Is the App Store Juvenile? [Part I]

The exact ranking method of iTunes’ Top 100
apps is relatively unknown to those outside of the Apple offices but it’s
believed to be a mix between recent and long term downloads. Either way, at the
end of the day the ‘Top 100’ lists reflect what Apple and the average consumer
thinks is popular. And so it’s interesting and informative to stop in from time
to time and check out what represents the most coveted applications for the
burgeoning gaming platform. Today’s results were rather…well, you be the judge.
The following apps currently fill out the top third of the App Store’s ‘Top 100
free apps’:

#3 Urinal Test Description on iTunes: “The
ultimate for any man: an app to determine how well you pick the ‘right’ urinal”

#4 Suicide Girls Description on iTunes:
“Flick left and right through 10 of the sexiest SuicideGirls you’ve ever seen.
Turn your iPhone or iPod Touch upside down and watch her clothes disappear”

#8 Popcorn Game Description on iTunes: “Be
a popcorn maker today! Pop Pop Pop! Don’t you love that sound? Exciting sound
effects, fun and easy-to-play POPCORN game will surely be your another [sic]
all-time fave”

#22 PeekababeLite Description on iTunes:
“Hot girls wearing lingerie. Need we say more?”

#24 Pee Monkey Toilet Trainer Description
on iTunes: “Test your precision peeing skills in a familiar environment: the
toilet!”

#25 Funny 500—Insults and Putdowns Description
on iTunes: “Funny 500: Insults and Putdowns has got your back by adding insults
and putdowns to your arsenal of verbal assaults! We can’t guarantee that you’ll
win the battle, but you’ll at least be noted for your wit when it comes to
funny insults and rude remarks.”

#30 What’s Your Sex Appeal? Description on
iTunes: “Have you ever wondered what your sex appeal is?”

Now, don’t get me wrong, urinal etiquette
cannot be stressed enough, but the prevalence of pubescent games and
applications makes you wonder just how many 11-year old boys own iPhones. I’ve
seen classier products dispensed from a men’s room vending machine. So what
gives? Is the iPhone as a ‘gaming platform’ just a juvenile playground or is
there more to the story?

Tomorrow we’ll examine the pros and cons of
a gaming platform so popular that people are paying hard earn cash to virtually
drink a pint of beer and butter pixelated toast.