This is a simple list of the iPhone applications that I would call essential; the ones I would install if I had to restore my iPhone tomorrow; a mixture of the useful, the strange and the entertaining;

NetNewsWire

I’ve already talked about this is some detail; it uses the Newsgator RSS reader to deliver news headlines to your iPhone. Very handy, but nothing too special- or at least it wouldn’t be if it weren’t for the fact that it stores them on the handset, so you can read your choice of headlines on the underground, and also let’s you tag interesting articles as “clippings” to read at your leisure.

I’ve been playing around with RSS readers for a while, and haven’t yet found one for the desktop that really works the way I want it to. So I find it quite odd that I’ve found one that works on the mobile almost exactly as I want it to. If I was only allowed one application on my iPhone, this would be the one.

Last.fm

Most useful over a wifi connection, this streams music from the last.fm website to your iPhone. The more you use it, the better it knows what music you like and the better the service becomes, but my favourite way of using it is just putting a tag and listening to music that fits my mood. Great for discovering new music.

Google

Another must-have; universal search- searches the web, as you’d expect (as you would at google.com), but also searches your contacts list, and gives the option for a local search- enter “florist”, click on “find a florist near me”, and then jump to a Google Map that shows you what’s nearby and how to get there.

Facebook

Jump straight into Facebook- no need to enter your email address and password. Pretty much all the functions you would want, optimised for the iPhone. Stalking your friends has never been easier…

Units

Converts units- km to miles, acres to square miles, centigrade to farenheit and anything else you can think of. Doesn’t sound like much- until you find you need it. Then it becomes brilliant.

Enigmo

A great little game- and the only app on this list that isn’t free. Basically a puzzle game; you direct a stream of drips into holders by moving around things for them to bounce off, flow down and so on. If you liked Lemmings, you’ll probably like this.

RjDj

The strangest application that I’ve seen.. Or rather, heard. It turns the sound that your microphone picks up and turns it into a bizarre audio collage. Sounds odd, because it is. More of an art experiment than anything else- if you think it sounds interesting, then you’ll like it. If not, don’t bother.

Phonesaber

Wave your phone around, and it makes lightsaber sound effects. This one never gets old. (For me, anyway. Your mileage may vary…)

Remote

When you’re connected to the same wifi zone as your PC, this turns your iPhone into a remote control for iTunes-browse through and control your music library in the same way that you browse through the tracks on your phone. Definitely a must-have if you use iTunes (which, as you’ve got an iPhone, you probably do…)

ICanHasCheezburger

A complete waste of time and another one that you’ll know if you’ll like it straight away; connects to the sites on the icanhascheezburger network. (Lolcats, Loldogs, Failblog, Graphjam and a few others.) If you’ve not seen the sites, then you’ve probably been emailled the pictures by someone; photos with silly captions along a number of different themes. A pointless waste of time, no doubt, but might well bring a smile to your face.

Honourable mention:

WordPress

Most people aren’t interested in blogging, but if you are then a) WordPress is a good blogging system to use, and b) the WordPress iPhone application makes it as easy as you could hope for. Still has the same old iPhone problems (ie. no copy/paste) but if you want to blog from an iPhone, there’s no doubt in my mind that this is the best way to do it.

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