25 Apt Apps for Your Trips

Jonathan Geller is founder of Boy Genius Report (BGR.com), a source of breaking news and analysis of products in-market and those about to launch. He says consumers should always check reviews. "If you see lots of reviews that are four stars or better, it's a good bet that the app is high quality, functions as it's intended to and is useful," Geller says. His recommendations:
 
The Weather Channel is perfect for checking the place you're visiting or even when you're at home. (iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Android)

Flight Track Pro will notify you with flight alerts and weather delays, show you terminal maps for airports and let you view your flight and itinerary in real time. (iPhone, Android)  

Google Earth lets you browse the globe and view photos that others have uploaded. You can view satellite imagery, maps and terrain — everything from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean. (iPhone, iPad, Android)

Yelp has user reviews that can help you decide what restaurant or venue you'd like to visit. Its excellent Augmented Reality feature shows the closest locations. (iPhone, BlackBerry, Android)

Word Lens uses your iPhone camera to instantly translate foreign words on signs, menus and banners. It's available in only Spanish and French right now, but more languages are coming soon. (iPhone)

Mike Putnam, director of mobile products at TripAdvisor, says you should try out different apps. "Many great travel apps are free, so download a few to see how they work and just have fun along the way." His recommendations:

TripAdvisor — yes, Putnam admits a "bias" — offers a helpful suite of free mobile apps to help plan the perfect trip and ask questions in its forums. Especially helpful is "Near Me Now," which tells you instantly what sites are closest. (iPhone/iPad, Android, Nokia, Palm)

EveryTrail is an excellent resource for walking tours and city guides. (TripAdvisor recently acquired this app.) (iPhone/iPad/iPod touch, Android)  
 
GateGuru provides information about airports, including the locations of gift shops and food options. (iPhone/iPad, iPod touch)

Wikitude offers travelers thorough facts and history about their surroundings and nearby attractions. (iPhone, iPad, Android, Nokia)
 
Postman is a fun app for creating postcards to share with friends and family. (iPhone/iPad, iPod touch)