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Looking back on 2008, we can definitely call it the year of the Mobile Web. That designation, in large part, is due to the success of the iPhone. Although the iPhone was originally launched in 2007, it wasn't until mid-2008 that the 3G version debuted, bringing with it the faster internet speeds that finally made the device a usable mobile computing platform.

There is no doubt that the iPhone led to a trickle-down effect that influenced nearly every aspect of both handset development and the mobile web itself. Every manufacturer is looking for an "iPhone killer," everyone is dong an app store, and web sites themselves are becoming iPhone-friendly. Meanwhile, mobile app developers are reaping the rewards of having a new platform on which they can develop.

Google just released an iPhone version (iTunes link) of its popular Google Earth desktop mapping application. We have seen a wide range of interesting iPhone applications lately, but few have been as impressive as Google Earth on the iPhone. Google has taken the basics of the Google Earth interface and brought them to the iPhone. The app feels highly responsive and effectively mimics the desktop application on the iPhone.

In good times everyone wants to be a platform. But when times are bad and platforms are just an expense, the resources suddenly shift away. The recent re-design of Facebook, the slow down of Google's Open Social, and Flock closing its extension site - these are all part of the same pattern. Platforms that don't have monetization wired in are only good for marketing. This is why the platforms of the future need to think about not just short-term marketing and buzz, but long-term sustainability and monetization.

Today AppLoop launched a mobile application generator which lets you turn any RSS feed into a mobile application for either iPhone (available today) or Android (coming soon). The company, who competes with the analytics and advertising solution MediaLets, wanted to provide everyone with the tools to make a mobile app, even if they didn't have any programming experience. To do so, they've created their new Mobile Application Generator, a tool which creates a mobile-ready application in less than two minutes.

Last.FM has finally released the highly anticipated update to their iPhone application. Initial App Store reviews for the debut of the Last.FM app weren't very high. The app is currently rated at three stars, compared to its competitor Pandora's five star app.

However, we think this update to the Last.FM app is incredible and will probably improve its ratings. Here's a hands-on review of the latest update to the Last.FM app.

There are numerous complaints that customers have about Apple's App Store. You can't try an app before you buy it, no refunds on apps, false app reviews, and from a developer's standpoint, too many restrictions and rules. Apple is now trying to fix at least one of those problems. The App Store now requires users to purchase an app before they can provide a review of it.

iPhone users tend to get pretty excited when they see a number alert right over the App Store icon. This means that an app or two has been updated and is available for downloading. This week we've seen seen numerous great updates from some apps that we love.

Here are our picks of the top 4 app updates that brought great features and more stability to our iPhones this week.

Over the weekend, a debate raged across the tech blogosphere concerning the risks involved in developing for the iPhone platform.

What prompted the debate in the first place was Apple's decision to reject an app known as the Podcaster, which would have permitted you to listen to podcasts without first downloading them in iTunes. Because the app "duplicates the functionality of the Podcast section of iTunes," says Apple, they decided to reject it from inclusion in the App store.

The iTunes App Store is becoming a trendsetter for other companies in the mobile market. With thousands of apps to choose from and over 60 million downloads total, what more could you ask for? Apparently a lot. Users still aren't satisfied with the selection of apps that Apple is letting into the App Store. Apps that are extending the functionality of some of Apple's standard offerings are being denied their chance to shine. This has resulted in a small, but talented pool of developers finding other ways to promote their apps to iPhone users.

Enter a method known as "jailbreaking". Jailbreaking your iPhone voids your warranty, but allows you access to some of the most incredible apps that won't be coming to the App Store anytime soon. Here's our top 10 picks of apps worth jailbreaking your iPhone to get.

Woot is an awesome site that features a great deal each day. From shirts to wine, to the latest gadget, you can find great daily deals on Woot for an awfully low price. The only catch is that you have to be fast because the deals normally only go for that particular day and usually sell out fast. Now you can keep up with all the great deals from Woot from your iPhone with the 2 new Woot apps. Here's a look at both applications.