When we hear cell phone apps - the App Store at iTunes by Apple is what immediately comes to mind. But these were around long before the iPhone. In fact, one the oldest applications is something we may not consider to be an app at all. SMS - yup, text messaging is actually an application. SMS hit the world by storm in the early nitnties - not too long ago.

Still, pre- iPhone, there were many cell phone apps around for products by Palm and Blackberry. Many of these revolved around personal productivity and organization. This was the case becuase such devices were commonly used by businesses and their employees. It was not until recently that such technology was available or affordable to and by the masses.

Apple was the company that combined their App Store with their popular iPhone and made mobile phone application what they are today.

Applications have moved beyond productivity programs and entered the realm of entertainment. There truly is something for everyone. Children (and adult children) are able to download games. There are tools and timers, checkbooks, and music apps.

The Apple App Store is one of the most popular destination for free cell phone apps on the web. This is probably because most of these little programs work on both the iPhone and the iPod Touch - which means that you don't necessarily have to have their mobile phone to use the wide range of offerings. Also, many of the offerings are free or have a nominal charge. I remember, back in the days of using my Dell Axim PDA, the apps I purchased were more costly than comparable products available today.

I am a productivity junkie so I have many programs to make my life more organized. Some I paid for and some were free. Here is the lowdown on my favorites:

1. Things - I use this checklist program to keep my days in order. Sure there free ones out there, and one major competitor is Omnifocus, which I have also tried. The bottom line is that the best cell phone app in this area is the one that actually gets used. If I objectively compared Things and Omnifocus -  I would tell you that Omnifocus comes out ahead. It has more features, it is more flexible, and follows David Allen's Getting Things Done mantra to a T. But personally, I find the Things interface more appealing - it was the program that I turned to more than any other to get my things done. So in my eyes it is the winner.
2. Shazam - my kids and I love this one. If we hear a song we like but don't recognize, we hold the iPhone up to the speaker and get the dirt. It is good - and keeps me in the loop with my kids music choices.
3. Bento - this handy personal database app keeps my information in order. Need I say more?
4. USA Today - for someone who doesn't have time to read the paper, this app puts the paper in my hand whenever I have a spare moment.

Have you noticed that none of the above mentioned programs have much to do with cell phones?

What are some of your favorite cell phone apps? Which ones can't you live without? Leave a comment below!