The popularity of the iPod and iPod Touch, now spreading with the rise and release of the iPhone and iPad, has brought on a new world of downloadable applications. The Apple App Store is stocked with downloadable applications for free or for purchase. With applications ranging from useful tools to silly gimmicks, the App Store has become a trendy hub for portable Apple devices as iTunes has for downloadable music.

Radio applications for music playlists have become especially popular for iPod and iPhone users. Applications such as Pandora Radio or Slacker Radio allow mobile users to have access to a wide variety of music without needing to manually buy or save music into their personal iTunes.

David Tseng, a freshman in computer science, likes the applications that offer ease of communication.

“Text Free [Unlimited] is one of my favorite apps because it allows me to text all my friends quickly, and best of all, for free,” Tseng says. “Other useful apps include the Facebook app and Weather Channel to keep me updated on the go.”

Skype can also be found as an excellent way to communicate for free with an iPhone after years of popularity on the PC. Skype-to-Skype via Wi-Fi offers high quality calls and is especially great for long distance calling. Not all free communication apps have gone well with Apple as it took away from paid phone services on the iPhone, but deals have been worked out for apps by larger companies and are available in the App Store. Teja Yarlagadda, a junior in aerospace engineering, would prefer more freedom from Apple for apps to be legally downloaded.

“I don’t like how they restrict the applications in the Apple App Store. Only about 25% of proposed apps make it to the App Store officially, so a lot of good apps aren’t made available for users,” Yarlagadda says. “They did bring GoogleVoice to the App Store though, and it allows you to make free text and phone calls within the United States.”

Convenient communication is an expected standard to be found with handheld devices, but also for handheld gaming. While not quite in the league of handheld gaming platforms such as the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP, Apple’s iPods, iPhone, and iPad are quickly becoming viable devices for handheld gaming. Hit games found in the App Store include AngryBirds and Fruit Ninja. Game developer PopCap’s widely popular PC and Xbox 360 titles, Peggle and Plants Vs. Zombies, play very well using the touch screens on iPhones and iPads.

Some of the most useful apps, however, are tools that can be used for business and education purposes. QuickOffice allows the user to utilize Word and Excel documents on the go. Kindle, the popular eBook reader, is also available for download from the App Store.

Aaron Fung, a sophomore in business administration, started a cell phone repair business called “EdgeTube” that has recently begun to specialize in iPhone services.

“I believe that personalized productivity apps are continuing to become more popular as they allow more increased user input and helps the user complete their tasks more efficiently,” Fung says. “An example of these personalized apps include ‘Evernote’, which allows you to take notes and have access to them anywhere you have a Wi-Fi connection. Also, Remote Desktop allows you to control your desktop from a remote location for file and program access.”

Other useful apps include the LogiTech TouchMouse app that allows the user to use an iPhone or iPod as a multitouch mouse and wireless keyboard. Toolbox is an app that allows ease of communication and collaboration for educational purposes.

“I use Toolbox sometimes,” Tseng says. “It’s convenient for homework like chemistry if you need to convert measurements back and forth.”

Connecting the user with other students and experts in certain subjects, Toolbox allows students to form discussion groups and to get answers for questions from various assignments. Featuring apps from big name companies and popular services such as Skype, Kindle, and even games such as those from PopCap, the iPod, iPhone, and iPad seem to have something for everyone. Whether it is for ease of communication, convenient tools for educational and business purposes, or gaming, the App Store has a large selection for users to choose from.