Get your smartphone geared up for action with travel planners, money management tools, outdoor adventure apps, and nature-spotting aids
Despite a somewhat grey July, we can still expect warm days ahead this summer. With trips to take and barbecues to attend, our smartphones will undoubtedly be our constant companions. So, let’s explore some apps to make the most of this season.
Whether you’re navigating through a sea of identical blue and green tents at a festival, like I experienced at Glastonbury, or trying to time your restroom breaks during a Barbenheimer marathon, these apps could be real lifesavers.
What3Words
According to this app, I set up my tent at the location designated by its unique three-word address, as it divides the Earth into 3m by 3m squares. This innovative system makes sharing your precise location with others significantly more convenient, particularly in remote areas lacking conventional street names or house numbers. The best part is that it operates offline, allowing you to use it even when there is no signal available.
Splitwise
Eliminate the discomfort of splitting bills during a night out or a trip with the help of an efficient expense-tracker. Splitwise, favored among London flatshares, takes care of the calculations for you. Create groups, monitor individual payments, and set up reminders to ensure everyone gets reimbursed. The app even maintains a transaction history, allowing you to easily keep track of what you owe and who owes you.
Merlin Bird ID
Elevate your mental-health walks with this app that takes bird identification to a whole new level. Using a blend of sound, vision, and location, it enables you to spot birds in your vicinity. What’s more, the app can guide you through the identification process with step-by-step assistance.
Tripcoin
For anyone with upcoming travel plans, this budgeting app is a must-have to efficiently handle your finances on the go. It allows you to create expense categories, keep track of your spending in real-time, and set up alerts to stay informed when you approach your spending limit.
Night Sky
During August, meteor shower season is in full swing, making it the perfect time to have a reliable stargazing app on hand, along with binoculars and telescopes, to witness the captivating Perseids display. Night Sky is an excellent choice as it not only keeps you informed about meteor showers and auroras but also notifies you when the international space station or Starlink satellites pass overhead. Its AR (augmented reality) Sky Blending feature enhances the experience by using your device’s accelerometer and camera to superimpose a 3D representation of space on your surroundings as you move your phone across the sky.
AllTrails
Discover and organize your outdoor escapades effortlessly using this app’s extensive trail database, featuring hiking, biking, running, and various other activities. Easily locate routes nearby, filter options by difficulty, length, and other preferences, and access insightful reviews from fellow users. Stay well-prepared with downloadable maps for offline use and keep track of your journey’s progress along the way.
Carrot Weather
For those seeking a weather forecast with a delightful twist, look no further than this app. With its witty and snarky humor, Carrot delivers accurate weather information alongside a dose of fun. As we all know, British weather can be unpredictable, but fear not, as this app will keep you prepared and dry by issuing alerts before the rain starts pouring down.
iNaturalist
Although using your phone to connect with nature may seem counterintuitive, this app offers a unique way to achieve just that. By utilizing your smartphone’s camera, it identifies plants and animals in your environment, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world. Additionally, the app provides a community forum where you can interact with fellow nature enthusiasts and make new friends who share your love for the great outdoors.
BringFido
Ensure your furry friend has a fantastic summer as well. With this app’s extensive database of over 500,000 pet-friendly businesses and places worldwide, you can easily find pet-welcoming hotels, restaurants, bars, parks, beaches, and more. Discover user reviews and ratings of these spaces to get a clear idea of what to expect before you go.
Shazam
Curious about the catchy tune drifting in from your neighbors’ barbecue? Simply turn to Shazam. This app utilizes your smartphone’s microphone to listen to the music and identify the song through its unique audio fingerprint. It’s a fantastic tool for discovering new music in your surroundings, be it at a lively festival or a vibrant street party.
Google Translate
When discussing translation apps, Google Translate continues to be a trusted and beloved choice. It empowers you to translate text, voice, and images in over 100 languages. Thanks to recent enhancements, the app can even translate menus for you by simply pointing your phone’s camera at them.
Maps.me
Isn’t it frustrating when you travel and struggle to find wifi? Well, this app has the perfect solution – you can access maps in 200 countries even offline. What’s more, it offers turn-by-turn navigation and public transport directions to make your travels even smoother.
Omio
Heading to Europe this summer? This app is a must-have for you, as it allows you to easily compare and book train, bus, and plane tickets. With useful features like price alerts, seat selection, and mobile boarding passes, your travel experience will be seamless. Omio also comes with a travel planner to help you organize your journey and discover the best deals available.
Dice
In search of music and comedy events? This fantastic app utilizes your location to discover gigs nearby. You can also follow your favorite artists and venues, plus there’s a social media aspect that lets you connect with fellow music lovers, sharing your experiences and passion for music.
FlightAware
Keep yourself informed about flight delays and cancellations using this app that provides real-time flight tracking. Access live tracking data, including the aircraft’s location, altitude, speed, and estimated arrival time. Moreover, the app offers a map displaying all flights currently in the air, giving you a comprehensive view of air traffic.
RunPee
Ideal for your Barbenheimer summer, this app will come in handy during the three-hour spectacle of Oppenheimer. It enables you to plan your bathroom breaks effectively by crowdsourcing (spoiler-free) cues for convenient moments to slip away without missing any crucial scenes. The app even includes a timer to remind you when it’s time to return to the show.
Geocaching
By using this app, you can become part of a global treasure-hunting community, discovering concealed containers known as geocaches scattered all around the world. The app utilizes GPS to monitor your location, providing an excellent opportunity to venture outdoors and explore new and exciting places.
Wanderlog
Simplify group travel planning with this app that facilitates collaborative trip organization with your friends. You can effortlessly add details about flights, accommodations, create itineraries, and include photos and notes. Moreover, the app serves as an excellent platform to share your recommendations and tips with friends back home, making the journey even more enjoyable and memorable.
BeReal
Embraced by Gen Z, this fresh and trendy social media app dares you to seize the moment by sharing a selfie and a snapshot of your current surroundings at a random time each day. Crafted to inspire authenticity in social media posts, it offers a delightful way to discover what everyone’s up to this summer. Join the fun and live in the moment with this engaging platform.
Citymapper
Using this app is a no-brainer if you want to navigate major cities worldwide seamlessly. It presents various transport options to take you from point A to B in the most efficient manner. What’s more, it keeps you in the loop with real-time updates on traffic and public transport delays, enabling you to plan your journeys accordingly.
