PhoneTalk

We asked Bloggers around the Internet to tell us about some of their favorite add-on cell phone applications, which we'll be featuring this week. You'll notice there will be quite a few mentions of Google Maps, but that just shows the mobile apps popularity. Got any favorite applications you use regularly? Post a comment below. In the meantime, check out Rick Frauton's mobile apps suggestions. To read more from Rick, check out his FeedLion blog.

I use a Samsung SPH-A920 on Sprint and I am always trying to add value to my unlimited data plan with various third-party applications. What follows is a summary of the applications I use on a regular basis and would recommend to others:

• The ubiquitous Google Maps is available in a free, downloadable application for Java-enabled phones. As you might expect from Google, the application is extremely user-friendly and well formatted for the small screen. Find any location on a map, and get detailed step-by-step, clearly illustrated directions between destinations. Like their online maps offering, users can even switch to satellite view and see real view-from-above images, which can be zoomed tightly enough to identify your own rooftop. Another handy feature: the app remembers the last 20 destinations you've entered, so if you've looked it up before you don't have to multi-tap the address again -- just click on it in the history list. Bravo! Point your mobile browser to www.google.com/gmm to download.

• Pandora offers its free, streaming music solution as a mobile application, but only through Sprint or AT&T. Pandora allows users to create their own stations and customize them by seeding them with favorite artists or songs, in addition to a thumbs up/ down feedback system. For an endless stream of music, some you know and some you don't (but will probably like), Pandora cannot be beat. Listening online is free, but the mobile application costs $2.99/ month. Seamless integration means all your stations are synchronized whether you are online or mobile. Sweet! Visit http://pandora.com/on-the-go to get it.

• WidSets is a free mobile-widget application that allows users to choose from a list of handy widgets to add to a customizable mobile interface. Some of my favorite widgets are games like Sudoku, Mines, BreakOut, and a memory game called Fruitsets. Other handy utility widgets include Wikipedia search, local weather, flickr photo sharing, and pictures of scantily clad women. Visit https://www.widsets.com to get started. (Note: You can add PhoneTalk to your WidSets, as well. See the lower right hand column of the blog.)

• Opera Mini is a free mobile web-browser, and among the best available for Java phones. This application basically renders full web pages as though it were a desktop browser and allows users to zoom in and out and interact with a website just like a desktop browser. Web search functionality is formatted specifically for the small screen and returns very usable results. Direct your mobile browser to operamini.com to download.

• mJetz is an interesting new application that combines the convenience of mobile widgets with a full-featured feed reader and web browser into one concise and intuitive interface. Other features include search functions for both the mobile web and the full web, a recommendation engine that allows users to discover new content, and a very handy send-to-friend feature for sending articles, feeds, sites, or a personal message directly to another phone or to an email address. mJetz is currently in Alpha release so the product will continue to evolve rapidly over the next several months. This could turn out to be the most powerful mobile application yet. For a free download, point your mobile device to mJetz.com.

Topics: Phone Smarts Music Sprint Samsung Camera Video GPS Games