The Application Store on iTunes offers both paid and free applications that allow people to utilize their iPhones and iPods for a variety of uses. Another possibility is to jailbreak devices, allowing users to download free apps.

Mobile gaming has been revolutionized. Intended solely for iPhone and iPod Touch use, the Application Store, designed by Apple, allows people to use their phones for entertainment and practical uses in addition to calling, texting and listening to music.

From barcode readers to guitar simulators, there are tens of thousands of applications designed by third parties and Apple that provide users with a vast selection of capabilities and features.

Two general categories of applications exist: paid applications and free applications. While paid applications include complete versions of the desired product, free applications are limited and primarily serve as samples to entice users to purchase complete paid versions.

Popularity of applications among users is always fluctuating because of the relentless flow of new ideas and concepts flooding the Application Store. However, several applications have stayed popular since their inceptions in the Application Store. The "Tap Tap" series, Facebook and "Shazam" are a few of the most popular iPhone and iPod Touch applications.

The "Tap Tap" games are essentially watered-down versions of the video game series "Guitar Hero." "Tap Tap" condenses all the fun of the popular video game to the three inch touch screen of an iPhone or iPod Touch.

Three vertical columns with a river of notes lines the center of the screen as a song plays, the user must press the correct note with right timing to score points.

Users may download songs for free, or purchase songs of their liking to play in the game. With three standard versions, along with Coldplay and Metallica adaptations, there are many variations of "Tap Tap," each unique and different from the rest.

"Tap Tap 3," the latest version of the series, was released on Oct. 6th.

Although the new game features new additions such as the ability to create avatars, achievement systems and updated visuals, the core of the gameplay is identical to that of its predecessors.

With downloadable tracks from artists such as LMFAO, Foo Fighters and 50 others, "Tap Tap" never gets boring. For $0.99, Tap Tap is an entertaining application that is worth the money.

Facebook, along with other social networking applications, allows users to fully access their Facebook pages from their iPhones or iPod Touches.

The newest version of the Facebook application, which was released early September this year, was updated with several new features including a new, more efficient interface and event viewing.

Although Facebook can be accessed through a mobile version of the web site through the Internet browser Safari, the free application is a great alternative, and simplifies the process significantly.

The Facebook application, which is reliable and predictable, contrasts with the "Shazam" application, which simply works magic. Ever heard a song on the radio, but don't know the name of it? With "Shazam" installed, users may simply launch the application, press "Tag Now," wait several seconds with the iPhone processing the music, and the song name, album, artist and label will appear on the screen right away. "Shazam" is a must-have application for all music lovers, especially because it is completely free.

"Shazam," which has been one of the most popular applications since its launch, is only available for the iPhone.

"I Am T-Pain," developed by SonicMule, is one of the most innovative, original applications to hit the marketplace.

Users can turn their iPhones or iPods into autotune machines. "I Am T-Pain" allows the user to sing (given lyrics) to twenty of hit rapper T-Pain's most popular songs, including "Bartender", "Buy U a Drank", "Dreamgirl", and "Kiss Kiss." The application utilizes vocal processing to change the user's vocals to emulate T-Pain's signature singing style.

When the user is done singing, the application processes the vocals of the user's voice and transforms it to match that of T-Pain's, saving a new file that consists of the songs beat and users autotuned voice. Although relatively expensive at $3.99, "I Am T-Pain" is a wildly entertaining application.

"Flight Control," developed by FireMint, is a unique, challenging game. As air traffic enters the screen, the user must guide aircrafts safely onto their respective runways while avoiding collisions at the same time. The game includes different maps and airfields, and challenges users to beat friends' high scores.

With enough diversity to stay interesting, even after hours of play, Flight Control is a bargain for only $0.99.

Another option for users seeking the full iPhone experience is to jailbreak it.

By jailbreaking an iPhone, the device's code is overwritten, allowing downloads of unofficial, free applications that don't exist in the iTunes Application Store.

Through Cydia and Icy, which is a program that is installed by default after jailbreaking, users can change the theme and color scheme of their iPhone and even download Gameboy Emulators to use their iPhone as Gameboys. Classic Gameboy games such as "Pokemon" are favorites for users.

The two most popular packages (Cydia's version of applications) are Winterboard and Categories. Winterboard is a software that allows iPhone's interface to be completely customized.

All in all, the iTunes Application Store offers a seemingly limitless array of games and gadgets for tech-savvy users.