10 Apps You Need to Explore for the Week of Dec. 30

Just when you think you've heard about all of the travel apps out there, you are exposed to a wealth of new or improved apps.

Don't worry, frequent travelers and app users; TravelPulse hasn't forgotten about you.

In the latest edition of our series of the top travel apps on the planet, you'll discover anything from an app that predicts the weather for your exact location to an app that allows you to declare your purchases abroad with ease.

So dive right in like you're scuba diving in the Bahamas and explore the world of technology.

Waze (iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, free)

Waze is so well-regarded that Google acquired it earlier this year for $1 billion to implement it into its Google Maps app.

Recently updated on Dec. 11, Waze allows users to alert each other about accidents, road blocks, bad traffic, hazards and even gas prices. While you are driving, the app will automatically change the route to your destination based on these factors, allowing you to sit back and cruise. Heck, you can even send someone a live ETA with a link that tracks you as you drive.

Add in voice-guided navigation and the ability for the app to learn your favorite routes, and you have yourself one of the more popular apps on the market.

Dark Sky (iPhone, $3.99)

It's one thing to turn on the tube and get your local weather.

It's quite another to know what the weather will be like at your exact location … an hour in advance.

That's right, the Dark Sky app for iPhone not only tells you if it will be snowing or raining where you stand, it will also give you an hour's notice. So, while others are running around in the streets as the rain pours down, you will be comfortably watching them in a nearby cafe.

Dark Sky also has fluid radar animations that allow you to see the path of the storm and where it's headed.

One user said people will start telling you they can predict the weather on the spot, knowing all the while they just checked Dark Sky.

WhatsBusy (iPhone, free)

WhatsBusy allows you to check what the security line looks like at major airports ahead of time.

Hardened travelers will tell you preparation is key, and WhatsBusy is just another tool to prepare you for whatever awaits you during your journey. There's nothing worse than getting stuck in a security line while you look longingly up in the sky as your plane takes off in the distance. And a security line is one of those things that you can't just speed up on a whim.

WhatsBusy is planning on adding wait times for more locations in the future, including museums, national parks, parking lots, restaurants and bars, and ... wait for it ... the DMV.

Something tells me WhatsBusy is going to keep on making a lot of people happy.

GateGuru (iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, free)

GateGuru continues to get better since coming out in December 2009.

Its latest version (4.3, updated in the summer) has received four out of five stars from reviewers at the iPhone app store, an uptick from the collective rating of previous versions.

So, what does GateGuru do?

Well, simple. Just input your travel itinerary and GateGuru does the rest, giving you real-time flight status info, airport weather, terminal and gate arrival and departure details, last-minute car rental bookings and, last but not least, a map that displays your specific airport's food and amenities (no more walking around in a daze looking for something good to eat). It even tracks you as you fly, giving you updated travel stats throughout your trip.

Roadify Transit (iPhone, free)

Roadify Transit was already a popular app before adding an even better update on Dec. 21.

The free iPhone app gives travelers real-time transit information, whether you are traveling on a bus or via a rail system. Best of all, it's quick and accurate.

From TriMet in Portland to HART in Tampa, this app tracks public transportation services in more than 50 cities nationwide.

The latest update added agency maps for New York City and New Jersey, as well as bike share stations, while also integrating with the popular Car2Go vehicle rental system.

World Travel Globe (iPhone, $0.99)

Not only does World Travel Globe offer a wealth of handy features for your journey, it also makes it fun to plan your next trip.

Last updated on Sept. 27, the app allows you to find flight times and prices, check out top-rated hotels and restaurants, view Visa requirements and exchange rates, and browse local info such as languages and popular food via its country reports.

One neat little touch is the ability to spin an interactive globe to the destination of your choosing, instead of the blasé method of searching (and for those who like the simplicity of searching, World Travel Globe offers that, as well).

The best apps not only make traveling easier, they also make the planning phase more enjoyable. World Travel Globe satisfies this criteria admirably.

SeatGuru (iPhone, Android, free)

Ever bought an airplane ticket and found yourself sandwiched in between other travelers in the middle row? Ever been in a seat that seems to put your elbows at extreme risk?

Well, if you have SeatGuru, you don't need to worry about any of that.

SeatGuru, recently updated on Nov. 4, gives you color-coded seat maps that allow you to browse the details of a seat on your particular aircraft (more than 700 seat maps for about 100 different airlines). Each seat is presented via passenger reviews, so you can get a good, honest picture of what to expect.

Speaking of pictures, there are seat and cabin photos from other passengers that allow you to view your actual seat.

No more buying a ticket and hoping you win the lottery. With SeatGuru, you can change your fortune before you board.

FlyRights (iPhone, Android, free)

There continues to be plenty of controversy surrounding TSA screening, with all kinds of horror stories sprouting up.

Fortunately for travelers, the FlyRights app allows you to report a complaint to the Transportation Security Administration/Department of Homeland Security on the spot. You can also report a complaint to the Sikh Coalition, a community-based organization that strives to protect civil and human rights.

On top of that, a handy "Know Your Rights" guide ensures you will always be prepared in case something shady is going on.

The latest update from Nov. 26 allows you compare different airports' TSA screening procedures.

Everything.me (Android, free)

If I had to use one word to describe the Everything.me app, it would be "refreshing."

For those bored of the same, static phone (changing backgrounds only does so much), let me present to you Everything.me.

Let's say you want to look up show times for the new "Hobbit" movie. Simply say the name of the movie into the phone and a range of links and apps will pop up to assist you. Heck, your background will even change on the spot.

This is not only very handy, it also adds flavor to your phone. It becomes more of an extension of what you're about.

Yep, the computers seem to really like us ... for now (cue the ominous music).

Simply Declare (iPhone, $0.99, try for free)

The first time I heard of this app, I said to myself, "Where was this when I needed it?!"

When it comes time to declare at home, the Simply Declare app is your best friend.

Simply Declare allows you to create an itemized list of your purchases while traveling abroad, then automatically converts the price of your purchases into your home country's currency when you need to declare. You can even take pictures of invoices to present at the gate.

No more fumbling around for the specifics when you need to declare. Simply Declare makes it quick and easy.

The latest update from October has been rated just as high as previous versions.

Any new or up-and-coming travel apps I should know about? Hit me up at rrudnansky@travalliance.com.

Feel free to follow me on Twitter @RyanRudnansky.