Top 5 London Apps

I love my smartphone and if you are anything like me you will wonder how you used to live without it; what did we do before we had Angry Birds and apps to help us with everything?

So, here is my list of the top five apps for London:

1. StreetMuseum: Museum of London
Augmented reality – or AR – is the newest craze to hit smartphones and the Museum of London has used it to create what has to be one of the best apps around. You can download it on to your iPhone, iPad and Android phone.

Here's how it works: You open the app and allow it to work out your current location . A map then opens showing you your position and also showing the locations of the various sites where you can view historic images of London. If you are in the location pictured, you can click on the ‘3D view’ button and the app will recognise your location and overlay the historic image over the current view – augmenting the reality that the built-in iPhone camera perceives. It’s a great way to see London and best of all its free. Available on Android and iPhones.

2. Qype
This app, which is also free, combines Places – which comes with your Google map on your smartphone – with location-based voucher apps, like Vouchercloud. You can find places based on category and on location. This is much better than Places, as you can also find takeaways, hospitals and banks. You can also receive vouchers based on your location. You’ll never be lost in London again. Available on iPhone and Android.

3. iRule London
This is real life Monopoly! This is how it works: When you travel about the centre of London you can use the iPhone’s GPS system to move about the game board, playing at different locations as you go about your daily routine.

Within the city, play against other players in buying and renting property, collecting bonuses, taking part in daily challenges and placing your own items and buildings on the board to trap other players. Play each day to earn a daily salary and collect the awards within the game. It’s free and only available on iPhones.

4. Lonely Planet: London Compass
The Lonely Planet compass uses GPS and augmented reality camera, which comes with most Smartphones, to find that cool restaurant or bar. The AR will show you the way and calculate how long it will takes; now there is no excuse for getting lost in the capital! Available on iPhone and Android for £0.62.

5. Hubbd
Ever paid £10 to go into a club and found that is empty and, well, just a bit pants? This app will make that a thing of the past. Hubbd will tell you in real time where is buzzing while you’re on a night out. All you need to do is create an anonymous profile with a few of your characteristics. Then your map won't just show you where's busy, it'll also let you know what type of groups are where. As well as the live map you can also get exclusive offers. Available on iPhone, and soon to be available on Android.

By Cat Hughes

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