My top 5 iphone apps

a close-up of a smart phone

a close-up of a cell phone1. Audible – although due to Apple’s regulations they can’t technically sell audiobooks in the app (which is really annoying) I’m a fan of Audible (and maybe one of the few people without an affiliate link).  I am in a couple book clubs back home and it is nice to listen to an audiobook during a long flight.  I can only listen to music for so long before I skip every song, but audiobooks are good for a few hours.  Audible subscriptions also come with a daily subscription to the Wall Street Journal.  I must admit I have few problems going to sleep thanks to that.  I could go from Pacific time to Eastern time and be out like a light thanks to the Audible version of the WSJ.

2. Fly Delta – since I’ve been flying Delta 2/3 of my flights this year, and since US Airways still does not have an iPhone app I have been using my Delta app quite a bit.  I like the online boarding passes and sky club locations.  If I land at a different gate in Atlanta than normal I pull it up and quickly know which Sky Club is closest.  The upgrade list rarely works when I’m at the airport and I valet so I don’t use the parking feature.  Since I’m more of a segment person than miles I wish it would show my MQS so I could use the app to show off, but oh well.

3. Kayak Pro ($0.99) – I had been using TripIt for the longest time, but they gimped their free product so I moved to PageOnce’s Trip Tracker, but that still wasn’t nearly as easy to use as Kayak Pro.  I have my travel agent copy trips@kayak.com on all of my itineraries and I am good to go. Also, Kayak sends me an email with where I’m landing and where I’m departing for layovers.  My flights have been running early (knock on wood) so I’ve been getting the email after already getting to the Sky Club or connecting gate.  Otherwise it’s the first email I read upon landing so I know if I have time to take a diversion or if I need to go straight from A to B.

4. Podcasts – One of my issues with the iPhone for the longest time was the need to sync podcasts with the computer or use a third party application (which defeats the purpose of the extensive and easy to navigate itunes library).  Navigation doesn’t very intuitive in the app in my opinion, but I’m happy to have something downloading my Freakonomics Radio, Grammar Girl, and PointsHoarder podcasts for me.  I had used Stitcher Radio for a bit, but I’m happy with the current release of Podcasts.

5. Google Maps – I don’t bother with my Garmin too much anymore.  Google Maps can quickly pull up hotels from my calendar appointments and get me on my way…no need to wait forever for the GPS to lock in.

 

One Comment

  1. I would lobby for you to consider Simply Noise.It is a white noise generator (and a few other colors) and is an absolute essential part of my trip. People talking around me annoy the hell out of me, particularly when I am trying to read – which is pretty much what I do when flying. I just fire up Simply Noise and all the noise and talk is gone. I use it everywhere = not just planes – but I downloaded it originally for the plane.

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