Comments for

Your Favorite Mobile Web Apps & Sites

2008-11-25T22:25:46Z

One year ago we ran a contest asking you to tell us your favorite Mobile Web apps. From the resulting comments there were 5 Mobile Web apps that clearly stood out, with multiple mentions: Gmail Java app for mobile phone, Google Maps for Mobile, Opera Mini, Fring, Shozu.

Well, a lot has changed in the Mobile Web application world since then. The Apple App Store launched in July '08, prompting a wave of new third party iPhone apps. And we've seen innovation from Apple's mobile phone competitors: Google's Android (which has multiple app stores), Nokia, and Blackberry, and others. So what are your favorite Mobile Web apps and sites circa November 2008? The ReadWriteWeb authors list their faves below, plus we polled our friends in Twitter (subscribe to our Twitter account @rww).

]]> To clarify: in this case we mean either applications that you install on your phone, or browser-based versions that you visit on your phone's browser. Also, note that we haven't tried to link to all the apps and sites listed - but that's what your favorite mobile search engine is for ;-)

Mobile Apps & Sites Favored by RWW Authors

Richard MacManus

iPhone apps:

Last.fm - still my favorite music streaming app, and the iPhone version was upgraded in September
YouNote - handy note-taking tool, multimedia
Diamedic - iPhone app for diabetics that records my glucose levels and insulin shots
Weight Tracker - enables me to keep track of my daily weight
Groundwork - iPhone version of Basecamp, which works via 37Signals' API. Note there are another couple of third party Basecamp apps for iPhone: Minivan and Projects from appremix. Also see Jason Fried's comment here on RWW for suggestions for Blackberry and Windows Mobile phones.
NYTimes - nice example of a native iPhone app for a media publication, although ironically it always seems to get stuck for me when I click to the Technology section!
Gmail, via iPhone mail

Browser-based:

ReadWriteWeb iPhone version (powered by MoFuse)
Google Reader
Mobile Twitter
Mobile FriendFeed

Frederic Lardinois:

Evernote - great for making a quick note of addresses or restaurant menus by just taking a pic of them
Pandora - even better now that they added 'genre' stations
Fring - having Skype on the iPhone has saved me a few times
Google Reader
FriendFeed mobile
Google Earth - for the sheer beauty of it

Sarah Perez:

For iPod Touch:

Twinkle
Twitterifc
mobile Facebook
Byline for RSS (offline).
mobile Google Reader
mobile FriendFeed
mobile Gmail

For Blackberry:

mobile facebook
mobile flickr app
Live search
twitterberry

Rick Turoczy:

Shazam - "remains one of my favorites--and most often used. Admittedly, sometimes I simply use it to be mystified by the black magic of how it correctly identifies incredibly eclectic tunes."

Marshall Kirkpatrick:

FFtoGo.com
m.netvibes.com
slandr.net
Fring
http://www.techmeme.com/mini

Nathan DiNiro, RWW Jobwire

m.shizzow.com
GMail for BB
TwitterBerry
Google Maps for BB
Google Talk for BB
Pocket Express for BB - Handmark, I think

Friends of RWW in Twitter

Rudy De Waele: facebook app, google maps, twitterrific, ocarina (all iphone) and QIK (Nokia N95)

Steve O'Hear, editor of last100: BBC iPlayer, Nokia Mail (push), Twitterific

Tom Tague, Calais: Remember the Milk (bbery & iphone), instapaper (let's me catch up on stuff I should read), twitterific

paulbradshaw: Shozu, JoikuSpot, Google Maps, Qik, ZoneTag

Chris Osborne: my top mob apps (symbian): fring, goog maps, shozu, nokia sports tracker, vodafone sat nav. in 'emerging' category: flyscreen

dekkerd: qik, brighkite, twinkle, ziibii apps, dropcard, friendfeed, greader. all iphone

Windows Observer: Tiny Twitter Google Maps

mobile jones: QIK, Google Maps, Sprint Backup Service, Mobile Gmail, Flyscreen - 5 is too short a list and these are not in order.

keithbohanna: NetnewsWire, Truphone, GMaps on iPhone, Twitterfon

Ginger Sorvari: Google Maps (#1 by far), WeightWatchers, Twitter, FB, SI.

David Owens: 1) Google Maps 2) Instapaper 3) Byline 4) GoConnect 5) London City #iphone

Pádraic Brady: Tweetie for iPhone is pretty good - splits up dm/replies/friends feeds separately and its performance is pretty good.

