Trent Reznor, aka Nine Inch Nails
Nearly one billion (yes,
billion)
iPhone apps have been downloaded in recent months. What are apps? They're small programs (applications) that add functionality to your iPhone. They're sold via
iTunes.
Apps let you customize your phone. They're games, books, news companies and "machines" that can make bodily noises when you shake them. They tell you the weather in any town across the globe. They help you chronicle meetings, where you park and your sex life. They're often less than a dollar, or free, and can be downloaded to your iPhone just like an mp3 from iTunes.
They also deliver music. Here are three that I use, and that I recommend. And they're free.
NINE INCH NAILS:
Much anticipated and released (finally!) this week, the Nine Inch Nails iPhone app delivers many things.
Included are podcasts from the Trent Reznor-led industrial rock act that feature "definitive" playlists: The new NIN/JA (Nine Inch Nails/Jane's Addiction) tour playlist, deep cuts, singles, "soft," "hard" and, yes, multiple remixes, divided by fansite favorite, most played and more.
Also available: Wallpaper, photo galleries, video galleries, a search tool that allows you to connect with nearby NIN fans, forums, messaging options and more.
Application name: nin: access
COLLEGE RADIO:
The Student Radio Network application allows users to connect with a variety of college radio stations, including KXZY Oklahoma State Radio college radio station in Stillwater. It will stream from any 3G or WiFi connection.
The KXZY station, unlike some other stations, displays the band name and title of each song as it plays live. It's an easy standout. And now you can hear it anywhere.
In a little over five minutes, I heard: "One Day as a Lion," by One Day as a Lion, from the self-titled album. That was followed by Sun Volt's "Atmosphere," from the 2005 album, "Okemah and the Medley of Riot." "Around the World/Harder Better Faster Stronger (Live)," by Daft Punk, from the album "Alive 2007." And Dr. Dog's "The Old Days," from album "Fate."
Now that's variety! There is also a link option to buy each song from iTunes. Other stations include the University of Central Oklahoma's ED 90.1, the Polkajammer Network (all polka, all the time!) and WLIU-BK Brooklyn.
Application name: College Radio Tuner
BOOMBOX:
This app hooks into Blip.fm, which hosts links to publicly-posted songs and allows you to listen to full tracks for free. You can also purchase most of them from iTunes, too. It's the "entry level" version, which means it's new, and there are some quirks -- one being that you must have WiFi access for it to work.
But you can listen to nearly anything, any time, anywhere, with no fees. Elvis to Echo & The Bunnymen to Vampire Weekend to Charlie Parker to The Killers. You can also create your own playlists. Take it easy, though, this app is prone to crashes if you're not patient with it. I'm hoping that updates fix this issue.
Also available: Boombox Pro ($2.99), which offers support for 2g and 3G networks. And you can import your Blip.fm Playlist from your Web account.
Application name: Boombox
