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There is of course one smartphone app no true traveler could ever do without. This one (http://www.cnngo.com/mobile) . But once you've downloaded that, why not browse these too? We're going to skip over obvious ones like Twitter, Facebook, Skype, Gowalla, Foursquare, Instagram, Google Earth/Maps, as worthy as they are, for ones you may have overlooked, but shouldn't. Also on CNNGo: 20 most iconic skyscrapers (http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/20-most-iconicskyscrapers-343149%20)
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kayak-flight-hotelsearch/id305204535?mt=8) | Android Market
(https://market.android.com/details? id=com.kayak.android&feature=search_result)
(https://market.android.com/details?id=com.kayak.android&feature=search_result)
(http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/time-out-digital-ltd/id345010379)
(http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lonely-planet-travel-guides/id317165182?mt=8)
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(https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tripit&feature=search_result)
5. Evernote -- Organizer
This popular digital note-taking app makes for a very helpful travel companion as well. I've not used it on trips myself, but Brett Terpstra recently pointed out that the app can really shine when you're on the road. Take pictures of receipts and other important paperwork, and let Evernote's OCR help with the cataloguing. While I'm not a big fan of the Evernote desktop app (Brett's Notational Velocity (http://notational.net/) wins out there), I think Evernote definitely wins when note-taking on the go. Also on CNNGo: Classes to take around the world (http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/play/10-inspiringcourses-take-around-world-302104%20)
Download: iOS
(http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/unesco-world-heritage/id412183802?mt=8)
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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7. XE currency exchange
If you plan to hit multiple countries during your travels, it's always useful to have a currency conversion app handy. XE.com is one of the best known and most reliable currency-related sites on the net, and as you might expect, its app is no exception. Just set your default currency and you can keep tabs on a number of others. Perhaps the best thing about it is that it remembers the most recently updated rate, so you can still convert with reasonable accuracy even when you don't have a connection.
No math? No problem.
8. Google Translate
Few companies bust language barriers better than Google, and the Google Translate app does this exceptionally well. Like the Google Translate (http://translate.google.com/) web service, you can translate pieces of text with ease. Of course the accuracy is not always perfect, but it's about as good as it gets. But where the app excels is in voice recognition. It allows you to speak in English (or another language) and it will translate what you said into the language of your choice.
Not as good as a human, but cheaper.
If you've ever had difficulty making yourself understood to a speaker of a foreign language, then this free app will certainly help. Check out a video demo here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0f7TVV7TOM) . Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-translate/id414706506?mt=8) | Android Market Place
(https://market.android.com/details?id=com.google.android.apps.translate&hl=en)
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5haXJibmIuYW5kcm9pZCJd)
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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Download: iOS
(http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dropphox-snap-send-to-dropbox/id411118930?mt=8)
Android
(https://market.android.com/details?id=com.wikitude)
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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(https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tripadvisor.tripadvisor&feature=search_result)
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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Orient Lite is a free application, but there is a US$0.99 version (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/orient/id362987455?mt=8) with slick AR functionality. Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/orient/id362987455) Also on CNNGo: World's 15 most spectacular swimming pools
(http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/worlds-15-most-spectacular-swimming-pools-242465%20)
Download: iOS
(http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aroundme/id290051590) |
Android
Market (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tweakersoft.aroundme&hl=en) Also on CNNGo: The travel mates you meet in hell (http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/10-hostelmates-you-meet-hell-425328%20) (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tweakersoft.aroundme&hl=en)
(https://market.android.com/details?id=com.hcom.android&feature=search_result)
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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But the biggest issue is that it requires an internet connection to work, so travelers on the road might be left to their pocket phrasebooks more often than not. However for someone like a hotel concierge with constant access to a connection, it could be a very snazzy work tool. Download: iOS
(http://itunes.apple.com/app/converse/id454500959?ls=1&mt=8)
(http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hipmunk-flight-search/id419950680)
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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Also on CNNGo: 50 natural wonders to see before you die (http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/play/natural-wonderbucket-list-50-spectacular-places-see-639593%20)
(https://market.android.com/details?id=net.skyscanner.android.main)
Download: iOS
(http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nursery-rhymes-storytime/id423322533?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4)
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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(https://market.android.com/details?id=com.nixsolutions.upack&hl=en)
(http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/living-earth-hd-world-clock/id379869627?mt=8)
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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Also on CNNGo: Best travel products for 2012 (http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/shop/10-holiday-giftsevery-traveler-802497?page=0,0%20)
Android Market
(https://market.android.com/details?id=org.me.mobiexpensifyg&hl=en)
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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One app review claimed that on occasion the app provides even better information than the airline! Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id302325893?mt=8)
| Android Market
(https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mobiata.flighttrack.pro)
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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The app is free though, so there's no harm in trying it out. Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wi-fifinder/id300708497?mt=8) | Android Market
(https://market.android.com/details?id=com.jiwire.android.finder&feature=search_result)
(http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jetlag-genie/id426988420?mt=8&ls=1)
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/en/app/tripwolf-your-worldwide-travel-guide/id318062323?mt=8) | Android Market
(https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tripwolf)
far&body=http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50 travel-apps-so-far-353352)
Another great way to browse UNESCO World Heritage sites is by using the award-winning Fotopedia Heritage app. You can browse all world heritage sites on a single map, and click through to view information about them as well as stunning photography. It's available for both iPhone and iPad, although if you want to experience the full benefit of the application, try it on the iPad.
Download: iOS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id383327395&mt=8) Also on CNNGo: 7 sci-fi innovations that will change
travel (http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/7-futuristic-innovations-will-change-travel-893079%20)
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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Download: iOS
(http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imovie/id377298193?mt=8)
(https://market.android.com/details?id=com.jeremydw.tippingbird)
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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Also on CNNGo: 10 mountains for every level of climber (http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/play/10mountains-every-kind-climber-142453%20) (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.globalmotion.everytrail.pro)
both available for US$1.99 each, but if you'd like a free one, try out Microsoft's Photosynth.
Great pictures just a download away.
In addition to panning horizontally, you can also pan vertically -- even creating a full sphere panorama if you
Yep, even down to the cents. Don't say we're not for equality.
http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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Download: iOS
(http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/trip-splitter/id374395458?mt=8)
(http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mpassport-tokyo/id385113776?mt=8)
Rick Martin lives in Tokyo where he writes about technology in Japan, China, and around Asia. He contributes to TechInAsia.com, The Japan (/author/rick-martin) Times and a few other publications. He can be reached via his website, 1Rick.com (http://www.1Rick.com/) .
Read more about Rick Martin (/author/rick-martin)
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http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352
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