What’s on the smartphone agenda for August?

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Waze

With holidays still very much in mind, and borders finally opening up, many of us will be hitting the road and we may well be relying on our trusty Google Maps to keep us out of trouble. But, if you’re planning on some serious motoring during your vacation, you should consider Waze, which has a range of real-time features that make it one of the handiest apps to have on-the-go. It combines GPS navigation capabilities with social sharing to get the most up-to-date traffic and travel conditions. It’s described as ‘like a more hip version of many other navigation apps’, because it not only taps into GPS technology but into the community of drivers and travellers. Real-time updates and alerts – Since Waze is community-driven, real-time updates are often faster than other apps. Drivers share information ranging from cheap gas prices and road closures to police and traffic accidents. Integration with Facebook and Calendar. You can notify friends that you are meeting of your ETA and plan your travel time around other events and trips in your calendar.

Culture Trip

We’re still in vacay mode and this is your essential travel companion; wherever you are, wherever you go. Discover and book spot-on stays and experiences, hand-picked from the world’s best bits. You can book with confidence thanks to the app’s free cancellation and date change options. Get local tips by using ‘Near Me’ to discover insider recommendations for a trip with a difference. You can also plan your trip capturing ideas, save places and book your perfect options with ‘My Plans’. So, if you’re in Rome, you won’t head to the Vatican for the Sunday blessing when the Pope’s in hospital and you can book your visit to the Sistine Chapel, which has limited time slots, days in advance to suit your schedule. Instilling added confidence, Culture Trip has been App of the Day for both Apple US and Apple UK, which said: “Culture Trip is like a crib sheet to the zeitgeist – a whip-smart hybrid of magazine and travel site. You’ll never feel out of the loop again.”