Developing an iPhone game means that all of us at SMASHWORX has an iPhone or iPod Touch device that we use personally. We also happen to do more than just make and play games. We don’t happen to write about much other than our work but, we are really more entertaining than that!

I’ve had my iPhone for a while now and I’ve amassed several pages of apps. I have my share of games–gotta keep an eye on the other developers! There are also a bunch of other apps that I use on a daily or regular basis. I’ve grown so used to them that I’m sure there would be some withdrawl period if I didn’t have them anymore.

Here, in no particular order, are my favorite/most used iPhone Apps that are not games.

Chase Mobile

I bank with Chase so this app is quite useful. I am able to check my account balances at any time without having to stop by an ATM or find a computer. You can do simple things like pay bills, transfer money between accounts, and schedule wire transfers. You never know when you need to unexpectedly transfer money at a moment’s notice. I’ve never had to use it but, it is good to know that I can.

The app also helps you locate the nearest Chase ATM.

Facebook

Who isn’t on Facebook these days? Well, my parents aren’t and I wouldn’t mind if it stayed that way. Being able to check what’s going on in your social network at any time is great. I use the Facebook app to upload pictures the most. There are always interesting things to see in NYC. I also use it to see what’s going when waiting in line or other idle moments.

Echofon

Tweeting via text message works but, it can work so much better with an app. I have more than one Twitter app on my phone and I’ve used even more. I’ve settled on Echofon for their simple interface and features. It does everything I need it to do and their themes are pleasing to the eye. I dislike black backgrounds with white text and Echofon doesn’t have that–win!

I’m really the only person at SMASHWORX who tweets personally but, I also use Echofon for the SMASHWORX Twitter account.

Siri

I discovered Siri very recently–I think it has only been available recently as well. Siri is a virtual personal assistant. She–I think it’s a she–can’t go and buy me coffee but, the things she can do are still pretty cool. You can either speak or type instructions to her. I’ve mostly used it with voice because it’s just cooler.

Siri reminds me of AI’s in sci-fi movies that control houses or in cars like Knight Rider. You can ask Siri to tell you the weather, find a restaurant, reserve a table, find movie times, buy movie tickets, call a taxi, and more.

I do wish she can do more but, it is a step in the right direction and I can’t wait to see what the intelligent folks behind Siri do next.

iHeartRadio

I really think the radio industry’s push to have radio online to be intelligent. Unlike cable TV who still refuse to have internet streams of their shows, you can get pretty much any radio station on iHeartRadio.

I do not own a radio so there is really no way for me to listen to the radio without an internet stream. iHeartRadio is available as an iPhone app and in the browser. I like radio just to know what the chart toppers are.

Pandora

Pandora has been my favorite online radio for years. I don’t remember when I first heard of them but, I’ve introduced a myriad of friends to it. When I’m not looking to listen to Top 40 music and I just want to hear music I know and are similar to what I like, Pandora is where I go.

PhotoShop Mobile

The iPhone doesn’t have a Flash so pictures taken without proper lighting are going to be completely unseeable–I’m pretty sure I just made that word up. With PhotoShop Mobile, I can take a picture and then adjust it until I think it is seeable. It sorta makes up for the lack of a Flash on the iPhone.

Foursquare

I was skeptical of location based apps. I really didn’t know what the point of them were. Then I decided to try it and I have been checking in ever since. It is fun to check into places you go and see who else is there or who the mayor is. I won’t die without it but, it is nice to have a history of places I’ve been.

Sometimes, that alcohol just makes you forget.

DropBox

I am absolutely sold on the idea of cloud storage. I’ve almost moved everything I do to a cloud service of some kind. I no longer use Microsoft Office, I just write in Google Docs. DropBox lets me store files and then makes it available to all my computers and my iPhone.

It is very convenient to be able to drop a file into the DropBox and then be able to read it on the go or edit it somewhere else. I keep a bunch of profile pictures in my DropBox so that I can easily get them when I sign up to new services.

So there they are, my favorite/most used iPhone apps. What are some of yours? Maybe there’s something you love that I haven’t even heard of. There are a lot of apps in that App Store!

Feast on this new exclusive trailer my sweets! This is Jess’s trailer. She’s had a bit more time with the iMovie doodad than Tommy, but it’s not like they’re “competitive” or anything. Enjoy!

Propaganda Lander Lives! In this super, up-to-date video you can hear the sounds of the revolution. Stephen Harwood has been making all sorts of groovy tracks and this is just the beginning. Notice the fancy new shield boost and the stylish Lava Level!

Our newest Propaganda Lander video features some nasty foes: boulders, spears, fireballs and, the office favorite, homing missiles. Music by The Darkness and will not actually appear in the game…no matter how much we beg and plead.

You might be wondering what’s been happening in the Smashworx lair. Or more importantly, what’s going on with our super-cool, most awesome iPhone game Propaganda Lander. Have no fear my pretties, Jess here to sate your need for development news.  After some “we need to make a couple of bucks” action, we are back to the grindstone, slaving away on The Rickster’s whims.  We’re been tinkering with the accelerometer as a new way to fly the ship. Lo and behold, I can now actually steer the ship! Score one for Tommy and Nik.  Most of their efforts so far have been in enabling me to master steering.  They figure if I can steer the lander with a modicum of skill, every level of player (chimpanzee and other) should be able to steer it as well.  We intend to leave the button/thruster system in for those who prefer a different feel but my preference is currently in the accelerometer court.

Tommy has designed a rockin’ level editor so I can plot land and set all sorts of parameters in the construction of the levels.  Now the term “rockin’ level editor” may not incite a fury of excitement for you humble readers but as one who has spent far too much of her life (that I can never get back mind you) wrestling with buggy level editors that refuse assets, drop floors, deny any type of after-the-fact editing and offer the flexibility of an 80 year old after a VFW dance off, Tommy’s homespun level editor is a dreamboat.  I’ll try and put up some video of the new levels once we fix the emulator.

Nik has been hard at work with the GUI and other interface assets.  Through a giant discussion on how a timer should be presented, we’ve finally agreed that rather than a clock or gauge, we would represent time through how much fuel the lander has.  I bring this up because one of the lessons of making a game that I’ve picked up is how much one tries to make every asset relative to each other and the overall game production. By forgoing an obtuse clock system, the idea of “space vehicle” is upheld with the notion of fuel consumption.  This is a much nicer fit.

We keep working and Propaganda Lander keeps getting better.  Stay tuned for news on release dates, development news and general groovy times!