Searching for new apps – Chomp for Apple’s iPhone
More than 100,000 iPhone apps out there to choose from, only a small percentage will be right for you. The process of tracking down the ones you want is part of the fun, but if you find yourself adrift as you surf the App Store and need for additional guidance, well, there is now an app for that.
Began Monday, is to iPhone apps what the Genius button is to your music library, using information about your likes and dislikes to make recommendations, and it even tosses social networking into the mix.
Once you have created a Chomp account, it asks you to start reviewing your favorite (and least favorite) apps. The process is a breeze: Simply click a heart icon for “like” and the icon of a broken heart for “dislike.” There is also an option to add a short review, of 60 characters or less, if you feel a need to opine further.
We started off with a quick review of two or three of our favorite iPhone games, and immediately the app pointed out a few others we might enjoy. Chomp even suggested a few we already know and love but had not reviewed yet, so we know it works.
That ability alone, not to mention its sleek, easy to use interface, makes Chomp a winner. Moreover, the app has a Twitter inspired twist that really gives it an advantage, allowing you to navigate a live river of comments from other users and interact with them. Not only can you follow your fellow Chompers and browse their reviews, but there’s even a section where you can track the reviews of “App Celebrities” including Digg founder Kevin Rose and video blogger Justine Ezarik, making it easier than ever to keep up with the geeks.
Prefer to get your app recommendations from the iTunes App list of best seller? You may want to rethink that. As we write this, iDragPaper Free, a game that tests your ability to quickly deploy roll of toilet paper, is Apple’s top ranked free app. For 99 cents, the paid version adds online rankings.
