The popularity of iPhone ‘apps’ has even amazed Mr Apple himself, Steve Jobs

APPLE'S iTunes App Store (that’s ‘app’ for ‘applications’) is expected to pass a major milestone this week: 1 billion downloads of its small but perfectly formed iPhone games and applications.

With the iPhone development kit widely available there are more than 25,000 apps out.

The App Store’s success since it launched last July has resurrected the 80s heyday of part-time programmers tapping out simple games with a singular vision: no focus­ groups, no corporate middle-man, just code your game, get Apple’s blessing and watch the revenue stream shift from a trickle to a torrent.

Even Apple supremo Steve Jobs has been surprised by the phenomenon, telling The Wall Street Journal: “I’ve never seen anything like this in my career for software.”

So, want to know what to download? We’ve ignored the bestseller charts and rounded up our favourite games and apps so far...

Top 10 Games

Chocolate Shop Frenzy (£2.99)

Fabulous time-management sim in which you scurry round serving chocs to increasingly irritable customers.

geoDefense (£2.39)

The best – and best-looking – of the “tower defence” games. Build upgradable turrets and repel the aliens intent on capturing your base.

Scoops (£1.19)

Tilt the iPhone left and right to guide a cone into the path of descending scoops of ice cream. Pure, simple and moreish.

Tap Tap Coldplay (£2.99)

The iPhone’s Guitar Hero. Tap the notes as they fall through the beat-line. There’s also a Nine Inch Nails version and more bands to come.

Flight Control (59p)

Insanely addictive strategy game in which you act as the air-traffic controller landing planes.

Trace (Free)

Guide a stick-man to a stick-goal by running, jumping and drawing custom stick-platforms.

Rolando (£2.99)

Inspired by ace PSP game LocoRoco. Shepherd ­colourful smiley balls to their home by tilting your iPhone.

BallZup (£1.79)

Breakout clone that takes the original’s 2D brick-smashing action and stirs in a few modern tweaks (laser shots, multiballs, score multiplier).

Trism (£1.79)

It’s been around for a while, but this is still the best iPhone puzzler. Slide triangular tiles around and match three of the same colour.

Texas Hold’em (£2.99)

The only poker game you need. Betting is sharp and intuitive, computer player AI is devious and the graphics feel like those from a full-price game.

Top 10 Apps

TubeDeluxe (59p)

Plot routes, find your local stop, get live travel info and check your last Tube home is still running.

CashFinder (£1.79)

Possibly paying for itself within the day, this invaluable app not only shows you the location of nearby cash machines, but lists the amount they charge, so you know if it’s worth the walk to a free one.

Vicinity (£1.79)

Takes your location data and advises on the nearest pubs, restaurants,­ taxis, takeaways, whatever...

Tweetie (£1.79)

The best Twitter app. Fast and friendly interface and supports multiple accounts, hashtags and keyword searches.

Tioti TV+ (£1.79)

Remotely program your Sky+ box to record shows when you’re not home. Furthermore, there’s a broad range of TV listings and channel-customisation options.

Urbanspoon (Free)

Tell it the kind of food you fancy and it’ll suggest a range of eatery options nearby – along with reviews culled from bloggers and newspapers.

National Rail Enquiries (£4.99)

A pricey but powerful journey planner that spans the whole National Rail network. Includes platform number information and live updates.

Ambiance (£1.79)

Feature-packed “environment enhancer” that comes with hundreds of free ambient sound loops to sleep or wake up to.

FriendSync (£1.19)

Imports the profile pics from your Facebook pals into the iPhone address book – so you get their latest pic in caller ID.

iStylist Makeover (99p)

Take a pic of your face and try one of 140 male/female celebrity coiffures. Future updates will include accessories.

What are your favourite iPhone apps? Did we miss anything out? Tell us below.