iPhone Deal of the Day: Five App Store freebies

I love free stuff, and it seems like each day brings a wealth of new free goodies to the iPhone App Store. Here's a look at five notable apps that won't cost you a cent (at least for now--some are free only temporarily, so get 'em while you can).

This free, sexist app explains the "20! Top Man Things Men Must Know."

• 20! Top Man Things Men Must Know If you can excuse the sexist, unwieldy title, you'll find some undeniably useful information here: how to bandage a wound, perform basic CPR, fix a flat, and so on. (Note to developer: Why not call it 20 Top Things Everyone Should Know?)
• BlueSwap It's not quite PalmPilot-style beaming, but it's close. BlueSwap lets you swap contact information with other iPhone/iPod Touch users. Bluetooth makes it possible, meaning there's no need to use some third-party social network. (I haven't tried this yet, as I'm the only iPhone owner in the immediate vicinity, so if you're able to put it to the test, drop a comment.)
• C.A.R. - Accident Report Nobody likes a fender-bender, but if you absolutely positively must have one, this app will help you manage the details. It's similar to the iWrecked app I wrote about last month, but a little more robust.
• Droste Effect This is better seen than described, so I'll just say that if you like eye candy, you'll find this one visually tasty app. Really cool.
• Space Trader: Moon Madness If you like strategy games of the Lemonade Stand variety, which challenge you to make money rather than blast aliens, you're sure to get a kick out of Space Trader. True to its name, it casts you as a moon-based commodities broker. Buy, sell, profit. Perfect for Ferengi wanna-bes.

OK, your turn: What fab freebies have you pulled from the App Store in recent days? Don't keep 'em to yourself--let your fellow iPhone users know about them in the comments!

[Chaosthoery]

Its not new, but Discover turns your Ipod touch or Iphone into a wireless harddrive.
http://www.mappn.com/soft.php?id=1

[cnet.aaron]

I haven't scored any freebies lately, but it bears repeating that many developers are starting to offer limited time deals on some of the best Apps in the Store. For example, there were recently deals on the game Peggle and Flight Control that had them going for $0.99 each. That's 80% off, and totally worth the price.

Thanks for the great heads up on the free stuff Rick. Feel free to post the cheap deals too to keep us all informed of what's on sale!

[darkpoet25]

I've found the best way to look for new freebies is with the Pandora Box app, which is also free itself. It lists both new and price dropped apps, both free and paid. Much easier then looking through pages and pages of apps.

[jcmark42]

Just downloaded the C.A.R. I hope I never have to use it.

[gfallar]

Voice4mail has a better voice recorder than the 3.0 recorder and it sends your voice message (up to two minutes long) to anybody via email, can send to groups, has access to your address book and can send a voice message directly to their iPhone if the recipient also has Voice4mail. It's pretty cool, a little like Twitter without typing.

[robertAbrowing]

If you?re a movie fan, give MovieLingo a try. This free app allows you to listen to LOTS of movie quotes ? recent & classic. You can even share streaming quotes with your friends on Facebook. Very fun!

[ShadowOfHomer]

The majority of people cannot afford an iphone due to the exhorbitant monthly cost, yet iphone deals seem to dominate the cheapskate's deals more than any other topic. How can a "cheapskate" even own one of these trendy, overpriced devices? I love the cheapskate column and check it daily - but these iphone "deals" are frustrating. If I could give a massively overstated analogy (and I will, because this is the internet), imagine luxury car reps going to the homeless soup line and giving away free oil changes to those homeless that own a luxury car.

If a cheapskate owns a handheld, I'd think it would be a maemo (nokia n800+). Its apps have always been free and my several-year-old model has a webcam and full skype support. Its ebook software, fbook, is superior to anything I've seen for iphone/touch. Also, its screen resolution absolutely blows the iphone out of the water. It's not perfect, but it's cheap - as in skate.

[rickbroida]

I agree that the monthly fees are insane, and I've said as much many times. However, I think the iPhone is one of those rare items that's worth the money. Can't I be cheap 95% of the time and splurge a little bit on the phone that I love like a third child? ;)

What's more, I can't write about the iPhone without owning an iPhone -- and I am a technology writer, after all.

