Google Maps

Developer Quote: "Navigate your world with Google Maps, now available for iPhone. Get comprehensive, accurate and easy-to-use maps with built-in Google local search, voice guided turn-by-turn navigation, public transit directions, Street View and more."

- COST:     Free     - APP STORE STARS:     4-1/2
- Categories: Google, Lifestyle, Locator, Native, Navigation

Remember we used to rely faithfully on Google Maps to find our way around, then it disappeared from the recent iOS? Personally, I never had problems with this navigation app, but many others did. Consequently, the app has been revamped and newly placed again on the App Store. This new Google Maps has been working very well for most folks. I'm a firm believer in Google products and have promptly placed the app back on my phone.

Google Maps will help you find your way around town and out of town too, has voice navigation with turn-by-turn directions, street view and other helpful features. Not only that, but you can also use it to discover restaurants, shopping other entertainment and other important places. The 360 degree panorama view is really a nice touch. Enjoy the following informative, helpful features of this Google Maps navigation, turn-by-turn app:

Search
* Find addresses, places and businesses around the world with Google local search.
* Discover places to eat, drink, shop and play, with ratings and local reviews.
* Sign in to sync your searches, directions, and favorite places between your computer and your phone.

Directions
* Get voice guided, turn-by-turn driving directions.
* Find your way by train, bus, subway or walking directions.
* Access live traffic information in cities across the world.



Street View and imagery
* View 360-degree panoramas of places around the globe with Street View.
* See inside more than 100,000 businesses worldwide.
* View high resolution satellite imagery of locations around the world.

Simple and easy to use
* An entirely new Google Maps experience on your iPhone.
* Newly designed and streamlined interface for even easier navigation of your world.
* Use gestures to explore the map and browse results.

Go ahead and check out this fresh new take on Google maps. Enjoy a clean looking and easy-to-use interface. There are definitely more features than in the previous app, and as mentioned, the turn-by-turn voice directions are new and a huge bonus! The map is simple to use, but contains a few not easily noticeable features. For starters, just tap on the icon with two arrows in the bottom left of your display while in street view to pan around the location. Another cool feature is being able to see the special menu that toggles traffic, public transit, and satellite map views by swiping from right to left with two fingers.

Give Google Maps a prominent place on your display, and make sure you get to all your holiday parties and festivities on time using excellent directions!

COOL CONCLUSION: Google Maps is back with a stronger, more feature laden iPhone app with voice guidance that will get you where you need, and provide great entertainment and dining suggestions as well.

--Date/Version: Released 12/13/12 - Version 1.0
--iOS/Age Rating:  This app requires iOS 5.1 or later. Rated 4+.
--Device: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad.
--Developer: Google, Inc.

CLICK ICON BELOW TO DOWNLOAD FROM APP STORE:
Google Maps

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Quick Route

Developer Quote: "Quick Route offers four types of directions: Biking, Walking, Transit and Driving."

- COST:     $2.99     - APP STORE STARS:     4-1/2
- Categories: Lifestyle, Locator, Native, Navigation

As the media has pointed out often enough, there has been quite a shake-up and many discontented rumblings running among iOS fans about the new iOS 6.0 Apple-built maps app which took the place of Google maps. Apple is in the process of remedying this situation so that travelers to Florida don't end up in Alabama and that sort of thing elsewhere in the world!

Personally, I have not suffered one bit from maps although I have only been using it for small errands around town. However, I will add that I have not traveled cross-country nor globally with this app yet. Quick Route by Excited Pixel has produced a fine app that combines many excellent features together to form a nice navigation and maps iPhone app package. Check out the features below:

• Bike, Transit, Walking and Driving directions
• Search for addresses, businesses and other place you can find with Google
• Autoroute directions track where you are and automatically advance when you reach the end of a step
• Autoroute also indicates when you've lost your way and helps you "pull-to-reroute"
• Pull-to-reroute allows you to pull down on the directions panel at anytime to recalculate how to get to you destination
• Schedule when you want to leave or arrive, and select from multiple routing options

The transit directions are quite helpful and cover a range of transportation such as the subway, tube or tram. Quick Route has made it easier than ever for you to navigate through all manner of places keeping a clean and clear display screen. For instance, it provides you with directions which advance when you reach to the end of the previous step. Need re-routing because of a slight hiccup in your driving plans? No problem, Quick Route has you pull down the Title Bar (Directions Panel) to get you safely and swiftly back on track. Since this app is powered by Google Places, you can easily find anything you would search on Google, right here in Quick Route. I particularly like being able to select from multiple routes, and to schedule in advance when I need to leave or arrive at my destination. I would definitely recommend you take a look at this very worthwhile navigation app to enjoy all the features and accuracy it affords you in your travels.

