New iPhone app created by local company

TAMPA - Remember when ring tones were the rage? Now, "apps" are the download darlings. People with iPhones and iTouch devices go to Apple's on-line App Store and buy them like they would music from iTunes.

App is short for software applications. They can help you make a grocery list, play a game, or even turn your iPhone into a musical instrument.

More than 15,000 applications are currently available. One of the newest was created by Haneke Design in Tampa. It's called Framerz.

"Here we go," said Company President Jody Haneke. He takes a picture on his iPhone, pulls up the Framerz App, then drops and drags the picture into one of 40 frames with cool graphics and captions. You can send the framed photo to friends or use it as wallpaper.

The idea for the Framerz app grew from Haneke's involvement with AT&T and American Idol last season. Viewers could send a picture with a text message. The photo was then merged with an image of their favorite Idol star.

Haneke and his team turned that concept into an app which became available at The App Store a few days ago. It sells for 99 cents. Apple takes some of the money, but most goes to the creator.

"It's really unlimited," said Haneke. "And it's growing. I think people are really excited about creating entertaining applications they can go out there and sell for a dollar."