There's a great new website called First and Twenty that's collecting screenshots of designers, developers and tech writers. It's similar to the screenshots I've put up over the past couple of months but is nicely focused on that ever important home page. I've enjoyed browsing through the screens, but what I love best are the small commentaries describing why those apps were on the high traffic first page.
I thought it would be great to throw my hat into the ring as a regular shmoe and try to give my own home page summary. I'm definitely not a tech or design luminary, but I think I fit in with the majority of you iPhone users out there. If you feel compelled, I'd love to read your home page summary and see a screenshot.
I hate wasting space on this important page. I've seen a few people who like leaving open rows at the bottom to get a "cleaner feel," but swiping through the screens hunting for an app annoys me. No open row here, and if I could I'd pack in more.
Mail - I've moved mail to top left because I know I won't accidentally hit the icon and I have 4 mail accounts I like to keep track of. I'm a big fan of this app, and actually like that my inboxes are kept separate. If it had full search of email text it would be perfect.
Maps - Indespensible on the home page. This gets used for all navigation and works great for those family arguments over who has the best route to get somewhere. Until I save up for a turn-by-turn app this one is the workhorse.
Weather - Perfect for a quick glance in the morning before getting dressed. Let's me know if it's too hot for the shirt and tie, or if I need a sweater.
Clock - This one was a surprise for me, especially since I have a nice alarm clock with 2 separate alarms and all the goodies. After sleeping through a power outage I decided to use the iPhone app and haven't looked back since. Power outages don't matter, I can set multiple alarms and it's plenty loud to get me up from slumber.
Calendar - Mostly a conduit for my multiple google calendars. If this had tasks somehow built in and displayed, it would be even more useful. As it stands, it's quicker than firing up Safari and works even without network reception.
Google - Voice search on this app is so clutch, and a great feature to show to non-iPhone users. Faster than firing up Safari and works great for getting the phone number to a restaurant to make reservations.
Bargain Bin - The app that feeds my iPhone app addiction. I check it at least 2-3 times daily for the latest sales and have an extensive watch list of apps. If my target prices are met, I get a notification and a developer gets another sale. Get this app if you don't already have it, you'll thank me later when you pick up your first bargain.
BeejiveIM - Took the place of AOL IM once facebook support was added. I'm online all day thanks to this gem and always ready for a chat. Nice that I can receive and send files too.
Now Playing - Hands down the best movie showtime app available. My wife and I watch a lot of movies and look here first before we go out. Trailers, synopsis, and the ability to check out metacritic reviews make it a must have before spending money on a flick. If purchasing tickets didn't require a surcharge (same with all online ticket sales) I'd use it to bypass the ticket counter too.
Around Me - The all-around champion app for the traveler. When the wife and I take one of our frequent one tank trips, this app is a lifesaver. One click lists all nearby restaurants, gas stations, or pharmacies. Integration with google maps and the ability to search for specific businesses means we're only a few taps away from directions and a phone call for reservations.
Facebook - No explanation needed here. Newest version gives me all of the functionality of the desktop except for facebook video, hope that comes soon with push notification.
Byline - I'm a heavy RSS user and follow more feeds than I really should. This so far has given me the best integration with google reader and will stay on the homepage until I find something better.
Settings - Only here because Apple does not give me a quick way to turn off wifi and Bluetooth. Someday if that happens I'll use this space for a more useful app.
Safari - Used to have this in my dock, but it opens automatically when I click on links anyway. I still like to get to the random webpage on the go, however, so it stays for now.
iTunes/App Store - App Store gets all the use, but I have a weird thing about breaking up the pair. The badge telling me updates are available always makes me excited...
Dock Items:
Phone - Makes me wonder why Apple insists on having a contact app when there's already one here. This is my main phone without a home line, so this stays always available.
Messages - I'd rather IM, if anything on principle because of the rip off text messaging fees, but my friends and family still SMS, so I have to as well. This will be much more useful onc MMS is in place but still could be replaced much more elegantly by mobile IM.
Twittelator Pro - Best iPhone Twitter app for my needs, super robust and always adding new features. The draft function made me ditch Birdhouse.
iPod - My iPhone is still my main music player and is always docked in the car as my stereo. This bottom right corner is a hot spot and will likely always remain my iPod button.
So what does my iPhone home page say about me? I guess if you boil it down, it says I like to travel with my wife and seek out entertainment while being connected all the time and know what everyone is talking about.
This extremely long post was sent from my iPhone.
