1. Google Reader is by far the most accessed item on my iPhone and, while not an app, it certainly deserves pride of place on the homescreen. The iPhone interface is so easy to use and move around it makes reading feeds simple. Being online, it perfectly compliments the full web version and no other RSS reader I’ve tried has come close to touching it.

2. Stanza is a great app that I use to read ebooks. The online catalogs make downloading new titles a no brainer and the desktop app enables painless sharing of texts you already have. I’m a bit concerned that Amazon have bought the app, but I’m optimistic that they will use it to greatly improve the Kindle app (although I’m expecting that they will hobble future versions with more Kindle-like features)

3. OzWeather. This is basically a better weather app than the default iPhone app. Current conditions, forecasts and the radar images using the Bureau of Meteorology data, which is the critical point for an Australian weather app. While it might seem strange to pay money to replace an app that is included for free, this is a good example of a superior replacement. On my wishlist are push notifications to update the app badge with the current temperature, but I think that’s pretty unlikely. Overall, very nicely done.

4. Balance is a tiny app, but one that does the job it needs to do. I don’t keep a full budget on the iPhone, but I do use it to keep track of the money I spend. Balance lets me do this easily and quickly without any unnecessary bells and whistles.

5. TweetDeck and Tweetie. This is still a tie at the moment. Tweetie has been great, but after using TweetDeck for a while now, I’m starting to like it (even if I still haven’t come around to the desktop version yet). Both have an amazing range of features and stand out among the dozens of Twitter apps in the store at the moment. This is one category that is still exploding on iTunes at the moment, so there’s bound to be more apps that let you tweet on the move. Birdhouse, from Sandwich Dynamics, is one example of an interesting take on using Twitter from an iPhone.

6. Metlink Melbourne. Public transport in Melbourne can be a bit of a hit and miss affair, but at least with this app, you know when things are meant to turn up. Metlink supports saving favourite stations/stops and covers trains/trams/buses/VLine all in the one app. It’s just recently replaced the MetroMelb app and is worth getting if you rely on public transport. There’s versions for other cities under the ‘Metro’ title as well.

7. I like to use Instapaper on the desktop to save long articles I want to come back and read, so when the iPhone app came out, it really made sense. The Instapaper app downloads the saved sites, so once you’ve synced, you can access everything on a plane, in a tunnel or anywhere, regardless of reception. A great app.

8. Remember the Milk and Todo. This is another tie. As a GTD nut, I live and die by the lists I keep in Remember the Milk, but still haven’t found the perfect way to tie this in on the iPhone. The RTM app is nice and now supports push notifications, but has surprisingly poor support for smart lists and tasks with no deadline, which is what I need most of all. Todo offers full syncing with RTM and, while it doesn’t actually support smartlists, you can use the focus list and the filter to achieve a similar list. However, I’ve noticed that the sync hasn’t been working that well lately and I can’t rely on the app as much as I would like. It’s a relatively expensive app (and worth the price), but hopefully this issue will resolve itself soon. I know the crew at RTM are always developing their product, so I’m hoping a new version will arrive soon that will fit the bill – it’s one that I would use constantly if it fit my workflow correctly.

9. Aussie Rules LIVE is my pick of the AFL apps. It offers all the team information and news, as well as past scores and head to head information that you’ll need, but I find their live data to be the best. It’s easy to check the scores around the grounds and the commentary is a great way to get a feel for how the game is going. They’ve recently added DreamTeam scores as well, which is exciting, but unfortunately this doesn’t include the SuperCoach competition I play in – hopefully this is for a future update…

10. The final app on the list is Facebook. At the end of the day, it is just Facebook, but the way the app works just makes it perfect for the job. It’s easy to use and has most of the features you need. I would love support for more applications on the iPhone, similar to what Lexulous offers, but for catching up on news, photos and messages, you can’t beat the app.

I must give honourable mentions to a host of other apps as well, there are heaps that I use on a regular basis and some of the innovations and interfaces the developers have used are pretty amazing. WordPress, AppSniper, Weightbot, TripIt, CommBank, Snatch, Dropbox, AroundMe and eWallet are all apps that I could have added to this list. If you use this as a shopping list on the App Store, you’re sure to find some great applications.

Note that there’s no games on these lists. There’s plenty of those on my iPhone as well, so that is a list for another day.

I’m constantly looking for great new apps, so I’d love to hear any feedback about these lists, or suggestions for anything I may have missed.

