JW's Favorite iPhone & iPad Apps Of 2013

For the sixth consecutive year, I’ve compiled a list of the iOS apps that I’m using the most across my iPhone & iPad. In 2013, I mostly used a 3rd generation iPad and iPhone 5, but upgraded to an iPhone 5S in the fall and continued to use my iPhone 4S for shooting video and docking in my car to use the BMW Connected app.

When I think about 2013, it was really characterized by the proliferation of app-enhanced hardware. Some people call the combo "packs". These connected devices, whether wearable tech or smart home tech, illustrated the continued maturation of iOS as a platform. I’ll talk about some of those apps working in tandem with devices below.

2013 also saw the arrival of iOS 7, unquestionably the most radical change to the OS since its introduction in 2007. The impact this had across the 3rd party developer landscape can’t be overstated. The retooling of apps to adopt the new design language was so non-trivial, that some developers chose to release new versions of their apps not as updates but entirely new apps. Two of my most used apps from 2012, Tweetbot & Reeder, took the path of releasing as entirely new apps given the radical iOS 7 optimization work.

Now read on for the breakdown of how I got things done on mobile in 2013.

iPhone Apps

Most Used Apps

Google Voice

I’m leading with this one because I have a feeling it won’t make the 2014 list. I’ve used Google Voice since 2009, but the product seems to be languishing with only a single minor app update in 2013. Google seems to be pouring more effort into their Hangouts app, but currently there’s no direct tie into the Voice service on iOS. Further diminishing my enthusiasm for the Google Voice app is the increasing role of OS-level hooks for things like Siri texting or dialing. Unless Google Voice gets some attention in early 2014, I’ll likely port my number out to Verizon. But in 2013, Google Voice was how I did all my texting & outbound calling on my iPhone.

Facebook

The Facebook app got updated no fewer than 20 times in 2013, and each release showed continued improvement. It’s gotten so good, that I’m rarely interacting with Facebook on my MacBook Pro anymore. Occasional quirks still appear (like some posts missing in the iOS app that are still viewable on the desktop), but for most of my Facebook needs, the app fits the bill.

Evernote

I’ve bought into the Evernote system. I’m using their Moleskine notebooks, scanning all my mail & other documents into it via a ScanSnap, and taking the dozens of whiteboard photos for archival into Evernote. Having all of that data searchable and instantly accessible wherever I am is beyond awesome. The iOS 7 refresh of the app is gorgeous, too.

Instagram

Although video capture was added here in 2013, I still find myself using Instagram mostly as a daily photo journaling tool. I keep the app on my main home screen to remind me to look for photo opportunities throughout the day.

Timehop

My own personal time machine. I check this app every morning to see my digital snippets from that date in previous years that I’ve captured on Twitter, Foursquare & Instagram. It’s entertaining seeing trends, especially around holidays.

Couple

This app was previously branded Pair and mentioned in my 2012 roundup. Couple is the messaging app my wife & I use for daily communication with each other. Sticker packs were added this year, too, and my wife seems to be rather fond of the Pug ones. A little more intimate than just using the stock Messages app or Google Voice for general purpose messaging.

Withings Health Mate

I really ramped up my interest in the quantified self movement this year, and this app is kind of the hub of that activity. In April, I ordered one of the Withings Smart Body Analyzers, picked up the Withings Blood Pressure Monitor in May, and finally added the Withings Pulse activity tracker in June. All of the data provided by these 3 devices is collected and displayed within the Health Mate app so I can track progress over time.

iPhone Apps I Began Using More Frequently In 2013

Dropbox

After becoming a paid subscriber in 2012, I effectively centralized all of my non-music files on Dropbox in 2013. Since all my iPhone photos auto-upload to Dropbox, it’s more convenient just having all of my photos, documents, and other files all accessible via Dropbox than having to log into my PC back at the house via something like LogMeIn.

Google Maps

Although I have a navigation system built into my car, sometimes it’s just quicker to search for something via the Google Maps app and drive away with my iPhone sitting on the dashboard providing navigation instead of finding the exact address and plugging that into my car’s system. Especially if I’m making short trips within the city, I find myself just defaulting to my phone more and more. For longer road trips, though, I still prefer using my car’s built-in navigation.

1Password

I’d been a longtime Splash ID user dating back to my Palm Pilot days in the late 90s, but in February 2013 I decided to switch over to 1Password for my password management needs when the software went on sale. The integration across iOS & OS X at a more seamless level is what swayed me, and I must say it’s been a definite improvement. I’ve finally improved on diversifying my passwords as a result, and given all of the data breaches we saw in 2013, I’m really glad I did.

Flickr

After its drastic 2.0 redesign in late 2012, this app gained another feature in 2013 that really increased my usage: auto-upload of the iPhone’s photos in full resolution. Although Dropbox is still providing a safety backup for my photos, Flickr is ultimately where all of my photos end up, so having them automatically uploaded from my iPhone is saving me a step.

Netflix

After picking up a Chromecast dongle earlier this summer, my usage of the Netflix iPhone app skyrocketed. Why? I attached the Chromecast to a small TV my brother gave me when he moved, setup that TV near my twins’ play area in our living room, and now constantly have cartoons playing on that 2nd TV when we’re watching something else on our main TV. As soon as one cartoon finishes, I queue up another one via the Netflix iPhone app, and the girls’ have their own programming available.

Dropcam

I bought my first Dropcam in early 2012 as a baby monitor for our twins’ nursery. On Memorial Day weekend 2013, my house got shot at (yes, in The Woodlands), and I kind of went into papa bear mode in securing the Casa De Western 4.0. I bought a Glock and a semi-automatic shotgun. I installed enough exterior LED lighting to rival airports. And I went crazy adding more Dropcams onto my home network. How crazy? Enough to merit adding another AirPort Extreme Base Station to my home network to help load-balance the influx of 24/7 video recording. I use the Dropcam app to view all of those video feeds at a glance or drill back into past footage to see what activity there’s been around my house. It also makes for some fun clips like this: https://twitter.com/JustonWestern/status/402645347115474944

Runkeeper

In large part because of its integration with the Withings Health Mate app and the Pebble watch, I’ve started using Runkeeper to track all of my runs and dog walks. Although I still keep all of my activity tracked within the Nike+ world via the FuelBand app, the 3rd party support of Runkeeper makes it a valuable piece of my overall logging system.

Nest Mobile

I received a pair of Nest Thermostats for our house as a birthday gift in 2013, and have since been more excited with thermostats than I ever thought I’d be. Using the iPhone app, I’ve been much more in tune with the house’s energy usage, and particularly enjoy turning on either the AC or heat a few hours before arriving home from a road trip so we arrive home to a comfortable house.

Favorite New iPhone Apps of 2013

Pebble

I backed the Pebble smart watch on Kickstarter during its 2012 campaign, and finally received my unit in February 2013. While it’s still not what I’d deem a mass market product, I’ve really enjoyed tinkering with mine, and have particularly enjoyed it the 2nd half of the year. Once iOS 7’s Apple Notification Center Service was implemented within the Pebble app, it increased the reliability of getting notifications from your phone to your watch significantly. I now wear mine all the time, and really love the Runkeeper app that runs on it that gives me time/distance/pace info on my wrist during my runs and walks. The Pebble app itself is kind of the conduit that facilitates that interaction between the iPhone and the Pebble watch.

Vine

Released early in 2013, Vine did to videos for me what Instagram did for photos. I’ve found myself looking for more opportunities to shoot those 6 second video clips that loop endlessly. You can see the nearly 100 clips I shot in 2013 here: https://vine.co/juston

Tweetbot 3

Although Tweetbot has been on my list for several years, this year saw the release of an entirely new app that leverages the new iOS 7 design language. Tweetbot is the gold standard by which all other social media apps are measured, and Tweetbot 3 reconfirmed that. This app is particularly useful if you have multiple Twitter accounts.

Reeder 2

Another app which chose the new app path for their iOS 7 redesign, Reeder 2 is the long-standing favorite iOS RSS client. Even with the shutdown of Google Reader earlier this year, I found refuge in a service called Feedbin that Reeder supported as an RSS backend. The resulting experience transitioning from Google Reader to Feedbin was painless, and Reeder 2 made the whole experience feel right at home on iOS 7.

ESPN SportsCenter

The Push Notifications from this app are what makes it great, and the development team seemed to recognize that, making per game notifications even easier to quickly set in the app’s major 4.0 release that arrived in late November. Since ESPN is the 800 pound gorilla in sports programming, you’re almost always assured of finding any relevant highlights available within the app, too.

Automatic

This app pairs with a Bluetooth dongle that plugs into the OBD port of your car. Then all of your driving activity is tracked in a way that suggests improvements in your driving style to optimize fuel efficiency and safety. It’s also kind of interesting to have something of a driving journal so you can see trends over time with commute times.

IFTTT

I’ve long been a fan of If This Then That (aka IFTTT), and the arrival of their iOS app this year just made me love the service more. Using a Trigger & Recipe model, this app allows me to link together different web-based services to automate various portions of my life. For some of the recipes I’ve created, check out my shared ones here: https://ifttt.com/p/juston

iPad Apps

Gmail

When I’m working with email on my iPad, I’m usually looking to do a bit more than just read messages like I do on my iPhone with the native Mail app. I heavily use labels in Gmail, so if I’m looking to label & archive messages as I triage my Inbox, this has proven to be the most effective iPad mail client for me.

TiVo

We’ve been a TiVo household since 2005, and the past two years have been fantastic when it comes to integration with iOS devices. When we’re traveling, we download shows locally from the TiVo Roamio Pro to the iPad and then watch on the road. In 2013, the iPad app also gained the ability to stream live TV, which I used most often to watch NFL games while we were traveling that weren’t available in the NFL Sunday Ticket app. I also downloaded the full Iron Bowl broadcast to watch on our drive back to Houston from Auburn. War Damn Eagle.

