The following is a list of travel apps that we think are great. Are they the all time best travel related apps out there? We have no idea. Everyone has their own way of travelling and would have different needs when it comes to apps (if they travel with a smart phone at all). Needless to say here are 10 great travel apps we thought you should know about…
[dropcap1]10. [/dropcap1]Virtuoso Life
This app shares the digital issues of VIRTUOSO LIFE®, the traveler’s guide to inspired pursuits. Now, you can take this award-winning publication, full of extraordinary travel experiences, wherever you go. Each issue of this luxury travel and lifestyle magazine is packed with features, images and articles that will leave you longing for your next vacation. No one brings you the world of extraordinary travel experiences quite like Virtuoso®.
Cost: free
[dropcap1]9. [/dropcap1]Wikitude
Some may be asking what is augmented reality? Augmented reality allows you to use your smart phone to see various messages and information through your smart phone. It is in essence a “global travel guide that overlays Wikipedia and other user –contributed content over the phone’s camera view, giving you information on your surroundings. Wikitude uses the phone’s GPS, compass and movement sensors to match your position in relation to the landmarks you point the camera toward. The app works great as a tourist guide but also can be useful for find the history of places anywhere around you”.
Source: Pc World http://www.pcworld.com/article/193523/Android_Travel_Apps.html
Cost: free
[dropcap1]8. [/dropcap1]Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Fairmont Hotels are iconic in their grandeur and history and now the hotel has it’s own app so that you can take a historical tour of the hotel. As of a recent meeting with Fairmont representatives Vision 2000 has learned that only Fairmont Château Laurier currently offers this service, but Fairmont is expecting more of their hotels to begin offering this service soon. The app works for both Android and i Phone. If you would prefer a larger screen you may even borrow one from the front desk.
Cost: free
[dropcap1]7. [/dropcap1]Control Air Flight
This is a great little game and can be played by kids and adults alike. The objective of the game is to act as an air controller and help the various jets and helicopters land by creating flight paths for them. If your kids are playing and the airplanes crash remind them that there are professionals helping the real ones to land, and then give them chocolate, chocolate helps everything.
Cost: free
[dropcap1]6. [/dropcap1]Shazam
No matter where you are if you love the local sound now you don’t have to miss a beat. Shazam is used in over 200 countries worldwide by over 300 million people and can be used for use on both i phones and android phones
Shazam listens to the song and then once it has recognized it, it will tell you; who the artist is, when they are having a concert, or any number of things that the content creator has listed on Shazam. This app also makes it really to share your new discoveries by being able to share them directly to Facebook and other social media channels.
Cost: free
[dropcap1]5. [/dropcap1]The Weather Channel
We chose The Weather Channel over The Weather Network because we find that the “Channel” has better international weather info. However if you are travelling in Canada, The Weather Network app is great!
The Weather Channel is available on both Android and iPhone.
The Weather Channel combines interactive and beautiful imagery with their WEATHER™ expertise. With over 200 meteorologists and their ultra-local TruPoint(sm) forecasting technology, The Weather Channel helps you plan the best day possible for every season.
Cost: free
[dropcap1]4. [/dropcap1]OpenTable
Open table is an app for when you are looking for a place to eat that does more than just provide feedback and incentives from those that have been there before, it also helps to book a reservation at a restaurant. A great feature for those that are busy and like to reduce the number of steps it takes to get things done, especially for the busy business person who doesn’t have time to wait around.
How it works:
Open the app, select a date, time, and location then search for the restaurant of your choice, when you have found a restaurant that you would like click the time and then click confirm. You will need to provide OpenTable with an email, this can be done by using a Facebook account. It will give you the option to have the reservation posted on your Facebook if you want, you can decline this if you want to.
You will be asked to select a way to then enter your phone number, once this is done you will receive a confirmation e-mail from the restaurant to your phone. To cancel your reservation go to the e-mail and cancel it.
Cost: free
[dropcap1]3. [/dropcap1]XE Currency
This app exchanges every currency in the world has had 14 million downloads as well as being featured on BBC, CNN and the Travel Channel. This app uses live proprietary rates and refreshes every minute.
Cost: free
[dropcap1]2. [/dropcap1] Google Translate
Say what? If you have ever needed a translator and been without one you don’t have to be again. Google Translate is a great app. It translates both voice and written text.
Once you open the app you have the choice of speaking or typing. If you type the word or phrase in the language of your choice and then select the language you would like it translated into. Once the phrase has been translated you can tap on the speaker icon on the left hand side of the translation to hear it spoken. It does sound like a computer speaking, but will work in a jam, because even if the local doesn’t recognize the computer voice they can read it.
Cost: free
[dropcap1]1. [/dropcap1]Instagram
Click it, share it. This app requires setting up a profile, a user name and a password, you can use your Facebook profile. This app is really about photo sharing and is quite easy to do as it posts directly to your social media channels. With Instagram you can add a comment about your picture, and even the place that it was taken with a map feature. This could be a great way to organize pictures from your trips and share them with friends at the same time.
Cost: free