by Lisa Lai

Created on: June 18, 2009

Top 5 iphone apps for managing your life

An iphone isn't just a phone and with over 800 (and constantly growing) downloadable apps available through itunes, more and more when I reach for my phone I am not utilizing the phone at all.

iphone apps that are built into your phone, already are sophisticated and designed to make your life's information accessible at your fingertips. For instance, Get lost? Maps. Get bored? download a free game. Curious? Go to the web to get your answer? And those are just a few choices from a myriad of practical tools your iphone offers.

Below are my top 5 extra apps (all free) that use all the time. Everything from managing your health to your shopping habits.

1. Google Mobile App
Search on the fly for anything. The localized feature makes this app indispensable. Combine it with Yelp and you are all set to find the best of everything wherever you are.

2. Facebook
With 200 million users and only 10 million iphones, this app is sure to be a hit with the linked in crowd. See something funny? Snap a pix and upload it to your fb account with a notation. Waiting in line at the post office has never been so fun now that I can check my fb friends posts. I love being able to update my status on the fly.

3. Pandora
Better than radio, better than an ipod. Free music app that figures out what you like and plays it for you free. Everyone I asked was impressed with just how accurate Pandora is at finding music they love.

4. Recorder
Want to quickly take a note, phone number, record a thought? just select your recorder app and talk away. So simple to use and no more scrambling around for pen or searching for bits of paper. It may not be the end of the pen but it is definitely a useful tool.

5. Lose It!
In a country that is obsessed with health and weight, Lose It! becomes your best friend by tracking your daily intake of calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs, and protein. All you do is pick the food you ate from the menu and it tracks it. With a listing of restaurant foods as well as a grocery store listing of popular brands you are well on your way to better health.

And I can't forget to mention one of the funnest games for the iphone. Catchamouse. The first version is free. All you have to do is prevent the mouse from jumping into his hole but as the levels go up the more opportunities your mouse has to jump in the whole. You have to outwit a mouse which sounds easier than it is at first.

How I ever survived without my iphone, I'll never know. =)

Learn more about this author, Lisa Lai.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.