COOL CONCLUSION: Start your business trip, vacation, or even your daily jaunt around town using Quick Route to get you where you need to go just as planned, with no unpleasant surprises!

--Date/Version: Released 10/16/12 - Version 1.0
--iOS/Age Rating:  This app requires iOS 5.0 or later. Rated 4+.
--Device: Compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad.
--Developer: Excited Pixel

CLICK ICON BELOW TO DOWNLOAD FROM ITUNES APP STORE:

Quick Route

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Twist

Developer Quote: "Twist   lets your family, friends and colleagues know when you will arrive. Twist also alerts them when you are almost there and if you are running late."

- COST:     Free     - APP STORE STARS:     5
- Categories: Lifestyle, Locator, Messaging, Native, Navigation, Travel, Utilities

Yesterday's post from an informative blogger taught me about a helpful app that I'd like to share. Since I had to make a long, arduous, nerve-wracking, road-congested trip to Miami today, I welcomed any and all suggestions on how to arrive alive and let people know I'm on my way! (Truth is, Miami is a terrific, vibrant city, but the traffic there is hellish!)

Twist runs along the lines of Google Latitude, Find Friends or numerous other apps which show where your friends are at any given time. What is unique about Twist, however, is the fact that you can set it up to alert your friends or family via text, e-mail and push notification of your time of departure, location during your trip and expected arrival a couple minutes prior to that time. This easily lets people know how your time schedule is running so they can get on with their lives while waiting, and most importantly, it frees you up from the deadly addiction of texting while driving because Twist will notify those waiting. Your friends do not even have to use the Twist app or have an iPhone. Take a look at the helpful features of this navigation, locator, text utility:

☀ Pick destinations by dropping a pin on the map
☀ Send twists to email addresses as well as mobile phones
☀ Twists contain helpful information about your destination, including Street View, Yelp reviews and the weather
☀ Clearer indication when your recipients got notified, and now you can see when they actually viewed your twist
☀ You can now share photos on your twist
☀ Easily reply back to a twist that you're going there too
☀ Ability to clear out old twists and destinations

You'll want to create your twist before you travel. That means you must set up where you are going and whom you want notified (use your contact list if you wish). If you make this trip regularly, save it as a Favorite and use it often. Select if your travel is by car, bus, walk or bike. A super feature here is that you can protect your privacy if you choose. Twist will share with selected folks 3 items: When you leave, Your location en route and When you are close to arrival. So, here's the thing...if you don't want someone to know where you are coming from (one of those twisted secret things!) you can tap that button so it will not disclose that bit of information.

Once you Create and Start your twist, the display will show your route on the map, streetview and weather conditions, share photos, display the people you have selected to receive your twist and show messages which lets you know your auto messages via Twist have been sent and received. How convenient is all that information automated from within one app! Plus, you never have to lift a finger to let friends know where you are or when you'll arrive. Twist is your travel assistant that does an excellent job of informing others without breaching your privacy.

COOL CONCLUSION: Wherever you travel, Twist is an indispensable tool that will automatically and accurately alert your family or friends of your departure, location and arrival so that you can concentrate on driving safely, not on texting your whereabouts!

--Date/Version: Updated 6/14/12 - Version 0.9.8
--iOS/Age Rating:  This app requires iOS 4.0 or later. Rated 4+.
--Device: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
--Note: Twist is currently available in the US only. World-wide release coming soon.
--Developer: Twist and Shout, Inc.

Visit the iTunes App Store for more details, and to download:
TWIST

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Parkbud

Developer Quote: "Parkbud is a high-end, immersive Car Locator and Parking App that combines functionality with thoughtfully engineered sound, animation and design."
 

- COST: 99 cents    - APP STORE STARS: 4-1/2
- Categories: Lifestyle, Locator, Native, Navigation, Tools, Utilities

 

Hanging out at a park, beach or firework display today? If so, be sure to take Parkbud with you! If you've ever been to a mega mall that contains acres of parking, you know it's very easy to "misplace" where you parked your car. I've been in this situation at amusement parks, offices and malls on occasion where there was just a sea of cars out there! That's where Parkbud comes in so handy. Use this useful app to locate your car, check your parking meter, get directions back to your car, and find parking garages in the area if you need. More than that, Parkbud is built on sleek, modernistic graphics and animations, while being very easy to use and read. Some of the helpful features of this parking utility iPhone app are as follows:

• Always know where your car is located.
• Get up to the minute directions back to your car (OS 3.2+).
• Find nearby parking garages.
• Keep track of the time left on your meter & get reminders before your meter expires.
• Take notes on parking restrictions, errands, whatever you wish.
• Use the camera tool to take a photo of your location, car, parking fees, etc.

