A couple bits of news regarding the App Store were released today.

The first is that Apple has just released a Best of 2008 list for applications in their App store, based solely on number of downloads the app has. The list is separated into two columns—paid and free apps. It also ranks the top downloaded apps in their respective categories. It doesn’t pack many surprises for those that check the Top 25 tab in the App Store often but it’s worth a look. Click here for the list.

The bigger news today is that Apple is now allowing developers to release 50 promotional free copies of their applications to whomever they desire. The promotional code is used by typing it into the form under the Redeem tab in the iTunes store. This will especially come in handy for speedier application reviews and even allow for a beta testing period, shrinking the void between developers and the community’s helpful criticism.

I am continually amazed by the improvements in iPhone and iPod touch gaming that are taking place on a seemingly daily basis. The games are getting more sophisticated, the graphics are getting more vivid, and overall, we’re seeing more and more games released that bring computer or console gaming to the diminutive handset. Who could have ever thought that Nanosaur, with its incredible graphics, could be rendered perfectly on an iPhone? Or a racing game like Fastlane could suck you into the iPhone’s small screen so easily?

The latest "wow" game to arrive in the App Store is Brothers In Arms. It is remarkable!

I’ve been on a bit of Internet radio streak for the past few days. While I continue to be huge fan of Pandora and last.fm I’m also finding that those applications which provide direct access to web-based radio streams can be quite useful. Last week I took a look at a couple…
this week I’ll be taking a look at a few more.

Today’s entry is a brand new free app Public Radio Tuner. Public Radio Tuner is about as simple and Internet radio application as you’re going to find.