WatchESPN

This is perhaps my most used iPad app, especially during college football season. Since the Southeastern Conference has a contract with ESPN (and will be launching the SEC Network this August), my wife & I were almost always assured to have either the LSU or Auburn games available on the iPad via the WatchESPN app if we had the other game on the TV in our living room.

Tweetbot

In my opinion, this is still the killer app for a second screen experience. When we’re watching a game or some other live event on TV where there’s a high likelihood that people will be tweeting about it, I just set the iPad beside me on the couch with this app running to watch the backchannel conversation roll in. Sadly the iPad version of Tweetbot didn’t see an iOS 7 refresh in 2013, but hopefully that arrives early in 2014.

Kindle

Probably my second most used app on the iPad, Kindle quenches my thirst for long-form reading. I blew through 10 books in the Kindle app in 2013, and am targeting at least that many in 2014. While I will occasionally read some chapters of books via the Kindle iPhone app, the iPad incarnation is still my favorite.

Reeder 2

While this app sees much less of my eyeballs than the iPhone version of Reeder 2, if I’m looking for a quick fix of RSS feeds before bed, I regularly spend about half an hour reading through articles in this app. Reeder 2 is a universal app, unlike its predecessor which required different purchases for the iPhone & iPad versions.

NFL Sunday Ticket

Hands down the most expensive app in my library, on account of the required subscription at a rate of $300 each year. But as a New Orleans Saints fan living in Houston, this app (reasonably) assures me that I’ll get to watch every Saints game each season. As I mentioned last year, yes, this is insanely expensive, but it’s still cheaper than going to a sports bar each Sunday.

Tweet Library

I discovered this app early in 2013 and it’s changed the way I dig through my 6,500 tweets from the past 7 years. Tweet Library allows you to import your Twitter archive of tweets (which you request from your Settings page on Twitter.com), and then makes that entire catalogue of tweets searchable to you. Tweet Library is also a full fledged Twitter client, but it’s the import/search functionality that makes it truly stand out.

JW's Favorite iPhone & iPad Apps Of 2012

Not since the original iPhone release in 2007 or the original iPad release in 2010 has the software landscape for iOS been so directly impacted by new hardware as it was in 2012.  With the new iPad gaining a Retina display in March, the iPhone 5 getting a taller screen in September, and the iPad mini showing a new iOS device form factor in November, iOS developers had an increasingly diverse suite of screen resolutions and design considerations to address.

As an app consumer (especially if you were an early adopter of those new devices), the impact of the steady march forward in hardware was jarring at times.  If your favorite iPad apps weren't Retina-optimized, they sometimes looked terrible.  If your favorite iPhone apps weren't optimized for the taller iPhone 5 display, you needed to adjust to having black bars letter-boxing your app at the top & bottom of the screen.

Despite these relatively minor nuisances, 2012 was also an absolutely fascinating time to follow the evolution of app design & development.  While I'm fortunate enough to be involved in this space as part of my day job at ChaiONE, I also continue to be legitimately passionate about this stuff and spend much of my free time trying out new apps on my own devices or running initiatives like the Houston App Aficionados.

As I've done the past four years (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011), I've taken stock of the apps I'm regularly using across my iPhone & iPad, and written a quick blurb about each of them below.  I'm hopeful you'll find some on this list that you can use to make your days better in 2013.

iPhone Apps

Most Used iPhone Apps

Tweetbot
This third-party Twitter client from Tapbots is still how most of my social network status updates originate (with syndication to Facebook via the Twitter app now that Ifttt can no longer use Twitter triggers).  With multiple account support, it's the one client I use on my iPhone across 5 Twitter accounts.

Foursquare
The granddaddy of checkin apps, I use this as my personal passport, checking into each venue I enter every day.  With nearly 4 years worth of my checkin data in this app, it's fascinating to see the stats on elapsed time between visits.

Reeder
If you want an efficient means of consuming website articles, this Google Reader client is still best in class.  This single app accounts for the majority of app use on my iPhone.

Evernote
Particularly since the UI-overhauled 5.0 release of this app in November, I find myself creating more notes via the iPhone app, as opposed to the Mac app.  This is especially true for capturing photographs of notes/drawings on whiteboards around the office and at home.

Instagram
Despite the Facebook acquisition of Instagram in April, and its Terms of Service PR firestorm in December, the app & its highly-engaged community still set the standard for mobile-first photo sharing.  While I cross-post all my Instagram shots to Flickr & Blogger, I still originate the majority of my photos in Instagram.

iPhone Apps I Began Using More Frequently In 2012

Gmail
Google's iOS team was prolific in 2012, overhauling some of their existing iPhone apps, and releasing several completely new ones.  One to see a significant improvement towards the end of the year was version 2.0 of Gmail, with multiple account support & a crisp white user interface that made email on the iPhone fresh again. If you're a heavy user of labels in Gmail, this app is a must-have.

Google Voice
Despite the proliferation of the iMessage protocol to OS X in Mountain Lion, and continued feature enhancements in iOS 6, I still conduct the majority of my text-based communications through the Google Voice iPhone app.  When I'm at my computer, I'll compose & respond via the Chrome Google Voice extension, but when I'm away from my desk, this app is still my go to solution.

Flickr
With the executive shakeup at Yahoo earlier this year, there seems to be a revived interest in their Flickr product.  The iPhone app benefitted from that renewed attention, with a redesign that finally looks and behaves like a mobile photo social network. Today I'm mostly using it to view photos instead of photo capture, but that may change in 2013 if Instagram clutters up their app interface.

Dropbox
After lightly using the service for the past several years, I finally became a paying Pro subscriber in 2012, driven in large part by the Camera Upload functionality added to their iPhone app.  Having become a new father in March, I wanted to ensure I never had to worry about losing photos or videos I shot of my twins on my iPhone, so the Dropbox app has become a critical piece of my daily data backup scheme.

Facebook
The Facebook iPhone app had been limping along for years until its 5.0 release in August.  Now with a native implementation of several features that were previously built using HTML5, getting your Newsfeed & Timeline to load within the iPhone app is significantly faster & less frustrating.

Amazon
Our household became Amazon Prime members in January in preparation for getting regular shipments of baby items like diapers & formula.  Now we order everything from scissors to plungers through the site thanks to its free two day shipping, and I normally reach for my iPhone to add things to our cart via the Amazon app.  It's not as robust for browsing Amazon.com as using a web browser on your laptop, but for quickly searching & buying items, it serves the purpose quite well.

Slice
Since during any given week we have several Amazon orders headed our way thanks to that Prime subscription, this app has become indispensable for quickly knowing what is going to arrive and when.  Getting Push Notifications when your package is out for delivery and then when it's actually delivered saves me the time & effort of logging into the UPS or FedEx sites to track shipment progress.

Favorite New iPhone Apps of 2012

Timehop
Remember the 4 years worth of Foursquare checkin data I mentioned earlier?  Well Timehop helps me resurface it, every single day.  By connecting your Foursquare, Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram accounts to Timehop, the app will send you a Push Notification each morning letting you know your personal history for that day has been assembled. You'll see what updates you posted to those various social networks last year, 2 years ago, all the way back to 2004 if you were using Facebook back then.

Letterpress
Developed by Loren Brichter, who invented the 'pull to refresh' functionality now leveraged across countless iOS apps, this casual word game is like a more entertaining Words With Friends or Scrabble.  Whereas Words With Friends just became tedious after a few rounds, Letterpress has become a fun attention diversion that I'm still enjoying daily even after several months of play.

Pair
This app is an iOS-only social network between you and your significant other.  My wife & I use it to send messages, photos, and videos back and forth to each other throughout the day.  We could accomplish the same thing via traditional text messages, but this app feels more intimate and has some cute couples-centric features that make it enjoyable to incorporate into our daily routines.

Netbot
Netbot is effectively a clone of Tweetbot, but targeted at the ad-free, paid App.net social network instead of Twitter.  I signed up for a year subscription to App.net after Netbot was released in October, and it's been a fun community of mostly geeks reminiscent of Twitter circa 2007.

WithBaby
After our twins arrived in March, I wanted to outfit their nursery with a video baby monitor.  I settled on two, with the Withings Smart Baby Monitor being particularly well-suited to our needs because of the baby-centric nature versus a standard web cam.  WithBaby is the iPhone app companion and allows my wife & I to see the girls when we're at work, turn on lullabies, monitor the temperature & humidity in the nursery, and even talk to the twins via the built-in speaker of the baby monitor.

Dropcam
This was the second video baby monitor I chose.  While not marketed solely as a baby monitor, Dropcam was attractive because it provided an online DVR feature that let me rewind to any motion or sound events that took place in the nursery.  Aside from iPhone & iPad apps, I can also access my video footage via a web browser when I'm at my desk.

Frameographer
This app was developed by the creators of the Glif iPhone tripod mount accessory.  It allows you to create stop-motion & time-lapse videos.  I've used it to create some interesting videos, such as this one of my daughters swinging in baby seats and this one of clouds billowing over Houston on Halloween.

Nike+ FuelBand
A recent addition to my fitness app arsenal, I'm looking to leverage this app + wristband combo meaningfully in 2013 as a way to stay motivated to hit my fitness & weight loss goals.  By earning Nike Fuel points each day and competing against your Facebook friends, the idea is that you'll move more.  My wife says it makes me a little more like a robot.  I think I'm OK with that.

