Having an iPhone in New York City is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because it’s an iPhone. It’s a curse because because you’re in the city, where AT&T’s network is constantly flooded and you can’t send a text in Union Square. Fortunately, the former can alleviate the downsides of the latter: Apple’s App Store has a few apps specifically designed to assist the typical New Yorker manage life in the city. No, Blackberry users, Brick Breaker isn’t helping anybody.

For iPhone users, here’s a few apps we recommend:

• Exit Strategy NYC – $4.99
  If you’re a regular subway rider, you probably know the gruesome pains of walking across an entire platform just to get to an exit, only to realize you just walked two blocks away from your destination. The creators of Exit Strategy sought an end to this injustice. Their app not only suggests the best train car to get on (relative to your most convenient exit), but also has detailed neighborhood maps which precisely trace structures of every NYC subway station. Hypothetically, users can plan the best car to get on, the best subway to ride, and the best exit to take. Yes, it’s incredibly dorky, but for $4.99, the app also saves minutes you would otherwise spend sitting next to a homeless man at the West 4th station.
• iTrans NYC – $3.99
  For the more serious Metro crowd (not to be confused with “metro crowd”), iTrans has exact schedules — subway and bus — and advisories updated instantly. The app also utilizes these notifications to give the best directions between any two locations in the city. This means no more disappointment after you swipe into a station before realizing that your train isn’t even running. With the MTA increasingly screwing riders with sudden construction work and track changes, iTrans serves as a perfect cock block.
• UpNext 3D NYC – $2.99
  UpNext is a servicey app that implements all facets of life in NYC. Check out the subway maps, find some nearby restaurants (with Yelp ratings), log into Facebook, and look at venues / businesses within specific buildings… in 3D! There’s also some throw-in features that just might be your cup of tea: bike rack locator, online food ordering, GPS. Now you’ll never have to go outside.
• Free Booze – Free
  This app is virtually the mobile version of MyOpenBar.com, which lists the city’s daily open bars every day. That means free galleries, specials, parties, and any other place you can drink like a real broke college student. Free Booze is also the best and the worst app for alcoholics.
• OpenTable – Free
  OpenTable.com’s app enables users to make reservations for just about any restaurant in the city. Perfect for those who thrive on spontaneous dinner dates. Not perfect for those who eat at Downstein thrice a day.
• Craigsphone – Free
  So this much anticipated Craigslist app is still in the works, as you’ll find out when it crashes on you when you’re looking for say, a desk lamp, or a Bobst hookup. But still, why wait until you get to your computer to post your latest missed connection? Why?!
• Scene Seeker – $1.99
  Here’s a great way to look like a tourist when you use your iPhone to see NYC locations where popular movies have been filmed. Next step: be Asian.
• SpotCrime NYC – $1.99
  SpotCrime uses your location to locate and posts stories about recent crimes in the area. This one is admittedly more useful for Columbia students.
• Central Park NYC – $2.99
  Navigate and learn Central Park with your iPhone. Most importantly, find out where the nearest bathroom is. Otherwise, you’ll have to sneak your number two with the horses.
• NYU Courses – $.99
  We recommended this app two months ago, but we find still find it incredibly helpful, especially as Spring registration nears. NYU Courses is essentially a less frustrating Albert on-the-go (without the 10-minute inactivity logoff) — users can register for courses, examine degree progress reports, and even check grades. I mean, this is why we all bought an iPhone, right?