GBA Lifestyle News
As if you didn’t already rely on your smartphone for everything else in your life — here are a few more handy apps to keep in your back pocket.
If you can’t stomach another in-flight meal, then check out AirGrub, a free app that enables travelers to order food from one of the nearby restaurants. You’re notified when the food’s ready, then you get to skip the line and fast-track it to a VIP counter to pick up your fresh feast. The app’s scope is pretty limited still — only serving San Francisco, New York JFK and Boston — however more airports are all rolling out slowly. Here’s hoping for Hong Kong…
Trying to save a few bucks on your next flight? Who isn’t. Once you’ve let Hopper know where you’re trying to go, the app analyzes historic flight pricing data and suggests the best time to shop. If you have specific dates in mind, you can also sign up for Hopper to send you a push notification when the rates have dropped below average.
Travelers who want to avoid tourist traps at all costs will appreciate the alternative city guides available from Indie Guides. Originally started in France, the urban itineraries highlight artsy offerings, artisan shopping, cultural events and hidden gems in major cities across the world.
No more searching in angst as you try to find your rental car confirmations and hotel reservations. TripIt automatically scans all your emails, bundles the relevant information together in a handy, chronological itinerary and adds important times to your event calendar — all behind the scenes.
If you couldn’t already tell by looking at The Loop’s dining listings, we’re pretty big fans of Citymapper, a free app that recently launched its services in Hong Kong alongside about 30 other cities. The urban transportation expert specializes in getting you from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible, with easy-to-follow itineraries and up-to-the-minute bus/train/traffic/tram routes. It also tracks how many calories you’d burn if you skipped the metro and walked…
Whether you’re an aviation junkie or just kinda like watching airplanes fly, Flight Track will have you totally hooked after a few seconds. The app is simple, really: tiny plane zigzag across a map, plus practical bits enable you to check on flight delays, cancellations and departure gate updates.
Watch your language with WayGo, a translation app that’s especially adept in the Asian lingo department. It’s insanely easy to use: all you have to do is hold your phone up to Japanese, Korean or Chinese writing and a translation instantly appears. You’re limited to 10 translations a day for the free version, but you can upgrade if you need more.
