, show them a double rainbow across the sky. Good or bad, it’s up to you. Err, up to your kids, I mean!
Yes, you’ll want to take the phone away and compete with them on this app too. Jumping from platform to platform, avoiding aliens, grabbing a jet pack, it’s all fun!
Sometimes they just want to be mellow, coloring pictures. This is the app for that. They choose a scene and color it by tapping first a colored pencil and then the area of the screen to fill. Once all the white space is filled, a party horn plays.
Your app store is right on your iPhone, or you can visit the app store on iTunes.
What are your favorite apps?
Comment By: Sunny Wishes She Were Shopping
May 19th, 2011 at 11:45 am
I so need to get an iPhone!!!
Comment By: Jean
May 19th, 2011 at 11:59 am
Yes, come over to the dark side! 🙂
Comment By: Lena
May 19th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
I want an iPhone! Probably not so much for the phone part though. It’d be nice to have the phone but I’d hardly ever use it! lol
Comment By: Jean
May 19th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Lena, I’m with you! I think I’ve only used 4 minutes of phone time. LOL!
Comment By: Lena
May 19th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
lol! I’m not too big on talking on the phone, the most I EVER talked on the phone was when my husband and I were in a LDR. We were on the phone everyday and since then. I’m on it maybe 2-3 times a week. lol
Comment By: Heather
May 20th, 2011 at 4:30 am
Just got my iPhone a few weeks ago and LOVE it. 🙂 Outside of FB, Twitter and LinkedIn, I really haven’t explored other apps yet. I’ll definitely be checking out your recommendations!
Comment By: Jean
May 20th, 2011 at 7:45 am
Cool, Heather! Congrats on your purchase. Let me know if you find some good apps that I should try.
Comment By: Angie
May 20th, 2011 at 4:48 am
No iPhone here, but I have a BlackBerry and despite my comment about not having any apps the other day … what I meant was I don’t use any diet/calorie counting apps – YET!
And I don’t have many apps, but I use BlackBerry Messenger EVERYDAY – My entire family has BlackBerrys and although we’re on different networks, we can use this system instead of SMS. I also use an app called Poynt when traveling so I can find the nearest gas stations, restuarants, current weather, etc. – awesome!
I see entertainment apps in the near future though – I have a toddler who needs constant entertainment while we’re out and about!
Comment By: Jean
May 20th, 2011 at 7:51 am
Aha! So you DO have apps, Angie. I didn’t realize BlackBerry had apps. Good to know. Hubby got a BlackBerry about a month ago, and keeps asking me about them.
Comment By: Kristen
May 20th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
These are great app selections! I love Angry Birds as well. I think the seasons are so cute!
Comment By: Jean
May 20th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
Thanks, Kristen! We are really hooked on Angry Birds. 🙂
Comment By: Sedate Me
May 24th, 2011 at 8:40 am
Is there an “app” that allows me to target anyone on a “smart” phone for a cruise missile strike? I might go for that one. I can’t tell you how irritating these people are or how many of them I have to swerve my car to avoid hitting in a month.
It’s official, I’m a Luddite! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Luddism
And, if the women were allowed to dress & act like ho’s, I’d seriously consider becoming Amish.
Until then, I’m sticking with my rotary phones.
Comment By: Unknown Mami
May 28th, 2011 at 10:18 am
I got my husband a refurbished 3Gs for a penny!!!
I love the Hipstamatic app. Love it.
Comment By: Jean
May 28th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
OMG, that’s an incredible deal, Mami!
Comment By: Sherri
June 1st, 2011 at 5:23 pm
I have a Palm Pre which I like, but lately I’ve had to replace two in the last few months. I really would like an iPhone but hate paying the large monthly bill and I’d have to change service carriers. Sprint has a great all inclusive rate. Who knows…maybe one day I’ll be as cool as all the other iPeeps.
Comment By: Jean
June 1st, 2011 at 6:42 pm
Hey, Sherri, I had a Palm Treo and just LOVED it… until I got my iphone. Sprints rates sound good (actually, hubby uses them). I hold out hope one day you’ll be using an iphone too. 🙂
Comment By: Sedate Me
June 2nd, 2011 at 1:04 pm
Coolness does not come from consumer products, Sherri. Coolness comes from within.
Chasing coolness with one’s wallet only results in an uncool person with an empty wallet.
Comment By: Charlotte
June 9th, 2011 at 8:58 am
Wow! I really feel as though I’m out of the loop with the whole app train. I used to download apps to my phone all the time, but I stopped because I felt as though it was using up too much of the battery, but this post makes me crave an updated version of Angry Birds. And that Hipstamatic sounds pretty neat, too!
Comment By: Jean
June 10th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
At least Angry Birds and hipstamatic. I hear ya about using too much battery power.
I did just download a CNN app this morning. Surprisingly packed full of today’s news stories. I was needing a Wiener fix. 🙂
Comment By: Sedate Me
June 14th, 2011 at 7:30 am
Wiener fix -eh? Isn’t that what your hubby is for?
Comment By: The Girl from the Ghetto
June 15th, 2011 at 11:56 am
I am totally jealous of you write now. Damn you!
Still, I’m glad you are enjoying the new phone.
Comment By: Jean
June 15th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
Aww, thanks, GFTG!
Comment By: Angelia Sims
June 19th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
Yes! Yes! Yes! Some of my favorite apps! I just Love my iPhone!
I haven’t got into foursquare but I do think it’s cool you are the major of McD’s!
I really, really am hooked on Words with Friends..
Comment By: Jean
June 22nd, 2011 at 6:49 am
Yelp has added titles recently too. I think I”m the duchess of Chilis. LOL!
I noticed Words with Friends was in the Top Apps, but wasn’t sure I wanted to pay the $2. Sounds like it would be worth it though. 🙂