Google Maps
Even if you don't follow mobile technology closely, you likely heard about this app due to the high-profile negative PR surrounding Apple's Maps in iOS 6.  In short, Google Maps is worthy of the hype.  The data is accurate, the UI is crisp, the turn by turn voice directions are well executed, and the app pulls in search history of location queries you've done on your computer.  It's awesome.

Google Drive
Google Docs was rebranded as Google Drive this year.  I have nearly 8 years of documents & spreadsheets within the Google Drive system, so having a way to natively access and edit my files on my iPhone has been a tremendous addition to my productivity toolkit.

iPad Apps

SoundCloud
When Megaupload was shut down in January, it had a chilling effect on the availability of podcasts and live mix set recordings from DJs around the world.  I speculated at that time that we'd see a consolidation of mixes to the SoundCloud platform as a result, and the rest of 2012 seemed to support that hypothesis.  Soundcloud's iPad app is excellent, and if you follow the right artists on the site, it becomes a reasonable alternative to services like Spotify or Rdio for electronic music fans.

Sunday Ticket
In NFL seasons past, if we didn't get the Saints game on our Comcast cable package here in Houston, we'd just go to one of the local sports bars to watch the game. Since having two infants complicated that approach, this season we subscribed to the online-only package of Direct TV's NFL Sunday Ticket.  The Sunday Ticket iPad app allowed us to watch the Saints games at home on the couch with the girls, while we had the Texans game on the big screen.

WatchESPN
When ESPN & Comcast reached a content agreement in May of 2012 to allow Comcast customers access to the WatchESPN app, I knew football season was going to be awesome.  I was right.  Every Saturday during the fall, we'd have a football game on our TV, and then two other games pulled up in the WatchESPN apps on our iPads. It was like our living room was a more comfortable Buffalo Wild Wings.  Perfect.

TiVo
We added a TiVo Premiere XL4 & TiVo Stream box to our home theater setup in 2012, which meant the TiVo iPad app became significantly more feature packed.  The app allows us to stream shows wirelessly over our home network to the iPad while something else is being watched on TV.  Or we can download previously recorded shows to the iPad app to take with us while we're traveling.  It also allows us to schedule recordings or browse the program guide on the iPad instead of interrupting viewing on the TV.

Chrome
While I still mostly use Safari on my iPhone for web browsing, I've found myself using the Chrome browser on my iPad more each month since it was released during the summer.  As someone who spends his days working in the Chrome browser on the Mac, the familiarity of Chrome on the iPad feels nice when I'm casually web browsing at night.

Tweetbot
This is my most used iPad app.  When we're watching television in the evenings, I'll leave my iPad next to me on the couch with Tweetbot open and watch as the stream of updates roll in.  This is particularly compelling during live sporting events, or other live events like elections and news broadcasts.  This is the best second-screen experience app I've come across.

GV Mobile +
Since Google still hasn't developed an iPad-optimzed Google Voice app, I use GV Mobile + for responding to text messages when I have my iPad next to me, but my iPhone is on the charger.  It was developed by Sean Kovacs, who really drove the movement for Google Voice on the iPhone in 2009 & 2010 before Google ever released their own first-party solution.

iControlAV
This app is for the Pioneer VSX-1122 AV receiver we added to our home theater this summer.  It allows me to change source inputs, volume, zone outputs, and basically all other functionality that you'd normally need to use the IR remote to execute, but over Wi-Fi via the app.  That means I can change audio sources on my backyard patio while smoking a cigar without ever impacting the show or volume my family is watching in the living room.

Scanner Pro
Since the third-generation iPad added a respectable camera to the device, apps like Scanner Pro can leverage photo-capture capabilities to accomplish tasks like scanning in documents.  While you won't mistake the resulting PDF for something produced by a quality hardware scanner like a Fujitsu ScanSnap, it's very convenient to be able to scan in documents on the spot when at a client site with only your iPad, instead of waiting to get back to a dedicated scanner to digitize a few pieces of paper.

CNN
With the ability to stream the live TV broadcast of CNN through the iPad app, I've found myself setting up the iPad on my desk at work whenever there's a breaking news story.  While the merits of cable news journalism can be debated ad nauseam, it's still an integral piece of my data consumption workflow when something of national or international significance is happening at that very moment.

JW's Favorite iPhone & iPad Applications Of 2011

The year of 2011 was a fascinating time to be an app consumer.  As the iOS platform has continued to mature, the quality of apps has steadily increased.  Just perusing the App Store is becoming a sort of leisure activity, and the offerings available are becoming an integral part of daily life.

As I've done the previous three years (2008, 2009, 2010), I've reflected upon my own app usage and come up with the selection of apps I find myself launching most frequently.  Below I've categorized them between iPhone & iPad.

iPhone Apps

Most Used iPhone Apps

Reeder
This app is my information fire hose.  I start every morning catching up on the news with CNN on the living room TV, a cup of coffee in my right hand, and my iPhone in my left hand consuming RSS feeds via the Reeder app.  This is the most efficient information consumption mechanism I've ever encountered.

Tweetbot
Tweetbot is the app from which I almost exclusively update. Better than Twitter's first-party iOS app, Tweetbot is fast to load, easy to navigate, and leverages the design aesthetic that made the app's developer, Tapbots, famous with Weightbot.

Gmail
My life revolves around Gmail, both for personal email & work email.  Although the Gmail iOS app is little more than a web view of Gmail's mobile site in a native app wrapper, it's still great to quickly apply labels to new messages and for quickly searching email archives.

Remember The Milk
Not since I had the Franklin Covey task management software on my Palm IIIxe have I run my life so thoroughly through productivity software as I have with Remember The Milk.  Although I do most of my task entry into Remember The Milk through the Google Chrome TaskMilk extension, the iPhone app is indispensable for reminding me to complete tasks via its Push Notifications.

Facebook
At the beginning of 2011, the Facebook iPhone app had become nearly unusable. It was plagued by crashes and endless loading sequences.  However, with version 4.0 the app became significantly more stable and actually a pleasure to use.  In December's 4.2 update, the app gained access to Facebook's Timeline feature, and became even more compelling.

Google Voice

Essentially replacing the Phone app & Messages app built into iOS, Google Voice is my communications hub on the iPhone.  While the Google Voice service isn't for everyone, I've bought into the system 100%, and love the flexibility it provides me to triage calls & texts from my iPhone, iPad, Mac, & PC.

iPhone Apps I Began Using More Frequently In 2011

These are apps that I had on my iPhone prior to 2011, but didn't start using frequently until 2011.

Instagram
This app renewed my interest in casual photography.  It's also encouraged me to focus on quality over quantity when it comes to snapping pictures.

Dropbox
On a normal day, I'm likely to interact with 5 different devices to which my Dropbox account is linked. This app is like my window into my daily file-related activity.

Evernote
If you want to consolidate any miscellaneous information you may need to recall in a searchable tool, Evernote cannot be beat.  I take photos of everything from business cards to product manuals and have it instantly searchable within the Evernote app.  This is like my outsourced memory.

Kindle
While I don't do my initial reading of ebooks on the Kindle iPhone app, it's proven very useful for reference and searching purposes.  The hundreds of books on my bookshelves behind me have information physically locked inside.  For books I have in my Kindle app, that information is always with me and searchable.

ESPN ScoreCenter
I'd been a very vocal advocate of Sportacular as the preeminent iPhone sports app until mid 2011.  It just became too unreliable with score Push Notifications.  Enter iOS 5 in the Fall of 2011 with its Notification Center feature, and suddenly the ESPN ScoreCenter app with its very customizable Push Notifications became an attractive replacement for Sportacular.  While I don't launch ScoreCenter frequently, I find the app's frequent Push Notifications indispensable.

Amazon Mobile
I use Amazon to buy random items the same way I used Wal-Mart 3 years ago.  It's just more convenient, and usually more economical, to order an item and have it shipped to my house than it would be to drive to the store and purchase it in person.  The Amazon app has become my primary retail entry point as a result.

Favorite New iPhone Apps of 2011

BMW Connected
This app allows my iPhone to become the brain of my car. I launch this app, lock my iPhone, then plug it into the dock in the center console of my 328i. As a result, I'm able to get Facebook & Twitter updates on my car's iDrive navigation screen, listen to streaming radio stations via my iPhone's data connection, and see upcoming events on my calendar without ever having to divert my eyes to the iPhone's screen.

JotNot Scanner Pro
Although I'm a big proponent of Fujitsu's ScanSnap scanners for high-quality bulk scanning, JotNot has proven to be my most used scanning tool when I need to get a scanned document to someone fast. It creates PDFs using the iPhone's camera, and then allows easy export to Dropbox, Evernote, Google Docs, and email.

Find My Friends
Similar to Google Latitude, Find My Friends allows you to see the current location of your close friends & family on a map in real time.  My wife & I find this is a less intrusive way of finding each other around the greater Houston area during any given work day than text messages or phone calls.

Path
Truthfully, I need another social network in my life like I need a hole in my head.  However, Path looks & feels so cool, that I've found myself launching it to update my status just to experience the UI & UX in the app.  The menu animation alone is justification to download the app.

MOG
Similar to Rdio & Spotify, MOG allows you to stream a library of 14 million songs from a giant jukebox in the cloud, without having to sync over music to your device. I started using MOG as a research exercise as my company was developing a similar streaming music app called DeliRadio. In November, MOG announced a new version of their iPhone app which supported the BMW Apps standard to display app data on your automobile's iDrive system.  This catapulted MOG to the top of my preferred streaming radio apps, by virtue of the amount of time I spent in my car each week.  MOG has a great library of electronica albums, too.

