One of the best parts about attending Macworld is making new friends. This year I was lucky to finally meet Jeff Gamet (twitter). Jeff is the Managing Editor at The Mac Observer. In addition to being very insightful on all things Apple, Jeff is a talented artist and all around swell guy. So Jeff, tell us about your home screen.

What are your most interesting home screen apps?

I find the types of apps on my iPhone’s home screen more interesting than the specific apps, and I think they say a lot about how I spend my time most every day. I have two primary app categories on my home screen: Information and communication.

My information-related apps include Instapaper, Reeder, 1Password, Pastebot, OmniFocus, Weather and Maps. My communication apps include Twitter, Mail, Messages, Brightkite and AIM Free. My iPhone is my office in my pocket, so I guess the types of apps I packed into my home screen shouldn’t come as a big surprise.

Not bad. We’re on the first question, and I’ve already managed to fail to reply to what you actually asked.

What is your favorite app?

My favorite app tends to change depending on what my current task is. That said, I always gravitate back to Instapaper and Reeder because I spend so much time researching on the Internet. And TextExpander touch because I love being able to use the same snippets I rely on when I’m working at my Mac. Having the same snippets on my iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Mac? You have no idea how much time that saves me every day.

The bottom line is that any app that makes my life easier can be my favorite, even if it’s only for a moment.

Which app is your guilty pleasure?

Plants vs. Zombies. Hands down. I don’t even have to stop to think about that one. Braaaiiinzzzz!

How many screens have you filled?

I’m trimming down the number of screens that are filled thanks to iOS 4’s folders feature. I currently have two screens completely full, and another five partially filled.

None of my folders live on my home screen because that’s where all of my use-it-right-now apps live. Extra taps and swipes mean wasted time to me, and any app that I need to use all the time should always be one tap away.

What is the app you are still missing?

Actually, I’m missing two critical apps, but they’re for my iPad: OmniOutliner and MarsEdit. Both are must-have applications on my Mac, and I desperately miss them on my iPad.

How many times a day do you use your iPhone?

I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count that high. My iPhone is essentially an extension of my hand, and to a large degree, so is my iPad. I’m always communicating with other people in some way, looking something up, or making notes about something.

OK, I interact with people in real life, too, but having my iPhone with me means I can walk away from my desk for meat-space time.

What is your favorite iPhone feature?

I absolutely love the iPhone’s portability. Being able to walk around with a digital Swiss Army knife in my pocket turned out to be a surprisingly liberating experience. Prior to owning an iPhone, I worried when I wasn’t at my desk that I’d miss an important message or email, and I always have my important data — like contacts, calendars and tasks — with me since I can sync data between all my devices.

Technology is all about making my life easier, and my iPhone plays a big part in that. I can take a break and walk away from my desk, travel, or go out and play for a while knowing that my iPhone will let me handle most anything that might come up.

I should probably throw “empowering” in here somewhere, too.

If you were Steve Jobs, what would you add to the iPhone?

First, I’d add back the keyboard prediction algorithm used up through iPhone OS 2. You know, back when you could pretty much two-thumb type without looking at the iPhone’s screen.

After that, I’d add RFID chips into the iPhone, along with the rest of Apple’s product line up so any time I got two devices close together automated actions could kick in. I’m not talking about things like movie transfers. I’m thinking of things like waking up my Mac when I walk into my office, or launching the Remote app on my iPod touch and waking up my Apple TV whenever I walk into my living room.

Also, I want Warp drive, but I’m betting that’s just a little beyond Apple’s reach right now.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I just love that we’re living in the future. Computers in our pockets, always on wireless Internet, touch interface tablets, and so many other technologies that used to seem possible only on Star Trek. Of course, I’m still waiting for my personal droid, jet car and hover board, but I can’t complain.

Thanks Jeff!