Help me find the best iPhone 3GS apps

ARCO, Idaho--For almost a year, I've owned an iPhone 3G. I've done lots of things with it and loaded a lot of apps on it. But now, Apple has released the iPhone 3GS, and it's got new features--including a compass, voice commands, video recording, and auto-focus.

This iPhone 3GS has only one new app on it. I want to learn about the best apps that specifically take advantage of 3GS features. If you are the first one to suggest an app I try and keep, you win a prize.

(Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET)

Luckily for me, I'm on Road Trip 2009 and am testing a number of gadgets, including an iPhone 3GS that Apple lent me for my journeys through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Colorado.

I've already downloaded Brushes, the amazing painting app that was used to draw the cover of a recent issue of The New Yorker. But that's all I've got. What I want are the best apps that specifically leverage the new features available only on the 3GS.

And so I'm asking: do you have a favorite? If so, let me know. Over the next few days, I'll be trying out a number of apps on this iPhone, and if you're the first one to suggest an app--paid or free--that I download and keep, I'll send a nice little gift your way.

Remember, I'm not interested in things for the iPhone in general. Well, I am, but in this case, I only want to know your thoughts on apps that have been designed with the 3GS in mind. They can, however, be apps that have updated features available only on the new phone.

If you'd like to send me an idea, please do so at daniel--dot--terdiman--at--cnet--dot--com by Monday, July 13, and include "iPhone 3GS app" in your subject line. If it's an app you designed, I may still try it, but you won't be eligible for a giveaway.

Please help me make the iPhone 3GS more interesting. I look forward to your suggestions.

For the next several weeks, Geek Gestalt will be on Road Trip 2009. After driving more than 12,000 miles in the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest and the Southeast over the last three years, I'll be writing about and photographing the best in technology, science, military, nature, aviation and more in Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota and Colorado. If you have a suggestion for someplace to visit, drop me a line. And in the meantime, join the Road Trip 2009 Facebook page and follow my Twitter feed.

[lazycat202]

none! i guess

[lazycat202]

if you're using winMobile, I've many apps. But iphone?? none :)

[ballmerisanape]

There are "many" WinMobile apps that "specifically leverage the new features available only on the 3GS.."

...cuz that's what he asked for...

[ulysse311]

For me the best App really taking advantage of the Iphone 3GS is definitely PDANet. This modem app allows you to surf the web very fast with the new Iphone on your laptop. Furthermore, the internet connexion is not over charged your regular Iphone bill. Unfortunately, your need to jail break your iphone to install it. too bad

[Sentax]

@ulysse311

There is a simple, hack, should I say, for iPhone 3.0 that you don't need to jailbreak to enable the built in tethering. It involves downloading a carrier configuration file. I've done it and used tethering in my office when my internet went down a couple times. Very handy, I will not be paying AT&T for this feature when the other phones it sells can do it, and they aren't charging for it.

[weegg]

WinMobile is on its way out. There are already more apps for iPhone than WinMobile. I suspect more and more are going to flock to Android as well. Palm's new OS may also benefit. What I saw of the next version of WinMobile is about year behind everyone else.

[trushk]

1) For your roadtrip I would recommned Where (free) which uses the GPS to let you know of nearby restaurants, gas station etc..
2) Pandora radio - cool app to customize your favorite bands and listen to them on the go
3) For starwars geeks like me PhoneSaber - convert your Iphone into a light saber :)

[mr10001]

There's Magnetism for 3GS... Kind of neat, show's the magnetic fields that surround you. Only .99 cents and a good way to find dangerous areas to put your phone... Electronics and strong external magnetic fields don't play well, so be careful.

[ForceQuit1]

These are nice, but did you even read the article?

[lak479]

I think you should try Urbanspoon. I wouldn't leave home without it. You can find food to suit your tastes anywhere you travel.

[cvaldes1831]

The guy already has an iPhone 3G. He is asking for apps that specifically designed for the 3GS, not just anything that will run on the 3GS.

