17 December, 2009
11 crucial iPhone travel apps
The iPhone applications that make life easier for the globe-trotting techno fan
An app for every occasion in Asia.
While you have fun sorting through cow toss, iNap@work, and over 66,000 other apps presently available for your iPhone, we've taken the time to find the ones you really need while travelling the world.
1. iTranslate
This handy app translates phrases into 42 languages, including traditional and simplified Chinese, Hindi, Japanese and Thai. Because there are never enough ways of asking, “Where’s the bathroom?” (Offline app, FREE)
2. Metro Asia (iTunes link)
Complete metro/subway maps and related information for Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tehran, Tokyo and Seoul. This one also features major attractions near metro stops -- because sometimes we're all tourists, even in our hometowns. (Offline app, US$2.99)
3. International Calling Codes
Listings of all of international calling codes. Useful for avoiding moments of cell hell, like calling France while roaming in India because you got the wrong country code. (Offline app, US$0.99)
4. Jiwire WiFi Finder
With more than 200,000 locations in 135 countries, Jiwire finds WiFi hotspots wherever you go. Not bad, even if it does give you one less excuse for missing that conference call with the regional office. (Online app, FREE)
5. Air Sharing and Air Sharing Pro
Award-winning app that allows users to view documents on their iPhones. Particularly useful when the laptop battery dies on a long flight and you need more time on that “How my latest brilliant idea is going to save this company” financial report. (Online and Offline apps, Standard: US$4.99 PRO: US$9.99)
6. Kindle iPhone
Turns an iPhone into a Kindle capable of downloading more than 300,000 books -- not all at once though. The 20-terabyte iPhone model won’t release until at least 2018. (Online and offline app, FREE)
7. XE Currency
Trusted by depressed U.S. dollar investors around the globe, the XE currency app can monitor up to ten currencies, provide up-to-the-minute rates online and list latest updated rates offline. Just how bad is that exchange rate at the airport? Find out even before you're off the plane. (Online and offline apps, FREE)
8. Zagat to Go
Covering world cities, including Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai, this restaurant guide comes with GPS, ratings, a click-to-reserve button and plenty more on the menu. (Online app, US$9.99)
9. BuUuk
The Asian equivalent of apps like Urbanspoon or Around Me, BuUuk covers food and drink spots in Australia, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, India, Tel Aviv, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. While it doesn’t have the world coverage of Zagat to Go, it does cover more cities in Asia. And it’s free. (Online app, FREE)
10. FlightTrack
A live flight status tracker that includes weather radar maps, flight data such as speed and altitude and updated arrival and departure times. Never arrive too early, or too late, for a pickup again. (Online ap, US$4.99)
11. WorldView
Big Brother security-camera views of streets and other public views from around the world. Pure voyeurism, but what better way to find something new in a city than when nobody knows you're watching? (Online app, FREE)
Traveller01
3 March, 2010
There are so many travel apps out there today but almost ALL of them are useless. Call me old-fashioned, but in my opinion there is nothing more effective than using a good travel guide. Sometimes, the best thing to do before a trip is to check out an online travel guide listed on www.dozentravel.com, then buy a book. There are now so many iPhone travel apps on the market that people will stop looking at the scenery and enjoying their vacation, instead they'll be using their smartphone to find out info, text, check emails, flight news and whatever else. Do we need this junk? We managed quite well without travel apps and iphones.
add your own
Traveller01
3 March, 2010
There are so many travel apps out there today but almost ALL of them are useless. Call me old-fashioned, but in my opinion there is nothing more effective than using a good travel guide. Sometimes, the best thing to do before a trip is to check out an online travel guide listed on www.dozentravel.com, then buy a book. There are now so many iPhone travel apps on the market that people will stop looking at the scenery and enjoying their vacation, instead they'll be using their smartphone to find out info, text, check emails, flight news and whatever else. Do we need this junk? We managed quite well without travel apps and iphones.
taige
18 February, 2010
Thanks but itranslate is crap. Have you tried it? I got pro and it has like 3 languages... XE exchange is crap also. You need internet for it to work. Get converbot instead. It cost money but is way better and has offline mode.
Currently, I blog about iPhone travel apps and give tips on how to travel with your iphone. I think you'll like it.
http://azitravel.com/blog
dumdau
8 January, 2010
Two things:
The Kindle and itranslate apps are awesome.
The OANDA currency app is way better than the XE one, and it's also free.
http://www.oanda.com/mobile/converter/iphone
chrisa1
21 December, 2009
Good suggestions both of them. That's the thing about these kinds of articles, is that there are always more out there. Especially considering there are over 66,000 apps!
Towler
18 December, 2009
What about a world clock? Trying to figure out what time it is in 3 different time zones when you're jet lagged can be mind bending.
http://www.rosebraetechnology.com/home/clocks
I use this all the time.
HSLoliver
17 December, 2009
A crucial list of iPhone travel apps without worldmate Live/Gold isn't really a useful list.
Some choices here are pretty dissapointing. Roaming in india with your iPhone and misdialing? Who dials any more with address book.
XE currency track 10 currencies? Why not the currency app the does all at the same time plus a reverse function?
SPG to book hotels, skype or google voice web app or fring for wifi calls roaming in india, and good old mobile me so that when you plug in again you're laptop is sync'ed.
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