It is safe to say that nowadays, many of us cannot imagine life without technology. Phones, tablets and even watches have become impressively advanced and an essential part of our every day life. What’s more, whether you are ordering a takeaway, buying cinema tickets or planning a trip, there is an app for everything! Quick question: how useful is your mobile phone on holiday? There is an increasing amount of research that suggests technology (particularly mobile phone apps) can significantly enhance your vacation experience in various ways, so for this week’s blog, we’re recommending the best mobile apps to use while exploring a destination.
Have you ever visited a foreign country and struggled with understanding road signs, menus or maps because you have only learnt the word ‘hello’ in that language? Thanks to the newly introduced mobile app, Word Lens, this will no longer be a problem and you can receive instant translations on your phone screen. Word Lens is a very intelligent augmented reality app that allows tourists to hold up their camera towards foreign text and get immediate real-time and accurate translations in several European languages. This app has been positively reviewed by users and has been recommended as a useful, effective and simple app that only requires the use of the camera. Who knows, you may even learn a bit more than ‘hello’!
Next up is a relatively new app concept that you may download if you like to show all your friends on Facebook what you’re up to and where you’re going. So if you are embarking on a summer holiday to an exotic far away land and want to turn your friends green with jealously, take a look at TimeGo. Using your phone’s installed GPS system, TimeGo tracks your every step and stores the special photos that you take throughout your journey, so you can look back at the fabulous day you just had and tell everyone back home all about it. Careful not to spam your Facebook timeline too much though, you may return from your holiday with significantly less friends!
Lastly, we’ve all been in the situation on holiday, when we say ‘let’s just have a wander over there’, however unfortunately, being spontaneous can often lead us to getting totally and utterly lost. Especially in a busy city like London, Madrid or Paris where you simply can’t tell one street from the next and again your Spanish ‘hello’ isn’t quite enough to get you to a train station, it is frustrating. Well, if you do manage to get lost within the high walls of a city, have no fear as there is an app that will save the day! Metro AR Pro is a handy iPhone augmented reality app that again only needs the built-in camera. Hold your phone up pointing the camera…well… wherever, and the nearest tube station will eventually appear on your screen. Now the panic is over, all you have to do next, is follow that direction and perhaps stick to your trip itinerary in future!
They really mean it when they say there’s an app for everything, right? The list is endless of apps that can potentially make your trip smoother, more enjoyable and engaging. What’s more, most of them are completely free to use. Immerse yourself in your trip, wherever you may be in the world!
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