CardMunch

In 2011, I ramped up my business development efforts for my company, and became more active in the Houston & New Orleans tech communities.  As a result, my desk has a stack of 100+ business cards sitting on it, which does me no good when I'm away from my desk.  CardMunch allows me to quickly scan these business cards by taking a photo of each, and then automatically connect with the person via LinkedIn.

iPad Apps

Evernote
My week starts each Monday leading our company's morning standup.  I use Evernote to compile and display the agenda for that meeting, and I can quickly toggle between notes while standing in front of a room of people thanks to this app.

Kindle
This is how I've read 90% of my books in the past 20 months.  I like the fact I can be in my living room recliner, with the lights off, and still read. And while I was always hesitant to write in or highlight physical books, I find myself doing many annotations within my Kindle library.

Twitter
While I don't compose many tweets within the iPad Twitter app, I do find myself reading tweets primarily through this app, especially in the evenings.  The horizontally sliding paned view pioneered in this app really set the design trend in motion in 2011.

GV Mobile+
When I've zapped all the juice on my iPhone and have it on its charger, I can still compose & respond to SMS messages on my iPad via this app.  During football season, this was my primary messaging tool while watching games on my couch.

Reeder
Although I don't use this multiple times each day like I do with the Reeder iPhone app, when I have some down time to catch up on RSS feeds, this app still can't be beat for reading news on your iPad.  Flipboard is sexy, but Reeder is both elegant & efficient.

Facebook
This was the most glaring omission from the iPad app library prior to its eventual release in October 2011.  The 18 month wait was worth it, though.  Much like the Twitter iPad app, there's no better way to read your Facebook news feed than via the Facebook iPad app.  I find myself looking at photos posted on Facebook much more frequently thanks to this app, too.

Remember The Milk
Another app that was late to the iPad party, but like the Facebook iPad app, this one has rewarded patient Remember The Milk users.  As has been the theme with other iPad apps I've listed here, I don't compose many tasks within the Remember The Milk iPad app, but I do use it heavily for viewing my task lists when doing my weekly planning on Sundays for the upcoming week.

SoundNote
If I'm in a meeting where a laptop isn't practical to use, this note taking & audio recording app is my go to solution.  What's novel about SoundNote is that it maps your typing action to a time-stamped audio recording of the meeting.  That allows you to tap any point in your typed notes and be taken directly to the point in the audio recording so you can glean additional context.  Then you can export the notes & audio via Dropbox or email if you want to transfer them back to your laptop. This has proven to be extremely effective when I'm leading client meetings.

LogMeIn Ignition
I have 7 different computers in 3 different cities on which I have the LogMeIn software installed.  This allows me to remotely login to those computers and then control them as if I was sitting in front of them. Thanks to the LogMeIn Ignition app, I can do this all from my iPad.  Inevitably I need to do this once or twice a week, so it's become an important tool in my personal & professional workflow.  If you're new to LogMeIn, I recommend checking out their new LogMeIn iPad app.  It's free instead of the $99.99 LogMeIn now charges for their Ignition app.  The free app doesn't have all the functionality of Ignition, but gives you likely all you'll need as a casual user.

History of Jazz
To end the 2011 list, I wanted to highlight perhaps the coolest & most educational app I have on my iPad.  The History of Jazz is what you'd imagine an interactive textbook from the future would look and feel like.  It allows the user to navigate jazz artists and subgenres from the past 120 years, listening to full songs in each of the styles and showing how and why the musical genre evolved. Even if you know nothing about jazz, you'll enjoy the fluidity of navigation and the ability to read, listen, and watch all the content referenced without ever leaving the app.  As a bonus, the app is AirPlay enabled, so you can stream video content to your TV if you're on a Wi-Fi network with an Apple TV connected.  This app really shows the kind of artistic innovation the iPad platform allows, and I'm truly excited to see other apps in this vein come to the App Store over the next few years.

Conclusion

Hopefully you were introduced to some new apps as a result of reading this post.  Check back this time next year for my 2012 picks.

If you enjoy staying abreast of what's happening in the mobile space, I encourage you to check out my posts on the ChaiONE blog and follow my regular updates on Twitter.  Have a great 2012!

JW's Favorite Essential Mixes of 2011

2011 saw me spending more time in my car than ever before. I commute 39 miles each way to & from the office, so I've got plenty of time in any given week to catch up on the latest music.

The year's offerings on the Essential Mix were solid, and as I've done the past two years, I've compiled a list of my 10 favorite mixes from the roster of 50+.

Below you'll find the rankings, tracklists, and download links for each of my top 10.  Grab them all and start your 2012 with some of the best tunes of the past year.

#1 - Robert Babicz Essential Mix 2011-03-26
Genre: Progressive House
Download

1. Robert Babicz – Intro
2. James Zabiela – Blame (Robert Babicz Remix) [Hope]
3. Robert Babicz – Insider [Unsigned]
4. Robert Babicz – Take It Deep [Bangbang]
5. Robert Babicz – Nektar [Babiczstyle]
6. Hardfloor – Acperience (Robert Babicz Remix)
7. Robert Babicz – From Manchester To Newcastle [Babiczstyle]
8. Robert Babicz – Vibrating Heart Toy [Babiczstyle]
9. Robert Babicz – Tblisi Reprise [Systematic]
10. Davi – Black Rock City (Robert Babicz Remix) [Subtract]
11. Robert Babicz – Slide Away [Intec]
12. Robert Babicz – Darkroom [Babiczstyle]
13. Robert Babicz – Merak [Systematic]
14. Robert Babicz – Remote Kiss (Explosive Bolts Remix) [Babiczstyle]
15. Stephan Helm – Taste (Robert Babicz Remix)
16. Eduardo Moises & Parlange – Lamb Sky (Robert Babicz Remix)
17. Robert Babicz – Beautiful Night [Subtract]
18. Robert Babicz – Dark Flower (Joris Voorn Remix / Babiczstyle Live Re-Edit) [Audiomatique]
19. Denis A – Cuba (Robert Babicz Sunshine Remix)
20. Robert Babicz – Two Colours [Bedrock]
21. Robert Babicz – Hamburg [Babiczstyle]
22. Robert Babicz – Warm Rain [Babiczstyle]
23. Robert Babicz – Pink Trees Reprise [Bedrock]

#2 - Paul Kalkbrenner Essential Mix 2011-07-30
Genre: Techno
Download

Paul Kalkbrenner – Des Stabes Reuse [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Dockyard [BPitch Control]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Kleines Bubu [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Bengang [BPitch Control]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Moob [BPitch Control]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Gutes Nitzwerk [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Europa (Dub Remix) [Normal]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Castanets [BPitch Control]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Sagte Der Bär [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Der Senat [Paul Kalkbrenner - Der Senat]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Böxig Leise [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Azure [BPitch Control]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Kruppzeug [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Torching [Minimaxima]
Paul Kalkbrenner – The Grouch [Paul Kalkbrenner]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Press On (Joris Voorn Remix) [BPitch Control]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Schnakeln [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Tatü Tata [Paul Kalkbrenner]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Schmökelung [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Jestrüpp [Paul Kalkbrenner Musik]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Torted [BPitch Control]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Square 1 [BPitch Control]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Altes Kamuffel [BPitch Control]
Michel Cleis – La Mezcla (Paul Kalkbrenner Remix) [Strictly Rhythm]
Paul Kalkbrenner – Pletcher
Paul Kalkbrenner – Gebrünn Gebrünn [BPitch Control]

#3 - Derrick Carter Essential Mix 2011-06-04
Genre: House
Download

John Legend – Rolling In The Deep [Unreleased]
Scrubfish – Holla If You Came To Funk [Flapjack]
Anhanguera – Hot Jazz In Ya Face [Unreleased]
Jeff Service – Feel Different [Unreleased]
Robb Swinga – Sax Addict [Union Recordings]
Scrubfish – Improv Blue [Cabbie Hat]
Jeff Dougler & Balu – Get Back Alley Cat [Unreleased]
Tommy Largo & Trevor Vichas – Come To Swing [Cabbie Hat]
Tibi Fratila – Track 8 [Unreleased]
Jeremy Joshua – Thinking About Your Face [Sampled Detroit]
Paul C & Paolo Martini – Mirame [Paul's Boutique]
Jeff Dougler & Balu – Get High [Unreleased]
Jeff Service – Spitshine Tommie [Unreleased]
DJ Phase – Jazzy Ride [Unreleased]
Arado & Den Ishu – R.U.W.M. [All Inn Unlimited]
Don Sizzle – Same Old Story [Unreleased]
Exit – Holdin’ On [Exit Enterprises]
David Duriez – The Circle Theory [Ryzms]
Tibi Fratila – Track 6 [Unreleased]
Jeff Dougler & Balu – Holding Up [Unreleased]
The Muthafunkaz – Gotta Hold On Me [Code Red]
Blu Cantrell – Swingin (N.A.F. Remix) [White Label]
Joey Negro & Gramophonedzie – No Sugar [Z Records]
Belle Epoque – Miss Broadway (Kane Ian Remix) [Unreleased]
Ed Wizard & Disco Double Dee – Get Some [Editorial]

