Apps are awesome, right?  They’ve changed our lives and some expect computing to move to being completely app based at some point.  But how many do you actually use?

If the stats are correct, you use 10 or less on a regular basis, regardless of whether you’ve downloaded 15 or 150.  In fact, a Pew Research study revealed that 68% of users only use five or fewer apps at least once a week.

I realized after reading that statistic that it was true for me and I started asking others and they have the same experience.  What was interesting to me was how some apps I adopted early and used often, like “Bump” (to share contact information) and Angry Birds (to kill time in line at the post office), are apps I haven’t touched in months and I don’t miss them at all.  So even the apps that were originally sticky ended up not sticking.

Only two-thirds of people with apps on their phones use them.  My theory is that our bandwidth is limited, our choices of what to do with our limited free time are growing exponentially, and we’re choosing to use the few apps that either make our lives easier, save time or entertain us well.

Here are the types of apps that adults download and then do not delete on their cellphones:                            

Type of application                                 % who download

News, weather, sports, stocks                       74

Communications (social)                             67

Learning                                            64

Travel                                              53

Work-related tasks                                  48

Shopping                                            46

Video viewing                                       43

Health management                                   29

SOURCE: Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, July 25-Aug. 26, 2011 tracking survey.

How do these numbers compare to the types of apps you download and use frequently?  Do you use the same apps on your phone as your iPad?   (I could say ‘tablet’, but let’s be honest, that’s like calling Kleenex ’tissue’).  Which apps do you find the most useful?  …inquiring minds want to know.

There are great articles all over the web about the amazing new features of the iPhone 4.  There are also almost as many articles about the problems the iPhone 4  has.

But what’s more interesting from a psychological perspective is how each new iPhone release ups the fanatic interest of more and more people.  Last week the online reservation system for the phones crashed within hours of going up because 600,000 orders hit it so fast.  Then huge crowds turned out worldwide to buy them today, the day of the launch.

More than a need to have the new cool toy, people are clamoring for easier ways to communicate and connect.  With each new iPhone release consumers are compelled to have a better device with upgraded apps and features that help them to be social in better and faster ways.

Beyond this, the sense of community between iPhone users to share tips, geek out on technology and have fun is a reflection of types of people attracted to the Apple tribe. Apple understands the experience economy and Apple lovers love the products because they always deliver better experiences.

Last night in Boulder people began lining up outside the Apple Store at 4pm.  By 5:30 Matt Emmi, an Apple customer, had set up a huge Samsung screen that campers would use to play video games and their kids would use to watch movies like Wall-E.  Others were already sharing iPads, playing board games and going on food runs for strangers next to them in line. This set the context of a community sharing an event.

Here a ‘shot in the dark video’ of the scene with about 100 people at 11pm last night:

Click here to view the embedded video.

By 6am the crowd grew to over 500 people:

Click here to view the embedded video.

And then at 7am over 1,000 faithful Apple addicts were rewarded as the ‘Black Curtain Hiding Awesomeness” (as some labeled it) fell and the doors were opened. This video of how Apple launched iPhone 4 today, including the ceremonial reception of Michael Sitarzewski and Dave Taylor, the first customers in line, reflects how Apple understands the experience economy.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I’ve seen other videos on what’s happening with augmented reality, a live direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment whose elements are merged with (or augmented by) virtual computer-generated imagery – creating a mixed reality.

But after seeing this video in a great post by Jeremiah Owyang, I had to pass it on.  Besides, the video was shot on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, highlighting part of what I love about living here.

Other videos I’ve seen show pointing an iPhone at a neighborhood, seeing which houses are for sale, the sale prices and then watching video tours of the houses you like.  Brightkite has a new Layar app for phones using Android and for iPhone 3GS phones.

Eventually you’ll probably be able to scan any environment and as people walk by you’ll see their bios, social networks and other information identifying them. It’s a little spooky, but I’m guessing that there will be ways to choose whether or if you’re information will be accessible.  The future is now.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I don’t want to hate my AT&T cell phone service and the iPhone monopoly, but I do.  To be fair, I know people on the East Coast who love AT&T and can’t stand Verizon.  But in Colorado, Verizon service is awesome and AT&T is way below par.  I’m talking about constant dropped calls, conversations that cut in and out and lack of internet access.

Apparently this is true in Austin and other areas too.

Even though I mostly use my phone for data and hardly use the voice option I have to pay a premium price for it.  The lowest voice plan is 450 minutes so I can’t even lower that to 150 which is still more than I use.

But that’s not the biggest issue.  The worst thing is that I work from home and can’t even access the Apple App store much less talk to someone on the phone from that location.

The AT&T customer service representative I spoke with today pulled up my location and said, “Yes, in your area we have low to no service, but if you walk 10 feet away it could be better. I see that there’s a note to add a transmitter near you, but there is no date scheduled for when it will be built” (Awesome!  And I have a note to give you a million dollar check, but I don’t know when it will be written.)

Me – “Actually, I’ve tried using the phone while I walk my dog in the neighborhood and while driving and it’s bad for at least a 2 mile radius.”

AT&T – “Well, your options are to either cancel your service or pay the full monthly amount.”

Me – “Can I get a discounted monthly rate since I’m not able to use your service or my phone most of the time from my location?”

AT&T – “No sir.”

Me – “But AT&T has a monopoly on the iPhone service contract.  If I cancel my AT&T service then I can’t use my iPhone at all.  I’m not able to use Verizon or another carrier that DOES have great service in my area.  The iPhone is what I want, it’s your insufficient service that I don’t want. So what you’re saying is that I have to pay the full price for monthly service even though AT&T can read the fact that I can’t get decent service from you where I live. ”

AT&T – “Yes, we have the iPhone contract until at least late 2010.  Please understand that the iPhone device is very complicated and is very challenging to service.”

Me – “Then why did AT&T sign an exclusive service contract for service that you admit you’re not able to provide? That’s like signing a contract to provide ice cream in the desert when you have refrigerated trucks that can’t keep the temperature cold enough to keep the ice cream from melting.”

….and on it went and I received a lovely $27 discount for one month though I’ve lived with crap service for 13 months so far.

So I’m just another blogger sharing yet another story about incompetent customer service from a corporation that quite frankly doesn’t give a damn and doesn’t take responsibility for not delivering on what you have to pay for.

Conclusion: iPhone – awesome.  AT&T in Colorado – crap to non-existent service in most areas. AT&T wins short term profit and long term horrible word of mouth & faces a mass exodus in late 2010, customers lose, bloggers write about it and it doesn’t change.  Excuse me now while I leave this in the past and move on to focus on issues I have some control over with hopes that I can go back to Verizon in late 2010.