Ten Great iPhone Hobby Apps

Let’s face it: we’ve been working hard at our jobs lately — that is, if we’re lucky enough to still have jobs. Cool hobbies and fun pastimes can recharge our weary work batteries. Thankfully, the iPhone is the ultimate tool for balancing work and life and can help us get the most out of fleeting downtime.

It all started with the iconic iPod. Music lovers figured out that songs offer temporary respite from job stress. Here are nine more iPhone apps that take the work out of life.

After a long work week, many folks in San Francisco hop on their bikes on a Friday afternoon. It’s a big bike ride called Critical Mass. Biking is not just exercise, but a chance to be outdoors on the open road. Self sufficient. Going green. It’s about as far from work as you can get in a matter of minutes — and, of course, the iPhone has an app for that. B.iCycle GPS, which costs $10, makes sure you don’t get lost and tracks your distance, speed, hills climbed and even calories burned.