Rama: a smartphone app for history lovers

by Jessica Festa on

Rama is a smartphone app that not only guides you through your favorite cities while giving you historical details, it also makes the past come alive through archival photographs that show users exactly what a particular destination or site once looked like. See the rocky swamp that is now Central Park, walk through Chicago right after the Great Fire, experience the wild atmosphere of Mardi Gras during the Depression, or visit the few lonely buildings in San Francisco after the Earth quake hit in 1906.

Some of the available tours include:

And, many more. Click here to view a complete list of guided tours. Tours cover Africa, South America, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and North America.

Available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Price ranges from free-$2.99 depending which tour you choose. To download the app from iTunes store, click here.

TripAdvisor launches free Mobile City Guide apps for Android users

by Jessica Festa on

On Tuesday, October 11, 2011, TripAdvisor launched their free Mobile City Guide apps for Android users. The apps cover twenty popular destinations, some of which include Paris, New York, Tokyo, Los Angeles, and London.

Benefits of using the app include:

  • Reviews of restaurants, hotels, and attractions
  • Suggested city itineraries
  • Interactive walking tours
  • Historical and cultural information on a destination
  • Weather reports
  • Transportation options

One great thing about this app is that the information is given to you in real-time, so everything you read is current and up-to-date. Also, information from the app can be accessed whether the user has a data connection or is offline.

Says Adam Medros, vice president of global product at TripAdvisor, “We think travelers are going to love the comprehensive information our free Mobile City Guides provide in popular world cities. A tremendous complement to our popular TripAdvisor site app, these guides offer even more city detail, including itineraries and interactive walking tours.”

National Geographic and Fotopedia launch ‘Above France’ app

by Kraig Becker on

National Geographic and Fotopedia have once again joined forces to offer a new app that is sure to be a hit with Francophiles (or anyone else who loves great photos!) everywhere. The just released Above France app offers stunning views of that country from a unique perspective that few ever get the opportunity to see.

As the name implies, this app comes packed with more than 2000 images, all shot from the air, of some of France’s most famous and memorable locations. The images were taken by professional photographer and helicopter pilot Frank Mulliez, who combined his two occupations to capture the beauty and wonder of the French countryside from above. Some of the sites that were photographed from the sky include Mont Blanc, the famous castles in the Loire Valley, the streets of Paris, and of course, the Eiffel Tower.

In addition to the great photos that are centerpiece of this app, Above France also includes a host of navigation features and interactive maps so you can find the sites for yourself. There is also a personal trip builder that can be used to create custom trips of your own, both real and virtual. The app integrates nicely with Facebook, Twitter, and email as well, so you can share your favorite images with friends, while the “instant slideshow” option will automatically create a custom display of stunning photos for you to enjoy on your own.

This app is the second collaboration between Nat Geo and Fotopedia. A month ago they released their Dreams of Burma app, which offered similar features for that country.

Above France is available in the iOS app store now for just $2.99, and runs on the iPhone, iPod Touch, and the iPad. An Internet connection is required for use.

Pack like a pro with new travel apps

by Chris Owen on

There are a bunch of packing lists out there which can be helpful for those who do not travel all that much or serve as a checklist for those that do. But those “lists” require having a computer handy or carrying around a paper list like in the olden days before we all went green and stopped printing things. Here are some new apps that can help us pack like a pro.

Saving Grace Travel Packing Aid – Recently released by Grace Hotels, this app is a packing checklist and reminder tool all in one. Designed to cut the stress out of packing for any vacation, Saving Grace has customized lists for different trip types and activities that can be individually personalized. I like this one because it’s great to have when time runs short right before travel and things have got to be done. The Cost: $0
International Style App – Have your packing lists ready but not sure which outfits to choose from your wardrobe? FashionFreax app will assist you in your styling woes by supplying you with posts of stylish outfits from around the world. This is great for fashionista’s and cross-dressers. Good ‘ol boys from the land of “whatever I have on will be fine” or minimalist packers would never use it. I plan on gifting it to my wife before our next cruise when she says “Help me pack.” Like the whole idea of this? See (loosely) related video Cost:$0

Luggage Tracking App – Avoid accidentally leaving your belongings in the cab or at the airport with the All My Baggage App. With this app, users can quickly and easily manage and check their list of luggage and carry-ons. This one is in lieu of tying a string around your finger or sticking a post-it on your forehead after checking luggage to remember how many bags you have. Supplemental idea: Use that smart phone to take a photo of your luggage all lined up at home before you leave. Later, match photo to bags in hand, compare, note differences. Cost: $0

Flickr photo by twicepix

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Good travel apps, just in time for summer

by Chris Owen on

Planning that summer vacation, road trip or trek? Some new apps for your smart phone might be just what you need to help those summer vacation plans work out for the best.

Window Seat is one of the coolest new ones. After loading your flight plan just before take off, Window Seat alerts you of stuff below as you fly. This one is an offline, inflight map that uses predictive technology which knows the location of all commercial flights in the contiguous U.S. based the assigned route and airtime.
Coming up, IBM is working on a system that predicts traffic that has not happened yet. Destined to show up in an app Designed for commuters, the Smart Traveler app is being tested in California.

“In a technology advance that will ultimately help drivers around the world avoid rush hour traffic jams, IBM Research has developed a new predictive modeling tool that will allow drivers to quickly access personalized travel recommendations to help them avoid congestion, and save time and fuel” IBM said in a press release.

For example, IBM monitors incoming 911 calls, tagging the originating location via GPS then considering the effect of all those fire trucks, police cars and ambulances on traffic.

“By actively capturing and analyzing the massive amount of data already being collected, we’re blending the automated learning of travel routes with state-of-the-art traffic prediction of those routes to give travelers timely information that can help them make decisions about the best way to get to their destination” added IBM.

Finally, My Campmate is a great app for anyone hiking, fishing, camping or just someone who gets lost a lot. In the middle of nowhere, tired of fabulous food cooked in the wilderness and just want to find a grocery store? My Campmate finds it for you, drops a pin in it’s map and off you go.

Users can also compile a group of “Mates” they travel with often, split the cost of the trip with the touch of one button or locate yourself in relation to your campsite. No need to leave a trail of breadcrumbs anymore.

Flickr photo by Lars Plougman

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