Smartphones And Mobiles
Need a guide through the maze of mapping apps out there? Lost in a Spaghetti Junction of software? Go straight ahead for two sentences. Ignore this one. You have reached your destination.
There are loads of reasons to use a smartphone - but one of the best is to get from A to B. Android really has that sewn up for the basics, but there's loads more to be gained from having a quick run through the Google Play Store.
So check out our rundown of the best apps to get where you want to go, see the best things or explore the night sky.
The world belongs to Google now, so who better to guide you through it? The app already offers voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation, live traffic info, Street View and indoor maps for major stores, hotels and airports, with increased personalisation just announced.
This open-source satnav lets you download route maps before you start a journey, so you don't need a data connection once you're on the road, something that still trumps Google Maps. Its various routing options including walking routes, and automatic redirection whenever you take a wrong turn.
Aimed at hikers, bikers, joggers and doggers (probably), this route planner uses Google Maps and others to help you find your way through the woods. Maps display latitude, longitude and a digital compass, while stats track your progress, speed, etc.
Another good option when going off-road, Maverick lets you scroll through a wide range of online maps then caches them for use offline.
Save and share options include Google-friendly GPX route recording, so everyone can see exactly where you've been.
Casual travellers will be overwhelmed by the wealth of data, but hardcore navigators will feel they were headed here all along.
A customisable dashboard offers 45 widgets, ranging from altitude, bearing, declination and distance to latitude, longitude, sunrise, moonrise and more.
The iconic London Underground map is a classic of no-nonsense navigation and this is the best of many Android apps to give it an interactive update, with a GPS station finder and route planner, live arrivals and departures and more.
Offering basic marine navigation, this clever app uses AIS (Automatic Identification System) data to keep you apprised of your place on the water in relation to other vessels, up to 12 miles off the coast in the UK and US.
Taking the art of navigation right back to its roots, this app determines your location by the stars and planets in the night sky.
Using your smartphone's sensors as a makeshift sextant, it's a fun and battery-friendly alternative to GPS.
This app delivers exactly what it says: cold war topography from behind the iron curtain.
Though mostly complied in the 1980s, its coverage of Africa and Asia offers details Google is yet to get to grips with.
Plus: just look at it. It's more detailed than you can ever hope to see, and reminds us of the long car journeys where looking at the map was the only thing to keep us entertained.
A modern take on the treasure map, the official app of Geocaching.com includes coordinates for close to two million hidden containers around the world, with options to sort by difficulty or location. A great way to discover this GPS-based hobby.
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Smartphones And Mobiles
10 best mapping apps for Android
Need a guide through the maze of mapping apps out there? Lost in a Spaghetti Junction of software? Go straight ahead for two sentences. Ignore this one. You have reached your destination.
There are loads of reasons to use a smartphone - but one of the best is to get from A to B. Android really has that sewn up for the basics, but there's loads more to be gained from having a quick run through the Google Play Store.
So check out our rundown of the best apps to get where you want to go, see the best things or explore the night sky.
Google Maps
Download from Google PlayThe world belongs to Google now, so who better to guide you through it? The app already offers voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation, live traffic info, Street View and indoor maps for major stores, hotels and airports, with increased personalisation just announced.
Navfree
Download from Google PlayThis open-source satnav lets you download route maps before you start a journey, so you don't need a data connection once you're on the road, something that still trumps Google Maps. Its various routing options including walking routes, and automatic redirection whenever you take a wrong turn.
Outdoor Navigation
Download from Google PlayAimed at hikers, bikers, joggers and doggers (probably), this route planner uses Google Maps and others to help you find your way through the woods. Maps display latitude, longitude and a digital compass, while stats track your progress, speed, etc.
Maverick GPS Navigation
Download from Google PlayAnother good option when going off-road, Maverick lets you scroll through a wide range of online maps then caches them for use offline.
Save and share options include Google-friendly GPX route recording, so everyone can see exactly where you've been.
GPS Essentials
Download from Google PlayCasual travellers will be overwhelmed by the wealth of data, but hardcore navigators will feel they were headed here all along.
A customisable dashboard offers 45 widgets, ranging from altitude, bearing, declination and distance to latitude, longitude, sunrise, moonrise and more.
Tube Map Live Underground
Download from Google PlayThe iconic London Underground map is a classic of no-nonsense navigation and this is the best of many Android apps to give it an interactive update, with a GPS station finder and route planner, live arrivals and departures and more.
Boat Beacon AIS Navigation
Download from Google PlayOffering basic marine navigation, this clever app uses AIS (Automatic Identification System) data to keep you apprised of your place on the water in relation to other vessels, up to 12 miles off the coast in the UK and US.
StarStruck Navigation
Download from Google PlayTaking the art of navigation right back to its roots, this app determines your location by the stars and planets in the night sky.
Using your smartphone's sensors as a makeshift sextant, it's a fun and battery-friendly alternative to GPS.
Soviet Military Maps Free
Download from Google PlayThis app delivers exactly what it says: cold war topography from behind the iron curtain.
Though mostly complied in the 1980s, its coverage of Africa and Asia offers details Google is yet to get to grips with.
Plus: just look at it. It's more detailed than you can ever hope to see, and reminds us of the long car journeys where looking at the map was the only thing to keep us entertained.
Geocaching
Download from Google PlayA modern take on the treasure map, the official app of Geocaching.com includes coordinates for close to two million hidden containers around the world, with options to sort by difficulty or location. A great way to discover this GPS-based hobby.
- Google Update Android 4.3 For Htc One, Galaxy S 4 Google Play Edition
Google Android 4.3 update for HTC One, Galaxy S 4 Google Play EditionThose who are using HTC One or Galaxy S4 Google Play versions can upgrade to Android 4.3 right now. After update Google Nexus, is HTC One and Galaxy S4 Google Play version is upgraded...
- Download And Trial Free Google Play Games, Link Free
Download and trial Free Google Play GamesGoogle Play Games is a new software introduced by Google a few minutes ago with the new Android 4.3 and Nexus 7. Like Apple's Games Center, Google Play Games is the center set of games that you play, a place...
- Guide How To Unlock Secret Achievements In The Google Play Games
Guide How to unlock secret achievements in the Google Play GamesRecently, some users have discovered how to unlock a secret achievement placed in Google Play Games. To do so, visit the Google Play Games, then turn on the sliding direction: up, up, down,...
- Google Play Store Tips And Tricks
Google Play Store Tips and Tricks - How to explore Google's virtual shopfront Like virtually all of its Android software, Google has vastly improved its Play Store over the years. Nowadays it's a bright, sharp, and relatively speedy virtual shopfront...
- 10 Best Fitness Apps For Android
It used to be easy to tell a couch potato from a gym bunny. But nowadays even the most healthy among us has an HD screen in their pocket, and sofa surfers are as likely to move for a Wii as a wee. Tech and pecs are no longer mutually exclusive, so which...