#4 - Dimitri from Paris Essential Mix 2011-03-19
Genre: House
Download

Pet Shop Boys – Left To My Own Devices (Frankie Knuckles Orchetsrated Devices & Royal Piano Remixes) [EMI]
Hercules and Love Affair – My House (Tensnake Remix) [Moshi Moshi]
Deuce & Satin – Hyper [Music Village Records]
Doug Lazy – Let It Roll [Atlantic]
KC Flightt – Let’s Get Jazzy (Dope Dub Mix) [TMT records]
MFSB Vs Grand Master Flash – The Message (S-Man Relative Funk Re-Edit) [CDR]
Ashford & Simpson – Don’t Cost You Nothing (Leftside Wobble Re-Edit) [CDR]
Drop Out Orchestra – Polish Our Act [Drop Out Records]
TPO – Hiroshi’s Dub (Milos Garage Dub’s Dub) [File Records]
Professor Funk & The House Brothers – Work Your Body Rap [Underground]
First Choice – Let No Man Put Asunder (Walter Gibbons Remix) [Salsoul]
AJELLO – Chocolate Black Leather (feat. Hard Ton) (Original) [DWADK]
Tyson – Die On The Dancefloor (Extended) [Backyard]
Purple Flash – We Can Make It (Vocal) [JDC records]
Electronic – Getting Away With It [Factory]
Inner City – Watcha Gonna Do With My Lovin’ (Frankie Knuckles & David Morales Def Mix) [Ten]
Lovebird – Lovethang (Jamie Bull Mash Up Re-Edit) [CDR]
Robert Owens – Hearts And Soul [Compost]
Sinnamon – I Need You Now (Moplen Re-Edit) [CDR]
Dimitri From Paris & DJ Rocca Present Erodiscotique – Reason For Living (feat. Fred Ventura) [Gomma]
The Human League – Never Let Me Go (Aeroplane Remix) [Wall Of Sound]
Sare Havlicek – Dreams In Light (Ray Mang Attakshak Mix) [Nang Records]
Tribute – We Love Dreams (Rocco Raimundo Edit GW Re-Touch) [Tribute]
Chic – I Want Your Love (Dimitri From Paris Remix) [Atlantic]
Norma Jean Wright – Saturday (Dimitri From Paris Remix) [Atlantic]

#5 - Alan Fitzpatrick Essential Mix 2011-11-12
Genre: Progressive House
Download

01. Adam Beyer – No Rain (Joel Mull After Rain Dub Mode Remix) [Truesoul]
02. Silicone Soul – 3am (Maetrik Jazzerize Remix) [Soma]
03. Adam Beyer & Alan Fitzpatrick – Tor [Drumcode]
04. Tim Xavier – Cold Fresh Air [Clink]
05. Adam Beyer – Twist [Truesoul]
06. Gary Beck – Paid Out [BEK Audio]
07. Nicole Moudaber – Contents Of My Head [Drumcode]
08. The Advent & Jason Fernandez – Rocket Science [Drumcode]
09. Alan Fitzpatrick – Running Backwards [Drumcode]
10. Alan Fitzpatrick – Always Something For Nothing [Unreleased]
11. Echo Vacio – Blurred Vision (Tom Hades Remix) [Rhythm Converted]
12. Gregor Tresher – At The Fall Of Night [Drumcode]
13. Alan Fitzpatrick – Mohawk [Unreleased]
14. Jesper Dahlbäck – No Control [Drumcode]
15. Adam Beyer – Dot [Truesoul]
16. Joseph Capriati – Spring Sprouts [Unrilis]
17. Grindvik & Billie – Hold, DouBT, Back [Drumcode]
18. Adam Beyer – Flap [Truesoul]
19. Dave Ellesmere – Standing In Line (On/Off Edit) [Unreleased]
20. Nihad Tule & Bauri – Nudge [Drumcode LTD]
21. Roberto Capuano – Oblique [Drumcode]
22. Gary Beck – Feel It [BEK Audio]
23. Rich Jones – Asshai [8 Sided Dice]
24. Alan Fitzpatrick – The Showgirl [Unreleased]
25. Adam Beyer & Alan Fitzpatrick – Human Reason [Drumcode]
26. Ben Sims – Make That Sh*t Funk [Drumcode]
27. Alan Fitzpatrick – Eyes Wide Open [Unreleased]
28. Alan Fitzpatrick – Gridlock (Speedy J Remix) [Unreleased]
29. Gesloten Cirkel – Yamagic (Alan Fitzpatrick Edit) [Unreleased]
30. Mike Huckaby – The Tresor Track [Tresor]
31. Roberto Capuano – Invaders Are Back (Alan Fitzpatrick Remix) [DFR]
32. Sian – Beta Decay (Alan Fitzpatrick Remix) [Octopus]
33. Gary Beck – Distant [Drumcode]
34. Alan Fitzpatrick – Moon Palace (Drums) [Bedrock]
35. Peter Van Hoesen – Axis Mundi (Berghain5) [Ostgut Ton]

#6 - Sharam Essential Mix 2011-05-14
Genre: Progressive House
Download

Madli (In My Arms)
Luca Bacchetti — What Your Soul Sings (Paul Ritch Remix)
Jon Rundell — Can’t Stop
Nadastrom — Wepa
Koen Groeneveld — Turboprop (Ahmet Sendil Mix)
Federico Epis — Rafaela
Quivver — Funktribe (El Mundo & Satori Remix)
Sharam — Fun (Feat. Anousheh) (Pirupa People Vocal Mix)
Joe T. Vannelli — It’s Gotta Be Big
Paul Ritch — Wonderland
Sharam vs Rene Kuppens Star — Wild Drumz
Sharam — Don’t Say A Word (Feat. Anousheh) (Sharam’s Own Remix)
Afrojack — Bye8again
[unknown] — Que Cubano
Mark Broom & Mihalis Safras — Tru Tru (Paul Ritch Remix)
Tom Middelton — Jungle Drums 2011
Pig & Dan — Detonate (Sharam’s Crazi Remix) (YoshitoshiAlexander Kowalski — Friendly Fire (Dosem Remix)
Berlin Samio — Make Sure To Keep It Up
Nic Fanciulli — Caller ID (Radio Slave Remix)
Sharam — Fun (Feat. Anousheh) (Funhouse Remix)

#7 - Maya Jane Coles Essential Mix 2011-07-09
Genre: Tech House
Download

Aaron Und Pascal – Hidden Place [Original Mix]
Alex Picone – An Pesant (Original Mix) [Bass Culture]
Patrick Di Stefano – Underlight (Original Mix) [Debox Music]
Lula Circus – Pumpin Groovin Moovin (Pezzner Remix) [Stranjjur]
Maya Jane Coles – Untitled
Delano Smith – Lost In Detroit (Original Mix) [Apparel Music]
Eats Everything – Entrance Song (Original Mix) [Pets Recordings]
DJ T. – City Life (feat Cari Golden) (Maya Jane Coles Remix) [Get Physical]
102nd Century – Matjes (Original Mix) [Overdrive]
Maya Jane Coles – Untitled
Elchinsoul – Pe Roz (Original Mix) [Microtech Records]
Maya Jane Coles – Untitled
Alex Magno – Clowns (Original Mix) [Etichetta Nera]
Diminutos – Obligo Al Entusiasmo (Alejandro Mosso Remix) [Airdrop]
Standard Fair – Forget Someone (Original Mix) [Joyfull Family Records]
Kemko – Juice (Original Mix) [Angel Laboratory Records]
Matthias Meyer – Crystal Rain (Original Mix) [Cecille]
Gorge – Watching Spring (Bioground’s Freckled Mix) [Amused Records]
Sebo K – State Of Desire (Original Mix) [Highgrade]
Little Dragon – Ritual Union (Maya Jane Coles Remix) [Peacefrog]
Nikola Gala – The Beginning (Original Mix) [Rekids]
Junior Gee – Just Listen (Original Mix) [Love Hertz]
Jemini Blacque & Fiorian Wilde – Get Together (Eko Dub) [Deepness Music]
J. Phlip – Fever (Original Mix) [Pets Recordings]
Stefano Esposito – Acid Groove (Original Mix) [Four Fingers Hand]
Tom Ellis & Lizzy B – Accidental Daydream (Original Mix) [Eye4eye Recordings]
Agaric – Who Made Up The Rules (Josh Wink Remix) [Ovum Records]
Rob Small – Bad Wednesday (Mute: Remix) [Piston Recordings]
N/A.3 – Tuesday Biz (Original Mix) [N/A.3]
Maya Jane Coles – Untitled
Tricky – Time To Dance (Maya Jane Coles Remix) [Domino Records]

#8 - Modeselektor Essential Mix 2011-10-08
Genre: Electronica
Download

01. Surgeon – Dark Matter
02. Beasty Respond – Syncopy (Blawan’s Trecther Mechanica)
03. Bambounou – Alpha
04. Zomby – Mosaik
05. Lorca and Visionist – Holdback
06. Tom Bulwer and 2Deep – London Nights
07. Benjamin Damage and Doc Daneeca – Creeper
08. Björk – Dullflame Of Desire (Modeselektor’s Remix For Girls)
09. Moderat – Rusty Nails
10. Radiohead – Morning Mr. Magpie (Modeselektor’s Good Evening Mrs. Magpie Remix)
11. Marcel Dettmann – Shatter Proof
12. Radiohead – Bloom (Blawan Remix)
13. Ossie – Creepy Crawlies
14. 2562 – Flashback
15. Dark Sky – Speeding Blue
16. Brodinski, Djedjotronic, Noob and Havard Bass – Extreme Compote
17. Toadally Krossed Out – Go
18. Fis-T – Ultra Night Hunter
19. Plastikman – Spastik
20. Cosmin TRG – Izolat
21. Anstam – Baldwin
22. Untold – Stop What You’re Doing (James Blake Remix)
23. Instra:mental – Thomp
24. Robert Hood – Range
25. Alex Cortex – Hyendo Pt.2
26. Equalized 04 – B
27. Substance – Relish Bonus
28. Vainqueur – Lyot (Maurizio Remix)

