Tag Archives: Mobile apps

The Best Traffic App Ever

July 12, 2012

 

So it’s 4 o’clock, one more hour to go. But for many of you, you are probably going to spend that next hour dreading your commute home. The hours you’ll spend sitting in traffic, the constant STOP then go then STOP then go again. And, with your luck you’ll probably get stuck behind a wreck again (for the third time this week). Well, what if I were to tell you that I have the solution to all your commuter worries and heartaches right here in my pocket? I too was once in your shoes, so I feel your pain (especially you north of 635-ers) and that is why I have decided to share my secret with you here today.

The answer to complete traffic bliss lies in a simple community-based traffic and navigation app, Waze. Community-based means that your fellow commuters have joined forces to outsmart traffic by generating real-time traffic and road alerts. In other words, with Waze you’ll be able to check if  any accidents, hazards, police traps, etc. are blocking your commute before it’s too late and you’re stuck for hours behind some five-car-pile-up (you know the kind where you would rather jump ship and walk home).

And, don’t worry Waze isn’t one of those traffic apps that adds hazards such as trying to read a map while driving or trying to find a better route with one hand while steering with the other. Nope, Waze is designed to void your commute of all possible hazards, equipped with voice guided navigation and automatic rerouting to ensure you get where you want to go both safely and on time.

Not only does Waze care about getting you wherever you need to go safely, but Waze also cares about saving you money. Chances are somewhere along the line in your commute to and from work you are going to need to stop and get gas. With gas prices pushing $4 this summer, wouldn’t it be nice to know where you can get the best deal at the pump? Waze can help you with that too, the app points out the cheapest gas stations en route.

Download the Waze app for your phone.

- Jeff Kilman, CEO

Must Have Apps for the Beach

July 3, 2012


Texas heat cramping your style? Come on, lets round up the kids, or the girlfriends, or the bros and road trip it out to California for some ocean breeze, sandy beaches, and most of all, double digit temps only. And what one thing do you need to really crank up the fun on your summer roadtrip? Your smart phone.

Surf’s up. Everyone’s laying around, soaking up some sun and relaxing. But you? You’re the adventurous one in the group and your sights are set on catching some gnarly waves. As luck would have it, the waves are pathetic. Mood ruined. Now pause. Pull out smart phone, download Surf Report. With this must-have surfer’s app you can check out surf heights, swell direction, tide, and everything else you’d need to know to catch the mega wave. Keep exploring this app to watch great surf videos and get the latest news. Surf Report is also a great way to get familiar with the surf community (in other words, fit-in at the beach). From surf star bios to photos of the latest events, Surf Report keeps you in the know. Now that you’ve downloaded Surf Report, next time you can pick your beach accordingly and read up on the latest wave action before you head out.

Now you’re not the adventurous water sport type. You’re the touristy, small shops, 100 photographs of the beach kind of guy (or gal). You’ve been dreaming of gorgeous sunsets, beautiful white sands, and a stunning ocean of blue water. Instead your Instagram shows a trash covered beach, smoggy skies and murky water that nobody wants to swim in. Don’t fret, just download Beach Finder. Find all the beaches in your area, with ratings AND pictures of the beaches. No surprises here. Better yet, explore the area and discover new beaches you didn’t know existed. You can read comments from the beach finder community for opinions and photos of the beach in question. And yes, directions are included. Find your perfect beach and instagram to your heart’s desire.

Surfing? Exploring? You’re only reason for coming on this trip was to tan. And nap. But mostly tan. You’re the lounger in the group, no worries, we’re not judging. But practicing safe sun isn’t always easy and next thing you know you’re rockin’ the rock lobster look. Oh but wait, not only are you burnt to a crisp, but you never turned so only your front side is nice and red. Your back? Pale as a ghost. Now you’re peeling AND uneven. This can all be prevented with my friend, SPF. Download this app to calculate the amount of time you should be in sun based on your skin type and the UV index. Better yet, tell the app your spf on your sunscreen so it can tell you how often you should reapply. This app uses information from the World Health Organization to give you the most accurate results. When you get back, all your friends will be jealous at your perfectly even and glowing tan. No sunburns for you.

Let mobile take the hassle or (unwanted) surprises out of your summer vacay. And, remember don’t ever go mobile while driving, but do go mobile once you get there.

- Dhanya Yalamanchi, Public Relations Associate