It seems that every second person is raving about mobile at the moment, that it’s the next big thing. As far as we’re concerned mobile has been big for a while and many of us are now using smart phones that can do just about anything our PCs can.

Stop crying about the fact that you don’t have an iPhone - that doesn’t mean your phone is rubbish, you just need to beef it up a little and give it a second life. We’ve selected some of the mobile apps we like best and they’re all free to download.

Oh, and Apple fans don’t stress, we’ll dedicate a separate post specifically to iPhone apps in the future.

Talk to us in the comments section and tell us what your fave mobile application is and one lucky loudmouth could win big!

Opera Mini 4.2 – Mobile Web Browser

Toss your flimsy built-in web browser and download Opera Mini. It’s the world’s most popular mobile web browser (over 20 million people are using it) better yet it’s fast and free.

fring – Instant Messaging / Social Networking

This cute looking app is a mobile internet service & community that enables you to access & interact with your social networks on-the-go. Make free calls and chat live with your fring, Skype®, MSN® Messenger, Google Talk™, Twitter etc. contacts using your cellphone. fring has become very popular in SA - it’s easy to use and you can download via sms, wap or pc.

Gmail for mobile – Mobile email solution

Gmail has become the default email client for many people. This web-based client can be accessed from anywhere and the highly functional interface is easy to customise and ‘own’. Check your email anytime - download the Gmail for mobile app to experience full Gmail functionality on your cellphone.

Zoopy Mobile – Social networking

Upload, view and share your videos, pictures and notes from wherever you are. Signup for a free zoopy account then visit m.zoopy.com – you don’t need to download anything. We covered the relaunch of the zoopy website a few weeks back – local is lekker!

ShoZu – Social Networking

Capture the moment, share photo and video, email, blog, geotag your pics, facebook, twitter, YouTube. ShoZu interfaces with LOADS of different social networking sites, which means you can share your awesome moments quickly and easily.

Pocit – Make and receive payments

Another world class SA based start-up; Pocit is a secure cellphone based personal payments system that enables you to make and receive payments securely using your mobile. Payments are made using only the other person’s cell number and you no longer need to expose your banking details.

Wattpad – Read books on your phone

There’s nothing grumpier than an avid reader who finds themselves waiting in a queue without a good book. Download Wattpad to your cell and you can read and share novels, short stories and articles.

amAze – GPS Navigation

There are a lot of us who aren’t lucky enough to have the latest GPS gadget, these days many of the new cellphones have built in GPS. amAze will give you free global maps and voice guided navigation (you may just have to put up with some basic on screen advertising.) If your cell doesn’t have GPS you can link to an external GPS receiver (about as big as a matchbox) via Bluetooth.

Cricinfo Mobicast – Ball-by-ball cricket commentary

Take that, sports fans! It’s cricket season so here’s an essential free mobile app for the cricket fans. Live scorecards, Ball-by-ball commentary pushed to your phone with every ball.

You could be a winner!

Register as a 5FM user (if you are a user already then make sure you login.)

Comment on this post – tell us:

• What is your personal favourite mobile app?