Posts Tagged ‘travel’

Trapster v1.0.2 | Published by Tenereillo, Inc. | Via App Store | Free | Released: 10-08-08

Overview

Did you miss the days when folks would high-beam you with their headlights to warn you of parked police cars ahead? Those hiding po-pos will get you if you’re not careful these days. Now you have a modernized high-tech high beam solution in Trapster. Consistent use and reliance on the goodwill of others will steer you clear of speed traps.

Functionality

Using Trapster requires that you setup an account with them at www.trapster.com. After entering all of your information, including your cell phone number and service provider, you’ll be sent a text message with a code. After entering that into the Safari browser screen, you’ll be approved and can set your preferences (see above). 

Firing up Trapster will take you to your current location with a map - like a built-in Google map. Unfortunately, in smaller towns like mine, it appears that the whole 8 mile radius of the town is a giant speed trap… Continue Reading

Google Earth v1.0.0 | Published by Google Mobile | Via App Store | Free | Released: 10-25-08

Google Maps is quite amazing, however lacks the quality overhead images of its worldly sidekick Google Earth.  I love launching Google Earth on my computer and traveling the world in a few short keystrokes.  I can say I’ve visited remote areas of Spain, Greece, Africa, even the North and South Poles. All this traveling without ever leaving the comfort of my chair.  Imagine my excitement when I heard that Google had released its Earth application in the iPhone App Store this week.  Now I can partake in all new adventures without even leaving the couch, or car, or even while on my lunch break at work.

Functionality

Google Earth for the iPhone delivers the same high quality images as its PC/Mac counterpart, however it lacks the ability to tack on overlays (such as Landmarks, Streets, etc.).  This doesn’t take much away from its appeal though.

Once launching the application you are presented with a full view of the globe.  From here you can use your fingers to spin, turn, and zoom into your destination.  On the top left is a button to show a search box for typing in an address, city, country, or landmark.  On the top right a compass that will always snap the current image so that north is pointing up.  The bottom left is the familiar ‘Current Location’ button that you find in Google Maps to automatically zoom into where you are currently standing.  On the bottom right is an ‘i’ which will take you to an Information and Options screen.

Searching is intuitive, and accurate (as you would expect from the search engine leader).  Living near Los Angeles I thought today we would take a trip to the Staples Center where the Laker’s play basketball. 
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Trip Cubby • Mileage Log v1.1.1 | Published by The Application Cubby LLC | Via App Store | $9.99 | Released: 8-14-08

Overview

After our review of Milebug, the good folks over at App Cubby requested that we look into their take on mileage logging: Trip Cubby. It’s a direct competitor to Milebug, and after using it, I can see why they were so eager to have it reviewed. It’s very well designed and has some great features.

Functionality

Everything you see on the main screen of the app when you start up is essentially the trip list. As you add trips, this screen will obviously fill up. Then the buttons on the bottom of the screen become sorting buttons - meaning you can sort your trip view by All, Paid, or Unpaid. The Paid/Unpaid buttons reflect whether or not you’ve already been reimbursed for your trip.

You won’t see how full-featured this app is until you click the “+” button to add your first trip. Then it becomes apparent how much thought has been put into Trip Cubby. Where Milebug has “Presets,” TB offers you a “Frequent Trips” field. Selecting that option allows you to choose from previous trips or add new trips.  Continue Reading

Milebug - Mileage Log v1.0 | Published by Izatt International | Via App Store | $2.99 | Released: 8-20-08

Overview

Milebug - Mileage Tracker is a nice little app that does one thing really well - keeps track of your mileage. 

Functionality

Milebug has a very easy, user-intuitive setup. At the bottom of the main screen, you have three buttons:

Presets - This allows you to setup different A) the businesses that you use the most and B) the vehicles that you use the most. Under “Businesses” you will notice that you can add a business and designate its business type as Business, Charity, or Medical. 

Trips - Allows you to create a trip to record your mileage. You will date the trip, specify what type of trip (selecting from your Presets or creating a new type), give your destination and purpose (you can save purposes as well for use with other trips!), designate what vehicle you used and then enter the odometer readings.
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Earthscape Basic v1.0 | Published by Earthscape | Via App Store | $9.99 | Released: 8-20-08

Overview

Get a Superman-like view of the planet as you glide between 3-D snow-covered peaks and above twisting waterways with Earthscape Basic. The image quality is not amazing and the app should be cheaper, but Earthscape Basic can be redeemably smooth and impressive.

Functionality

Earthscape Basic’s main draw is its perspective view, which presents a 3-D, birds-eye view of terrain and landscape. This same function is available in Google Earth, with perhaps better picture quality, but surprisingly comparable functionality.

After pressing a button to change perspective, a two-fingered swipe will have you breezing through the Andes or over the Grand Canyon. The familiar pinch and swipe controls work for zooming and panning (although these functions are not explained in any kind of built-in tutorial and a viewing of the developer’s Youtube video is recommended).

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Path Tracker v1.2 | Published by MarketWall.com | Via App Store | $0.99 | Released: 8-15-08

Overview

Path Tracker will let you monitor the distance, speed and time of any journey, so the next time you go on a zigzagging run through downtown, you can see just how far you’ve gone. It’s also got a host of problems, including power-hogging.

Functionality

Using what looks to be a combination of Google Maps and the iPhone’s GPS capabilities, Path Tracker will show your route, tracking it with a red line.

It calculates useful statistics, especially for those runners and walkers looking for a Nike+ replacement, and can operate while you listen to your favorite Celine Dion jam (it’s a jam if I say it’s a jam).
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Vegas Mobile | Published by Ampersand Software | Via This Link | Free

Overview

From the publisher’s site: “With Vegas Mobile, your Vegas destination is just a tap (or two) away. Vegas Mobile has nearly every hotel on the strip and nearby areas, as well as the shops, attractions, entertainment, restaurants, and more services that the hotel selected offers.”

Review

In the interest of full disclosure, I have entirely selfish reasons for writing this review: I might have a short trip to Vegas in my near future. So if you dislike debauchery, sin, nudity, binge drinking, gambling, depravity, mortal sins, showgirls, magicians, spray tans, Swingers references, or neon, you may want to leave now.

*waits*

Everyone still here? Great, let’s move on.

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