#9 - Stacey Pullen Essential Mix 2011-08-20
Genre: Techno
Download

[unknown] – Techno Logic (Original Mix)
Ds and Cs – Trouble (Feat Meeshel) [Black Nation]
Mirko Loko – Eclair De Lune [Unreleased]
Martin Buttrich – Magic Market [Desolat]
Mirko Loko vs Stacey Pullen – Formulaic Mode [Cadenza]
Mohrr – 2nd Track (Original Mix) [Arjaus]
Ovi M and Iron Mike – Speaking In Tongues (Nathan Barato More Of A Tool Remix) [Roots and Wings]
Stacey Pullen – Get Up (Dub Mix) [Blackflag Recordings]
Gek – Sad And Beautiful World (Original Mix) [Sleep is Commercial]
Antonio Piacquadio – Hold Up (Radio Slave Remix) [Inmotion Unreleased]
Santos – Primitive Cannible (Stacey Pullen Remix) [Monique Musique Unreleased]
&Me – Clamb (Original Mix) [Saved]
Christiano Casiraghi – Tanz Musik Fest (Sotisfaction Remix) [Tretmuehle]
Groove Soundsystem – Primarie Underground Baby (Original Mix) [Tzinah]
Luca Donzelli – Noche Recreativa (Original Mix) [Stolen Moments]
Curves – Masomenos (Original Mix) [Gravite]
Ramiro Lopez – Filgud (Original Mix) [Suara]
The Sushi Club – Flunauticus (Johnny D Remix) [4MPO]
Fred Hush – Mystery Land (Dimitri Andreas Remix) [Plastic City]

#10 - Eric Prydz Essential Mix 2011-08-27
Genre: Progressive House
Download

Eric Prydz – 2Night (Instrumental Mix)
Pryda – Juletider
Pryda – Glimma
Pryda – Welcome
Pryda – Rotonda
Pryda – WOWOW
ID – Unknown
Marco Bailey & Tom Hades – Funky Business
Pryda – Reeperbahn
Pryda – Unknown ID
Depeche Mode – Its No Good (Jeremy Olander Edit)
Cirez D – Tear S**t Up
Pryda – Animal
Eric Prydz – Sweet Genesis
Pryda – Genesis
Pryda – Muranyi
Depeche Mode – Personal Jesus (Eric Prydz Remix)
Cirez D – Knockout (EPIC Mix)
Candi Staton – You Got The Love (Acapella)
Pryda – M.S.B.O.Y
Eric Prydz – Tribute to STHLM
Pryda – Unknown ID
Eric Prydz – Pjanoo (Private Edit)
Eric Prydz – 2Night (Instrumental Mix)

JW's Favorite Essential Mixes of 2010

2010 was another excellent year for DJ mixes on Radio 1.  As I did in 2009, I've compiled my top 10 mixes from the approximately 50 that were aired in 2010.

Below you'll find my rankings, as well as download links for each two hour mix set.  Start 2011 off with the best in electronic music from last year.


1 - John Digweed - Essential Mix 2010-05-29
Genre:  Progressive House
Download



1.Digital Dirty Doering — Loco (Vince Watson Ambient)
2.Digital Dirty Doering — Loco (D- Func Remix)
3.Darko Esser — Bofkont (King Roc Remix)
4.Kev Obrien — Valentines & 909`S (Manik Remix)
5.Triangle — 5 / We Found It (Feat. Mark Ridout) (King Unique Remix)
6.Juspio — Frozen Light (Chris Fortier 40% Remix)
7.Chaim — Love Rehab (Dub)
8.Loco Dice — Definition (Nic Fanciulli)
9.Flavio Diaz & Kaiserdisco — Jaune
10.Gmj — First There Was Sound (Jamie Stevens Remix)
11.TDR — Squelch (Koen Groeneveld Remix)
12.Danilo Vigorito — Primal Scream
13.Pryda — Tumble
14.Ian O`Donovan — Aurora
15.Pryda — Untitled
16.Slam — Room 2 (Pan Pot Rave Tool)
17.Humanio — Life
18.John Digweed & Nick Muir — Meteor
19.Abe Duque — Hypocrisy (John Digweed & Nick Muir Remix)
20.Secret Cinema — Glad Chord (Psycatron Remix)
21.Marco Bailey & Tom Hades — Brabant
22.Luis Junior — Bg


2 - James Zabiela - Essential Mix 2010-04-03
Genre:  Progressive House
Download


Danjel Esperanza – Walking In Dirt [Backdoor Beauty]
Alex Smoke – Harmonious [Lux]
Altair – Collateral [Covert Operatons]
Modeselektor – My Anthem [B Pitch]
Nosaj Thing – Light #1 [Alpha Pup]
Ned Coleman – Uncovered [Flying Flowers]
James Zabiela – Burnt Bridges [Renaissance]
Clint Mansell – 117 [Black Records]
Steve Bug – Like It Should Be’ [Poker Flat]
Star You Star Me – A Place In My Heart (feat. Erland Oye) (Jori Hulkkonen 2004 Remix) [Soundz]
Christian Smith – Beluga [Tronic]
Carl Craig – At-Les’ (Christian Smith Remix) [Planet E]
Dusty Kid – Moto Perpetuo (Extended Version) [Boxer]
Lusine – Near Sight [Ghostly International]
Extrawelt – Leaf 43 [Damage Music Berlin]
Mondkopf – Bones Club [Asphalt Duchess]
Clark – Growls Garden [Warp]
Ellen Allien & Apparat – Rotary [B Pitch]
Headhunter – Prototypes (Modeselktor’s Broken Handbrake Remix) [Ammunition]
Clint Mansell – Welcome To Lunar Industries [Three Year Stretch]
ASC – Floating Point [Vampire Records]
Tycho – Send and Receive [Merck]
Ruxpin – Oceanus And Tethys [MIkrolux]
Clint Mansell – Two Weeks and Counting [Black Records]
Plaid – Two Rooms [Warp]



3 - Faithless Sound System - Essential Mix 2010-02-27
Genre:  Electronica
Download


1. Faithless — Sun To Me (Original Club Mix)
2. Simian Mobile Disco — Cruel Intentions (DJ Pierre Mix)
3. Goldfrapp — Rocket
4. Faithless — Feel Me Now
5. Fenech-Soler — Lies (Alex Metric Mix)
6. Michael Cleisz — The Beginning (Spencer Parker Remix)
7. Black Box — Ride On Time (Zombie Disco Squad Mashup)
8. Beltek — Running Backwards
9. Imogen Heap — Hide & Seek (Joy Kitikonti Remix)
10. Faithless — Insomnia (Rene Amez Vs Sister Bliss Vs Tommy Trash Mashup)
11. Graeme Lloyd — New World Translation
12. The Temper Trap — Love Lost (Rollo& Sister Bliss Remix)
13. La Roux — Quicksand (Alex Metric Mix)
14. Ptm — Techno Trip – Starlight
15. Juan Kidd vs Bobby T — We Come (Faithless Soundsystem Mashup)
16. Charles Ramirez — Working Hard
17. Yeah Yeah Yeahs — Heads Will Roll (A -Trak Mix)
18. Hot Chip — One Night Stand (Jooris Voorn Mix)
19. deadmau5 — Strobe (Michael Woods Mix)
20. Gabe & Adam K — The Mask
21. Slacker — I Have No Memory (Final Tweak DJ’s Mix)
22. Funkagenda — Flauta Magica
23. Monaque — Id – Vapour
24. Bent — As U Fall (Kyau &Albert Mix)
25. Dirty Vegas — Tonight (Above&Beyond Mix)
26. Gat Décor — Passion (Original Mix)
27. Faithless Faithless — Not Going Home (Rollo & Sister Bliss Monster Acid Mix) – Nate’s Tunes



4 - Christian Smith - Essential Mix 2010-01-16
Genre:  Progressive House
Download


Vangelis — Blade Runner Main Titles [Polydor]
Christian Smith — Pressure Point [Tronic]
Greg Gow — The Bridge [Transmat]
Taras Va De Voorde — Skylime (feat. Jelle Kuipers) (The Youngsters Remix) [Wolfskull]
Dirk Diggler — Diggler Ranch 2 [Level Non Zero Recordings]
Martinez — My Anthem [Area]
Gary Beck — Sholto [Variance Recordings]
Christian Smith — Almaviva [Tronic]
Reset Robot — Nw1 [Roomba Music]
Coyu & Edu Imbernón — La Coincidencia [Tronic]
Wehbba — Sweet Spot (Sweeter Mix) [Tronic]
Egbert — Vreugdevuur [Cocoon]
Christian Smith & E.B.E. — Fidelidade [Tronic]
Andreas Kowalski — Puesta Del Sol [Facor City]
Theo Parrish — Falling Up (Carl Craig Remix) [Third Ear Recordings]
Christian Smith & Reset Robot — Air Miles (2000 and 1 & DJ Madskillz Remix) [100% Pure]
Marco Bailey — Watergate [Bedrock]
Green Velvet — Flash (Timo Maas Remix) [Music Man]
Wehbba — Brother [Tronic]
Wink — When A Banana Was Just A Banana (Radio Slave Remix) [Ovum]
Christian Smith — Flyertalk (Wehbba Remix) [Bedrock]
Sharam — Don’t Say A Word (Christian Smith Dub) [DCI]
Psycatron — Celestial Symphony [Unreleased]



