- Help Call/Pocket First Aid and CPR/iMedJet (iOS, Android, Blackberry)
When abroad, wherever you are, it’s important to know how to contact emergency services. Unfortunately, once you get outside of North America it can be hard to keep track – 911 is not a universal code. These handy apps know the numbers for you, based on your location. Never worry about emergency numbers again.
Sit or Squat (iOS, Android)
It’s a real issue: You’re in a new town, you’re miles from the hotel, and you have no idea where the closest bathroom might be. There’s no need to panic; Sit or Squat has your back. Just boot it up and it will display nearby bathrooms, and even a few details about each.
Yelp/Zagat/Foursquare (iOS, Android, Blackberry)
Keeping a variety of review apps is always a good idea; you never know when a seemingly nice establishment will turn out to be a dive – unless you have a few million people scouting ahead for you. These apps will let you review your plans beforehand, and adjust to take only the routes most beloved by those who travel them.
Instagram (iOS, Android)
Instagram is popular for a reason. The mammoth photo-sharing network is simply the easiest way to upload photos to the internet. It’s literally as easy as taking the photo, and within minutes your friends can see and comment on them. Keeping your friends apprised of your progress is a huge part of modern travel, and Instragram makes that much easier to do.
Grooveshark/Spotify/Last.fm (iOS, Android, Blackberry)
Not every moment abroad can provide its own entertainment, and time spent in transit can turn scintillating with the addition of any of these mobile music platforms. Though they vary in terms of usability, they all provide the same service: your music, on the go. All you need is an internet connection.
Kayak (iOS, Android.
Kayak is an aggregator for hundreds of travel and booking sites. A search on Kayak is a search on all of these databases, nicely ordered and easily searchable. When it comes to getting the best deal, or simply seeing all the options available, Kayak is one of the best there is.
Word Lens/Google Goggles (iOS, Android)
Travel is all about seeing new things, but sometimes new things can be confusing. If you find yourself faced with an unfamiliar product label, or a sign in a foreign language, these apps will help you keep moving forward. With sophisticated photo analysis software, they scan images and check them against a database of definitions. From QR codes to brands of ramen, these apps are essential for some tasks.
TripIt (iOS, Android)
Even modest trips can quickly balloon out of control in terms of complexity. It’s dangerously easy to double book, especially when you’ve got competing priorities. TripIt is an organizer that keeps you on-task and on-time. You can set it with an easy-to-read plan of your trip, but it will also automatically upload your travel itinerary, so you never miss a connection.
Mint (iOS)
No matter what your budget is, everybody has one, and its level seemingly has nothing to do with how easy it is to break. We all find a ways of spending right up to our limits, so it’s handy to have an app designed to keep up from crossing them. Mint will break down your finances into daily allowances, and keep track of your spending so you can tell if you’re sticking to the plan. Indispensible.
GateGuru (iOS, Android)
Most review or orientation apps are have limited or missing information for airports; not GateGuru. Specializing in getting you through your airport experience as quickly and pleasurably as possible, GateGuru will save you as much aggravation as time. From restaurant quality to gate speed, GateGuru has all the info you need to maximize your air travel experience.