iPhone Apps To Help Enjoy the Outdoors

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    • great-outdoors_picnik.jpgSome folks feel that savoring nature requires leaving all material
    possessions     at home. Others need a little help from technology. If you
    fall into the latter category (and let’s face it, most of us do), you’re
    in luck: A number of iPhone apps are designed to enhance our
    experiences in the wild    . No matter what outdoor activity you prefer,
    there’s an app for that.

    For Hikers
    The EveryTrail app works like a constantly evolving trail guide. Using the iPhone GPS system, the app will track your route and save the trip. Users can even upload camera pics and videos at various points during the journey. You can also search more than 300,000 trips logged by other travelers who use the app. The handy program will even use your phone’s location to find trips near your current whereabouts. For hikers who prefer more standardized guides, try TopoPointUSA. The app lets users access official topographic maps created by the US Geological Society (USGS). And if you’re hitting up a state or national park, trying using the FlyToMap app. This app can access maps of 50 US states and national parks, as well as water and lake maps.

    Sarah Parsons
    Sarah Parsons
    Sarah Parsons is a freelance writer and editor living in New York City. After learning about deforestation of the rainforest at seven years old, she wrote a strong-worded letter to President H.W. Bush complete with a drawing depicting the plight of homeless gorillas. It was then that her future as an environmentalist became clear. After graduating from Syracuse, she moved to New York and began her career as an environmental journalist. Over the past three years, she’s written about everything from endangered golden lion tamarins to the economic costs associated with unabated climate change. In addition to covering energy and technology for Inhabitat, Sarah has also written for Plenty, Popular Science, Audubon and OnEarth.

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    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 Brian Lang

      The biggest problem with iPhone apps for outdoor use, is those that rely on GPS data. iPhone GPS is not true GPS – it has no satellite receiver to be able to pinpoint your location. Instead, it uses cell phone towers to triangulate your location. If you’re out of range of cell service, then your GPS app WILL NOT WORK. Plain and simple.

    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 Paul

      please use your IPHONE to long on to our site http://www.WhalingNoMore.org, there is less than a month to make our voices herd regarding the fate of whales.

    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 CT

      Brian,
      The iPhone(3G and 3GS) DOES have a GPS receiver. When you are outside of cell phone tower range, apps that do not store the maps on the drive, such as the default Maps, can’t not download the map of where you are(although there is a cache of maps you have used). However, many apps DO store the maps locally and the phone works just like a “real” gps.
      I have not tried the apps listed here, however the description at the app store should say if the maps are provided with the app.

    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 Yt

      3GS has gps build in. Maps can be down loaded & saved. Try “Motion GPS”.

    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 Jim

      Cool and does it work in New Zealand? Because thats the where the picture’s from.

    • http://profile.typepad.com/6p0000000000000014 Sanjay

      Thanks for sharing. I will make use of the list. I have got many iphone updates and games through this site.