Killer iPhone (web)Apps!
I’ve read alot of complaining about the rather displeasing lack of an iPhone API for public consumption. However, I must say, people/companies are innovative and where there is a will there is a way. This set of standards for building iPhone sites has proven to be quite amazing when implemented properly. I have ran into a number of great sites that are implementing an iPhone version of their site or service. Here are two that have done an excellent job in a very short period of time.
Facebook: http://iphone.facebook.com
After visiting here I am completely convinced that Facebook was created for the sole purpose of going on my iPhone. This site has a fairly low profile and works good over EDGE. When you get into the photo areas it can take a little while to load but that is to be expected and isn’t a problem with the facebook site at all. However over WiFi it is flipping amazing! I found one of the overall coolest features to be the way your friends list shrinks in an iTunes fashion as you do a search. Then once finding your friend you can easily click on his or her phone number and give them a ring. Yes that’s right…the iPhone actually is a phone too…
Meebo http://www.meebo.com
Meebo doesn’t make you go to a new url. They feel the strong vibes of the iPhone as you enter the site and automatically redirect you to the iPhone version (that or they are detecting mobile safari). Overall I have never been a big fan of Meebo. Yeah I have used it from time to time, but it by no means has replaced my chat application(s). However I am in awe by the simplicity and overall functionality provided by the Meebo iPhone interface. It is clean, it is fast, and it is very functional.
If you get a chance point your iPhone on over to both of these sites and give them a shot. Oh..what’s that? You don’t have an iPhone
Luckily your not totally SOL you can still check these out via an iPhone browser simulator like the one found over at http://www.testiphone.com/ and dream about getting an iPhone