UrbanSpoon is nifty, but it doesn't need the 3GS hardware to run on. It works fine on my first-generation iPod touch.

[jwk83]

If you're at all interested in Instant Messaging (AIM, Facebook, gTalk, etc. etc.) You can't go wrong with Beejive 3.0. Push notifications over edge, wifi, and 3G will keep you in touch with your IM contacts anytime anywhere. The interface is really nice to. Downside: it costs $9.99, but the app is worth it.

[funkyboot]

Beejive is indeed a good one now that it supports push.

[csharpkid]

RDP - to remote desktop to your PC
Fandango - to get latest movie listings in theatres near your current location or zip code
Say where and Vlingo - voice activated search for almost anything ..from your contact list to google searches to driving directions.

[luvstef]

Hey Daniel,

Check out Trapster! It's a free app that uses the phone's GPS system to track your route and alert you to over 400,000 reported speed traps, red light cameras, roadblocks, live police, and more.

There is also a mytrips feature that lets you record and share your trip, so friends and family can watch your trip in real time. The new 3.0.1 version just added Push Notification too! So if your not running the app, you can still be alerted of traps.

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=290629277&mt=8

[cowboy704]

It's obvious the majority on here can't read without their lips moving.

He asked for 3GS specific apps people. He even mentioned the 4 features in 3GS he was interested in ("compass, voice commands, video recording, and auto-focus").

Get a clue.

[cvaldes1831]

You know, the next time I have an open job req, I think I'll ask applicants to respond to a couple of Cnet posts and make a couple of YouTube comments as part of the interview process.

[mille258]

My, aren't you snarky...

[cvaldes1831]

Isn't that what the Internet is for?

[ekajatik]

Some of the posters are marketing on behalf of the apps they are promoting, they simply search for this sort of post then post up, regardless of the specific discussion... marketing for comment streams.

[jwk83]

Unfortunately, one of the few awesome apps to really work ONLY for the 3Gs isn't out yet - Nearest Tube by Acrossair http://www.acrossair.com/apps_nearesttube.htm - it's an augmented reality app that uses the compass to tell where your pointing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2uH-jrsSxs (YouTube video of it in action)

I'd argue that the performance boost in the 3Gs makes any old heavy duty 3G app a whole lot better.

[preston63926]

Hey Dan! My favorite app is this one called drunk dial! It like, has a database of like 50 million bar drinks and their recipes, yay!

[TheNoodler]

1. Compass (comes preinstalled), LOL.
Seriously the answer is to keep your eye out for apps with the catch phrase "Augmented Reality" these apps are starting to emerge and will make use of all the features, compass, camera, voice, etc.
The first one is out now called "Nearest Tube" it's only useable in London to help you find the subway.
Most of this stuff is still in it's infancy, but here's a demo worth checking out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoZRHLmUKtM

[preston63926]

Theres another one I like, called star gazer, it uses the gps, compass, and video camera all combined, and it lets you point it at stars and constellations and it'll identify them for you! Awesomeness app ever

[libertyforall1776]

Couldn't find that app... have a link?

[tsilverl]

Is that the one called Pocket Universe?

[jmad1138]

Do you mean Sky gazer? Looks good if you're into that.

[AdamCollet]

your email address appears to be no longer working ... I assume that is intentional.

Anyway, I believe MotionX GPS uses the 3GS compass.

[digger4cnet]

Here's a tip: Use the App Store and do your own research. Is this how low journalism has sunk these days?

[Perry_Clease]

He was probably just trying start a dialog with iPhone 3GS users.

[HDK2009]

Pocket Universe - uses the new compass feature

[cmckean]

AP Mobile. It uses the new PUSH capabilities of the 3GS

[cvaldes1831]

The push capabilities have nothing to do with the 3GS hardware. They are part of the iPhone OS 3.0 release. Push notifications are working fine on my first-generation iPod touch (yes, I have the AP Mobile app).

you can find interesting apps in http://www.appsd.com

[itsmenyc]

The simplest one is Google maps, On the 3Gs the compass orients the map in the direction you are facing.