Hungry? Smartphone apps give drivers many options
Drivers no longer need to buy a fancy GPS system to find the quickest route to a new restaurant or nearest rest stop off of Route 66. A smartphone and a reliable locator app will do the job.
Some of the most convenient applications are offered as free downloads. They make traveling convenient and safer no matter where you go.
The following reviews highlight convenient and popular food-related locator apps. Like all smartphone applications, make sure to read descriptions and reviews. Their performance and suitability depend on the make and model of your smartphone as well as your personal preferences.
Uncover more with ‘Around Me’
What are some of the top location-based applications to help get you where you are going or what you need in the particular area?
One convenient app is Around Me. Like all locator apps, it determines your precise position through the GPS receiver on your smartphone. It is available as a free download for both iPhone and Android phones,
“It saved me from sitting blindly in a hotel room after room service has shut down for the night,” said Todd Ramsey of the Ramsey Consulting Group, which specializes in mobile trends.
Around Me allows you to quickly find directions to restaurants, rest stops, banks, gas stations, hotels, supermarkets, theaters and more from your current location. In addition, you can save locations to your contacts for future use and can be integrated with other navigation systems.
Around Me made it onto the Time Magazine list of top iPhone apps in 2011. It received kudos for simplicity and speed.
Find it fast with ‘FastFood’
FastFood is a GPS-based location tool that allows users to find any fast food joint in the area—perfect for those times when you just need a quick bite.
It’s not just for fast food stops: coffee shops, grocers and restaurants will also show up. There is a list of 75 major food chains to choose from to make it easy. Feeling like Olive Garden? McDonalds? Panda Express? No problem. This app can find it.
The app also provides menu items, nutritional value and allows you to make a reservation. You can tag and share favorite restaurants with friends.
Fastfood supports the iPhone platform only. It comes in a free version and an app for purchase called Fastfood Premium, which was named one of the top restaurant locator apps in 2010 by NavigationApps.com.
Picture it with ‘Foodspotting’
Wouldn’t it be great to see what you’re thinking of eating before you order it? Food Spotting allows users to view photos of their favorite dishes, while also giving details on where to find them. This is perfect if you have a craving and have something specific in mind.
You can also share photos of dishes you’ve encountered so other app users can benefit from your discoveries as well. Foodspotting provides postage stamp photos overlaid on a local area map, and it makes it easy to identify location and type.
Other unique features include a “Best” tab for most popular food locations. You may enter a restaurant review. You also can bookmark foods you want to try with a helpful “Wanted” tab.
This Android-only app may be downloaded free.
“Food Finder”
Easy-to-use and allows you to search for any nearby restaurant, fast food spot, pub or bar. Once a restaurant is chosen, the app can give you turn-by-turn directions on how to get there.
Food finder is an Android-only app and is available for free download.
Tips for drivers
Ramsey utilizes his smartphone frequently and offered the following tips for users who rely on location-based applications:
- GPS-based apps can drain your battery fast.
- If you use your locator app frequently, make sure you exit the application to turn off GPS location services, which can diminish battery life.
- Bring along a car charger to power up your smartphone on the road.
- Never use your smartphone apps while driving. Pull over in a safe location when you conducting a search.
- Review all apps before downloading. Make sure they suite your needs, are safe to use and have received positive reviews.