Just keep in mind that 90% of iPhone "applications" have 0% functionality without the network.

Actually nearly every iPhone application I have works just fine without a network connection.

Having said that there are some (OK, lots and lots) that are designed to use the internet and all of those do require a network connection for full (or in some cases, any) functionality. Similar functionality from any device would also require a network connection of some sort. This list would include the streaming audio stuff like scanners or music, and anything that needs to pull stuff from a central data source, like weather apps or airline flight tracking. Lots of cool stuff but hardly 90% of the available iPhone apps.

- Eric

Okay, 90% of really useful applications?

What the heck, I'll bite. Its been a long rough day and I need to play.

really useful apps that don't need a constant network connection. Lets start with the built ins.
Calendar, Contacts list, iPod (you know the music and video player), clock (doubles as alarm clock, stop watch, count down timer), camera, notes, compass (well only so-so in the usefulness area)

Then we have some really nice apps that I use all the time.

Classic RPN Calculator - get the HP 11, HP 12, HP15 RPN goodness on you iPhone
On the Clock - helps me keep track of how much time on spend on things
Todo - todo list, can sync to computer but doesn't need to
Date wheel - quick start/end/duration calculator
Countdown - counts time to/from a specific date (say your anniversary!)
Level - kind of hokey but works well for hanging pictures
BC reader - "scan" in business cards and add them to your contacts (yes I am lazy)
Flashlight - makes the iphone an underpowered flashlight - better than no light at all

Stanza - Ebook reader - I have over 250 FREE ebooks on my iphone, Mostly Sci-Fi but some good how-to / survival / first aid stuff also Several other ebook readers available also (kindle, Barnes n Noble)

GoSkyWatch - Planetarium - great for identifying stars/constellations etc. Works better with network (more precise location info) but good enough without.
resistorCC - display resistor values based on color codes - I hate memorizing that.
iSeismo - 3 axis accelerometer - very useful if you need this sort of thing
SPL Meter - sound decibel meter - works pretty well and has come in pretty handy several times.
RTA lite - real time audio frequency analyzer
Tuner - musical instrument tuner w/visual readout and spectrum readout
A couple of fitness apps - they have workout routines and track your progress - some do work a lot better with the network but all of them work well enough without.
proloquo2go - augmented communication application
iPrompts - PECs derived scheduling/prompting application
Several other educational apps (sign language, flashcards, tracing)
Emergency Aid - preparedness app
Several photo/video editing apps.


oh yeah, there are also lots and lots of time wasters (I think they call them games )

I also have several really nice network dependent apps and use them a lot but I have found iPhone/iPod touch can be very useful without a network connection. Of course like always, your mileage may vary.

- Eric

Thanks!
At least I see now that I have most of these on my Palm TH55E. The accelerometers based tools looks very interesting though...

But most importantly, I can create my own applications for my Palm PDA, and that I can do that right on my Palm (Onboard C).

Banking from your phone is FAR more secure than banking from your desktop. I know this based on the fact that one of my key clients is one of the top 10 financial services firms in the USA and we developed their iPhone app!

And far more secure than banking by mail, as in paper bill/check.

I used a Palm M505 and a Palm Tx before getting the iPhone so a lot of my "app" habits and preferences were set before I had the ability to be online nearly all the time. I never did get around to programming on the Palm, it was always easier to find something close enough to what I wanted. Of course my claim to fame in software development is that I can make any higher level language read like FORTRAN.

It is possible to write your own apps for the iPhone type devices but if you want to distribute the apps you would have to go through the Apple App store (or go the jail break route). I don't know of any method for non-jail broken iPhones to write and compile (or interpret) software locally on the device. With my software skills that would be a non issue anyway.

- Eric

Eric. What about the Palm's handwriting feature? Do you miss it on the iPhone's capacitive screen?

On a side note. I'll never bite on iPhone or any MAC product, just because their politics - "Apple knows better what you need and what you don't" - drives me nuts.

One of the same reasons I'll never go with an apple product either.
I've downloaded the Android SKD hoping one of these days I'll get a chance to play with it and see what I can write.