There is something changing in the appmosphere. While the iPhone remains the clear leader in mobile applications with more than 100,000 available in the iTunes App Store, this week’s release of the Motorola Droid is altering the playing field. Google’s Android mobile platform already hosts more than 10,000 apps. With millions of consumers about to experience apps for the first time with Droid (and other devices carried by Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint), demand will explode. Expect 10,000 Android apps to grow to more than 100,000 within the year.
For those looking for a primer on best available apps for Android, Appolicious correspondent Eric Benderoff offers his breakdown of the Droid’s impact on the app market as well as a few of his favorites. For first-time Android users, Steven Yaccino recommends a few apps you should download immediately.
Of course, the iPhone is still where most of the action is as far as mobile apps are concerned. Whether you are getting ready for the college basketball season, looking for better ways to interact with Facebook friends while on the go, or searching for that next addictive game, Appolicious has a recommendation for you.
College hoops and the iPhone
No matter if you are a face-painting fan who goes to all the games or somebody who fills out a bracket or two for the tournament, there are plenty of iPhone apps that enhance the college basketball experience. Appolicious sports ace David Lister recommends his favorite apps to take us through March Madness. The free College Basketball Live! and NCAA Basketball Scores will do the trick for most fans.
Not surprisingly, the best team-specific apps center around teams with the most rabid fans. Right now, the 99-cent apps for Kentucky Hoops and North Carolina Hoops as well as Duke Basketball Live (also 99 cents) are setting the standard. Look for more new recruits to emerge as we could closer to tournament time.
Keeping up with your Facebook friends
Social networking guru Kristen Nicole compiled a great list of her favorite apps to use for checking in with her Facebook peeps while on the go. While the free Facebook app itself has a pretty robust app, Nicole prefers the $2.99 MyPhone+ for Facebook for syncing contacts, LuckyCal for sending gifts and 99-cent FaceMic for chatting.
Games, games and more games
Our own video game hero David Wolinsky scoured the iTunes App Store for the best games to download no matter what kind of gamer you are. Don’t miss his series on first-person shooter games, the best games for anyone who has a need for speed, and adventure games that will have you looking forward to your commute.
