The Globe and Mail

Articles is a beautiful Wikipedia reader for iPhone and iPod touch. Navigate and search Wikipedia entries quickly. Learn about local history and interesting places nearby with the integrated map feature. Tap and hold on an article link to save it for later reading. Bookmark interesting articles in custom folders, so you can have useful information at your fingertips. ($2.99, sophiestication.com)

Shazam
Shazam is another free app that makes the iPhone seem like magic. Hold your phone up when a song is playing (at a party, in a mall, wherever) and press the Shazam button. The app will listen, then within seconds it will identify the track, showing you the name and artist on the screen. You can then check out videos, get the lyrics, share with friends, and buy the track from the iTunes store. The free version of Shazam displays ads. The premium version, Shazam Encore ($5.99), is ad-free and includes LyricPlay, a feature that displays lyrics while the song is playing. (www.shazam.com)

FlightTrack
A great tool for frequent travellers. FlightTrack provides real-time information from more than 1,400 international airlines. Track flights with beautiful, zoomable maps or get real-time departure info, delays and gate numbers. If your flight is cancelled, this app can help you find an alternate flight. There's even an Offline mode for use in airplanes, so you can still review the maps even when you can't get on the internet. ($4.99, mobiata.com) FlightTrack Pro (9.99) adds more features including notifications of flight updates, airport delay and closure news, terminal maps for arriving and departing airports, and local weather forecasts.

RedLaser scanner
This app never fails to impress. Point your iPhone's camera at a barcode and push the button. RedLaser will look up and identify the product, then provide useful information about it. Scan with RedLaser while shopping for TVs to compare prices. Scan and check grocery items to pull up nutritional facts and food allergy information. Capture barcodes and email to yourself to review information later, when you have more time. RedLaser recognizes UPC codes, QR codes, and more. Just point and scan. (Free, redlaser.com)

Jango
Jango is instant, commercial-free radio, customized to match your taste. Just type in the name of an artist and Jango creates a “station” based on that selection. When the first song is over, Jango will play another song it thinks is similar. Vote thumbs up or thumbs down for each new song, and Jango learns what you like. It's a great way to discover new music. Pretty soon you'll have a customized jukebox that plays nothing but music you love. (free, jango.com)

Calcbot
The iPhone comes with a built-in calculator app. Why pay $1.99 to get another one? Calcbot adds two features worth paying for: a display that shows the process as well as the answer, and a History tape that remembers previous calculations. You can reuse your work from the History tape or send calculations via email, to have a more permanent record. ($1.99, tapbots.com)

Wunderlist
Create and organize To Do lists on your iPhone, then view and edit them anywhere. Wunderlist for iPhone synchronizes with Wunderlist on the web and with Wunderlist apps for iPad, Mac and Windows. Push notifications and email reminders help you remember when tasks are due. You can share and send lists to friends to collaborate on tasks. Send email to Wunderlist to create new To Do items. Priorize important tasks with stars and badges. Best of all, its completely free. (www.6wunderkinder.com)

Cineplex
Feel like catching a movie? The free Cineplex app has all the information you need. Search by theatre, movie, or actor to get movie showtimes for every Cineplex theatre in Canada. Cineplex helps you find the nearest theatre, with maps, phone numbers, and admission prices. If you're not sure what to watch, you can view movie trailers and read the latest entertainment news right in the app. When you're ready, buy tickets. This one has everything but the popcorn. (free, cineplex.com)

Facebook
You could use the mobile Safari web browser to access Facebook from the iPhone, or you could use the official free app. Facebook for iPhone makes it easy to post updates and send messages, chat with friends, and keep up with their photo and status updates. Push notifications keep you informed when you're doing something else. Your groups, pages, and games are all here. Search for anything on Facebook – people, pages, and more – without having to click around or switch views, and without having to open the browser.