10 Best Apps to Help You Plan Your Travels

Going on a business trip? Planning a holiday with the family? Whatever your travelling needs are, technology has revolutionised the travelling industry. You can access any kind of information you need and all the information you thought you didn't need through a wide range of apps that provide a one-of-a-kind experience. You can now enjoy a fun and stress-free trip by checking out our top 10 picks for the best travel apps!

1. Skyscanner (Android, iOS)

This apps scans through millions of flights from more than 500 airlines around the world to help you find the best flights that cater to your budget and travelling schedule. It allows you to compare prices and book flights with a travel agent or through links to the airlines. You can also check out car rentals in case you need one; they will provide affordable options.

2. Hipmunk (Android, iOS)

Hipmunk is a one-stop solution for all your travel-booking needs! You can perform flight and hotel searches along with price comparison on flights and hotels. It also informs you about small details pertaining to number of stopovers, flight duration and other factors that can create flight agony. As well as this, you can search for last minute hotel deals, what restaurants and shopping outlets are near the hotel, and other attractions. You can link to external sites to book your preferred flight or hotel directly from the app.

3. TripIt (Android, iOS)

TripIt conveniently syncs to your Apple or Google account to access reservation emails, booking appointments and other activities; putting this all into an itinerary. This can be easily viewed on your phone or shared with people who might be coming with you on the travel. Although it provides a free version that is supported by ads, if you want to experience other features, sign up for a premium version that is ad-free. It can also give you recommendations on things like where to eat, what attractions to visits and much more based on the information it gathers.

4. TripAdvisor Offline City Guides (Android, iOS)

If you are a fan of TripAdvisor you’re in for a treat, because its Offline City Guide provides access to content for some of the most popular destinations around the world without having to connect to the internet. This proves to be quite helpful especially in places where there is no access to a Wi-Fi network.

5. Minube (Android, iOS)

Don't have any idea where to go, where to stay or where to eat? Don't worry because Minube is here. This app helps you browse through photo-filled travel guides by other users to obtain information you need to determine what you want to do for your vacation. You can always download your favourite travel guide so that you can access it without having to connect to the internet.

6. PackPoint (Android, iOS)

For some people, packing is probably the worst part of planning a trip. This has become much easier and hassle-free through PackPoint, which creates packing lists for you. You simply have to give the app your trip profile, where you are going, how long are you going and what kind of trip it is. Through this information, PackPoint will consider important factors such as weather and suggest what kind of clothing and essentials you’ll need.

7. Airbnb (Android, iOS)

If you don't want to stay in a conventional hotel room and want to be adventurous, Airbnb provides alternative accommodation options which include renting a sublet or swapping your own home while you are away on your vacation. You will find all kinds of unique spots to stay in from tree houses, yachts and castles.

8. Weather Pro (Android, iOS)

This app acts as a reliable source for weather information, which is displayed for seven days in more than 2 million destinations around the world. From wind speed, wind direction, temperature to humidity and air pressure, it covers everything so that you know what to expect for the entire week.

9. Google Translate (Android, iOS)

This easy to use and highly efficient app helps you communicate in different languages used in several different countries. It can be difficult to travel to a country where you have no idea about their native language. Now that Google Translate is here, you can type or dictate short sentences, which will be translated accurately into the native language you require. You can also take pictures of signs, which Google will translate to help you understand what the sign means.

10. XE Currency (Android, iOS)

Keep a track of exchange rates with this app so that you know how much money you are using for your travelling expenses. It covers virtually every currency used around the world and helps you monitor currencies for up to 10 currencies.

*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.

Although iPhones have become more sophisticated, powerful, and easier to use, they are still plagued by battery problems. An iPhone’s processor is much faster compared to other conventional smartphones available in the market and as such, they are power hungry devices. It’s not uncommon to charge an iPhone two or sometimes, three times a day.

But there are certain methods of increasing the battery life of an iPhone; here are 5 tips to follow if you want your iPhone to last throughout the day.

1. Enable Low Power Mode

The ‘Low Power Mode’ is the main feature of iOS 9, so you will need to upgrade to iOS 9 if you want to avail this handy trick. According to Apple, with this mode turned on, your iPhone’s battery will last up to 3 hours longer. It degrades the performance of the phone by switching off a few visual effects, mail fetch, background app refresh, and automatic updates and downloads, etc.

When turned on, the battery meter becomes yellow. When your phone’s battery reaches 20%, an on-screen prompt appears asking you to activate the function. Of course, you can do it manually as well by going to settings, battery, and then enable ‘Low Power Mode’.

2. Lower the Brightness

The more brightness you set on the screen of your iPhone, the more power it consumes, draining the battery quickly. Therefore, this is a primary reason why the batteries on most iPhones don’t last long; to avoid this, turn down the brightness by going to settings and then to display and brightness.

Alternatively, you can turn on auto-brightness so that your iPhone will ensure that you don’t use up more of the battery then you should. It utilizes a sensor that will adjust the screen’s brightness automatically relative to the environment’s ambient lighting conditions.

3. Turn Off Location Services

Location services enable the GPS in your iPhone; this is useful when you are navigating or when you want your friends or family members to know where you are in case of an emergency. On the other hand, keeping this functionality on drains your battery considerably; instead, turn it off when you are not using it.

4. Switch Off Push Mail

Unless you are on the go or if you are a really busy person, you should turn off the push mail feature. A great battery drainer, it provides you with the ability to receive new emails to your phone’s inbox as soon as they arrive on the mail server. If it is on, it will keep prompting the server for any new mail, regardless of whether your phone is connected to a network or not. Those constant prompts use the phone’s processor and they will drain your battery sooner than you think.

5. Reduce or Turn Off Background App Refresh

The background app refresh is similar to the push mail feature, but it works with apps. When turned on, it monitors the apps you use the most and keeps checking for new content; whether you are connected to a Wi-Fi/cellular data network or not, it will continue prompting the server for updated information. This drains the battery and as such, you should either turn it off or limit it to only those apps which you use frequently.

In order to do so, go to setting, general, and then you will see a tab labelled ‘Background App Refresh’. Tap it and then select the appropriate option.

Row.co.uk Blog