Like a desktop computer, you can't do much with PDA or smartphone, beyond the basics, without third-party software. As a result, a lucrative market has developed around the application needs of mobile users. Although there are a number of ways to purchase mobile software, one of the most used sources is retailer Handango.

In Handango's November Yardstick of the most popular applications and the devices they are downloaded to, a new handset took the lead as the number one phone adding mobile content. The palmOne Treo 600 topped the list for the first time in its history, indicating a big appetite for applications from customers of the popular device. The company's Tungsten T series lead for PDAs.

Searches remained relatively consistent with MP3/Music, GPS and Games totaling approximately 12 percent of the top searches. Ringtones and Internet rounded out the top five accounting for more than 6 percent of the searches.

Close to 50 percent of Handango's sales came from the personal productivity plus business & professional software categories with entertainment a distant third at 14 percent.

Go to the next page to see the ten best-selling applications by operating system.

Palm OS
1. WorldMate Standard Edition
2. Agendus Professional Edition
3. PAC-MAN
4. SplashID
5. AOL
6. 9.95 CLOCK
7. Agendus Standard Edition
8. DateBk5
9. Ms. PAC-MAN
10. 9.95 SOLITAIRE PACK

Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC
1. Spb Pocket Plus
2. Agenda Fusion
3. Pocket Informant
4. DVD to Pocket PC
5. S & W T
6. Battery Pack Pro
7. PocketBreeze
8. PocketWeather
9. PhatPad
10. Journal Bar

Windows Mobile-based Smartphone
1. SmartphoneNotes
2. ClearVue Suite
3. DVD to Smartphone
4. Power Calendar
5. Bluetooth Switch
6. Photo Contacts
7. Power Tasks
8. SoundZ Cool
9. CityTime Alarms
10. xBar

Symbian OS 1. Handy Day
2. Quickoffice Premier
3. WorldMate Professional Edition
4. WebViewer
5. WorldMate Standard Edition
6. DateMate
7. Remote
8. DVD to Mobile
9. Agendus
10. Handy Safe

BlackBerry
1. WebViewer
2. EmailViewer
3. MyFlashlight
4. IslandTime
5. Casino Pack
6. Webmessenger
7. Puzzle Pack
8. Tri Peaks Solitaire
9. Blackjack Tournament
10. JAccountant Loan and Shopping calculator

Handango Yardstick
Incorporating worldwide data from more than 100 mobile download portals, the Handango Yardstick reports trends across the entire mobile software economy and major mobile operating systems including Java, Symbian OS, Palm OS, Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC, Windows Mobile-based Smartphone and others.