The Best iPhone Apps Of The Week

The AppAdvice iPhone App Of The Week: Sonar – Mobile Profile for Local Social Networking Updated May 25 (free); original article A new app has arrived that promises users the ability to know everything about the person right next to them. Sonar – Mobile Profile for Local Social Networking, which debuted at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference, is available now in the App Store. According to founder Brett Martin, speaking to TechCrunch:

“It’s simple- you open up sonar and we tell you that the guy sitting across from you is facebook friends with your college roommate, the dude by the jukebox is a VC that you follow on twitter, and the cute girl by the bar also likes the Arcade Fire and Hemingway.”

In order to use the app, you must already be a foursquare member. Once you tie your existing foursquare account to the Sonar app, you’re ready to go. From there, you are asked to add your Facebook and Twitter accounts as well, if applicable. New Releases IntelliShop – Shopping List Released May 25 ($3.99); original article IntelliShop – Shopping List by Mario Zullo is an uncluttered, well-organized shopping list that is surprisingly easy to navigate and use. I am one of those terrible people who usually doesn't take time to sit down and write out a list. I normally wing it and try to make use of my memory at the grocery store. I don't recommend this method - more times than I can count I've ended up back home without a key item I needed to pick up. I love apps I can zip in and out of to make lists. With three kids three and under I just don't have time to sit down for long periods of time without being interrupted to hand-write detailed lists. I can use all the help I can get. In Case Of Fire Released May 26 ($.99); original article A new puzzle game with 2D platforming gameplay has been released on the App Store, and it's called In Case Of Fire. The game will have you grabbing keys and dodging flames through 32 levels (info via Touch Arcade). The gameplay consists of maneuvering through multiple floor levels to reach the exit. There are also sprinklers with water coming out of them that are placed in multiple parts of the levels; they can be used to the player's advantage. In Case of Fire looks very similar to the Exit series by Ubisoft. However, this game is based on controlling one character. "The world is burning! But with wits and quick reflexes you have a chance to escape. Run through traps, obstacles, and mazes. Escape from a world of fire. Your goal is victory, freedom, the open air," according to the In Case of Fire app description. Photofon Released May 26 (free); original article The folks behind the popular Twitter app for Mac and iOS devices, Echofon, have just released a new iPhone/iPod touch app for the App Store. Photofon strips away the content of everyone you follow on Twitter to only show tweets that include photos. Created by naan studios, inc., Photofon has one simple purpose: it displays tweets containing photos from your social networking friends. Included are tweets with photos shared on Instagram, img.ly, Twitpic, Flickr or yfrog. To-Fu: The Trials of Chi Released May 26 ($.99); original article To-Fu: The Trials of Chi, and To-Fu: The Trials of Chi HD (if you own an iPad), have hit the App Store and offer innovative platforming-based gameplay. The game is a slower paced platformer based more on patience and timing, rather than quick reflexes and jumping. Instead of controlling the To-Fu directly, you slingshot him across platforms, walls and other obstacles to safety. The way you slingshot the To-Fu is by stretching it and letting go of your finger. The app description calls it "stretch, ping, stick and rebound," and this is a simplified way to describe the gameplay. The controls work quite well on the touchscreen and have proven successful with hits like Angry Birds. However, this isn't a puzzler based on knocking down blocks, but a platformer where you must navigate through 100 levels with various types of hazards. Updated Getaround Updated May 23 (free); original article Getaround is a car rental service that allows ordinary people like you and me to rent out a spare vehicle to others. What makes the service even cooler, is that the process of advertising, renting et. al. is done via a free iPhone app. At TechCrunch Disrupt (over in NYC), the service officially launched today. Here's the idea. You've got a spare car sitting in your garage, outside your house or even round the block, and you want to make some cash. With Getaround (and its all-important iPhone app), you can easily advertise your car to others, set an hourly rate (from $4 to $25 per hour - Getaround takes a 30 percent cut, however) and - essentially - rent our your car to others. Square Updated May 23 (free); original article Square, the mobile payments company, has just released an update to its popular universal app. Square 2.0 is available now and includes a number of customization features, particularly ones for the iPad. The app, which made a splash when it debuted in 2010, allows anyone to accept credit card payments on their iDevice without a contract or monthly fees. It recently received Apple’s seal of approval when the Cupertino, California-based company began selling Square’s required device ($9.95), which connects to the iPhone or iPad. Beautiful Day Updated May 24 ($.99); original article Need a no hassles weather app for your iPhone/iPod touch? Look no further than Beautiful Day, which recently launched in the App Store. Created by first-time iOS developer Reckless Abandon Labs, LLC, the app presents current and future weather conditions. However, unlike other apps that play overkill, Beautiful Day takes a minimalistic approach to present weather conditions. Beautiful Day uses two colors: black and white. On the top, you’ll see the current time and date; the bottom shows the weather. Glastonbury 2011 Updated May 26 (free); original article Glastonbury Festival - the largest European music festival - now has its very own iPhone and iPod touch app, which is currently available to download for free in the App Store. As outlined in the app's release notes:

Download the official Glastonbury festival app, 'Glastonbury 2011' by Orange, onto your phone and plan your festival. With an interactive map, as well as the full listings from the Guardian Guide, use the planner to avoid clashes and be reminded when bands are on. With alerts to any changes or announcements over the weekend, the only way you’d miss anything now is if your two favorite bands played at once!

I've just had a play around with the app, and it's definitely the kind of thing I'd want in my pocket while at the festival (providing that I could charge my iPhone 4 every evening). With digital line-ups, users know who's playing - and with the interactive map, they know where artists are playing, too. Furthermore, users of Glastonbury 2011 app will never be out-of-touch with changes to the schedule or announcements, as all the information is delivered directly to the app. Maps+ Updated May 27 (free, universal); original article The universal Maps+ app just arrived in the App Store. The app takes Google Maps and adds some interface improvements as well as a social sharing tool. Created by IZE, Ltd., the free app is for both the iPhone/iPod touch and iPad. Maps+ allows users to browse Google’s four online maps: standard, satellite, hybrid, and terrain. As a nice touch, moving back and forth between each is as simple as swiping with three fingers up or down. Meporter - Local Area News & Events - The Beat on the Street Updated May 27 (free); original article News spreads pretty quickly across the social networks, but what if there was a more news-like service without the limitations? Meporter is a new app and service that focuses on turning the news reporter into a news meporter, where sharing of breaking events is quick and simple. In the past, people would contact TV network tip lines when events occur that would be breaking news. Those with smartphones typically mash out a tweet or two nowadays and then the attention gets picked up by reporters, or once again via tipsters. Meporter cuts out the middle-man or woman and makes you the reporter. What do you think of our picks? Leave your comments below. The Best iPhone Apps Of The Week is published each weekend; a companion piece, The Best iPad Apps Of The Week, is published separately.