Some have social features. Others are more informational and utilitarian. And with newcomer Zhiing set to announce its public launch tomorrow, we thought we'd dig in to the coolest and quirkiest iPhone apps for location.
MapQuest
MapQuest - Since Apple’s not one to enjoy competition for its core set of iPhone applications, “Maps” included, this one isn’t downloadable. But if you’ve got a solid wireless data connection on 3G or Wi-Fi, you can go ahead and buck the system for something that shows no Google branding. Booyah.
InstaMapper GPS Tracker
InstaMapper [iTunes] - Want to locate someone other than yourself? InstaMapper GPS Tracker makes it happen. It’s so basic that you can’t go wrong. Just make sure that iPhone you’re tracking online keeps InstaMapper active. Otherwise, say goodbye to the little red (moving) circle.
Trapster
Trapster [iTunes] - Whether you’re cruising your own neighborhood or a few towns over, so-called “speed traps” and traffic cameras that nab you for transgressing posted limits and gunning the gas through intersections, Trapster’s mission is to keep you free of fines and ugly points on your driver’s license. The best thing about it is that all icons are clearly shown, help you keep your eyes on the road.
AroundMe
AroundMe [iTunes] - Fire this up and you’ll be shown a list of almost every essential facet of modern society in plain view. Want coffee? You got it. Need an ATM? A list of banks is provided where applicable. How about refueling the auto? No problem. The same goes for hospitals, hotels, movie theatres, restaurants, and supermarkets.
Nearby
Nearby [iTunes] - This one’s a little more birds-eye view than AroundMe, but it’s really the same idea. This one’s purportedly been very crashy, but Platial, the developer, promises that plenty of fixes have been delivered. For what’s it’s worth, Nearby is well designed and quite pretty to look at. It jives with the iPhone’s own sexiness shtick.
Yelp
Yelp [iTunes] - Perhaps this should be at the top of the business roll. It’s free, it’s connected to Yelp, it locates you with a single touch, you can bookmark stuff you like and refer back to recent destinations. What more could you ask for. (Other than the kitchen sink, people.)
Goodrec
Goodrec [iTunes] - Like Yelp, Goodrec is all about recommendations, but some user reviews note that this one, at least in features, rocks the casbah. If you like looking at dots on a map, this app’s for you.
Target
Target [iTunes] - Some people really like Target. Their type pronounces the retail chain “Tar-jjay.” Maybe a good number of them own iPhones. If so, this item does one thing and one thing well: locate the nearest Target locations. ‘Nuff said.
Coffee Finder
Coffee Finder [iTunes] - Some people really like Starbucks. Even though the company’s been losing some traffic as of late. Still looking for your caffeine fix from the “other green giant”? Here’s the way. And how about this for a treat: the database is stored locally so no Web access is required.
CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder [iTunes] - Need a job to pay for all those meals and things you’ve been buying from places you found near the spot where you currently stand? Here’s something. It integrates with Google Maps so you can easily see whether the gig is walking distance from home or an odious, gas-guzzling commute.
iBart
iBart [iTunes] - Navigating roadways and sidewalks is good and all, but there’s also the underworld that city dwellers depend each and every day. Which is why San Franciscans have been given iBart.
Subway in Korea Lite
Subway in Korea Lite [iTunes] - Need to traverse the underside of South Korea’s capital city, or the metros of Taejeon, Daegue, Busan, and Kwangju? Subway in Korea Lite might help. While you can sport the native language for optimal authenticity, the thing is multilingual. Korean, Japanese and English are all supported.
Taxi!
Taxi! [iTunes] - If you want to avoid mass transit but still want someone else to drive you places, Taxi is your answer. It’s database is quite extensive for US users, with 260 US cities featured. And taxi service ratings are posted so you can steer clear of the crazies cabbies in the nation.
Zhiing
Zhiing [iTunes] - Perhaps you’ve gotten where you needed to go, and you want to invite friends to join you. This is one option, and one which we've reviewed. It’s free and there’s no social networking profile to log into. Send text messages with turn-by-turn directions to get your contacts where they need to go. One-word explainer: Awesomeness.
Over Here
Over Here [iTunes] - Over Here is more simply drawn than Zhiing, but is pretty much the same idea. This one works strictly via email, though. Want to let people know where you are without requesting a meetup or anything? This one’s nice. There are plenty of apps, like Loopt, et al., that function much the same way, but may carry too much baggage that you’d prefer to ignore. If so, this freebie is something to have.
MapWith.Us
MapWith.Us [iTunes] - So you’ve done something special and memorable somewhere on the map, and you want to preserve the moment for future reference. GeoMonkey’s MapWith.Us could be just what you’re after. Upload geo-located photos, audio clips, and text for you and your friends and family to look at, listen to and read. A road-tripper’s delight, no doubt.
Graffitio
Graffitio [iTunes] - Maybe you just want to post your thoughts about a certain location for others to read at that very same location at another date and time. Kind of like a visitor logbook at your average B&B (bed and breakfast). Graffitio makes it happen. Very simple and very straightforward, there’s no way to go wrong with this download.
Google Earth
Google Earth [iTunes] - Yeah, we saved this one for last. Because it kicks butt. Granted, anyone trying to use it on EDGE might get themselves a migraine in the process, but the quality of the experience is nothing short of brilliant. It’s got the same wow factor as that of the critically acclaimed X-Plane 9 flight simulator.
Also, let’s not forget that when iPhone 2.2 arrives, the native Map application may well support accelerometer-enhanced street view. That’ll be something to play with once it lands in the public’s hands.
