Once again, I confess to frittering away too much money on apps for my iPhone and iPod Touch. I know I do this. Yet, I just can't stop. I justify it too easily since most of them are so inexpensive. But with over 150 apps currently actually on the phone, these things add up. Many, of course, are free, but still, a therapy session or two would probably have been less expensive!

The apps on my devices come and go with regularity. I really like some of them, but others are... well, more transient.

So I thought I would share some apps I like and use as well as one or two I have kept my eye on but not purchased yet. The list is in no particular order. Some apps will work on both the iPhone and the iPod Touch. Some apps will only work on the iPhone 3Gs. Most probably only work on OS 3.x. Check the fine print at the app store before making your purchase to be sure the app will function as you expect.

Voice Memos

For simple audio only recording, this application, which comes as part of OS 3, is great. I plug in my little Shure mic, which I love and previously blogged about here, and use Voice Memos almost every time I present. When I plug my iPhone back in to my computer to charge, the newly recorded voice memo is automatically placed into the Voice Memos playlist in iTunes. A quick mouse click, and I have an mp3 file ready for upload. This is an easy tool to use to create audio-only podcasts. And, in typical Apple style, the design of the interface is gorgeous.

Zip Car

I doubt I will ever use this application because no Zip Car locations exist near where I live. But if they did, and if I didn't have a car, this app is just too cool! Select and rent a Zip Car through your iPhone. Have the phone take you to the car using Google Maps. When you are close, honk the car horn from the iPhone to locate it in the lot. Unlock the car with the iPhone. Check the car back in from the iPhone when you are finished using it. This would be a must in urban areas where parking is so impossible and expensive as to preclude car ownership. Clever, clever, clever.

Dragon Dictation

This isn't a full fledged dictation/transcription application. But for a short email or to catch a thought before it flitters away, it really works nicely! I'm rather impressed with the accuracy and speed of the voice transcription. I used several dictation/transcription products about 10 years ago and abandoned them. They didn't work well enough and need to be "trained." Not so with Dragon Dictation. I like it more than I like typing on the tiny keyboard. For me, this application replaced Jott, which I had previously liked and used. Jott is a fee based service and has many features beyond the scope of Dragon Dictation.

FlightTrack Pro

If you travel as much as I do, this app is essential. It auto downloads your flight info from TripIt, another essential for the frequent traveler, and keeps your current flight information in the palm of your hand. (My entire flight arrangements process is automated. All I need to do is go online and make the reservation. From there it is automatically placed on my calendars, iPhone and online, and the detailed flight information is populated into FlightTrack Pro. Everyone who subscribes to my calendar knows where I am. TripIt even tells me, of the people I follow, who will be in the same city when I am there.)

With FlightTrack Pro, you know up-to-date information about delays, gate changes, current weather, and more. You can even quickly tweet (and email), directly from the application, information about your trip as it unfolds. This application has been invaluable when, because of arrival delays, I needed to know what actual gate I was going into and the exact gate from which my connecting flight would depart so I didn't have to stop to find out. Haven't missed a connection yet!