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By now, you've probably realized that technology is awesome.
And if you haven't, it's time to get off your high horse and stop talking about the "good ol' days" when people got from Point A to Point B through sweat and tears (it may be worth boasting about, but it frankly sounds excruciating and it's unpleasant to listen to).
For those of you addicted to technology (and those of you learning to be addicted to technology), TravelPulse has rounded up another list of top travel apps that will make your life's journeys all the more delightful and exciting.
So, what are you waiting for? You don't want to hear me ramble anymore! It's time to travel forward!
Here are five handy travel apps for wherever life may take you.
Roundabout (iPhone, free)
We have such a wealth of information circulating around us these days that sometimes we forget that this information came from the discovery and exploration of others.
The Roundabout app aims to place the storytelling back into the hands of the people. Travelers can create points of interest, all neatly laid out on a map, and share their experiences of these destinations. That includes the ability to add photos and video their journeys and share via social media like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Other users can then discover these points of interest and learn about them from first-hand accounts.
The app features a GPS interface, as well as several categories to explore, including Attractions, Arts and Culture, Entertainment, Food and Drink, Lodging, Parks, Historical Sites, Landmarks, Local History, Monuments, Local Oddities, and Folklore, Myths and Urban Legends.
AudioTrip (iPhone, Android, free)
Think of AudioTrip as your own personal tour guide.
The app, rated five out of five stars on the Apple Store, features audio-guided routes from professional guides and locals in more than 80 worldwide destinations, including tourism hotspots London, Paris, Venice, Prague and Budapest. Once you reach a highlighted destination, appropriate audio and information is cued up, thanks to the app's use of GPS. And because the GPS is offline-enabled, you don't have to worry about racking up data usage or roaming charges.
On top of that, photos and video accompany the audio tours through your smartphone.
But there's more.
AudioTrip is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to crowdsource a new addition to the app called "The Ultimate Guide to Europe." If £30,000 is raised by Sept. 8, the app will include a collection of audio tours from some of Europe's greatest storytellers, spanning 24 top travel destinations in the continent. Storytellers include a bardic storyteller with an expert knowledge of Dublin's myths and folk tales, an award-winning BBC broadcaster and a well-known author of Barcelona guidebooks.
To donate to AudioTrip through Kickstarter, go to Kickstarter.com.
blipcard(iPhone, free)
Created by German self-made millionaire Daniel Giersch, blipcard allows users to send customized postcards from anywhere in the world.
The blipcard postcards, created digitally through the app, are turned into real print postcards, complete with destination-specific digital stamps. Best of all, you can also easily customize them with photo filters, frames and fun stickers.
The app, which made the top 10 of Germany's iPhone download charts, continues to be wildly popular in Europe, oftentimes used by celebrities during their summer vacations to highlight a spectacular travel destination. And its reach appears to be growing, given the fact that it is universally handy.
Each postcard, paid by either credit card or Paypal, costs 1.49 euros ($2.00).
Artkick (iPhone, Android, free)
With Artkick, you can access thousands of jaw-dropping photos and paintings from locations around the world, and then post them in high definition on your TV using your smartphone as a remote control.
There are more than 50,000 images/works of art in Artkick's library, ranging from professional photographs to famous masterpieces to spectacular landscapes. Users can even create "Viewlists" that act as ongoing slideshows of your favorite images.
If that wasn't enough, you can also import and stream your personal photos from your travels on your TV via social media like Facebook, Instagram and Flickr.
TV screens tend to be focal points in homes, given they are generally planted firmly in living rooms. But when you aren't watching TV, they just, you know, sit there and don't offer much.
Now, when you aren't watching TV, you can use your TV screen as wall art. It's a novel way to exhibit your travel photos; your TV can now be a great conversation piece beyond what the Kardashians are doing these days.
SOAR (iPhone, Android, free)
Scared of flying?
Not anymore.
You may have heard of the SOAR program. Since 1982, it has been helping people change their mental processes associated with the fear of flying. The program not only offers cognitive behavioral therapy techniques aimed to ease the mind, it also provides real flight statistics and information on how flying works to show people that flying isn't as dangerous or scary as it may seem.
Now, SOAR is finally available for your smartphone, so in those times of panic you can simply look down at your phone and feel grounded.
View the G-Force meter to monitor turbulence during your flight, get immediate weather information and turbulence forecasts and learn about airplane safety mechanisms and back-up systems. You can even be guided step by step by the app's creator: author, airline captain and licensed therapist Capt. Tom Bunn.
The app addresses unwanted feelings such as high anxiety, claustrophobia and, well, sheer panic.
Check out fearofflying.com (naturally) for more information.
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