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If you happen to be a long time reader of @razorianfly, you’ll probably remember we ran a small feature back in August of last year entitled ‘10 Gorgeously Designed iPhone Applications‘. Today we bring you the second part of this feature.

Since writing the first half of this article, the post has grown to become one of (if not the most) read pieces of internet-based writing I’ve ever produced – Enjoy!

The user interface of an app (for me) is the be all and end all of the application’s function. If the app’s user interface prevents me from using the application effectively, it’s obviously not a very good application to start with.

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With company’s experiencing fierce marketing tactics being used against them daily, to secure your taps, it’s becoming increasingly clear that if the interface of your application is not up to the mark, or doesn’t explicitly look and feel like a beautifully designed Mac-type app, your not going to get the sales.

Today, I’m throwing aside those 59p flashlights, and fart machines to bring you a short list of applications I personally think have made (or are about to make) their mark on the store, with their gorgeously designed user interfaces. From games, to utilities to business apps, I give 10 more ‘Gorgeously Designed iPhone Applications’.

Note: This list is not ‘ranked’ in any way.

1. iStat System and Battery Monitoring

Designed by software development studio @Bjango, iStat System and Battery Monitoring for iPhone is a visually crisp app which provides various stats on how your iPhone is currently performing, and how you can improve that level of performance. Alongside performance stats, the app will also give you a detailed overview of your devices’ battery life.

The use of glossy LCD like UI elements, complete with the application’s soft gradiented backgrounds, iStat really does stand out from its current App Store competitors.

[uquery]303034517[/uquery]

[itunes link="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/istat-sys-monitoring-battery/id303034517?mt=8&uo=4" title="Bjango-iStat_-_Sys_Monitoring_Battery"]

2. Tweetie 2

It had to be said. Ever since the software was debuted by @lorenb of @atebits, it’s been widely seen as the best of the bunch. For anyone who follows me (@razorianfly) on Twitter, they will know I love @Tweetie. In fact, its my number one choice for Twitter on the move both on my Mac, iPhone .. and soon, iPad.

Tweetie is said to have single-handedly changed the way people look at Twitter on the move, especially on the iPhone and iPod touch, and considering the software was recently acquired by Twitter themselves, it’s clear Twitter thinks so too. I think its secret lies in it’s user interface. Although simple, it gets out of the way to let you tweet. There’s no over-use of visuals, no silly gimmicks, Tweetie’s UI sets an example of how iPhone applications should be designed, visually.

[uquery]333903271[/uquery]

[itunes link="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/tweetie-2/id333903271?mt=8&uo=4" title="atebits-Tweetie_2"]

3. Bug Me

There are quite a few good-looking notes applications for iPhone, but this one is probably one of my favorites. Designed by Welsh development studio @ElectricPocket, BugMe acts as your personal notes taker, allowing you to take notes quickly by jotting them in virtual ink, with your finger as the pen. With a variety of choice of colored paper pad to choose from, the app makes the notion of note taking look pretty awesome.

BugMe’s “Save to Home Screen” feature lets you save a copy of your note to your iPhone’s launcher screen. Drag and arrange the tiny note as you would any application icon, and have it right there in front of you whenever you use your iPhone. Its gel of cork-board UI, 3D options dock, plus taking advantage of the built in visual elements of iPhone OS, makes BugMe a winner.

[itunes link="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/bugme-sticky-notes-alarms/id361195700?mt=8&uo=4" title="Electric_Pocket-BugMe_-_Sticky_Notes_Alarms"]

4. SwankoLab

There are two types of photos in this world: Photos taken with style and photos taken in style. Designed by Synthetic Corp, @Swankolab takes photography back to basics, adding a touch of class to the whole process along the way.

Using countless combination’s of chemicals and development mixtures, the app takes you though the process of developing a photo, leaving you with a pretty awesome looking result at the end! – and the interface? Well, I think that speaks for itself, don’t you?

[uquery]363274584[/uquery]

[itunes link="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/swankolab/id363274584?mt=8&uo=4" title="Synthetic_Corp-SwankoLab"]

5. On This Day …

Ever wanted to know what happened today, years ago? Or maybe what happened in history, last Tuesday? Developed by Sophia Teutschler of @Sophiestication, On This Day searches for events in history which happened on a particular day or date.

Using bold contrasting colours, the app’s interface is made up of a ‘flip chart’, customizable by picking a different date from the calendar view.