10. The dodgier places. This shouldn’t make it to a top ten list, but I feel I must give a mention to some places that aren’t particularly recommended, but are amusing in their own right. A Bar Called Barry, Mai Tai, Alia (Aaliyah?) and Chaise Lounge are a few places that definitely fall into this category, but there are plenty of others. Best enjoyed after many long hours of indulging somewhere else.

Drink of choice: Probably should be water by this stage

9. St Jerome’s. Used to be one of my favourites, but now seems to be missing something. Still a cool place to hangout, and the layout (cf. loading-dock) is enough of a drawcard to warrant a visit or two.

Drink of choice: Melbourne Bitter

8. Apartment. Nice and often very dark, big and comfortable. Nothing particularly unique, but not a bad place to wind down or wind up.

Drink of choice: Scotch and dry

7. Hairy Canary. The place to start the night. Right in the middle of town, easy to find and a good spot to meet or watch people. Fantastic food too. Not somewhere you’d spend a lot of time, but the perfect launching pad.

Drink of choice: Vodka with something very sour

6. Yeltza. Decadent interior and a surprisingly great beer garden out the back. Queues can be frustrating, but if you are in early, get settled.

Drink of choice: Scotch and dry

5. Mango Lounge Bar. In the most perplexing spot for a bar, this place packs the best quality cocktails I’ve come across. Best suited to lazy summer afternoons, although the beats aren’t bad if you hang around. If you’re in Moonee Ponds, you should drop by. Good music and did I mention the cocktails?

Drink of choice: Anything from the cocktail list. Add a point if it contains Chambord and two for fruit

4. The Order of Melbourne. I’m yet to be here when it gets busy, but a very casual-seeming bar with a beautifully stocked selection and comfy couches. Cannot go past the Japanese Scotch straight up, personally. Lives up three hefty flights of stairs, but is worth the hike. When the warmer weather comes around again, I will be spending a bit of time in the rooftop beer garden.

Drink of choice: Japanese scotch (I’ve forgotten the actual brand, shame)

3. Gin Palace. Definitely a personal favourite. Very elegant and a martini list to die for. Not for big nights, as more than a few drinks will usually put you under a table somewhere, but a great place to indulge.

Drink of choice: Vodka Fin de Siecle martini, as cold as possible

2. Murmur. Melbourne bar culture typified, in my opinion. Down an alley, through a doorway and up some stairs. Small interior, but has plenty of personality. Best list of cocktails around, with some rather unique offerings. Also has different events on various nights, such a philosophy discussions. Cannot recommend enough.

Drink of choice: Again, anything off the cocktail list, the rosewater concoction was a nice surprise

and

1. Birra Bella. I’d be in trouble if this wasn’t number one. This is my local and if you are looking for me on a Friday, I’ll be here from 5:01, guaranteed. Great range of beers, great food and a friendly batch of staff.. Good fun and right on Lygon near the restaurants etc. See you there.

Drink of choice: Citron vodka and cranberry, or Hoegaarden

Anything I’ve missed? Anything I should check out?

Let me know… I’m always keen for a drink!

Links via MelbournePubs.com, check there for addresses and official sites.

10. Munk’s theme to Shadowfalls: I Am (Molly’s Theme). It’s a great track, and so far, a great podcast. It has a bit to prove though, because I loved Claybourne.

9. Kylie and Robbie both in December. Sure, say what you will, but it’s a big month coming up soon…

8. Music podcasts. Particularly those from the Association of Music Podcasting, especially Dave’s Lounge and AMPed.

7. Grey’s Anatomy. I can’t believe how much I like that show. However, moving it to 8.30 on Monday means I’ll be missing out while I’m at Japanese class. Not happy about that.

6. The Fin de Siecle martini at Gin Palace. Perfection in a cocktail glass, just don’t have too many.

5. Final Fantasy VII – Advent Children. As a FF virgin, I was amazed by this movie. Tempted to buy a console to check out the games.

4. Ayumi Hamasaki. I don’t know what this says about me, but I am currently hooked on her album, My Story and the track ‘About You’.

3. Phoenix Wright, Ace Attorney. I bought the Japanese version from eBay and have been rapted. The amazing online reviews are spot on, it’s a classic DS game.

2. Zazz. Where else would you be at midnight? It’s hard to believe how much I hope to be able to give these guys money every night…

and

1. Melbourne. Sure, the weather’s pretty crap, but it beats being anywhere else. Just look at the Middle East at the moment. That’s a bit melodramatic, but you’ve got to be thankful for what you’ve got. And hey, check out our bars!