Van Pools Blog

At last count, there were almost 110,000 “apps” for the ubiquitous iPhone, with several thousand of them devoted to traveling and getting around. The boss wouldn’t approve the time to try out all of them, but we did give more than a few a test run. Not surprisingly, some were better than others – and some were way better.

Below are five of the coolest apps we found that make traveling a little easier and more fun. If you’ve discovered your own, share them with us and the rest of your fellow vanpoolers!

1. Where – It’s one of the most popular travel-related apps and for good reason – Where is a virtual travel guide that provides detailed information on restaurants, gas stations and tourist spots all overlaid on a GPS-located map. If you’re in an unfamiliar city, it is an invaluable resource that helps you get around and find the best things to see. Better yet, it’s a free app.

2. Monocle – Here’s the deal: Take an iPhone 3G S uploaded with Yelp’s latest app and shake it three times. That activates the Monocle feature, which provides on-screen information for just about anything the phone is pointed at – be it the Golden Gate Bridge or a corn field. It’s not all-knowing, but it’s fascinating to see what it recognizes and the information it calls up. Read More