Travel Tips

Travel Tip: Vetting And Buying Travel Apps

Sure, there are a zillion travel apps out there for your smartphone, but where do you go for the best information?

Here are some of the options…

Most iPhone users will usually head straight to the Apple Store…

But there’s also GetJar.com, which offers apps for all types of smartphones.

And coming down the pipeline are app stores from Windows 8 and Amazon.

Regardless of where you buy, it’s important to vet the product before you purchase.

App stores allow user reviews, but you may see a slew of five-star ratings and glowing comments. If you do, take it with a grain of salt.

My advice: independent review sites tell a better story.

Check out resources like FreshApps.com and MacWorld, which review iPhone applications.

There’s also Gizmodo’s App of the Day and weekly roundups, plus a site called Android-Apps.com which is dedicated to Android phones.

Bottom line, it’s not just about buying the newest or hottest app on the market. It’s up to you to do your research to figure out whether it’s really worth your time and money.

For more ideas, check out Travel-Friendly Apps For Your Smartphone.

Get more information in our Travel Gadgets & Gear section.

And check out the rest of our Daily Travel Tips here.