While July might have been a bit gray, we’re nonetheless in for some heat days this summer time. There are journeys to take and barbecues to attend, and regardless of who’s becoming a member of us on these outings, our smartphones certainly will. So listed here are some apps that can assist you make the perfect of the season.
Whether or not you’re looking for your tent in a sea of equivalent blue and inexperienced at a competition (as I did at Glastonbury) or making an attempt to determine the perfect time to run to the toilet throughout a Barbenheimer marathon, these apps is likely to be lifesavers.
What3Words
(Android/iOS, free)
“Suitcase.commonly.limitless”. That’s the place I pitched my tent in accordance with this app, which has divided the Earth into 3m by 3m squares and assigned a novel three-word handle to every of them. It makes sharing your location with others a lot simpler, and is particularly helpful in distant areas with out avenue names or home numbers. Since it really works offline, you need to use it even whenever you don’t have a sign.
Splitwise
(Android/iOS, free, with paid-for options)
Take the awkwardness out of splitting payments on an evening out or a visit with an expense-tracker that does it for you. Standard amongst London flatshares, Splitwise allows you to create teams, observe particular person funds and arrange reminders to receives a commission again. The app additionally features a historical past of your transactions, so you possibly can see what you owe and who owes you.
Merlin Hen ID
(Android/iOS, free)
Take your mental-health walks to a different degree with this app, which helps you determine birds in your space. It does so by utilizing a mixture of sound, imaginative and prescient and placement and might even stroll you thru the identification course of step-by-step.
Tripcoin
(iOS, free)
In case you have journeys deliberate, you will have this budgeting app to handle your funds whereas travelling. Create classes in your bills, observe your spending in actual time, and arrange alerts to tell you when you’re nearing your spending restrict.

Evening Sky
(iOS, free, with paid-for options)
August is meteor bathe season, so that you’ll need a good stargazing app together with binoculars and telescopes to identify the continuing Perseids show. Evening Sky may also warn you about meteor showers and auroras, and even let you know when the worldwide area station or Starlink satellites are flying overhead. Its AR (augmented actuality) Sky Mixing characteristic makes use of your machine’s inner accelerometer and digital camera to overlay a 3D rendering of area in your environment as you progress your telephone over the sky.
AllTrails
(Android/iOS, free, with paid-for options)
Discover and plan out of doors adventures with this app’s huge database of trails, which incorporates strolling, biking, operating and extra. You will discover routes close to you, filter by issue, size and different standards, and skim evaluations from different customers. Obtain maps for offline use and observe your progress.
Carrot Weather
(Android/iOS, free, with paid-for options)
If you need your climate forecast with a facet of enjoyable, that is the app for you. Recognized for its snarky humour and witty forecasts, Carrot additionally supplies correct climate info. Since we are able to by no means inform with British climate, this app will enable you keep dry by alerting you earlier than it’s about to pour.
iNaturalist
(Android/iOS, free)
Utilizing your telephone to get nearer to nature would possibly really feel counterintuitive, however this app would possibly enable you just do that. It makes use of your smartphone’s digital camera to determine vegetation and animals in your environment and features a group discussion board the place you can also make nature-loving pals.
BringFido
(Android/iOS, free)
Ensure your canine has an amazing summer time too. This app’s searchable database of greater than 500,000 pet-friendly companies and places around the globe consists of motels, eating places, bars, parks, seashores and extra. Different customers can go away evaluations and rankings of the areas so you will get an thought of what to anticipate.

Shazam
(Android/iOS, free)
Questioning what that tune wafting via the window out of your neighbours’ barbecue is? Simply ask Shazam. It makes use of your smartphone’s microphone to hearken to the music and determine the tune primarily based on its audio fingerprint. It’s a good way to find new music round you, whether or not at a competition or a avenue occasion.
Google Translate
(Android/iOS, free)
With regards to translation apps, Google Translate stays a dependable favorite – permitting you to translate textual content, voice, and pictures in additional than 100 languages. With new updates, the app may even translate a menu for you in the event you simply level your telephone’s digital camera at it.
Maps.me
(Android/iOS, free, with paid-for options)
Don’t you hate it whenever you’re travelling and have hassle discovering wifi? This app solves that by letting you utilize maps in 200 international locations even when offline. It additionally comes with turn-by-turn navigation and public transport instructions.
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Omio
(Android/iOS, free)
If Europe is your destination this summer, then you’ll want this app, which lets you compare and book train, bus, and plane tickets. It includes price alerts, seat selection and mobile boarding passes. Omio also has a travel planner and helps you find the best deals.
Dice
(Android/iOS, free)
If you’re looking for music and comedy events, this great app uses your location to find gigs near you. It also allows you to follow your favourite artists and venues, and includes a social media component that lets you connect with other music lovers and share your experiences.
FlightAware
(Android/iOS, free, with paid-for features)
Stay on top of flight delays and cancellations with an app that tracks flights in real time. Get live tracking data, including the aircraft’s location, altitude, speed and estimated arrival time. It also includes a map that shows all flights in the air.

RunPee
(Android/iOS, free, with paid-for features)
It’s perfect for your Barbenheimer summer. When you are sitting through the three-hour saga that is Oppenheimer, you will be glad of this app to plan your bathroom breaks. It works by crowdsourcing (spoiler-free) cues for when you can nip to the loo without missing anything important, with a timer that alerts you when it’s time to get back.
Geocaching
(Android/iOS, free, with paid-for features)
This allows you to join a worldwide treasure-hunting community by finding hidden containers, called geocaches, all over the globe. It uses GPS to track your location and is a great way to get outdoors and explore new places.
Wanderlog
(Android/iOS, free, with paid-for features)
This makes group travel planning easier by allowing you to arrange trips with your friends collaboratively. Add information about your flights and stays, create itineraries, add photos and notes. It’s also a great way to share your recommendations and tips with friends back home.
BeReal
(Android/iOS, free)
Popular among gen Z, this relatively new social media app challenges you to live in the moment by posting a selfie and your immediate surroundings at a random time once a day. Designed to encourage users to be more authentic in their social media posts, it’s a fun way to see what everyone’s up to this summer.
Citymapper
(Android/iOS, free, with paid-for features)
This app is a no-brainer to help you get around some of the major cities of the world. It shows transport options to get you from A to B in the most efficient way possible. Plus, it’s updated with real-time information on traffic and public transport delays so you can plan accordingly.