I've downloaded and kept 22 apps. All of them are free. And while I've seen every free app in the store, these are the ones I know I'll use -- and the best(out of the offered apps, IMO) at what they do.
My home screen(I'll attach a picture too):
AIM - great app, most of my gripes are with the service and IMs in general
Myspace - I know, I know, but it's my favorite social networking site
Bloomberg - really nice interface, lots of info alongside quotes, reliable, great news
AP Mobile News - while the articles aren't always great, there is video, and often mult. pics
NetNewsWire - I've always avoided feeds because I like physical webpages, but given the time I save with feeds, it is great for the iPhone. I'm reluctantly converting on my laptop too. Time is money. I also don't experience any of the things others are complaining about.
Last.fm - I know a lot of people are using Pandora, but I already have a Last.fm account. So I went with the legacy wares. Anyone know if there is a significant difference between the two?
Aurora Feint - my favorite game. Kind of buggy, long, redundant and increasingly pointless with play, but I like it. It just needs some work.
First alternate:
BoxOffice - it has reviews and location aware showtimes. Flawless.
Yelp - new to this, but I've planned a lunch tomorrow around the reviews. Really helpful.
Ebay - where would I be without eBay? Poorer, that's where.
Eventful - I can't say I've found this useful yet(most of the "events" in my area are religious events), but I haven't tinkered with it a lot yet. It would be nice not to get my info on "the streets."
DoBot Todos - simplicity is why I picked this "todo" app. My only problem is when you create a new folder for todos, there is no way to delete it. You have to reinstall the app.
Remote - great for controlling my computers when hooked up for entertainment
Scribble - mainly so I can draw silly things if I get the urge.
Light - simple, easy. No settings. No buttons.
Exposure - the ads suck, but Flickr browsing is important.
PangeaVR - I am VERY impressed with this app. I love it. The panoramas combined with the touchscreen make me feel like I'm there.
Second alternate:
Othello - I'm an Othello buff, so this was a no brainer. But even on its most difficult setting, it's too easy to beat. It maybe thinks one or two move ahead.
Tap Tap Revenge - fun for 2 players, even for 1 player.
Cube Runner - great use of the accelerometer. It's graphically simple, but somehow a lot of fun still.
JirboBreak - I really hate the look of this game, but this is the only game of its type for free.
Epocrates Rx - I just love the app and the idea. And you never know, it might come in handy. Maybe someday I want to buy some streets drugs, you never know.
I wish I remembered all the ones I've deleted, but there have been quite a few. I hated Zenbe todos because it was too complicated for something as simple as todos. Or at least too complicate for what I would use todos for. I delete Korebasi Lite; it was too unresponsive and boring. VNC Lite: it was easy to setup, but I have no use for it with the remote app. Evernote. I wouldn't find much use for it. I also downloaded Where and YPmobile but I get the same functionality with Maps, so they're wasted space. I also deleted Loopt and Whrrl because I don't know anyone that uses them, nor do I find them doing anything I couldn't do with other apps. That isn't all my tested and deleted apps, but they are the ones I remembered.
I covered which ones I use a lot and my favorites in my list. And notice in the attachments I get NOT A SINGLE BAR of service in my living room. ATT...