Here are several apps for the iPhone and iPad that I've found very handy during my adventures (and ordinary) travels. Others tell me these Android apps are great for adventure (and all) travelers, too. Some are free, while others are reasonably priced. A few offer the basic app for free, but charge for more detailed versions.
1. Wikitude Has a Novel Way of Showing the World Around You
This app is loaded with attitude. It was "Voted "Best Augmented Reality Browser in 2010", Augmented Planet (Jan 2011). Just hold up your smartphone and you'll be able to see what surrounds you. Wikitude overlays the camera's display and the things you are looking at, plus including some additional interactive content and information. Wikitude is available for the iPhone and Android phone
2. PicTranslator Sees Signs and Translates Them Into English
Can't read a street sign in a foreign country? Just point and shoot a picture on your iPhone to translate menus, road signs, maps, warnings and newspapers. This cheap app will even read the text in the pictures outloud, so you'll know how to pronounce it. Translates more than 15 languages, ranging from Spanish and French to Swedish and Russian.
3. Sit or Squat - Finds Bathrooms Around the World
When you've gotta go - this handy iPhone app will tell you were to go! If your location services are enabled, Sit or Squat lists the bathrooms closest to where you are at the moment. It lets you view nearby restrooms on a map in order of which is closest. Some even have reviews and pictures.
4. iTranslate Lets You Find Words in 50 Languages
I've used this super-handy app in several countries. It's a universal translator for words and phrases that let you easily translate from one language to another. If you need to know what word to use for "dinner" in Spanish, for example, specify that language and type in "dinner" in English. More than 50 languages are on the app, and voice recognition of words is an option. The app is available for the iPhone, iPad and Android phones
5. Kayak: The Tool to Search for Flights and Hotels Worldwide
Heading to New York, London or Mumbai? This handy app can help you search for the best deals on hotels, flights and car rentals, then book them. It's available for the iPhone and Android phones.
6. Free Flashlight Lights Your Way in the Dark
This free iPhone app comes in handy in hotel rooms if you have to get out of bed at night and don't want to turn on a light, out in the wild when you need to leave your tent at night, and even in restaurants where the lighting is too romantically dim.
7. Backcountry Navigation Acts as a GPS To Guide You
The GPS in your Android phone can find its position from GPS satellites. You can preload offline topo maps, aerial photos and road maps, so you've got these, too, when exploring the backcountry. The app lets you add customize GPS waypoints in longitude and latitude, and more.
8. Google Earth Puts the World in Your Hands
Google Earth, available for the iPhone and Android phones, lets you explore the earth right on your phone. With this app, you can see anything from your own home to Mount Everest.
9. Tweetpic & TweetPhoto Let You Take Photos and Send Them Right to Twitter
Twitter fans will appreciate the Tweetpic iPhone app. You can take a picture, or snag a picture that's already on your phone and easily sent it to your Twitter page. Android Market has an android version TweetPhoto Pro,which can send pictures to both Twitter and Facebook.
10. Hotels Near Me
This Android app is a GPS hotel finder with a date base of 73000+ hotels in 71 countries. It can help you find hotels near where you are at the moment and may even have pictures of guestrooms. It's powered by Booking.com.
