GateGuru 1.5 adds JetBlue leaderboard contest, maps, local ads and more

In the world of mobile apps, not much pleases me more than watching a great app slowly evolve into something amazing.

Take for example GateGuru. We first mentioned this fantastic app last year – and since then, the developers have slowly been adding new features.

In its latest version, Gateguru 1.5 really takes things to the next level – the app has added a leaderboard contest, maps and localized ads.

The new leaderboard contest is an awesome way to rewards active users. As you may already know, a lot of the content inside GateGuru comes from travelers – and when you add tips, new amenities or rate a current location, you earn points.

If you earn the most points in your area, you’ll win a $100 JetBlue gift card. The national leader will be awarded two JetBlue tickets. This contest is one of the largest ever held with prizes awarded for virtual points.

The maps are another very welcome addition – it means you can now look up an amenity, and find your way to it, all without having to stop and ask for directions.

With the localized ad feature, you are presented with ads that offer discounts for stores at your airport. During my test, I was offered a rent 1 – get 2 DVD offer for the nearby InMotion airport store. Seriously – if you are going to put ads in an app, this is the kind of stuff I love seeing. The ad discount was worth $5, and all you need to do is show the ad to the store clerk, and you get your discount.

All in all some brilliant improvements – and best of all, the app is still free of charge from the App store.

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More road trip apps for your phone – Road trip tip

The iPhone and other smart phone applications are making our lives simpler every day. Road trips are no exception. Before leaving on your next road trip, try these apps, all available on the App Store (warning: links open iTunes):

  1. Free WiFi Finder (free) helps you find strong and free WiFi hotspots on the road;
  2. Where To? ($2.99) helps find places of interest like museums and shopping centers and is great for unfamiliar places; the special ‘Surpise Me’ feature helps when you’re indecisive;
  3. Road Trip ($4.99) allows you to keep records of fuel prices, mileage, and travel expenses so you may graph them and export to a CSV file.

Related: Road trip tip: 6 useful iPhone apps for road trips

6 useful iPhone apps for road trips – Road trip tip

Try these six useful apps on your next road trip. All are available on the App Store (warning: links open iTunes):

  1. MapsBuddy ($1.99) finds nearby gas stations and restaurants.
  2. SimulTravelGPS (Free) locates hotels with details of prices and amenities.
  3. UrbanSpoon (Free) suggests restaurants based on your cravings.
  4. RoadTripFun ($0.99) contains a menu of traditional road trip games for you to play with your friends and family.
  5. The Weather Channel (Free) provides weather conditions for your exact location with radar maps and forecasts.
  6. Flashlight (Free) turns your phone into a flashlight, if you need to find something in your car at night. App includes SOS signal.