Blog

Tag: Iphone

New Lonely Planet Translation apps!

by Natalia
News + Travel / September 28, 2011

This past week I’ve been on vacation in San Francisco, my first trip outside Canada in some time.   Heading back to work this morning through familiar streets, armed with my cell phone, bus pass, and a steaming mug of home-brewed coffee, I was struck by the conveniences of being a local.  The everyday practicalities of travel can be frustrating—tracking down wifi, finding a pay phone, dealing with public transit—all these small details of life which you wouldn’t give a second thought at home can become a big hassle in an unfamiliar city.

So I was excited when I heard about Lonely Planet’s latest offering to beleaguered travellers: The Lonely Planet Offline Translator, available on Android and iOs.  From the Lonely Planet folks:

The perfect travel companion, Lonely Planet Offline Translator acts as your own personal translator, providing bespoke translations based on what the user has typed or spoken into the phone. Unlike other language translation apps, Lonely Planet Offline Translator is completely offline, which means it can be used anywhere with no data/roaming fees or connection delays.

Initially launching in eight languages, the app translates words, phrases or whole sentences into immediate audio or text translations. Designed specifically for travelers, the app utilizes over 40,000 words for its translations. It also features a completely searchable dictionary.

I love travel apps, and this one sounds pretty nifty—to my mind, this make much more sense than lugging around a heavy dictionary everywhere you go.  What do you all think? Ever used the Lonely Planet apps abroad?

Happy travels everyone!

Two New Free iPhone Apps From Moleskine and Lonely Planet

by Crystal
Art & Photography + News + Travel / April 20, 2011

If you had asked me a week ago where my cell phone was I probably would have stared at you blankly and had to ponder the question for awhile. My cell phone... did I leave it in the car? Is it buried at the bottom of my purse? Did I leave it sitting on the bar at home? The only people who regularly phoned me on it are my husband and my co-worker Dani. I'll admit I didn't even have voice mail set up. Text Messaging? Why is everyone so into text messaging? And how do they do it so fast? It took me 20 minutes to type out a text message! Who has time to press the 2 key 3 times to get the C to pop up? Email and Social Networking? That is a computer thing. My phone didn't have the capabilities.

First Up- The official Moleskine App for iPhone and iPad. Price- Free!!! 

Second up-  Royal London Audio Walking Tour from Lonely Planet. Price- Free!!! For a limited time (AKA Hurry up and go download it!!!)

Lonely Planet Comes To The Aid Of Stranded Traveler’s With Free City Guide iPhone Apps

by Crystal
Environment + News + Travel + Vancouver / February 02, 2011

Lonely Planet is once again coming to the aid of travelers stranded across Canada and the US do to snowstorms! For 72 hours Lonely Planet is offering 14 of it's iPhone City Guide apps for free.

“We recognize that travelers are stuck all over the country due to these recent storms and will need access to our content”, said John Boris, Lonely Planet’s Managing Director. “Thus, we made all our USand CanadianiPhoneCityGuide apps free so that regardless of whether they are stuck in a blizzard or on the beach, they can easily download the practical information and recommendations we provide straight onto their phone”. 

The 14 guides will be free in the iTunes App Store from 5pmPST on Tuesday, February 1^st to 5pmPST Friday, February 4^th 2011.

The cities available are:

·         San Francisco

·         New York City

·         Boston

·         Washington DC

·         Chicago

·         Seattle

·         New Orleans

·         Vancouver

·         Las Vegas

·         Miami

·         Toronto

·         Los Angeles

·         Montreal

·         Fort Myers & Sanibel

Lonely Planet has a history of helping stranded travelers, having offered their EuropeaniPhoneCityGuide apps free during the eruption of Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull and again during the Christmas snowstorms. This is the first time they’ve offered their US or Canadian city guides for free.

