iPhone Apps for Travelers

Posted by techgirl

Posted: April 5, 2009 - 7:48 am

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LonelyPlanet apps for iPhone

You may recall my iPhone envy from last year. Once my other mobile phone contract was up, I rushed to the AT&T store to get my iPhone and haven't looked back since.

In past posts, I've covered a few iPhone topics including iPhone for Kids and 7 Really Useful iPhone Apps. To contribute to your iPhone envy - if you don't already own the amazing device - let me tell you about some great iPhone apps for traveling.

Note: Keep in mind that you have to have cell service for some - but not all - of these applications.

Maps - iPhones have the Maps app built in, and I've found it to be invaluable. I recently went to Fairbanks for the first time and was able to enter each destination into Maps and use the mobile-powered GPS function to not only map driving directions but to show the destination and our vehicle as it moved on the map. I was even able to enter "car wash Fairbanks," pick from several choices, then get to one in a jiffy. (Free)

Call a Taxi - In a city in the world you don't know well? Use this app to find and call a a taxi service. The app locates the closest - and often cheapest - taxi service to your current location. ($1.99)

Currency Converter (by Phlogistic Apps) - This app provides up-to-date foreign exchange data covering over 150 currencies. Add as many currencies as you need. ($1.99)

iCall Free VoIP (by iCall, Inc.) - Make and receive phone calls over WiFi when you can't get a cell signal. Calls don't count against your cellphone calling plan, and you don't have roaming charges. You do need to register and input a credit card to use their premium plan. (Free)

Find My Phone (by CLO Software) - You're on the road, and you've lost your phone. With this app, you can tap into all the great iPhone capabilities to find it. Locate the phone via it's built-in GPS and receive the data via email along with a Google Map to direct you to it's current location. ($0.99)

Lonely Planet Phrasebooks (by Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd) - Download any of the Lonely Planet digital phrasebooks for quick and easy translations with a bonus that paper books don't have - audio examples of pronunciations! Italian, French, Greek, Turkish, Swahilli and more. ($9.99 each)

Travelto (by Molinker, Inc.) - Get any of the Travelto offline guidebooks for travelers by travelers. They have sections about local history and culture as well as advice on where to eat, sleep, what to do, how to get around, and more. ($0.99 each)

HearPlanet Free (by HearPlanet) - Want an audio tour guide instead of text? This free app covers over 250,000 locations around the world with new content added every time. Uses a "geolocation" feature to instantly find what is close to your current location. (Free)

I think I better stop here because I can feel the envy mounting in you non-iPhone users. As you can see, however, the iPhone is so much more than a phone - it is essentially a mini-computer powered by applications, WiFi, and cellular connections.

What are YOUR favorite iPhone apps?

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