Adjusting to the app-enhanced life

The iPhone (and iPod Touch) have made it cool to talk about "apps" - the 25,000-plus applications available at the iTunes store. Here are a few nongaming favorites, free unless noted.

Art: This art encyclopedia, with artist bios and galleries, is the definitive mobile source for barroom disagreements ("Gustav Klimt's 'Danae' is, indeed, more provocative than 'Judith and the Head of Holofernes'!") and casual research.

RepairPal: Auto Repair Expert supplies pricing guidelines for virtually any repair. RepairPal also breaks down the cost for parts and labor on each job, suggests why the repair is needed and whether other action is required - like replacing the calipers in pairs and flushing the brake system.

iBird Explorer North ($9.99): A mobile interactive field guide, one of eight from the Mitch Waite Group, with drawings, photos, identifying characteristics, quick facts and a link to Birdpedia for 376 species.

iFitness ($1.99): The iFitness app has more than 100 exercises, covering all muscle groups, with step-by-step visuals for each.

The Hartford Courant