Tech Town, NC

Tim Simmons of the New & Observer has a good piece today on iPhone apps developed by local companies and hobbyists that goes to show just how broad the app store’s appeal is.

The most notable app of the bunch is Twitterific developed by Iconfactory in Greensboro. The straightforward Twitter management tool has exploded in popularity to the point that the twitterific bird is now one of the most recognizable characters in the Twitter and iPhone communities. Its spread has taken the folks at Iconfactory completely off guard.

Other, more fun ‘n games apps, are Sumo, from Stinkbot in Durham, and Lumina from CrossComm in Durham. What’s interesting about these offerings is that they were developed as afterthoughts. Rob Terrell works full time for Avacast, a webcasting company, but wrote Sumo years ago and quickly ported it to he iPhone. Don Shin wrote Lumina as a side project.

The most useful looking app came from Modality in Durham, which ported its academic offerings, including Netter’s Anatomy, to the iPhone. That’s going to be a great reference for Med students, and even doctors, when they’re on the go.