In further explanation of the uses of Parkbud, consider these interesting details. The app has support for 13 languages (that will definitely cover most of the people I know)! The Meter Alarm that counts down your time in your parking spot is an attractive digital clock that is actually a virtual ticking timepiece with time wheel. The Car Locator and Park Finder will provide you with directions to your car, along with address and distance. Use this tool also to discover nearby parking garages so you won't have to deal with the frustration of no empty spots around.

If you have time, snap a picture of your car's location with any other details such as the meter prices, garage prices, time restrictions, etc. Oh, and don't forget to use the beautiful Notepad in "leather cover" to jot down any notes or reminders on the nature of your parking spot or on your current errands. What more could anyone require in their need to discover and utilize parking while at work, on road trip vacations, or completing chores around town? Usefulness, smooth operation and beauty translate to a must-have app for me!

COOL CONCLUSION: "Parkbud is a super attractive app that you will use time and again because of its helpful locator and timepiece functions along with elegant appearance."

--Date/Version: Updated 6/5/11 - Version 1.3
--iOS/Age Rating:  This app requires iOS 3.0 or later. Rated 4+.
--Device: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
--Developer Link: Wunderstadt GmbH

Visit the iTunes App Store for more details, and to download:
PARKBUD

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Airport Parking Reservations-Find Lowest Rates

Developer Quote: "A very quick and easy way to reserve low cost airport parking at over 85 US and Canadian airports via more than 200 parking lots."



- COST: Free     - APP STORE STARS: N/A
- Categories: Lifestyle, Lists, Locator, Navigation, Travel, Native

Seeing as how Easter is in the next couple weeks, and summer not far behind, I can not help but think about the massive rush of traffic to the airport that is bound to happen over the next few weeks. There is also the fact that one has to park a car, and then perhaps catch a shuttle from that parking lot to the airport. Travel is not that easy when you have so many details to factor in your plans!

However, Airport Parking Reservations-Find Lowest Parking Rates is a worthwhile app that you may want to check out. It is very organized and offers many details all in a pleasing, structured interface. With this handy app, you are able to compare and save on airport parking. If you haven't had time to research lots prior to leaving home, have the passenger in your car check it out for you on the way to the airport so that you can select the cheapest and most convenient parking lot. I checked into availabilities for Fort Lauderdale airport, and found several options available from which I could choose. Some of the helpful features of Airport Parking Reservations are as follows:

• The ability to store receipts
• Discounts for frequent users
• Guaranteed parking spaces
• Detailed lot descriptions and directions.

Just a few of the airports included in this app are as follows:

• Chicago O'Hare
• LAX
• JFK
• Detroit
• Atlanta
• Miami
• Newark
• Toronto
• San Francisco
• Seattle and many more

When you open the app, you must select your country of travel (USA or Canada), then select a city of Departure from the dial. Insert a time of arrival to that parking lot and then your return time to the same. Finally, tap Check Rates. You will see a list of parking lot possibilities appear (detailing price and distance to the airport), along with the option to Reserve. Check the My Reservation button on the bottom of the screen to view your plans at any time. Use the Settings button to either Sign In or Sign Up with airportreservations.com. I believe this app will be very helpful to travelers, although a wider range of airports and parking lots are needed. Still, you can't beat the convenience and simplicity of locating a spot while on the go using this clear, well-detailed app.

COOL CONCLUSION: "Use Airport Parking Reservations-Find Lowest Rates when you need to find an airport parking spot in a hurry, at the best possible price."

--Date/Version: Released 4/8/11 - Version 1.0
--iOS/Age Rating:  This app requires iOS 3.0 or later. Rated 4+.
--Device: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
--Developer Link: airportparkingreservations.com

Visit the iTunes App Store for more details, and to download:
AIPORT PARKING RESERVATIONS

Cool iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch Apps is updated often. Subscribe by selecting either: E-mail or RSS Reader, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. App Lovers-find promos on our page: PROMO CODES. Developers and Advertisers-please contact us to post your app reviews, press releases, contest news, graphics and more at: cooliphoneapps1@gmail.com

Honk

Developer Quote: "Honk helps find your way back to the car through its unique handwritten memo, photo, and automatic GPS functions."

- COST: 99 cents     - APP STORE STARS: 4-1/2
- Categories: Cars, Locator, Native, Utilities, Navigation

Don't you just hate parking meters and trying to rush through your business so you can get back to your car in time before the meter runs out! Either that, or you're parked at a massive arena or parking lot, and totally draw a blank as to where your car is situated. Honk will help you with those troubles. Honk helps you find your way back to your vehicle through a variety of methods, and also helps avoid parking tickets by displaying the minute-by-minute update of remaining time on the meter on its icon badge.

