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The end of the year always signals a time of reflection, to look back on what the year has given and what will be coming in the future. To contribute my part to this noble tradition, I will be looking at a few iPhone applications that I regularly use. I am not a power user of the phone – 90% of the functionality I require the iPhone for is covered with the built-in applications of phone, email, text messaging, internet and music. However, these select applications have come in much use from myself and are definitely worth casting your internet eyes over.

RunKeeper Pro (£5.99) – For the past month and a half, I’ve entered into a fitness routine. A mixture of encouragement from friends and self-drive have helped me into a routine of two miles runs, three times a week and I simply would not have made it without RunKeeper. Being able to track my progress makes it a vasty more satisfying process, giving one tangible results for their efforts. The application does have the occasional problem of losing track of the users’ current location but apart from this, RunKeeper is the most useful and well-constructed application I have purchased. The Pro version brings iPod integration and audio updates into the equation, both of which help make running more enjoyable. Improving your fitness regime is one of the most common New Years’ Resolutions, so what better way to start than with RunKeeper. Check out my public profile to see my progress so far.

Facebook (Free) – From the outside world, it is easy to underestimate how important Facebook is those of my generation. Every social event I have attended over the past year has either been organised or advertised through Facebook. Photos are shared and tagged like no one’s business and communications between friends away from home has become much more frequent and consistent. Having the ability to access Facebook on the move makes life much easier too. The second iteration of the application gives users access to nearly every function of the full website – groups, pages, photos, status updates, wall posts, notifications – anything you’d like! The rumours of Facebook charging for use of their service continue but for the moment, the official Facebook application for iPhone is all you could want.

Simplenote (£1.19) – The built-in note application has several flaws, the most notable being you can not synchronise notes back to your desktop. Notes scribed on the phone become an untouchable island. For a small fee, Simplenote provides fast, clean, synchronised notes for iPhone. I truly love applications that fulfil tasks with simplicity and Simplenote is one of these. Combined with the web interface and JustNotes on the desktop, this solution makes up for Apple’s lack of a decent application.

Shazam (Free) – Although the free version no longer offers unlimited tagging, Shazam is one of those applications you can use to impress your friends with your iPhone. By simply pointing your device towards music, Shazam will almost certainly return the track details of what you are hearing. It is ideal for those moments in the pub when you hear that tune, but can not remember for the life of you what it is. Thanks to Shazam, I have tagged Material Girl, Why?, Paparazzi, Assassin Of Love, Turn On Tune In Cop Out, Pick A Bale Of Cotton and Smalltown Boy from concerts, shops, pubs and even the gym. Well worth an install, if not just to impress your friends.

Tube Deluxe (£0.59) – Although I do not reside in London or even the South of England, my trips to the big smoke become ever more frequent with each passing year. I decided to invest in Tube Deluxe to help navigate the convoluted underground railway network known as the London Underground. Tube Deluxe removes the needing for those pesky paper handouts, as the application will provide up-to-the-minute service information, location of your nearest station, route planning, an interactive version of the map you can browse through and station information. For the low cost, even occasional travellers will find it useful.

Honourable mentions must go to Dropbox (instant access to online file storage), Tweetie 2 (simply the best Twitter client around), eBay (trying to bid on a 1968 Hofner bass guitar in a nightclub sums it up) and Remote (for controlling your AirTunes or iTunes over wireless internet).

So that concludes my short list of recommended applications. There are a few games and a few utilities I could mention but it seems unnecessary. For any reader, all of these require a cursory glance to see whether their entertain your fancy.