5 - Nero - Essential Mix 2010-11-13
Genre:  Dubstep
Download


Justice — Stress (Nero Version) – Unreleased
Freestylers — Cracks (Flux Pavilion Remix)
The Streets — Blinded by the lights (Nero Remix) – 679 Recordings
The Streets — In the middle (Nero Remix) – 679 Recordings
Cassius — I Love You So – Ed Banger
Plan B — The Recluse (Nero Remix) – Atlantic
Calvin Harris — You Used To Hold Me (Nero Remix)
Claire Maguire — Ain’t Nobody (Breakage Remix)
Flux Pavilion — I Can’t Stop – Circus
MJ Cole — Sincere (Nero Remix) – Prolific
Doctor P — Big Boss – Circus
The Jets — Crush On You (Nero Remix)
Downlink — Factory
Chase & Status — Let You Go (Nero Remix) – Mercury
Nero — Welcome Reality – MTA
Nero — Me and You – MTA
Alan Braxe — Arena
N.E.R.D and Daft Punk — Hypnotize U (Nero Remix)
Kavinsky — Pacific Coast Highway
Danger — 4h30
Justice — Let There Be Light – Ed Banger
The Kills — Cheap And Cheerful (Sebastian Remix)
Muse — Knights of Cydonia (Feed Me Edit)
Skrillex — Rock n Roll – Mau5trap
Deadmau5 and Wolfgang Gartner — Animal Rights – Mau5trap
Daft Punk — Around The World – Virgin
Gigi Barocco — Puah – Cheaper Thrills
Nero — Innocence (Feed Me Remix) – MTA
Justice — D.A.N.C.E (Live version) – Ed Banger
deadmau5 — Fml – Mau5trap
Uffie — Difficult (Sebastian Remix)
Sebastian — Threnody (Nero Edit)
Thomas Bangalter — Rectum
Thomas Bangalter — The End
Gustav Mahler — Symphony No.9 (Adagio)
Muse — Exogenesis Pt 2
Narcosis — Dark Age Of Reason
Adam Freeland — Mancry (Nero Edit)
The Who — Baba O Riley
The Who — Baba O Riley (Sebastian Remix)
Beastie Boys — Sabotage (Alex Metric Re-Edit)
Sleigh Bells — Tell ‘em
Wolfgang Gartner — Ill America
Swedish House Mafia — One
Swedish House Mafia — One (Netsky Remix)
Sigma — Paint It Black
Chase & Status — Streetlife – Ram
SpectraSoul — The Four Points
DC Breaks — Babyon – Viper
Metrik — T 1000 – Viper
Nero — Do You Wanna – Viper
Sub Focus — Timewarp VIP – Ram
Sub Focus — Let the Story Begin – Ram
Chase & Status — No Problem
The Beatles — A Day In The Life – Parlophone
Magnetic Man — I Need Air – Sony
Chase & Status — Eastern Jam – Ram
Doctor P feat RSK — Black Books – Circus
Brookes Brothers — In Your Eyes (feat Johnny Osbourne) – Breakbeat Kaos
Funtcase — Taking the piss – Circus
Skrillex — Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites – Mau5trap
Nero — This Way – Z Audio
Nero — Innocence – MTA
Nero — Me And You – MTA
Prince — Let’s Go Crazy – Warner Bros



6 - Justin Martin - Essential Mix 2010-07-03
Genre:  House
Download


Justin Martin – Jungle Chords [CDR]
I:Cube – Metamorphic [Versatile Records]
Cobblestone Jazz – Chance (Dub) [K7]
The Big Crunch Theory – What To Say (Roman Fluegel Remix) [Versatile Records]
Nikola Gala – Keep Walking [Freerange]
Jackname Trouble – Light Again (Kink Remix) [Pets Recordings]
Ramadanman And Midland – Your Words Matter [Aus Music]
Green Velvet – It’s Time 2 Jak [Cajual Records]
Luna City Express – Mr. Jack (Robags Edna Mompf Remix) [Moon Harbour Records]
The Vegetable Orchestra – Pumpkin Feat. Mc Veggie (Martini Bros Jam Mix) [Karmarouge Records]
Uppfade – Say Something [Frequenza]
Matthew Dear – Dog Days [Spectral Sound]
Cajmere – Say U Will Feat. Dajae (Green Velvet Instrumental Mix) [Cajual Records]
Justin Martin – Robot Romance [Dirtybird Records]
Green Velvet And Kid Sister – Everybody Wants (Instrumental) [Relief Records]
DJ Deeon – Headhunters (Street Original) [Dance Mania]
DJ Deeon – Bang! [Dance Mania]
The Martin Brothers – Duckface [Dirtybird Records]
Ark – Sucubz (Herbert’s Goddam Remix Justin Martin Edit) [Brif Records]
Marcel Knopf – Rec-Chord (Jeff Samuel Remix) [Mo's Ferry]
Len Faki – My Black Sheep (Radioslave Remix) [Figure]
DJ Blaqstarr – Shake It To The Ground (Feat. Rye Rye) (Claude Vonstroke Remix) [Mad Decent]
Joy Orbison – Hyph Mngo (Mike Monday’s Hse Mngo Remix Justin Martin Special Edit) [CDR]
Bibio – Lovers Carvings (Catz N Dogz Re-Edit) [CDR]
Tony Rohr & Tim Xavier – Awesome Button [Sleaze Records]
Galen & Justin Martin – Dust Devil [Dirtybird Records]
Rachel Barton – Goose Step (Justin Martin’s Wild Goose Chase Mix) [More Music]
Galen & Justin Martin – Tumbleweed [Dirtybird Records]
The Martin Brothers – Steal Drums [Dirtybird Records]
Midnight Express – Hallelujah (Feat. Sabrina Jonston) (Solid Groove Dub) [Slip N Slide]
Global Communication – The Way (Secret Ingredients Mix) [Dedicated]
Justin Martin – The Sad Piano [Buzzin' Fly Records]
Ardalan & Justin Martin – Mr. Spock [CDR]
K.L.A.M. – Funky 4 (The Martin Brothers Donkey Punk Remix) [Fools Gold]
Cajmere – Percolator (Claude Vonstroke Remix) [CDR]
Justin Martin – Get Low [Dirtybird Records]
Nav Tha Shah – Chicken Tetrazzini (*Produced By Justin Martin) [CDR]
[unknown] – Unknown [CDR]



7 - Four Tet - Essential Mix 2010-01-23
Genre:  Electronica
Download


Four Tet – Angel Echoes [Domino]
Floating Points – Vacuum [Eglo]
Robert Owens – Bring Down The Walls [Trax]
STL – Jungle Sometimes [Something Records]
Oni Ayhun – Oar003 B [Oni Ayhun Records]
Weather Report – Non-Stop Home [Cbs]
DJ Sprinkles – Grand Central Pt1 (Mcde Bassline Dub) [Mule Musiq]
Four Tet – Sing [Domino]
Benge – 1981 Yamaha Cs70m [Expanding Records]
Joy Orbison – So Derobe [Aus Music]
Melchior Productions – Different Places [Perlon]
Dem 2 – Luv’s Hard [New York Soundclash Records]
Seelenluft – Manila (Manitoba Remix) [Klein]
William Onyeabor – When The Going Is Smooth And Good [Wilfilms]
Pryda – Muranyi [Balaton]
Moodymann – Det.Riot [KDJ]
Zomby – Digital Fauna [Brainmath]
Joyce – Aldela De Ogum [Odeon]
Joe Goddard – Apple Bobbing (Four Tet Remix) [Greco Roman]
Cassy – Soul Saviour [Perlon]
One Little Plane – Lotus Flower (Avus She’s Singing Mix) [Text]
Hard House Banton – Reign [Spoilt Rotten Enterrtainment]
Four Tet – Sing (Floating Points Remix) [Domino]
Troy Pierce – Oxytocin [M_Nus]
Laurie Spiegel – Patchwork [Philo]
Eluvium – The Motion Makes Me Last (Four Tet Remix) [Temporary Residence]



8 - Simian Mobile Disco - Essential Mix 2010-01-09
Genre:  Electronica
Download


Kraftwerk — Franz Schubert [EMI]
Subway — Xam [Soul Jazz Records]
Kikumoto Allstars — Dco [International Deejay Gigolos]
Levon Vincent — Late Night Jam [Ostgut Ton]
Simian Mobile Disco — Cruel Intentions (feat. Beth Ditto) (Space Cave Mix) [Wichita]
Unknown Artist — Get The Curse [White Label]
Oliver Huntemann — Shanghai Spinner (Joey Beltram Remix) [Ideal Audio]
Armando — Don’t Take It (feat. Sharvette) [Let's Pet Puppies Records]
Slam — Room 2 [Soma]
Denis Naidanow — Wonderland (feat. Tyree) [Sure Player]
Oliver Huntemann — Trummerfeld [Cocoon]
Simian Mobile Disco — Are You In The Picture? [Wichita]
On/Off — Cirez D [Mouseville]
Dusty Kid — Train # 1 [Boxer]
Raymond Scott — Cindy Electronium Pt. 1 [OHM]
Rogue Cat — Magic Journey (Todd Terje Remix) [Tiny Sticks]
Cassius — Youth Speed Trouble Cigarettes (Radio Slave Mix) [Cassius Records]
Dustin Zahn — Stranger To Stability (Len Faki Mix) [Rekids]
Blake Baxter & Abe Duque — Let’s Take It Back (Joey Beltram Remix) [Process Records]
SMD Delicatessen — Aspic [White Label]
Raymond Scott — Cindy Electronium Pt. 2 [OHM]
Ramadanman — Revenue (Untold Remix) [2nd Drop Music]
Paul Woolford — Pandemonium [Intamacy]
Psycatron — Deeper Shades Of Black [Planet E Communications]
Alex Costa — Evergreen [Dataworx]
Skream — 2 D [Tempa]
Dexter — Unknown Title [White Label]
Zomby — Strange Fruit [Ramp Recordings]
Deepgroove — Spike [Underwater Records]
Adam Beyer — Something Good To Die For [Mad Eye]
Caramel — Cluster [Brain]
L-Vis 1990 — The Bird
MJ Cole — Sincere (Mumdance Mix)
Crookers Feat Miike Snow — Remedy



