The app and digital device markets are flooded with millions of apps and options to choose from. There are apps for every tiny little thing you can imagine, and many are quite useful, however there are a lot of apps that are either copies or are pretty worthless.
The digital age has revolutionized and completely changed how people travel, and that’s most noticeable when you look at how the majority of travelers and vacationers book and research their trips. For me personally, I have an iPhone, an iPad and a MacBook Pro that keep my travels informed and well-researched, as well as keeping my working life balanced. Each of my devices are loaded with various apps and programs that help me work, write, research, check my accounts, research my travels and keep me connected. I’ve been so busy traveling and working that I may not have a fair up-to-date look at what’s new and what’s evolved in the last 6 months or so, as far as digital devices and apps go, but I’d like to talk about what I use and then open the conversation up with you (within the comments section below).
Over the past couple of years, I’ve developed a habit and a love for lists – yes, I’m that guy. I love lists, because they keep me on top of everything, and they assist me, to stop me from forgetting things and assist in the fight against my natural tendency to put things off – as laziness runs as evenly in my veins as blood does. So, my favorite app for lists is split between two options... For long entries, ideas and writing on the go, I use the provided Notes app on my iPhone. Then for everyday tasks, to-do’s and to keep my ass in line, I use 2Do: Tasks Done in Style. It’s a great app, jam-packed with features that help keep me on top of my multitude of tasks. And since I started using this app, I’ve developed a sort of mental alarm that continuously reminds me to check the app to see what I need to work on and to take care of for that day. It’s simple tasks like that, but done really well that makes this app worth it – plus its integration with several cloud services helps a lot too.
When it comes to smart device photography and what not, I’ve tried a slew of products, and have narrowed down my choices as my needs have developed. I used to shoot solely with an iPhone (and many of the shots found in my Photo Gallery are from my phone), and I used to edit them more often on the device. As my work progressed, my equipment evolved and my needs changed, but I still enjoy using the ever popular Instagram from time to time. A few other apps that I still dabble with are Photoshop’s Express, Pic Stitch, and Vintique. I’m sure there are other apps that are more advanced, packed with more features, but no matter what app you choose, make sure it enhances images with quality in mind, rather than ridiculous destruction of the images your phone creates. Some mobile devices are taking really nice photos now, and there are a lot of apps that do more harm than good.
For travel planning and research, I used to rely on a bunch of destination based apps when I first started traveling, but now mobile devices have evolved into being tiny computers, and it’s perfectly easy to do most of your travel research on your internet browser. For booking, find what companies and services work best for you, and chances are that they have their own app, and most booking apps do a fine job of making your experience a simply and painless task. To book hostels, I suggest HostelWorld, and for a lot of other services, I like to start with the Kayak app.
For language translation on the go, I use (because I typically don’t have a connection when I’m needing it the most) SkyCode’s 7-in-1 Offline Translator and Sonico’s iTranslate, which is a powerful voice recognition translator. For making calls back home, I use Skype (but only when it’s a connect of Skype-to-Skype) and Google Voice (as it has better quality calls to landlines) – they are both decently reliable and offer very cheap international calling. I have also tried Rebtel's free calling app which is pretty good too. For social media, I use all of the brand name apps, and no third parties. Here are some other random apps that I like to use: Pintley (to look up beers and to track the ones I liked), Jeff Grossman's Currency (a reliable and simple currency converter/comparison app), SplashID Safe (to keep my passwords safely locked away, and saved, just in case I forget something along the way), Sunrise Solar Calculator (to track when the best times to shoot are/see when sunrise and sunset will happen, wherever in the world you are). For financial management, I use my bank’s app, along with PayPal to conduct most business transactions – and I use Freshbooks to manage my business affairs.
You’ve had a chance to check out what I use while I’m traveling right now... Tell us what you use?
(Photo by Witer via Flickr, edited)
Over the past couple of years, I’ve developed a habit and a love for lists – yes, I’m that guy. I love lists, because they keep me on top of everything, and they assist me, to stop me from forgetting things and assist in the fight against my natural tendency to put things off – as laziness runs as evenly in my veins as blood does. So, my favorite app for lists is split between two options... For long entries, ideas and writing on the go, I use the provided Notes app on my iPhone. Then for everyday tasks, to-do’s and to keep my ass in line, I use 2Do: Tasks Done in Style. It’s a great app, jam-packed with features that help keep me on top of my multitude of tasks. And since I started using this app, I’ve developed a sort of mental alarm that continuously reminds me to check the app to see what I need to work on and to take care of for that day. It’s simple tasks like that, but done really well that makes this app worth it – plus its integration with several cloud services helps a lot too.
When it comes to smart device photography and what not, I’ve tried a slew of products, and have narrowed down my choices as my needs have developed. I used to shoot solely with an iPhone (and many of the shots found in my Photo Gallery are from my phone), and I used to edit them more often on the device. As my work progressed, my equipment evolved and my needs changed, but I still enjoy using the ever popular Instagram from time to time. A few other apps that I still dabble with are Photoshop’s Express, Pic Stitch, and Vintique. I’m sure there are other apps that are more advanced, packed with more features, but no matter what app you choose, make sure it enhances images with quality in mind, rather than ridiculous destruction of the images your phone creates. Some mobile devices are taking really nice photos now, and there are a lot of apps that do more harm than good.
For travel planning and research, I used to rely on a bunch of destination based apps when I first started traveling, but now mobile devices have evolved into being tiny computers, and it’s perfectly easy to do most of your travel research on your internet browser. For booking, find what companies and services work best for you, and chances are that they have their own app, and most booking apps do a fine job of making your experience a simply and painless task. To book hostels, I suggest HostelWorld, and for a lot of other services, I like to start with the Kayak app.
For language translation on the go, I use (because I typically don’t have a connection when I’m needing it the most) SkyCode’s 7-in-1 Offline Translator and Sonico’s iTranslate, which is a powerful voice recognition translator. For making calls back home, I use Skype (but only when it’s a connect of Skype-to-Skype) and Google Voice (as it has better quality calls to landlines) – they are both decently reliable and offer very cheap international calling. I have also tried Rebtel's free calling app which is pretty good too. For social media, I use all of the brand name apps, and no third parties. Here are some other random apps that I like to use: Pintley (to look up beers and to track the ones I liked), Jeff Grossman's Currency (a reliable and simple currency converter/comparison app), SplashID Safe (to keep my passwords safely locked away, and saved, just in case I forget something along the way), Sunrise Solar Calculator (to track when the best times to shoot are/see when sunrise and sunset will happen, wherever in the world you are). For financial management, I use my bank’s app, along with PayPal to conduct most business transactions – and I use Freshbooks to manage my business affairs.
You’ve had a chance to check out what I use while I’m traveling right now... Tell us what you use?
(Photo by Witer via Flickr, edited)
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