5 Things Vancouver: Monica Lippingwell

by Dan
Travel + Vancouver / February 16, 2010

The second of today's 5 Things Vancouver segments is from Raincoast reader Monica Lippingwell, who has been enthusiastically tweeting and re-tweeting about the series on Twitter.

Monica is a recent graduate with a master’s degree in counselling psychology. Sadly, she's currently unemployed, but is volunteering with children and people with life-threatening illnesses.

Because of the current economic environment she's trying to decide whether to return to school or start her own business. 

She says, "I am a life-long journaller (currently trying out a new iPhone journalling app…), I love books and I love Vancouver!"

You can find Monica on Twitter @monicamaple.

How long have you lived in Vancouver?
I am Vancouver born and raised. When I meet new people the inevitable response is, “I’ve never met anyone from here. People in Vancouver are usually from somewhere else.” I grew up in the South Vancouver neighbourhood of Marpole and loved it.

Where do you look for books in Vancouver?
Characters Books on Granville at W 68th Ave. I think the correct term is “gently used” books and they have everything. They are organized, knowledgeable, and have a steady turnover so it’s easy to find new titles, as well as old. Cozy coffee shop, too.

What is the single best thing about living in Vancouver?
Smiles. The first thing I notice when I return home from whatever trip I’ve been on is that people are smiling. They are smiling at me and they are smiling at each other. It’s something we do here and it tells me that I am home.

Where’s the best place for coffee?
My friends and I call it “the pie place” but I think it’s called A la Mode. It’s a pie shop at Granville Island and they have a wonderful latte served in a glass mug. It’s delicious coffee and the mug is great for keeping you warm outside.

What’s your favourite free thing to do in Vancouver?
Granville Island. It’s always the first place I take out of town guests. Food displays, window shopping, activities for kids, artists, houseboats; it has everything. It’s also one of my relaxation spots. I look for harbour seals in the waters of False Creek; watch the rowers, the kayakers, the diving Cormorants, and the wandering people. Whatever the weather you can find me on a bench by the Market.

Thanks Monica!

(photo courtesy of Monica)

Lonely Planet Free iPhone City Guide Application to Vancouver

by Crystal
Events + News + Sports + Travel + Vancouver / February 09, 2010

The Olympic spirit is hitting me hard today. I found out over the weekend that the Olympic torch is going right down my street today at 1:00! I can stand on my deck and watch the whole thing! Since it is such a once in a lifetime experience I am working from home today so that I can watch the Olympic torch go by our house with my 18 month old daughter during my lunch break. 

I keep taking quick peeks out the window to see if any festivities have started up yet and keep wondering about all of the amazing Olympic activities that must be going on all over this beautiful city of ours. 

Then "Bing" an email arrives in my mailbox from Lonely Planet! It says: 

In honor of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, Lonely Planet is offering a free iPhone city guide application to the host city! Travelers can get the low-down on all Vancouver has to offer in the mobile app "Vancouver Travel Guide: The Sights". This free application can be downloaded via the iPhone's application store or on iTunes. It is available now through March 1st, 2010.


As this spectacular city gears up for the games, there is no better time for visitors to have all of its sights at their fingertips. From UBC Thunderbird Arena and the Pacific Coliseum, to the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Capilano Salmon Hatchery, Lonely Planet has listed over 70 top sights and shows where they are using location-aware maps. Plus, by tilting the iPhone, users have access to fun facts on Vancouver, special tips on what to do, see or eat, photos and much more.

Features:

-List of Top Vancouver Sights

-Fun Vancouver Facts

-Location-Based Navigation

-Integrated Google Maps

Sadly I do not have an iPhone... but I know that some of you do and I would love to hear what you think of the new Lonely Planet App! Share it with your friends who are coming to Vancouver for the Olympics, play with the application, spread the word, rate it and come back here and let me know what you think of it! 

Comment and then on February 11th I will pick one of your fabulous responses and I'll send the winner a free copy of Lonely Planet Vancouver City Guide!

Happy Olympics everyone!