Among a group of other patents awarded it by the U.S. Patent & Trade Mark office, Apple now claims the rights to iTravel, an application that provides a traveler services while on the road, according to a report. Some of the conveniences offered by the app include booking reservations, checking in at an airport, dealing with baggage claims and identification, reported Patently Apple.
But should Apple stop there? It probably won’t. There’re just too many services out there that the average traveler could use and if the company is going to develop an app to help travelers – with such an all-encompassing names ‘iTravel’ – it would make sense to fill it with an answer to every wish or query a traveler might have. There are other apps already on the market that Apple could learn from, clone or bolt on to whatever it is they ultimately develop iTravel into:
Vocre
iTravel into would include Vocre, a translation program that allows a user to merely speak into a mobile device to hear a translation into 23 different languages. Translation apps are useful to the jet-setting business entrepreneur and tourist alike.
FlightTrack
Made by Mobiata, FlightTrack gives users the option of checking flight times and gates, complete with maps, covering over 5,000 airports and 1,400 airlines, according to the company.
SitOrSquat
Why anyone thought this up is perplexing but it seems to have caught on. SitOrSquat is an international bathroom rating system that can help you find the nearest bathroom to your location and reviews on its cleanliness. Partnered with the toilet paper manufacturer, Charmin, travelers perusing a bazaar in Delhi or a chili cookoff on Tulsa will know where to go when they have to.
TripIt
Ever carry around pages of travel times, flight numbers and transportation info when you’re on the move? TripIt is attempting to simplify the planning process. Though you have to sign up for this service, if you send you travel info to the company you can view all of your itinerary info on your mobile device. Simple enough!
(More Apps on Page 2)
Hotel Tonight
Every avid traveler eventually finds him or herself in need of a hotel room at the last minute. That’s where Hotel Tonight might be good to have in your mobile device. The app finds big last minute deals at hotels wherever you are.
OANDA Currency Converter
Traveling overseas? You need to have a currency converter. It’s just that simple. Some travelers might not flinch when paying $18 for a single glass of wine, some might howl in pain. Allowing yourself to be gouged while on vacation is not a crime, unless you don’t know it’s happening. Know your exchange rates!
Other travel apps, assembled by our own Tracey Greenstein, can be seen here. Enjoy!