It is so easy to use Honk. Just swipe your finger across the meter to set how long you plan to park. Your location will be marked on the map, and when the time comes to head back to your car, it will honk you. On your home screen, its icon will also display the remaining minutes. Note your spot on the pad to scribble down your spot. Take a snapshot of your location and superimpose the photo on your handwritten memo. Honk has a built-in map with useful functions to easily lead you back to your parked car. Some of the features of this helpful navigation and meter app are as follows:

- Simple, intuitive interface to set the parking meter alarm. A single swipe will do for most situations.

- Honk updates your remaining time on its App Icon. A quick glance at your home screen, Honk gives you a peace of mind.

- Smooth and easy handwritten memo to further help you with marking the parking spot.

- Take a photo and annotate it with your handwritten memo.

- Honk automatically marks your parking location (GPS) when you either set the meter alarm or add a memo/photo.

- Auto-orienting map for units with built-in compass, Honk will annotate the locations with addresses.

- Accommodate many different types of meters with long (up to 24 hours) and short time limits. Adjust how Honk should issue its alarms.

- Soft, regular and Shopping-Mall-Mode alarm options.

- Gorgeous background photos change according to the hour of the day.

- Honk uses local notifications for reliable, accurate alarms. It also supports Retina display.

With so many cool features, you'll never get another parking ticket, or become lost again in a parking lot with a weary family in tow!

COOL CONCLUSION: "For peace of mind in expensive parking spots, use Honk to keep track of time and guide you quickly to your car."

--Date/Version: Updated 2/3/11 - Version 1.0.1
--iOS/Age Rating:  This app requires iOS 4.2 or later. Rated 4+.
--Device: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
--Developer Link: iStormApps

Visit the iTunes App Store for more details, and to download:
HONK

Cool iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch Apps is updated often. Subscribe by selecting either: E-mail or RSS Reader, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. App Lovers-find promos on our page: PROMO CODES. Developers and Advertisers-please contact us to post your app reviews, press releases, contest news, graphics and more at: cooliphoneapps1@gmail.com

Footprintz

Developer Quote: "Footprintz let's you go back in time and find out all the places you have been to."

- COST: Free     - RATING: 4 Stars
(Cost/Rating subject to change per the App Store)

- Categories: Lifestyle, Native, Navigation, Travel

I was having a discussion with a friend recently on where he was for part of the Christmas holidays last year. He couldn't remember which dates he had been in two different cities, and that's when the argument began! However, I came across Footprintz today, and thought that if he had used this app, that one question wouldn't have created this big issue! Footprintz is the spare memory you need which you carry in your hand rather than your head! With this very informative and useful travel app, you can find out where you were on a specific date and time. Additionally, you will be able to see all the places you have been on a specific day and when was the last time you visited a place. You can set the filter for date and duration. Just enter the place in the search bar or zoom/pinch/drag to find your Footprintz on the Map. You will see your locations on the Map numbered in the order of time, from the earliest to the latest. Here are some of the great features of Footprintz:

- Choose between high/low accuracy locations.

- High accuracy locations uses GPS, and takes more battery power, more accurate.

- Low accuracy locations uses cell towers for locations, and takes less battery power.

- See what route you took when driving to and from any city of your choice.

- Check how long it takes you to commute to/from your office.

- Prove to a friend that you were exactly where you told them on a particular day!

- The app works in the background to keep track of your locations while you use other applications.

- Your "footprintz" stay on your phone, and never leave it, so don't worry about the risk of sharing your location with others.

I have noticed some crashing issues with this app. Hopefully, the developer will fix this as the uses of Footprintz are innumerable. Travel, whether for business or pleasure is such a large part of our lives, that this app may well prove indispensable to you. With the inevitable holiday travel, and at no cost to you, this app is well worth giving a try.

COOL CONCLUSION: Footprintz is a great tool to use while on vacation so you can later look back fondly to see all your previous destinations and enjoy those warm memories.

--Date/Version: Updated 11/24/10 - Version 1.7
--iOS/Age Rating:  This app requires iOS or later. Rated 4+.
--Device: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
--Languages: English
--Developer Link: BlackMoonApps
--Twitter Link: @blackmoonapps
--Facebook Link: BlackMoonApps

Visit the iTunes App Store for more details, and to download:
FOOTPRINTZ

Cool iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch Apps is updated often. Subscribe by selecting either: E-mail or RSS Reader, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. App Lovers-find promos on our page: PROMO CODES. Developers and Advertisers-please contact us to post your app reviews, press releases, contest news, graphics and more at: cooliphoneapps1@gmail.com