In the latest App Wrap, our Adam Balkin examines two apps sure to please the frequent flier and travel junkie — especially when there's no data service or Wi-Fi.
You’re in an airplane, looking out the window, wondering where exactly you are and what that cool thing below is that you’re seeing.
This is one of two travel scenarios we're about to help you with where you’d love to use your phone but you likely have no access to data service.
On an airplane, unless you’re willing to spring for often times pricey Wi-Fi access, your phone is in airplane mode. But did you know that GPS still works?
Flyover Country is an app out of the University of Minnesota that allows you to plot your flight on a map before you take off, save that map for offline use, and then use it in airplane mode while on an airplane to get more info about what’s directly below you.
The app points out areas of geological interest, parks or other natural landmarks that lay below. Flyover Country is a free app for iOS and Android devices.
And scenario number two where your phone can help you, potentially help save your life, even if there’s no data signal to be found.
PDF Maps allows you to download maps of just about any park, hiking trail, outdoor space on earth and see where you are in that place even if it’s too remote for mobile service. Again, GPS will still work.
You can drop virtual pins at points of interest, plot photos on your maps, even record your path to see where you’ve been, how fast you’re traveling, and your elevation.
PDF Maps is also a free app for iOS and Android devices. The maps themselves range from loads of free ones to those that cost as much as $10 or more.