Nearly one month in, the Mac App Store is still a platform in its infancy. It's not comprehensive, and it isn't as affordable as the App Stores on iOS. Still, there are some great downloads that cost absolutely nothing, for those who are App Store-curious. Here are our four favorites so far, including a pretty good free version of a popular art app. Don't be shy--dive right in.

What are your favorite freebies--or otherwise--on the Mac App Store thus far, assuming you've been using it?

Originally posted at Crave

For many seasoned travelers, making a trip as stress-free as possible means having booked a place to stay well in advance, especially for busy metropolitan destinations. However, the world in which we live is not always ideal, and last-minute plans are bound to be necessary from time to time. HotelTonight, a new travel-friendly app for the iPhone, aims to make that requirement as easy--and affordable--to deal with as possible.

As far as travel apps are concerned, HotelTonight is limited in scope, though that fact does not impede its usefulness. The app is designed specifically to help users find and book last-minute, same-day hotel stays in major metro areas (currently: San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, D.C., Boston, and Chicago). Each city offers up three types of hotels for each night: hip, basic, and elegant. HotelTonight works with various hotels to provide rates below market value, and the deals can be booked up until 2 a.m. on the night of the stay.

Adding to HotelTonight's appeal is its overall interface. The app flows easily from a city page to the hotel deal to more information about rooms. You can book from your phone, and a confirmation is saved directly within the app. As an added bonus, HotelTonight is currently offering a $25 credit toward first bookings for those who download the app. Users can also collect $25 credits for each friend they refer. And Android users, don't be too sad: an app for you is in the works.

Originally posted at iPhone Atlas

Last October I called Chillingo's Cut the Rope the best game since Angry Birds. And it appears the world agreed with me, as evidenced by its current number-three spot on the iTunes Top Paid Apps chart.

If you're looking for the next big thing in Cutesy Physics Puzzlers (or CPPs, as I like to call them), look no further: it's Cover Orange.

Weird title, I agree, but it's the literal explanation of the gameplay. In each level, you must shelter (i.e. cover) one or more oranges against the "poison rain" that pours in from an angry cloud.

To accomplish this, you're given one or more tools (it varies from level to level) to drop strategically. In an early, easy level, for example, you simply have to drop a box so it lands directly over the orange. Later on, you'll work with things like wagon wheels, dropping them on windmills to make them spin (and fling your orange to a safe spot).

Dropping/placing your last tool triggers the cloud, and there's no going back--your setup either worked or failed. Fortunately, there's a restart icon right in the corner for quick (and unlimited) do-overs.

The game is relentlessly cute, from the insidiously peppy theme music to the manically expressive oranges, which shake in fear as the cloud passes overhead and then chuckle giddily after realizing they're safe.

The levels vary widely in difficulty, often swinging from easy to near-impossible and back again. And some rely a bit on the luck of when and how your tools drop--meaning even if you do everything exactly right, your oranges might get fried.

But no matter. Cover Orange is instantly accessible, wholly addictive, and thoroughly entertaining--just like Angry Birds and Cut the Rope. You'll inevitably find yourself saying, "Just one more level." In my book, that's the mark of a CPP champ.

The game sells for 99 cents; the iPad HD version runs $1.99 (and there's a free trial version of that as well, though not yet for iPhone/iPod).

Do you think Cover Orange has the makings of a CPP superstar? Share your thoughts about the game (and others like it) in the comments.

Originally posted at iPhone Atlas

True to its name, GraphicConverter's main functionality is converting graphic files. It imports from approximately 200 formats and exports to about 80 at last count, with a tremendously time-saving batch processor thrown in for good measure. But GraphicConverter also comes loaded with features for quick editing, color correction, resizing, and more, making it a steal at $34.95. This latest version includes minor feature enhancements and bug fixes.

Also this week, we have the latest version of MarsEdit, the blog editor that makes posting almost as easy as sending an e-mail. Our game this week is Atmosphir, a new game in which you create an avatar and play various gametypes as you explore tons of user-made content.

Don't forget to check out our iPhone apps of the week!