9 - Boy 8 Bit - Essential Mix 2010-05-15
Genre:  Electronica
Download


01. Boy 8-Bit — The Blood Tide [White]
02. Aleem — Get Loose Dub [NIA]
03. Eli Escobar — Glass House [Plant Music]
04. Patrick Turner — Planets Align [Inversus Records]
05. DJ Sprinkles — Grandcentral Pt 1 (MCDE Remix Dub) [Endless Flight]
06. Ali Love — Love Harder (Jokers of The scene Unreleased Remix) [White]
07. Gui Boratto — The Glam [Kompakt]
08. Kolombo — Acai [Boxer Recordings]
09. Liz Cirelli — Ultraviolet [LouLou]
10. Kaiser Souzai — Altocumulus Floccus (Piemont Remix) [Yellow Tail]
11. Visti & Meyland — All Night Long (Trentemoller Remix) [Eskimo]
12. Justin Martin — Get Low [Dirty Bird]
13. Diamond K — Damn Track [White]
14. Boy 8-Bit — Tropical Heat [White]
15. Mele — Bombay (Nadastrom Remix) [Mixpak]
16. DJ Will Roc — Twilight Zone [Unruly]
17. Zombie Disco Squad — The Duke Sound [Made To Play]
18. Footsteps — Worker [White]
19. Detroit Grand Pubahs — Sandwedges (Unknown Mix) [White]
20. Ron Hardy — Sensation (Obi Blanche Remix) [White]
21. Carte Blanche — Black Billionaires [Ed Banger]
22. Alan Fitzpatrick — Green Light [Tokio]
23. Boy 8-Bit — Yard Birds [Turbo]
24. Boy 8-Bit — The Keep [This is Music]
25. Boy 8-Bit — Baltic Pine (Roy Apron Dub) [White]
26. Ink & Needle — Thirteen [Tattoo]
27. Bookashade Vs Mandy — Donut (Boy 8-Bit Remix) [Living the Dream]
28. Boy 8-Bit — An Impending Sense Of Doom [White]
29. MMM — Nous Sommes [MMM]
30. Pig & Dan — Terminate [Cocoon]
31. Leftfield — Phat Planet (Dave Clarke Remix) [Hard Hands]
32. Thomas Schumacher — Red Purple [Spiel-zeug Schallplatten]
33. Joe and Will Ask? — The Rusty Pig [Gulp]
34. Florence and The Machine — Drumming Song (Boy 8-Bit remix) [White]
35. Yousef — Come Home [Cocoon]
36. Josh One — Contemplation (King Britt Remix — Mat Playford Edit) [Social Problem]
37. Rodriguez Jr. — Pandora [Leena Music]



10 - Sander Kleinenberg - Essential Mix 2010-12-04
Genre:  Progressive House
Download


Sander Kleinenberg — Follow Me – This Is Recordings
Dana Bergquist & Peder G — Loveshine (Downtown Party Network Remix) – Global Underground
N.E.R.D. — Hypnotize U (Sharam Jey Edit) – Interscope
Groove Armada — Love Sweet Sound – Columbia
Kevlar — Weapons (KiNK Psyche Funk Mix) – White Label
Charlotte Gainsbourg — Irm – Elektra/Because
The Cataracs — Bass Down Low (feat Dev) – White Label
The 2 Bears — Be Strong – Southern Fried Records
Sanya Shelest — Get Back To Tech – Intension Records
Pleasurekraft & Hugo — Nosferatune (feat Renao) – Kraftek
Sander Kleinenberg — Remember When (feat Jamie Cullum) (Tapesh Remix) – This Is Recordings
Roger Martinez — Re-Move – Gem Records
Channel X — Snug Decent (Acapella) – Stil Vor Talent
Lifelike — Heatwave (Alan Braxe rmx) – Computer Science
Style of Eye & Magnus The Magnus — Antidote – Horehause
Sander Kleinenberg & Kraak & Smaak ft. Ursula Rucker — The Journey – This Is Recordings
Glenn Morrison vs Wink — Don’t Laugh Under A Pink Cherry Tree – White Label
Goldtrix vs Drumcomplex & Pascal Dior — It’s Ice Love (5K is Trippin mix) – White Label
Madskillz Presents Morning Glory Seeds — Tramadol – Remote Area
Ferreck Dawn — Satrinxa – White Label
Kink — Dame Mas (feat Milenita) – Argumento
Underworld — Rez (Long Mix) – Junior Boys Own
Pig & Dan — Detonate – White Label
Jamie Woon — Night Air – Candent Songs

JW's Favorite iPhone & iPad Applications Of 2010

2010 saw an explosion of apps in the iOS ecosystem.  Just as I did in 2008 & 2009, I'm compiling my list of favorite apps for the platform, with lists for both iPhone & iPad.  Here are the ones that enriched my days over the past year.


iPhone Apps

Daily Apps

Google Voice
After a year in App Store approval purgatory, Google Voice has proven to be a nearly one stop shop for my on device communication needs.  It's completely replaced the Phone app & Messages app on my phone for calls & SMS messages.

Reeder
A wonderful RSS reader app.  I live in this app every morning while I have my coffee to catch up on all of my Google Reader feeds.

USAA
The front end to all my banking needs.  Being able to deposit a check just by taking pictures of it with the iPhone's camera is fantastic.  And the funds are available immediately to boot!

Gowalla
My favorite of all the location based check-in apps.  I started using this just before SXSWi 2010, and have continued using it daily since.  The design aesthetic of this app blows Foursquare away, too.

Foursquare
The 800 pound gorilla of the location based check-in apps.  I check-in with this app everywhere I go, too, if just because that's what most of my friends use.

Twitter
This is what Tweetie morphed into in 2010.  I much prefer to post my social network updates with this app instead of the Facebook app.

Momento
A really cool journaling app that pulls in your activity from Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Gowalla, Foursquare and other services.  It's fascinating to look at your activity across all services on a calendar layout.

Google Latitude
Ashley & I use this app on our iPhones to check on each other's location without having to send a SMS or make a phone call.  Now if I don't see her online after her morning commute, I can just pull up her location on Latitude to ensure she made it safely to work.

Wow Apps

LogMeIn Ignition
I can remotely control all of my computers directly from my phone with this app.  Start a download on my desktop PC while waiting at the dentist office?  No problem.  Troubleshoot my in-law's computer while standing in line at the grocery store?  Sure.  It's really slick.

DanKam
An augmented reality app that corrects my color blindness in real time.  My feel good app of the year.

Find My iPhone
Allows me to locate my iPhone & iPad on a map in the event I misplace either device or they are stolen.

Dropbox
Since I save all of my work files at my new job to Dropbox, being able to access them across MacBooks, iPhones, & iPad has turned out to be very convenient.

Weekend Apps

Gas Cubby
Logs all of my automobile maintenance activities and tracks my gas mileage.  An indispensable tool if you're a commuting data geek.

Remote
This is the front end to my house stereo system.  I can choose which music to pipe from my desktop computer upstairs running iTunes to the two Apple TVs & two Airport Expresses connected to speakers throughout the house.

TuneIn Radio
This gets me access to the college radio stations at both Tulane & Auburn, and lets me tune in to sports talk radio in New Orleans to keep up with the Saints.  Also not bad for listening to the Ibiza radio stations during the summer.

Due
Keeps me on track with the laundry schedule on weekends by allowing multiple timers with quick on/off switches.

Simplenote
This app is where I do all of my brainstorming/outlining for blog posts.

CNN
I prefer this app to most of the other news apps from a design standpoint.  The iReport feature is a nice touch, too.

ESPN Bowl Bound
For a college football junky, this app was a must have this bowl season for keeping track of bowl schedules and score updates.

CBS Sports
I had the chance to watch several SEC football games live on my iPhone while out & about thanks to this app during the fall.

Favorite Games

Angry Birds
I was late to the party with this game, but it certainly lives up to the hype.  Who knew estimating the trajectory of a slingshot could be so addictive?

Cut The Rope
Another game that renewed my appreciation for physics.

Words With Friends
The asynchronous nature of this Scrabble-esque game is what keeps me playing.  I can wait days between turns if need be.

Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
As someone who cut his teeth on the fighting game genre with the original Mortal Kombat, this game is too much fun.

The Incident
A delightful game done in an 8 bit style.  Very addictive.

Fruit Ninja
This game became a giant time sink over the holidays, but I just couldn't put it down.  It looks great on the iPhone 4's Retina display, too.

Sonic 4 Episode 1
It's a little tough to control via the on-screen controls, but I'm able to look past this shortcoming to play Sonic on my phone.  So cool.

iPad Apps

Pinball HD
As close to owning an actual pinball machine that you can get without...owning an actual pinball machine.

Fruit Ninja HD
The multiplayer mode on this game is terrific.  Slicing fruit is therapeutic.

Friendly
Still the best way to interact with Facebook on the iPad.

Air Video
Perfect for streaming video from my desktop PC upstairs to my iPad.

TED
Having the entire TED talks catalog in portable form is great.  The ability to download talks for offline viewing is even better.

GoodReader
I prefer this app over iBooks for viewing and managing my collection of PDFs on the iPad.  The password protection feature is handy, too, for storing financial documents securely.

ESPN ScoreCenter XL
My constant companion on the couch throughout football season.  It's like having the entire ESPN sports ticker in your lap.

Reeder
I actually tried out the iPad version of this app before the iPhone version.  In each case, it's my preferred way to interact with all my RSS feeds in Google Reader.

Flipboard
Turning your Twitter & Facebook feeds into futuristic eye candy has never been so much fun and functional.  This is how I casually peruse both services.

Penultimate
Paired with the Pogo Sketch stylus, this is how I take notes whenever I attend townhall meetings at work or lectures.  You can even export your notebooks and sketches as PDFs.

Conclusion

That does it for this year's installment.  Check back on the blog this time next year for my 2011 picks.