Aaron Grabein: Photoshop.com Mobile, http://is.gd/8ZC9, is great for photo uploads (Win Mo) and TwitterBerry, Facebook, Google Maps

Susan Puccinelli: My two faves are Google Maps for Mobile and CalTrain+ (though of course its only relevant to those of us in the Bay Area who use it)

janetleejohnson: Smub - http://smub.it (any smartphone), twitterrific, Google Maps (iPhone)

Matt Wiseley, EditMe: (Android) dgMoney http://is.gd/8ZzD/ BlueBrush http://is.gd/8ZA4/ QuickList http://is.gd/8ZAI

Conor O'Neill: Nokia Maps, Gmail Mobile, Twibble, Qik, eBuddy, Truphone, Shozu

Jajah: @twidroid (Android)/@twitterfon (iPhone), Facebook, @my6sense (iPhone), @strands, @jajah http://iphone.jajah.com

Sherry Main: for iphone: facebook, twitterific, wordpress, scribeshare, google maps

egrommet: still like shozu and sportstracker (nokia)

Duncan Heal: 1st gen iPod Touch 2.2: Twitteriffic, Facebook, Safari, iChalky, AIM

Jorge Escobar: Gmail (IMAP) and Google Maps on Windows Mobile 6

localinsurance: facebook app, blackbird, twitpic

Susan Beebe: 5 Favorite Mobile apps (iPhone): BeejiveIM, Evernote, Shazam, fftogo.com, RTM (remember the milk), YouNote, koi pond, camera bag

Stephane Delbecque: BlogIt for iPhone is very cool. TypePad web app for iPhone is not bad either. :-)

ChadHusseinCapellman: what about LEAST FAVORITE mobile web apps? I'd be speaking about the mandatory Verizon Wireless start screen instead of my favorites.

Sean Power: i would be considerably less productive without the Google mobile suite (reader, talk and mail)

davefleet: Google Maps; Google Talk; Jott

geoffmcqueen: I like Brightkite, but wish they'd use Gears GeoLoc info in PocketIE. Also, m.Facebook.com, Skype & SPB's Traffic Monitor app for WM6.

Tell Us Your Faves!

We hope that you spotted a few interesting sounding apps in the above list that you'd like to try out! Please list your favorites in the comments below, as well as your opinions about the state of Mobile Web applications and sites.

Top image credit: MichaelMarlatt

Comment from Cédric on 2008-11-25

2008-11-25T22:42:27Z

You should try Goojet http://www.goojet.com, it's a cool service to have a mobile web navigation based on mobile widgets.

Comment from Sarik on 2008-11-25

2008-11-25T23:09:23Z

This address book 2.0 app is still in private beta, it took almost a year to develop and TC likes it:

http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/14/cellity-puts-your-mobile-address-book-on-steroids/

If you like to test it before public beta mid Dec, please ask for an invite here: www.cellity.com/preview

Sarik

Comment from mobile geek on 2008-11-25

2008-11-25T23:51:33Z

http://m.mippin.com , http://m.facebook.com , http://m.jaiku.com , opera mini, google maps

Comment from Dealyzer on 2008-11-25

2008-11-26T00:37:27Z

Apps overload! But thanks for the info.

Comment from Bobby Gruenewald on 2008-11-25

2008-11-26T00:54:18Z

You can access a free Bible via YouVersion on several mobile platforms including

iPhone App: http://www.youversion.com/iphone or view in itunes at http://tinyurl.com/6oywaz
mobile version: http://m.youversion.com
blackberry app: http://www.youversion.com/bb/

Comment from Mindy Hull on 2008-11-25

2008-11-26T00:57:59Z

TwitterBerry, Google Maps, Opera Mini, eBuddy, Facebook, CNN, NYTimes,

Comment from lida on 2008-11-25

2008-11-26T00:59:35Z

Thanksyou...If you like to test it before public beta mid Dec, please ask for an invite here

Comment from Jane Marcont on 2008-11-25

2008-11-26T02:09:16Z

Two clear favorites: gmail on blackberry and xpenser for expense tracking.

