The iPod has become a phenomenon, over 240 million have been sold to date up until January, 2010 since it launch on October 23, 2001. Similarly the iPhone has performed excellently, 42.5 million units have been sold up until January 2010, since its launch on June 29, 2007.

The lack of 3rd party applications direct from Apple led hackers to penetrate into both the iPod and iPhone and a wide range of applications were made available. To access these applications owners had to unlock their devices, which breached their warranty.

Initially, Apple had refused to support third party apps but in October, 2007 it was announced that Apple themselves would offer 3rd party apps from February, 2008.

Now in 2010 there are a massive variety of applications available for both the iPhone and iPod Touch. There are a variety of applications to choose, ranging from themes, games, utilities, multimedia, twitter updates and many more. The majority of applications today can be found on the Apple official sites, although buoyant 3rd party development is also still available for download http://www.apple.com/iphone/apps-for-iphone/.

This guide has been split into 3 convenient steps, these are listed below: Step 1: What are 3rd Party Applications? Step 2: Method to install 3rd Party Applications Step 3: Some example 3rd Party Applications

3rd party applications are available for both the iPhone and iPod. These are applications designed by 3rd party companies, which operate on the iPhone/iPod devices.

The majority of iPhone or iPod Touch 3rd party applications can be found easily by inputting a URL onto the Safari Browser. Once on the web page the app can be downloaded either to your Windows or Mac computer by following the onscreen instructions. We detail exactly how to install 3rd party apps in step 2.

For the vast majority of third party apps, installation will be as simple as to download them from the Internet and install them on your Windows or Mac computer. In addition, on the iTunes website there are now a wide variety of third party applications available for download for both the iPhone and the iPod Touch.

There are many categories of 3rd party applications, some examples are listed below:

1. Games – Hundreds of games of different types availablehttp://www.installerapps.com/category/games/
2. Light hearted entertainment – Whacky fun and gameshttp://www.installerapps.com/category/entertainment/
3. Message Utilitieshttp://www.installerapps.com/category/messaging/
4. Multimedia – A large number of web camera and video applicationshttp://www.installerapps.com/category/multimedia/
5. Themes – Change the theme of your devicehttp://www.installerapps.com/category/customize-themes/
6. Toys – A range of toys and mini gadgetshttp://www.installerapps.com/category/toys/
7. Twitter – A range of applications to feed your Twitter streamhttp://www.installerapps.com/category/network/

Through the Apple App store (N.B. Throughout this section I shall refer to “either device”, this refers to both the iPhone and iPod Touch collectively.)

About the App Store

1. You can download applications (some of these will be 3rd party) from the App Store directly to either device
2. The Applications you download from the App Store and subsequently install for either device are backed up to your iTunes library the next time you sync either device with your computer.
3. You can also install applications you have purchased or downloaded through iTunes on your computer when you sync with either device.

Notes

1. NOTE: The App Store is not available in some regions of the world.
2. To use the App Store, either device must be connected to the Internet.
3. You would need an iTunes Store account (not available in some regions of the world) to download applications.
4. When an update is available, you will be informed. This way you are always up to date with apps.

Downloads through other sites Always ensure that your anti virus and malware software is up to date and resilient before downloading from any sites. Two examples of other sites would be:

1. CNet, 1000+ iPhone and 200+ iPod http://www.cnet.com/topic-software/apple-iphone.html
   1. Click download now button
   2. Takes you to the Apple App Store and downloads as usual
2. Softpedia, A wide variety of iPhone/iPod applications http://mac.softpedia.com/get/iPhone-Applications/
   1. Click download now button
   2. Simply follow instructions

The instructions to install could not be easier. We would advocate that you download from a reputable source like the ones above, there is little need to shop anywhere else.

In step 3 we list some example 3rd party applications for both the iPhone and the iPod.

iPhone Below we list 5 iPhone 3rd party applications:

1. Cisco WebEx - FREE – Online meeting collaborative application
2. iCall Free VoIP 1.2.5 – FREE – Voice over IP allows you to make free calls on your iPhone http://download.cnet.com/iCall-Free-VoIP/3000-12941_4-10958081.html?tag=mncol;txt
3. iFart - Cost $0.99 - How many fart sounds can you make with this very popular application http://ifartmobile.com/
4. Quick Office - $9.99 – An alternative to Microsoft Office on your iPhonehttp://download.cnet.com/2701-19704_4-7-1.html?tag=mncol;pm
5. Vlingo - FREE – Voice driven application, which allows users to search through Google and Yahoo Search Engines . Also through your voice dial your contacts, update your Twitter and Facebook status http://download.cnet.com/Vlingo-for-iPhone/3000-2379_4-10905092.html?tag=buyingGuidesBodyColumn.0;psum

iPod

1. Below we list 5 iPod 3rd party applications:
2. 5 row keyboard - FREE – A 5 row keyboard just like on a computerhttp://www.applerepo.com/ipod-touch-5-row-keyboard/
3. Dark Wood Theme - FREE – As suggested by the name. A theme with custom lock screen, icons, wallpapers, and much more
4. Sea Battle Classic - $0.99 – Destroy the opponents battleships before he destroys yours, just like the classic Battleship game
5. Tic Tac Toe - FREE – The classic game, now available on the iPhone
6. Wingnuts Moto Racer - $5.00 - Race your motorcycle across various landscapes, such as city streets to arid deserts.http://www.applerepo.com/wingnuts-moto-racer-motorcycle-mayhem-on-your-ipod-touch/