Nov 6, 2009  •  In Android, Apple, Gadgets, Geek

How Many iPhone Apps Do You Use?

I admit it — I’m a cell phone whore. And as much as I love my HTC G1, I hate, hate, HATE the T-Mobile network. The problem is made worse by the fact that I had switched over to T-Mobile from Verizon (the best network in the U.S.) for the G1.

I refuse to switch over to the iPhone. I hate that it is a closed platform, and that it forces developers to jump through hoops and wait unreasonable lengths of time for an app to get approved.

(Case in point: the Squarespace iPhone App was finally released this week. Apple’s approval process had taken so long that the Squarespace team is already well into the next version of the application. As with all freshly-released applications, there are minor bugs and issues with this app — which have been fixed in the newer version — but Apple’s lengthy approval time forces the users of this app to keep waiting.)

I also have had bad experience with AT&T in the past, and I hear that they are not much better these days.

This is precisely the reason I have been waiting with baited breath the release of the Motorola DROID, which is available on the Verizon network TODAY.

Just in case you do not follow numerous tech blogs like me, you should know that the DROID is being touted as a “killer phone.” Read Mashable’s roundup of reviews here.

Enough with the drawn-out introduction. Let’s get to the crux of the matter here.

Having read numerous reviews of the DROID over the past month, I am always tickled when I read that one of the “cons” of the DROID (or the Android platform in general) is that it “only” has 12,000+ apps when the iPhone boasts 100,000+.

100,000+ apps? You better be sure there’s an app for that.

But when you really think about it, isn’t 12,000+ a significant number too?

I mean, how many apps do you really need? How many apps can you really use on a phone that cannot run background apps? (Which, to me, counts as another “con” for the iPhone.)

I use my G1 extensively. And after having downloaded tons of applications, I end up deleting the majority of them and only use about 5 extensively. Because let’s face it: whether you use the iPhone, an Android phone, a WinMo phone (shudder), a Palm or a Symbian, almost everything you need comes pre-packaged with the phone. While there are great applications out there for download, the great majority of what is on the marketplace is hogwash.

So I would like to pose this question to all my readers who own iPhones:

How many iPhone apps do you regularly use?

As for me, I’ve alread made up my mind. As soon as my T-Mobile contract ends on December 22, I will be switching back to Verizon and purchasing the Motorola DROID.

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5 Responses to “How Many iPhone Apps Do You Use?”

  1. Jenna says:

    I got my Droid this morning! I replaced my Samsung Omnia, which ran on Windows Mobile which I haaaaated. So excited to play with it 😀

    Also, I imagine the Android Marketplace will grow substantially now that the Droid is out.

  2. Moll says:

    I’m counting down the days until Verizon says I can use my new phone credit so that I can snap up the droid! I refused to get an iphone, chiefly for the reasons you listed, and I can’t wait to ditch my Blackberry for something more dynamic. Definitely let us know what you think once you get the droid.

  3. Geek in Heels says:

    Jenna — I’m jealous! Please let me know how you like it!

    Moll — Will do!

  4. Jenna says:

    I haven’t really had a chance to play with it yet, but I can’t wait to get home!

    So far: LOVE the touch screen. I know I’m behind; the iPhone has a great touch screen, but my Omnia was terrrrrible. I think I like the onscreen keyboard better than the slide-out.

    I’m super excited about googlemaps free turn-by-turn nav. I’ve been paying for it on my old Verizon phones. I tested the voice controls quickly this morning, and "Navigate to Taco Bell" brought up a list of all nearby Taco Bells, and directions quickly after I chose one.

    An iPhone user in the office played with it quickly and said he was jealous : ) I’m looking forward to 5pm so I can get to know it better!

  5. Heidi says:

    i have 16 apps on my iphone, i regularly use: tweetdeck, twitpic, tumblr, facebook, the nike+ app, urban spoon, yelp and the facebook app. Those are downloaded, not the ones that come with the iphone (maps, weather etc…)

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