There was a flurry of innovation in 2010 in terms of applications, with new smartphones such as iPhone 4 and various Android devices demanding great experiences for consumers.

Some applications are entertaining and others serve as a utility. Some must be paid for while others are ad-supported. But either way, user experiences really improved in 2010 compared to 2009.

Here are the top 10 applications of 2010, in no particular order, based on usability, content and how well the app serves its purpose.

1. Chase Mobile ? The Chase application is available for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, BlackBerry and Android smartphones. Users can see account balances, review transaction history, check credit card due dates and amount. This application is simple to use and really serves its purpose.

2. Angry Birds ? The Angry Birds application features hours of gameplay, challenging physics-based castle demolition and lots of replay value. Each of the 120 levels requires logic, skill and brute force to crush the enemy. The game is so addictive that it has made its way to No. 1 paid application in the United States, Britain, Canada, Italy, Germany and Russia.

3. The New York Times ? The Times application is content-rich and ad-supported. What is most wonderful about this free application is that the one banner ad at the bottom of the screen is not intrusive at all. It by no means ever ruins the user experience. The stories are broken up into sections just like they are online and in the print paper. The look and feel is that very familiar Times branding, making the app a winner.

4. Facebook ? The Facebook smartphone application is available for all smartphones, i.e. Android, Windows Phone 7, BlackBerry and all Apple devices. It makes it easy to stay connected and share information with friends in a time when social media is exploding. Facebook is surely at the forefront of all of this with more than 200 million mobile users. The application is easy to use and users come back to it over and over again.

5. The Weather Channel ? TWC is also available cross-platform and each application is unique in that it takes advantage of the specific OS that it works on. The application definitely serves its purpose, providing consumers with weather information from one of the most trusted sources in the world. TWC is ad-supported and the ads are not intrusive, with just a small banner running at the top of the screen. The banners expand if users click, making the ad experience good. The user interface is clean and simple.

6. Groupon ? The Groupon application is all the craze right now. It features unbeatable deals on some of the best stuff each day. Users never have to print another coupon. It is available in tons of cities allover the world and more distribution areas are announced daily. Also, there are rumors that Google wants to buy Groupon, so we know the application is special. It is easy to use and serves its purpose.

7. LocalEats ? LocalEats is a paid application. It costs $0.99. It provides users the top 100 places to dine according to which city they are located in or are planning to visit. It also provides coupons and savings for places listed within. Users can filter restaurants by cuisine, neighborhood, price range and hours of operation. The user interface is clean and simple. The application has received rave reviews and really does serve its purpose.

8. Yelp ? Yelp is indicative of the future of location-based services and their intersection with social media. Users can search for places to eat, shop, drink, relax and read reviews from an active community of locals in the know. The user interface is simple to navigate and is really thought out, keeping the mobile consumer in mind. Users can check-in to places to let their friends know they are there. A+ for Yelp.

9. Kayak ? The Kayak.com application is the ultimate travel assistant. Travelers can use it to find flights, hotels and car rental deals. Users can book their hotels right from the application. It is like a one-stop-shop for all travel needs. It is easy to use and the best part is it is free. It compares the hundreds of travel sites at once, giving the best deals. Why pay five bucks the flight tracker app, when Kayak gives the information free?

10. ESPN Radio ? This application is every sports fanatic?s best friend. Listen to college football games live from the iPhone. The application lists live scores and news. Users can stream or play live radio in the background while they check email, text message friends or use other applications. 

That makes 10. Expect more innovative applications in 2011, as smartphones becomes even more powerful.