First of all, the iPhone is thinner, lighter, has a bigger screen, and is sexier than the Pre. And it comes in two colors. These are all things we know, though. AT&T. Some people will still opt for the Pre because they think it’s “different.” There must be other, more tangible, functional differences between the two phones.

Actually, pretty much every point beyond superficial concerns does seem to make a strong case in the iPhone’s favor. It is true, after all, that the App Store has already proven its value, while Pre’s offerings have yet to be tested. And apparently the Pre’s interface, while multitouch, is not nearly as intuitive as the iPhone’s. While I’m taking AT&T’s word for that, it is true that I couldn’t imagine a more intuitive interface than the one the iPhone currently boasts. Also listed on the iPhone’s side in the UI category is “fast and responsive navigation,” which would seem to infer that the Pre is slow and sluggish by comparison, though again, this is unsubstantiated.

Another very crucial difference has to do with the limits the Pre suffers from by not being a GSM phone. Obviously, this means it can’t be used anywhere in the world as easily as the iPhone can, which is a huge point of contention for business travelers and other globe-trotting individuals. Also, the lack of GSM means that the Pre can’t take advantage of location and GPS functions in most locations around the world. Apparently the iPhone’s GPS is just better thanks to aGPS, too. I will say that it’s worked flawlessly since updating to the 3.0 Beta.

Some of the other differences are more ridiculous, and clearly skewed by AT&T’s not-so-secret preference. The iPhone, for example, is touted for featuring a built-in iPod. C’mon Pre, where’s your built-in iPod? I’m sure if you just asked Apple nicely, they’d totally let you do that. Also “Limited free Wi-Fi access” for the Pre as opposed to what, unlimited free Wi-Fi access for the iPhone? Last time I checked, I couldn’t get a Wi-Fi connection wherever I wanted whenever I wanted, which, technically, means it has “limits.”

Whether or not you believe AT&T’s propaganda, we’ll find out how they really stack up soon enough, since this document all but confirms that the Pre’s release is imminent.

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The lists appear as part of the iTunes Store 2008 year-in-review mini-site, which also features the most popular movies, songs, TV shows, and podcasts. Of course, the items on each list differ according to which region you’re in. The list discussed here is that found in the U.S. version.

Topping the paid list is Koi Pond, which is no surprise, considering that it looked for a while as though it were going to claim a permanent place atop the popular paid apps chart. Also making the cut are launch racers and other games like Moto Chaser, Crash Bandicoot, Cro-Mag Rally, Enigmo and Super Monkey Ball. In fact, Recorder is the sole utility app on the list, suggesting that when it comes to the iPhone and iPod touch, amusement is the primary driving force behind purchases.

By contrast, the list of top free apps contains only two real games, and one game-like time waster (Lightsaber Unleashed). The ever popular Pandora tops the chart, and a number of useful, though very different apps also appear, like Facebook, Remote, and Shazam.

The difference between the two lists is telling. It suggests that people are much more likely to spend money on games than on apps with functional value, but that consumers are glad to grab more useful apps when they’re offered for free. Another possibility is that consumers attach more perceived value to paid games, since, thanks to the console market, a clear precedent of paying for quality development in that area is well established.

The list is well worth a look. Factors like time available in the App Store seem to have had an effect, but latecomers like Line Rider iRide prove that isn’t the only thing at play. Also, the success of some apps like MobileChat raise questions about hype vs. ratings as driving downloads. Check it out and see how your download history matches up.

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