My favorite "on the road" picks
It's another holiday, and for many of us that means driving, gas and food stops, and kids who need to be entertained. I've been thinking about the most useful travel-related apps and hardware I use, so before you head out onto the road, check out my list of favorites and see if any of them can help you during your holiday road trips:
Navigation
Apple and Google Maps are fine in their place, but if that Thanksgiving dinner is out of cellular range those apps will fall flat. If you want built-in maps with turn-by-turn directions, I've always liked Navigon's iOS apps. The maps are embedded in the apps, so there's no need for a data connection and you won't waste those valuable megabytes of data. There is a large points of interest (POI) database that's well augmented by online info. I also like Navigon's free Scout app, which uses cellular data for the maps. There's a self-contained version of Scout with downloadable maps that is quite good, with a rich database of places to stop for rest or nourishment. That version of Scout requires an in-app purchase, which can be done monthly if you only need it for a specific trip.
POI apps
If you are happy with your map options, or perhaps have a built-in navigation system in your car, you'll be well served by some of the Points of Interest apps that focus on things that are near you like restaurants, hotels, gas stations and even emergency services. I especially like iExit, which shows you what is located near upcoming highway exits, and Around Me which has similar info. Both apps send locations to your nav app or Apple Maps, and you are on your way. Around Me even supplies gas prices so you can find the best deal for filling your tank.
Location Sharing
Grandma and Grandpa want to know when you will arrive after your trip "over the river and through the wood". Apple has location sharing built into iOS 8; send a text message and click on 'details' and your location will be updated for anxious relatives. I really like Glympse (free) which is the premier app for letting people know where you are and your ETA. If you send a Glympse, the person you've sent it to can be on any phone with a browser, or even a PC or Mac. Glympse sends a real time moving map, so the relatives can even get an idea of exactly when you're pulling into the driveway.
Radar Detectors
If you're going to drive for the holidays, you don't want to get a ticket. iRadar from Cobra is a hardware/software combo that lets an app control a full-featured radar detector. The system alerts you if you are speeding, lets you know where the speed traps and cameras are, and lets you report police activity to other users.
Other Car Hardware
You don't want that iPhone slipping between the seats where you have to scramble for it and create an unsafe situation. There are a variety of hardware options for keeping your iPhone in sight and not flying around in the car. Popular choices are the iOttie One Touch Car Mount ($19.99) and Mpow Grip Pro at $13.99.
Odds and Ends
Games are great for quieting the kids, and of course that iPad can play recent or favorite movies to keep the kids occupied. I'm sure the kids will have plenty of favorites already loaded onto the iPad, right?
That's my little travel bag of tricks. Have a good holiday, and drive safely! Look at the road and not your gadgets.
