Apple's latest version of the iPhone features advanced capabilities that are particularly well-suited to the apps (applications) now being developed by everyone from professional developers to your next-door neighbor. While many of the apps are useful—things like restaurant finders, the weather channel and shopping list maker—it seems the most popular of them are simply fun time-wasters.
When It Comes to Apps, Addiction is Good
The negative connotation of the word "addiction" disappears apparently when it comes to computer games and now apps. The more addicting an app is (hence, the more time wasted with it) the more it is downloaded from Apple's App Store. Developers tout their own app's addictiveness as a selling point. There's even a term for the addiction affliction: "appiphilia."
The following are seven apps that at least one user finds inordinately habit-forming. Not all of them are games—the traditional culprit—either! Whether or not these fuel or quell users' appiphilia, or simply fritter away some time on a much-deserved break from "real" life, is up to them...hopefully. Proceed with caution.
Seven Habit-Forming iPhone Apps
- Tap Tap Revenge(Tapulous, FREE) A highly addictive musical agility game based somewhat on guitar hero, its free price will no doubt be offset by the tunes one ends up purchasing to keep playing. Wonderful graphics.
- i-c Live Cams (Barry Egerter, 99 cents) Feeling voyeuristic? This app brings up 100's of live cams from around the world, by category. From landscapes to beaches, the Eiffel Tower to the Egyptian pyramids this app is an armchair international trek, and sneakily addictive.
- Pocket God (Bolt Creative, 99 cents) is about as politically incorrect as can be, but heck, they're cartoon pygmies...that the gamer (as God) gets to strike with lightning, feed to the sharks, and drop kick into the volcano while trying to keep his or her pygmies alive and well. Hmm...strangely amusing.
- Labyrinth (Codify AB, $2.99) Remember the classic? Tilting the steel ball around the holes? Mastering your self control? This is it, with astounding movement thanks to iPhone technology and endless mazes to conquer thanks to user-added levels. Several hundred hours of concentrated effort, minimum.
- Who Wants to be a Millionaire?(Capcom Entertainment, $4.99) At the more expensive end of the app budget, but worth it for those who watch the TV version (to which this is loyal, down to Meredith's "Let's play!") and think they know all the answers. Reach 250,000 just once and it's impossible to stop 'til you've won.
- Emergency Radio (Edge Rift Inc., 99 cents) Access to thousands of police band radios from around the U.S. may not sound intriguing to everyone, until they've practically participated (albeit from a distance) in their first live armed robbery arrest. Try Chicago PD at 2:00 am.
- Doodle Jump (Igor Pusenjak, 99 cents) Proof that the simplest things are often the most enjoyable, Doodle Jump features a goofy little dude jumping up platforms with the user's aid. Childish graphics and some shooting round out a game that will astound in its silliness (and yes...addictiveness).
Soon enough, there will be an iPhone app that goes out and lives life for iPhoners so they can spend more time playing on their telephone. Until that time, these—among a few thousand others—should help pass the time. For more addictive app reviews visit App & Tonic.
iPhone apps may be purchased directly off an iPhone (via the "App Store" app, of course) or from iTunes.
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