Finally, I'm not sure how you can argue with *free* apps -- most of which also work with the iPod Touch. To my way of thinking, the iPhone is a luxury car that's very affordable, but the gas is crazy-expensive. Oh, well--at least you can trick it out with extras that don't cost a cent.

[ShadowOfHomer]

Good analogy about the iphone being a car with crazy expensive gas - but I'd point out that when times get tough you can stop fueling a car and park it in your garage.

You're right, though. Free is free; I just wish is wasn't so expensive.

[spyderhydrant]

Most iPhone users I know are like me: we're by no means rich, but to us the extra cost is worth it. On average it's about an extra $10 - $20 per month than other plans. I lowered my minutes (make more calls on Skype and during weekends) to fit it into my budget. My friend decreased his Netflix account. I realize to some people those are stupid sacrifices to make, especially to those who are in love with their awesome nokia phones, but to each their own.

My point is, there are plenty of iPhone users who are still on a tight budget, and half the reason the iPhone premium is worth it to us is because of the hundreds of cool free apps. So keep the articles coming!

[cn31672]

Do you feel better now? Have you been waiting to vent that for a long time?
Keep the iphone information coming, Rick... Some of us love it!!!!!

[HurricaneTrunkz]

Blasting the your first app for being "sexist" is absolutely uncalled for. While, yes, women can do the things listed in the app, these are things that men traditionally do. Culturally, it is a part of a man's worth to be able to do those things. Therefore, the developers decided to market the app to the people who will most likely be doing the things listed in the app: men.

Mr. Broida, your skill as a tech journalist lies in talking about just that: the technology. Keep your focus there. Infusing your personal, non-tech opinion into the article and saying the motives of the developers are skewed against women do not improve your stock as a writer.

[t-rock42]

Your comment is absolutely stupid. If you don't like Rick's blog, then don't read it. Don't just blast the guy because you got up on the wrong side of the bed.... I suspect many who read this blog do so because of Rick's personalization of the products and services he's making known... From one tech-person to another. It's nice to have that aspect of real world analysis, with frank comments which typically get you farther than the bland reviews of most. Next time you decide to redicule someone, try it face to face. You'll find that it isn't quite as easy.

PS Keep the iphone apps coming, Rick!

[bdoyle87]

Why's the phone say t-mobile?

[rickbroida]

Fair question...must assume it's jailbroken. I pulled the screenshot off the App Store product page, as I didn't have time to grab one of my own. But I'll remedy that shortly.

[Haroldnca]

Apple uses T-mobile in other countries like Austria

[bdoyle87]

Oh, just wondered

[Haroldnca]

Man alive... people are tough on here. The free iphone app post was a bonus yesterday. The deal of the day was the 24" monitor. But even if it wasn't... this is a tech column and most techies out there have an iPhone. Say what you want, but the iPhone is nothing short of a revolutionary device. There is nothing like it out there in the market. So, Rick, keep the posts coming regarding free (and almost free) apps that are a good deal. I greatly appreciate them. Everyone else?? Lighten up.

[rickbroida]

Thanks for the support. :) FWIW, this post actually appeared on iPhone Atlas, but was cross-posted to Cheapskate. Happens from time to time.

[goober_nut]

I agree. Keep them coming, even if they are cross posts. Don't stop bringing the other deals too though.

[Haroldnca]

Hero of Sparta and Toki Tori both on sale right now in the app store for 99 cents. Both excellent deals.

Palm-Pilot style beaming?? You mean NEWTON style beaming.. shades of 1993..

[nowthatsmint]

OK first of all get PANDORABOX

it tells you all the apps that have a Price Drop and apps that are new, free or paid.
greatest app ever. and it's even FREE!!

from there i found these great FREE apps! Check these out!!!

-Sushipedia
-CandyClock
-Speed Test
-FastFinga
-Music IQ
-DoodleStars
-WhichWay
-Ebuddy
-Palringo Lite