Weekly international iPhone apps: Real Racing GTI, Fling

(Apple)

The most popularly downloaded free iPhone application for the week of October 26 is the fast-paced racing game "Real Racing GTI. "

The top free application by country* for the week, by number of downloads, recorded on October 26:

1. US
Photoshop.com Mobile (photography)
Photoshop.com Mobile is a free, iPhone version of the widely used photo-editing program, Photoshop made by American multimedia software developer, Adobe. Those who are familiar with the in-depth editing tools on the computer-based version of Photoshop may find the iPhone version provides limited editing options. But, after all, it is a free download and has been designed to offer mainstream users with easy-to-use, on-the-go photo-editing tools. Photoshop.com Mobile enables users to crop, rotate, flip or add special effect filters to their images using gesture-based editing. Photo saturation, tint, exposure, and vibrancy can also be enhanced before photos are uploaded to the 2GB provided of free online photo storage available at photoshop.com (sign-up required). The application is only available in the US and Canada App Stores.

2. Germany
Real Racing GTI (games)
Real Racing GTI is a fast-paced racing application designed by Firemint in collaboration with car manufacturer Volkswagen to celebrate the upcoming release of the 2010 model GTI. The accelerometer-controlled racing game puts players in the driver's seat of the new GTI. Depending on the choice of game mode, players can race against opponents or try to beat the clock. Users can select from a range of different control options - from accelerometer steering with computer-assisted acceleration and braking to "touch-to-steer" controls with manual acceleration and braking. Great graphics and "real-feel" racing make Real Racing GTI one of the best free racing games in the app store.

3. France
SNCF Direct (travel)
SNCF Direct is an application designed by the French national railway company, SNCF. Users can use the application to look up train schedules in over 600 stations located in France. Real-time arrival and departure times are also provided and users can stay informed with up-to-the-minute notifications about delays and impending train departures. A geo-location feature enables users to pinpoint the closest station to them. A map view provides users with directions to the station from their current location. Travellers can also use the application to find out information about station opening times and to view a list of amenities located within the station.

4. UK
Fling (free) (games)
Fling is a strategy-based puzzle game where users have to plan their gameplay to pass to the next level. In each level cute, furry characters are positioned on the grass-covered game board. Players slide their finger over a character to "fling" it into an adjacent character, pushing it off the edge of the board. To win the game and move onto the next level all but one character must be eliminated from the board. Players can choose from three game modes: free play, arcade or challenge.

5. Canada
Fling (free) (games)
See "Fling (free)" above.

6. Australia
Fling (free) (games)
See "Fling (free)" above.

7. Japan
Real Racing GTI (games)
See "Real Racing GTI" above.

8. Italy
Real Racing GTI (games)
See "Real Racing GTI" above.

9. Switzerland
Inhale Helium Here (light) (entertainment)
"Inhale Helium Here" transforms your iPhone into a "helium balloon." Users "suck" on their microphone to inhale helium from the balloon on screen. As the air is inhaled, the displayed balloon gets smaller. The user then speaks into the phone's microphone. The application records the user's voice before playing it back as a warped, high-pitched helium-sounding version.

10. Russia
Real Racing GTI (games)
See "Real Racing GTI" above.

*The countries listed are those markets in which the most iPhones have been sold worldwide. The list of top ten countries is based on AdMob's June estimate of the number of iPhones sold per country since being launched.