Okay, the title of this post is misleading.  At least two of these apps have nothing to do with news gathering. Still, in a world of more than 300,000 iPhone apps, these are the four that I find myself using over and over.

Flipboard

This is the coolest iPhone app ever.  It’s especially helpful to the reporter who shows up at a morning editorial meeting without story ideas and needs quick “inspiration.”  Flipboard is the ultimate news delivery system (if you set it up that way).  “Pitchable” stories at the swipe of a finger.   Each full-page headline, piped in from any source that you choose, uses a photo from the original article to form the background with the headline splashed over in clear and understandable font.  It’s pleasing to the eye. Easy to absorb. And it takes only a millisecond to swipe to the next article using your index finger.  Like the article?  Tap it.   The content is served up immediately.  Is it a really cool article you’d like others to know about?  Tweet it.  Flipboard is all about piping articles to social media.  It’s no wonder this app was named Apple’s iPad app of the year (it’s for iPhone, too) and one of Time Magazine’s Top 50 innovations.

Evernote

This app sounds nerdy when you describe it people, but Evernote is truly awesome.  Simply put, it opens a line of communication between all your devices which, in my case, are an iPhone 4S and laptop.  By downloading Evernote to both, I am able to share notes I’ve created between the two. The notes can be anything: reminders to yourself, a “to do” list or a saved email. You can even add photos, videos, Word documents and PDFs to any note you create, giving you access to those files no matter where you are.  Like I said, it sounds nerdy, but being able to access important information quickly has made me a believer in Evernote.

Instagram 

These are the photos you see in the picture window to the right, photos that would have just sat on my iPhone, if not for a fun little app called Instagram.  This app allows you to take those photos and turn them into something really cool.  Several filters, including Earlybird, Sierra,, Toaster and Walden, give the image an artistic look.  When finished, you share the photos with your Instagram peeps (yes, Instagram is a social networking site), who may choose to “like” your photo or even comment on it.  You can also send your Instagram photos to Facebook, Twitter and email contacts.  I have truly enjoyed this app!

Instagram photo

Redbox

Download this app if you want to feel superior to all those poor schmucks in line at a Redbox DVD rental location.  You know the drill:  You wait forever for the guy in front of you to choose a movie.  Then when it’s your turn, you feel pressured to make a selection because there are people waiting behind you.  With the Redbox app, you reserve your movie before you arrive from the comfort of your home (or wherever).  Want to watch the movie trailer?  You can with this app.  Want to be the first to know about new releases?  Yup.  Do you want to see which Rebox locations in your area actually have the movie you want to rent?  This app show you where to drive so you don’t waste gas and time.  Once you arrive, just swipe your debit card and out pops the movie you reserved in advance.  No fuss, no muss.  And the customers around you will be amazed by how quickly you complete your transaction.  This is the best app ever.