Travel guidebooks have long been a staple for people who want to explore destinations around the world. But now, for some travelers books have become obsolete. That's because they've discovered travel apps.
Subject Content of Apps
Most of these apps have to do with things like cheap airfares from one destination to another. Or about general subjects like finding ATM machines around the world. They may list all the gas stations in a certain area, or medical facilities in a particular city. Others deal with broader travel needs. In an airline app, for example, entries may contain everything from flight schedules to airport amenities; airline histories and their on-time records. Thus far, each of these apps has been engineered to be used one type of cell phone, such as Blackberry or iPhone.
Travel Apps Focus on Destinations
Although apps that work with all phones, pods and pads are still a phenomenon of the future, various companies have come out in the past year with apps that describe specific destinations in detail. For example, one company has – in conjunction with local authors -- produced 130 apps -- most of them about various destinations, both in the United States and abroad.
This company, as well as others, also puts together apps that are essentially directories -- the restaurants of San Francisco, museums of Manhattan, Polynesian beaches and Utah ski slopes are only a sampling. These apps are especially helpful for travelers who take trips with a specific focus. The descriptions are, of necessity, shorter than those found in typical guidebooks. However, since most of them contain from 150 to 250 entries, it’s quite possible for the author to cover as many attractions and activities as can be covered in the traditional paper guides. Another plus in the apps’ favor is that each entry can be illustrated with several photos (600 photos in a single app is not uncommon), so the pictorial description factor is maximized.
What Makes Travel Apps Special?
Portability is another of an app’s selling points. Since cell phones are easily carried in pockets or eyeglass cases around the neck , they eliminate the “another thing to carry” problem.
Since the best of all apps are those written by people who are very familiar with the destinations they’re writing about, it’s a good idea to check the author’s credits before you buy. Recommendations by readers are not always useful because the expectations and experiences of the people who contribute the reviews can vary widely.
Connie Emerson - Ever since I can remember, going places and seeing new sights has intrigued me. A robin drinking from a puddle after a springtime Paris ...