Comment from Spwamn Animation Program on 2008-11-25

2008-11-26T02:43:40Z

Hey its nice review you post over here.
I also want to share one new app review have a look at this app.
Descriptions:
A fluorescent firework is filling your screen. A bundle of light follows your finger. Ever changing rainbow colors come down like a never ending meteor-shower. When you double tap on the screen the little shooting stars combust into thousands of particles. The composition of colors are beautiful and you won’t get bored watching the spectacle for hours. The truly amazing thing about this application is how well the automatic generation of particles blends together with the explicit control of your finger. It feels like your action is an extension of the intelligence that the light objects posses already. It’s a true unique application that has come to the iPhone that you will not regret buying. Oh and if you want to save your art you can simply use the screen capture function (hold home & lock) of the iPhone. Those patterns make for great artistic images for Christmas cards. Let the show begin!
Alternative:
What an amazing application, it’s like a firework on steroids! The best part is that you have full control over every aspect of it without having to open any options dialog. You can control the path of the light objects with your finger, change the color through pinching at the right location, change the tail length, size, speed, everything and to top it all off you double tap the screen and all particles instantly combust into a thousand offspring. The little particles will never get tired of amazing you with ever changing new beautiful artistic constellations and neither will you get tired of watching them doing their thing. Highly recommended!
Original Description in iTunes:
Spawn is a program that creates amazing animations of little particles that are influenced by different forces. Without user interaction the forces are chosen randomly and the particle seems to have a mind of their own, flying around, reacting to gravity and invisible force fields.
The mesmerizing patterns created are reminiscent of fireworks, sea anemones, electrons in a cloud chamber, or tiny organisms under a microscope.
You can exert control over the particles by touching the screen and dragging your finger. The ever color changing particles will follow and circle your finger wherever you move it. Double tap the screen to see them explode, spawning a mass of new particles in all directions. Spread or pinch horizontally (center) and the particles will fly faster or slower. Spread or pinch vertically (center) and the particles will become bigger or smaller. Spread or pinch vertically (left side) and the particles will have a longer or shorter trail. Spread or pinch vertically (right side) and the particles will change color.
By changing the combination's one can create endless patterns that can be saved as images to your phone by pressing the home button and the lock button at the same time. Check out our product page at www.eodsoft.com/Spawn for a set of sample images (and video) created by Spawn. While Spawn is as much fun as a game it is more like an interactive screensaver simulation.

Comment from David Berube on 2008-11-25

2008-11-26T04:12:15Z

I'm not just saying this to say it. But the most used app/website on my iPhone is indeed your iPhone version at http://m.readwriteweb.com

Twitteriffic is a close second.

Comment from Michael McCullough on 2008-11-25

2008-11-26T05:35:19Z

My favorite weight loss app is MyNetDiary. Very easy to enter foods - it searches while you type, like Google suggest, both on the web site and on the iPhone, and the iPhone app syncs with the web site. The app is free in the App Store, but needs a subscription. Not free, but well worth the price, IMHO.

Comment from Brian Cantoni on 2008-11-25

2008-11-26T05:58:28Z

At the risk of self-promotion, I'll mention cantoni.mobi, my collection of links to over 300 mobile website.

Comment from Anette on 2008-11-25

2008-11-26T07:04:26Z

I'm a big sports fan - my favorite apps are

The InGameNow App
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=293705659&mt=8

and

NFL InGameNow App
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=297101871

Comment from Justin on 2008-11-26

2008-11-26T08:56:48Z

Try http://m.mippin.com to check out the crossroads of mobile content & social networks. Mippin calls it Social Content Discovery, and its proving a hit with users. Plus publishers can easily get involved too by mobilizing their content with the Mippin Mobilizer!

Comment from James Whatley on 2008-11-26

2008-11-26T09:24:24Z

For the N95 users amongst you - or just plain Nokia Symbians as it were...

You should check out http://dabr.co.uk - a much better (and ad-free) version of http://m.slandr.net.

Also Agile Messenger, Global Race, Google Maps, ShoZu, Qik, Jaiku, Mail4Exchange, QuickOffice, Google Desktop Search (N95 only), Handy Task Manager, Handy Calendar, Y Browser, Mobbler (Last.fm client), BBC iPlayer (released for the N96 but compatible for every other handset too), and for the Londoners out there - you can't beat a decent Tube Map app either...

Ping me if you need any info on any of the above :)
It's kinda my thing...

Comment from David on 2008-11-26

2008-11-26T10:47:36Z

I asked an industry forum some months ago what applications people have on their phones. It is clear than the type of phone OS is related to the needs of the user, as the OS then allows certain features to occur. We are seeing many site discussing these features and the user is becoming knowledgeable.

The best applications were available broadly on Microsoft with Symbian and then Java following behind. However, the applications themselves were broadly in three groups:

-Mapping and Location
-Messaging
-Mobile Office

The leader for mapping was in the survey google maps (www.google.com/gmm) which has the best support.

Messaging was a hard one as there are so many, but after some research, the free services from Palringo (www.palringo.com) came out to provide better mobile connectivity in terms of user to user and also to MSN, Yahoo, Jabber plus others.

The mobile office was the hardest as the Windows Mobile OS features really did start to show. Resco Suite (http://www.resco.net/pocketpc/mediasuite/) is worth looking at.

Comment from Dean on 2008-11-26

2008-11-26T10:48:05Z

I'm using Palringo on my phone (Blackberry) for IM - works very well and aggregates GTalk, MSN etc. Can also send short voice messages with other Palringo users. www.palringo.com

Comment from Andre on 2008-11-26

2008-11-26T12:31:10Z

I use Reqall a lot. This app. is in combination with Evernote all you need to have your life in perfect order.

