The iPhone 4S comes with an abundance of built in apps, but that’s just the start. The iOS 5 era brings a new level of computing power to the iPhone platform, opening doors for users. We’ve compiled a list of essential apps for iPhone users, some of which are specific to the iPhone 4S, some of which come with iOS 5 for all iPhone users, and most of which are third party additions, many of them free: Siri: The lone iPhone 4S-specific app on the list, Siri is the primary component of Apple’s 4S marketing campaign and perhaps the most fun you and your iPhone can have with your clothes on. Ask it or tell it anything, literally anything at all, get an answer. “Remind me to find a new dentist and schedule an appointment when I get home” will give you a search of local dentists and a calendar reminder. “Should I wear a winter coat on Tuesday?” is fair game. But remember, this one is only on the iPhone 4S. You can’t get it on your iPhone 4 or 3GS even if you’ve installed iOS 5.
Newssstand: Finally, a way to keep track of your digital magazine and newspaper subscriptions in a single app. This one is part of iOS 5 as well, but can be used on any iPhone which iOS 5 can be installed on. Now, onto the third party stuff…
Facebook 4.0: Facebook’s radical app redesign delivers a new interface which the social network believes works equally well for iPhone and iPad users. You’ll have to judge for yourself. But make sure you update from previous versions of the Facebook app once you get your iPhone 4S.
Twitter: Apple has integrated Twitter so tightly into the iPhone 4S and iOS 5 interface that if you weren’t a tweeter before, now might be a good time to start. Dozens of third party Twitter apps are available, but for most mainstream users we recommend the free official app from Twitter itself.
Words With Friends: It’s not just Scrabble, it’s a social network of its own. Play online against friends or strangers, and you might even turn strangers into friends in the process thanks to the chat process and the social media tie-ins…
Pandora and Spotify: Apple would rather you buy music from the iTunes Store, but Pandora is still the place for free streaming music. Spotify might give it a run, if it ever gets out of beta.
Hulu: The fledgling online TV delivery system isn’t quite dead yet, and in the mean time you can watch popular episodes from most of the major networks for free on your schedule.
Netflix: Subscribers can watch their movies on their iPhone. Just don’t make the mistake of asking Siri about Qwikster.
Shazam: That song playing on the radio or over the PA system of the local grocery store is driving you crazy because you don’t know who sings it or can’t recall. Shazam records a bit of it, uploads it, matches it, and gives you answers in seconds.
Pages, Numbers, Keynote: These are Apple’s own word processor, spreadsheet, and slideshow presentation tool apps. Scaled down from their Mac equivalents, these apps aim to allow you to do office work on the iPhone’s 3.5 inch screen. Although you’d probably have more fun playing…
Angry Birds: The most addictive touchscreen game in history comes in flavors ranging from original to Rio to Seasons.
iMovie: Don’t let that upgraded iPhone 4S video camera go to waste. The iMovie app allows you to do a surprising amount of video editing on the iPhone’s screen, and allows it to be shared out to family and friends, as well as social networks.
Got essential iPhone 4S app recommendations of your own? Share in the comments section below…
Newssstand: Finally, a way to keep track of your digital magazine and newspaper subscriptions in a single app. This one is part of iOS 5 as well, but can be used on any iPhone which iOS 5 can be installed on. Now, onto the third party stuff…
Facebook 4.0: Facebook’s radical app redesign delivers a new interface which the social network believes works equally well for iPhone and iPad users. You’ll have to judge for yourself. But make sure you update from previous versions of the Facebook app once you get your iPhone 4S.
Twitter: Apple has integrated Twitter so tightly into the iPhone 4S and iOS 5 interface that if you weren’t a tweeter before, now might be a good time to start. Dozens of third party Twitter apps are available, but for most mainstream users we recommend the free official app from Twitter itself.
Words With Friends: It’s not just Scrabble, it’s a social network of its own. Play online against friends or strangers, and you might even turn strangers into friends in the process thanks to the chat process and the social media tie-ins…
Pandora and Spotify: Apple would rather you buy music from the iTunes Store, but Pandora is still the place for free streaming music. Spotify might give it a run, if it ever gets out of beta.
Hulu: The fledgling online TV delivery system isn’t quite dead yet, and in the mean time you can watch popular episodes from most of the major networks for free on your schedule.
Netflix: Subscribers can watch their movies on their iPhone. Just don’t make the mistake of asking Siri about Qwikster.
Shazam: That song playing on the radio or over the PA system of the local grocery store is driving you crazy because you don’t know who sings it or can’t recall. Shazam records a bit of it, uploads it, matches it, and gives you answers in seconds.
Pages, Numbers, Keynote: These are Apple’s own word processor, spreadsheet, and slideshow presentation tool apps. Scaled down from their Mac equivalents, these apps aim to allow you to do office work on the iPhone’s 3.5 inch screen. Although you’d probably have more fun playing…
Angry Birds: The most addictive touchscreen game in history comes in flavors ranging from original to Rio to Seasons.
iMovie: Don’t let that upgraded iPhone 4S video camera go to waste. The iMovie app allows you to do a surprising amount of video editing on the iPhone’s screen, and allows it to be shared out to family and friends, as well as social networks.
Got essential iPhone 4S app recommendations of your own? Share in the comments section below…
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