Do you travel Smart?

Mobile applications for smartphones promise instant travel help, they're cheap (or Free) and some "apps" actually live up to their hype. Whether you are traveling to the Lakeland area or out of the country, check these "apps" out.

Getting Oriented Anywhere
Based on your location, the Wikitude AR Travel Guide (G1, $1) shows nearby landmarks and popular attractions plotted on a map. Touch a spot on the screen such as a museum, a bridge, a skyscraper, to read a Wikipedia entry about it or to view user-shared Panoramio photos of the attraction.

When You're Tired and Hungry
Restaurant review sites Urbanspoon and Yelp (iPhone, Free) both have "apps" that let you search based on your current location or a chosen neighborhood, price points, or key words like "Vietnamese" or "fish taco". If you can't make up your mind try the iPhone's Shake function with Urbanspoon; a slot machine-like interface scrolls through restaurants that fit you criteria before landing on one randomly.
Several hotel "apps" tested were disappointing but a good one was hotel.com (iPhone, Free) you can check out tons of hotel descriptions, ratings and prices; view properties on maps; and book with a tap of your finger. The hotel company Choice Hotels Locator (iPhone, Free) pulls up information and makes reservations at 5,800 of it's properties worldwide.

You've Gotta Go
This app incorporates GPS technology. They give information suited to your exact location so you never have to punch in a zip code or address.SitOrSquat a Free "app" for the Blackberry and iPhone, automatically points out nearby public restrooms and includes details such as whether they're open and if there are changing tables.

Security Measures
Using the Department of Justice data, iSafe (G1, $1) creates a safety profile on your location and a female voice alerts you when you enter a high crime area. But, never underestimate the power of your own good old street sense. Remember data is only as good as what has been entered and things do change.

Car Trouble 
Culling information from 181 websites that track gas prices in the U.S. and Canada, GasBuddy (iPhone, $3) lists what you'll pay for gas at nearby stations and all shown on a map. Cheap Gas is a similar "app" that's free but does not have interactive map features. Trapster (BlackBerry, iPhone, Free) warns of police street traps - but even with thousands of daily updates the information can be old. And my favorite, ParkMark (G1, $2) remembers where you parked your car and guides you back via a compass-like arrow.

Staying In Touch
The "app" Skype (iPhone, Free) for making phone calls via Voice over Internet Protocol technology may change the way you dial internationally, saving you a bundle. Calling and instant messaging other Skype users are free and you pay as little as 2cents a minute to dial a regular number, making and receiving calls are only possible in Wi-Fi hotspots.

Others to check out are:
Plate Spotters which helps the never ending question, are we there yet? It's the e-version of the license plate game.
The Oregon Trail updates an old video game, virtually traveling with a covered wagon.
iNap allows you to enter the address of your destination and an alarm goes off when you get there.
Cab4Me and Taxi! and (best) TaxiMagic pull up lists of local cab companies. The best has a booking feature too.
Lonely Planet Mobile Phrasebooks gets you hundreds of sentence and phrase translations in 28 different languages.
Point It is an offshoot of the popular tourist book, consists of everyday travel photos. Handy if you can't get across that you need a toilet or do not want nuts in your food.

I am sure there are hundreds more but these are some of the most helpful we found.

If you have comments or questions please contact us at www.minocquamortgage.com or marcia@minocquamortgage.com