Comment from Bob on 2008-11-26

2008-11-26T12:35:05Z

I also use that first sports one that Anette uses. That and mobile facebook are the ones I use the most

Comment from McBain on 2008-11-26

2008-11-26T17:10:53Z

For the riders out there - 1000+ GPS Motorcycle Rides

SundayMorningRides.com

SMR Mobile

Comment from rloughery on 2008-11-26

2008-11-26T17:28:44Z

Surfline - killer iPhone app

Comment from splurge on 2008-11-26

2008-11-26T17:49:45Z

Heysan is a great browser-based IM site. No need to download anything; clean, quick, reliable. Definitely gets the job done.

Comment from Dave on 2008-11-26

2008-11-26T20:42:17Z

Re: Anette - YES! The IngameNow apps for NFL and Soccer are amazing for keeping up with your team's scores when you are on the go. Just like the site describes itself as Twitter for Sports.

And Google Earth is sick too!

Comment from bee2007 on 2008-11-26

2008-11-26T22:42:00Z

Thanks for the review, Shazam is my absolute fav app on iPhone.

Here is a website that gives tips about iPhone and reviews kids applications and games. All with video demonstrations: http://www.iPhoneAndKids.com

Example article:

5 tips for making your iPhone/iTouch kid proof:

I got my 3-year-old son his own iTouch after I fell in love with my iPhone. Not only my son is a destructive 3-year-old, but he also has my clumsiness genes. Below I share some tips for parents on how to make iPhone/iTouch kid proof and kid friendly: Iphone-kids-case

1. Get a case with a stand: While this was a no brainer, it took me 2-3 hours to find a silicon-non slippery case with a stand. It is relatively in-expensive at $11.89 for a two pack, clear and pink. The pink one was pretty ugly, but the clear colored one did the job. Also this was an iPhone case and it fit little loosely to my son's iTouch. Nevertheless it worked for us.
Iphone-charger

2. Get a few retractable chargers: The long dangling charger that comes with the iPhone was just too attractive for my son to pull and play around. Plus, when he is playing with the iTouch he drains the battery fast, so I got several of these retractable chargers and plugged them into every computer we have. They were very inexpensive at $1.92 each and shipping cost more than the product. Therefore, you may want to order several at once.

3. Never give the ownership: Even if you get them their own device -like I did-, and even if you had their name engraved at the back of the iTouch -like I did-, do not tell them that its theirs. Tell them that its the whole family's to share. That way they are not obsessed about it and you may be able to get it back from them when you need to.

4. Have them use it only sitting down: Only after two days of iTouch ownership, my son got really comfortable with the device, just holding it with one hand, using it while walking etc. I do not want him to break it so I made a rule of him using it only when he is sitting down.

5. Avoid applications with heavy motion controls : This way they do not get used to throwing around and shaking their iTouch and you can avoid having it slip out of their little hands.

more at http://www.iPhoneAndKids.com

Comment from Oscar Antonio Moralí Torres on 2008-11-26

2008-11-26T23:57:17Z

Hi!

Well Actually I have Facebook and Myspace in my BlackBerry. Oh! and Twitterberry also. But the one that I like most is eOffice. You can edit your office documents and integrate them with Google Docs.

http://www.dynoplex.com/eoffice.shtml

Comment from Mick Liubinskas on 2008-11-26

2008-11-27T03:49:59Z

I'm biased because I worked with the guys on it, but I love swearing in 40+ languages;

http://m.lingopal.com/

Ti stai mettendo in imbarazzo!

:-)

Comment from Mike - ShoZu on 2008-11-27

2008-11-27T14:29:43Z

Thanks for the great write up. Interesting to see such a diverse range of mobile sites and applications that your users frequently use.

Great to hear about all the guys listing ShoZu as one of their favourite apps.

I am glad they are discovering some of the power of ShoZu, there’s plenty more out there along with a lot of exciting stuff going on over the coming months.

Let me know if there is anything I, or any of the rest of the ShoZu gang can do to increase your enjoyment of the service.

You can contact me directly at mike@shozu.com and you can also follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/shozu

Best,

Mike

Comment from Usman on 2008-11-28

2008-11-28T10:43:12Z

Twitter is they king now. I must say the mostof social network with

Comment from Usman on 2008-11-28

2008-11-28T11:50:50Z

Well i agree to most things but i am not sure about abut the service

Comment from banka şubeleri on 2008-12-09

2008-12-09T09:51:15Z

Democrats are suggesting that this is yet more unconstitutional gobbledeegook from the president