New iPhone app helps with confession

A new "Confession" application for Apple's iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch has received the blessing of a Catholic bishop.

"Confession: A Roman Catholic App," is the first program for the Apple devices created by a South Bend, Indiana-based company called "Little iApps."

Its developer, Patrick Leinen, said the app was designed to be used in the confessional and was intended "for those who frequent the sacrament and those who wish to return."

He said the app, which provides a step-by-step guide to the sacrament, had received the imprimatur from Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Fort Wayne-South Bend diocese, the first program to receive the stamp of the church.

Leinen said he was inspired in developing the app by Pope Benedict XVI's call to the faithful to use new media to good purposes.

"Our desire is to invite Catholics to engage in their faith through digital technology," Leinen said in a press release on his littleapps.com website.

"Taking to heart Pope Benedict XVI's message from last year's World Communications Address, our goal with this project is to offer a digital application that is truly 'new media at the service of the Word,'" he said.

The app costs $1.99 in Apple's iTunes store.

It offers password protected customized profiles, a guide to performing the sacrament as well as a list of acts of contrition.

"Individuals who have been away from the sacrament for some time will find Confession: A Roman Catholic App to be a useful and inviting tool," Leinen said.

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The Top 5 Free iPhone Apps of 2010

Keen to keep up with mobile trends? As 2010 comes to a close here is a round up of the most popular free iPhone applications of this year. If you haven't already downloaded these then they're available from the iTunes store for absolutely nothing! Try them out before 2011 comes along bringing a whole host of new apps and mobile technology to fascinate you.

1. Facebook

The most used social networking service across the globe, it's no surprise the Facebook mobile app has been so popular. Removing the fiddly, hassle of Facebook's mobile site via your phone browser, the app ensures connecting with your friends, family and colleagues is effortless. This app also allows for location based status updates so your connections can keep tabs on where you are and what you're doing, should you wish them to.

2. Angry Birds Lite

The free version of this truly addictive mobile game shows no signs of waning popularity. A puzzle game with clear and quirky graphics requires the user to catapult birds and obliterate pigs to clear levels and gain points. For 59p the full version is truly affordable entertainment too.

3. Words With Friends Free

Similar to Scrabble, yet positively not the same (for legal reasons), this free app is an on-line word challenge game which makes the most of the iPhones networking abilities. It's a slow pacer, but if your opponent plays online at the same time as you there is an online chat option that makes the game great as an instant messenger too.

4. Skype

If you have a internet connection then why waste call time connecting with your friends? Skype allows you to make calls, receive calls and enjoy instant messaging with whomever you want all from this mobile app (as long as they have Skype installed too). The latest update of this application even includes the latest mobile technology to allow 3G capability, meaning you don't even need to be near a broadband point! Video calling is also possible making this app a truly diverse download for anyone looking to cut down their phone bill.

5. Tap Tap Revenge 3

Another addictive mobile game, Tap Tap Revenge 3 requires the mobile users to tap rhythms along to the beat of popular music tracks. This latest Tap Tap release includes tracks from some of the worlds most successful bands, including: Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Black Eyed Peas, Metallica and Smashing Pumpkins. This app is the music based game to have on your mobile.

About Author: Tom Harris is a mobile marketing professional who has extensive experience in mobile website design. He works for a London agency offering cutting edge services with the aim of helping brands to engage in the mobile marketing field.

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