This Summer, my partner and I plan on driving across Europe in our 32-year-old Volkswagen bus. Insane? Yeah, maybe, but it will be the trip of a lifetime, and we are very much looking forward to packing up and hitting the open road.
Here, I have compiled a list of ten iPhone essentials that will guarantee to make your road trip run that little bit smoother. Hit the jump to read on!
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Google Translate
Google Translate can translate text between 64 languages which could prove to be very useful indeed, especially when visiting more than one country.
Save favorite translations for easy access, or view your translation history offline to avoid network charges. Google Translate also includes the option of speaking the text instead of tediously typing it out, and you can even listen to your translation out loud by tapping the Speaker icon.
Price: Free
Developer: Google, Inc.
Download: App Store
TomTom
Dutch manufacturer TomTom first released the iOS version of its popular automotive navigation system back in 2009, and it has been an iPhone staple ever since. With the ability to be used on or offline, TomTom will get you from A to B with ease, highlighting each and every speed camera along the way.
Available for U.K. & Ireland, Europe, U.S. & Canada, and many other places across the globe, TomTom is the perfect road trip companion, and you’ll wonder how you ever managed to survive without it!
AroundMe
AroundMe compiles a list of businesses surrounding you at any given time — ideal for when visiting an unfamiliar country, or if you are on the brink of running out of fuel with a gas station nowhere in sight!
Simply tap the establishment to get directions, or add the address to your Contacts for future reference. AroundMe is free to download, and is a must-have app for those planning on hitting the road this Summer.
Price: Free
Developer: Attorno A Me S.R.L
Download: App Store
XE Currency
Exchange rates can be confusing at times, leaving many travelers unsure of the amount they are actually paying. XE Currency remedies this by converting all manner of currency at the touch of a button, helping you to keep better control of your finances.
XE Currency can simultaeneously monitor up to ten currencies at a time, and is also able to be used offline by storing the most recently updated rates.
Price: Free
Developer: XE.com, Inc.
Download: App Store
WeatherPro
See what the weather has in store for you with WeatherPro, the best paid forecasting app that the App Store has to offer. WeatherPro includes detailed information for over two-million places worldwide, displaying the temperature in both Celsius and Fahrenheit, along with wind speed, humidity, and much more.
Subscribe to WeatherPro Premium to receive additional content such as 14-day forecasts, high resolution maps, and hourly intervals. You may not be able to control the weather, but you sure as heck don’t have to let it control you!
Price: $3.99
Developer: MeteoGroup Deutschland
Download: App Store
TripAdvisor
Consult TripAdvisor before setting off to ensure that you get the most out of your vacation. Sporting over 75-million reviews, TripAdvisor is the number one app for finding the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions wherever you happen to be in the world.
TripAdvisor also features a forum so that you can ask questions while on the move, plus a Near Me Now option which will draw up a list of things to do in your area.
Price: Free
Developer: TripAdvisor
Download: App Store
Kindle
Pull over, relax and get lost in a good book for an hour or so with Kindle, an app that enables you to read books, magazines, newspapers and PDFs on your iOS device.
This Amazon-developed app will also sync your progress across devices so that you won’t lose your place, and saves carting a load of heavy books around with you.
Price: Free
Developer: AMZN Mobile
Download: App Store
Travel Budget Tracker
Travel Budget Tracker will help you keep a close eye on your finances to ensure that you do not make that rookie mistake of running out of money while on the road. Quickly jot down gas prices, accommodation expenses and whatever else you have splashed your cash on.
Travel Budget Tracker also features a customizable ticker that will count down the minutes until your next vacation, and is not reliant on an internet connection to function, saving you even more money!
Skype
Connect to Wi-Fi and call your friends and family back home for free with Skype.
You can even send a photograph or two, avoiding expensive MMS charges and leaving you to spend your money on something more worthwhile, instead.
Price: Free
Developer: Skype Communications
Download: App Store
Belkin Car Charger with Lightning to USB Cable
Belkin’s Car Charger with Lightning to USB Cable is a must-have accessory for any commuter or seasoned road tripper. It’s compact, speedy, and will keep your iPhone fully charged while away from home.
Price: $34.95
Manufacturer: Belkin
Purchase: Apple Store
Destination Unknown
So there we have it — ten iPhone essentials that will ensure your trip goes without a hitch. Are you planning on hitting the open road this year? Where are you going? Leave a comment and let me know!