[itunes link="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/on-this-day/id317064309?mt=8&uo=4" title="Sophiestication_Software-On_this_day"]

6. 2Do

Sure, there are a variety of organizer apps on the store, but 2Do is again one of my personal favorites. The functionality of this app is simply stunning.

In the words of our editor Alex (@Deseao):

“What I like best about 2Do is how easily you can perform group options, and change your tasks dynamically. Did you go on a spring break binge and actually clean your house? Tap edit, select all your cleaning tasks, and mark them as done. Decide something belongs in a different category? There isn’t just one way to do it! The options for ordering tasks are quite incredible. You can sort in ‘Ascending’ and ‘Descending’ order, by either status, priority, calendar, due date, note, URL, title, or if you prefer, manually. Did I mention that these settings are configurable per category?”

From its ability to create tasks, to setting priority, the app manages your task in a clean and visually pleasing way. The use of pastel colours along with custom designed item icons really gives you that feeling you’ve purchased a premium app here – but the laugh of it is, 2Do will set you back just £3.99. A lot of interface for your pound!

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[itunes link="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/2do-a-stunning-to-do-list/id303656546?mt=8&uo=4" title="Guided_Ways_Technologies_Ltd-2Do_A_Stunning_To_Do_List_with_Push_and_Sync"]

7. Hipstamatic

Designed by Synthetic Corp, the same people who gave us @Swankolab, Hipstamatic is an app which transforms your slim modern piece of aluminum and glass into a retro old looking camera. Alongside this, it brings a variety of effects which are automatically generated when the photo is taken.

But again, its not the functionality of this app. That could easy be achieved using the stock camera and some other cheap photo editing software – no this app’s interface is its talking point. From the app’s various different purchasable camera lens, to the design of the film cartridges, the attention to detail in Hipstamatic is both noticeable and welcomed. In fact, you can almost smell the polish.

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[itunes link="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/hipstamatic/id342115564?mt=8&uo=4" title="Synthetic_Corp-Hipstamatic"]

8. UK Cinema Times

Although not an obvious choice, but I have a “thing” for dark interfaces. Developed by Craig Merchant of RaptorApps, UK Cinema Times does just as it sounds. The app displays cinema times for cinemas located around you, based on geo-location.

There are a number of movies apps which look great, Movies Now! and Movies by @Flixster to name just a few. UK Cinema Times joins the ranks, as another good-looking option.

[itunes link="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/uk-cinema-times/id342122512?mt=8&uo=4" title="Craig_Merchant-UK_Cinema_Times"]

9. iCurrency Pad

The ability to convert from one currency to another on the move is pretty much golden for anyone involved in the business sector. Turns out though, currencies can look pretty awesome too. Take iCurrency Pad developed by @Sollico Software, for example.

While the name could be a little better, iCurrency Pad for iPhone allows you to convert from a number of currencies in both a user intuitive and visual way.

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[itunes link="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/icurrency-pad-the-currency/id352941215?mt=8&uo=4" title="Sollico_Software-iCurrency_Pad_The_Currency_Exchange_Rates_Converter"]

10. Nice List

Yep, we’re quite a while away from Christmas 2010, but I just couldn’t let this article pass without giving this app a mention. Designed by @PolarBearFarm and officially a ‘Gift List’ creator, the app allows you to input a budget along with entries for each gift you purchase.

From the App Store icon itself, custom in-app icons for item categories and menu design, Nice List is a very well-designed application which, in my opinion, should sit happy in everyone’s library, until December.

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[itunes link="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/nice-list-christmas-gift-manager/id298783150?mt=8&uo=4" title="Polar_Bear_Farm_Ltd-Nice_List_-_Christmas_Gift_Manager"]

What Have We Learnt?

If there’s one thing we can learn from these types of application’s it’s that user interface is king. It’s the very fabric in which apps function. It also seals the experience you offer your customers, and users. If your user interface sucks, your users won’t like your application. These are just a few examples of good user interfaces. There are tonnes of great applications which didn’t make the cut.

If your a developer I hope I’ve inspired you to create, or keep creating great user experiences for iPhone (and iPod touch) users. If your an App Store customer, I hope I’ve inspired you to keep supporting developers who are bringing these fantastic-looking apps to this new emerging platform.

Finally, if you liked this article give that green re-tweet button up there a hit, and share this post with a few others. Thanks! :)

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