Top 7 iPhone Apps for Working While Abroad

It’s 2011 and everyone does everything on their mobile phones. Alexander Graham Bell is rolling over in his grave…hey, maybe there’s an app for that. There might as well be because if you have an iPhone, there’s an app for just about everything. Some are free, some are not; regardless, there are 7 iPhone apps that are invaluable to those working abroad. Let’s take a look at the free iPhone apps where functionality and fun meets.

1) Google Maps

I’m happy to report that this is one of the free iPhone apps.  Sooner or later while traveling in a foreign town, you are going to get lost. Face it. Since asking for directions may be an exercise in futility, being able to just jump onto your iPhone and find not only your location but where you need to go is an invaluable asset. This is something no self-respecting iPhone carrying traveler should be without.   

2) TripIt      

You can pull up your itinerary by emailing it to ‘TripIt’ and it will be saved and synced to your iPhone.  Even if you’re not online, you will still be able to access your already entered flight information and reservations for your trip abroad.

3) XE Currency

Because figuring out what tip the waiter or the busboy deserve wasn’t hard enough, now you have to figure out what to tip the waiter or the busboy in foreign currency! Luckily, your iPhone has a free app for that. With over 180 currency exchange rates and the capability of storing your 10 favorites, XE Currency goes one step further. Should you enter the dreaded ‘no signal’ zone, this app saves the latest accessed figures and allows you to view them offline. Clearing the application for reset is as simple as a shake of your wrist. The exchange rates are accurate and absolutely current.

4) Skype

Miss the wife and kids? Okay, only the kids? Any friends you might miss? No matter who you miss, iPhone’s Skype app allows you to keep in touch with your family and friends with reasonable rates on either Skype to cell calls or free on Skype to Skype. This way, after you get off the phone from checking in with your wife, you’ll have more money with which to tip that ‘private massage therapist’ you’re expecting after dinner. Or, if you’re a businesswoman traveling abroad, you can tell hubby where the peanut butter and popcorn are kept before you head off to the Thai version of Chippendales; thereby having more money to stuff into the outfits of the ‘dancers’.

5) SitOrSquat

Yes, you read that right. This free app is a must have for all the germaphobes traveling abroad on business. You never know when the urge will strike you; particularly after that spicy cuisine last night that your client insisted you share with them (what we won’t do for a signature on that contract). I’m not sure how iPhone app makers did it, but they created a global toilet database with which you can search out the location for your next… deposit. Too bad it doesn’t dispense T.P.

Well, that’s it for the freebies. Don’t you love that last one? What a hoot! These next invaluable iPhone apps for the businessman (or woman) traveling abroad will cost a mere $2.99 to $3.99. And you won’t even need to use XE Currency to figure that out!

6) Tweety     

This adorable little iPhone app costs $2.99 and allows you to Twitter with your buddies or family. It is extremely user friendly and will assist you in your endeavor to pester your friends with wisecracks and jokes that you just heard exchanged over the conference table; or make the family happy with pictures of the historical sites you undoubtedly visited between meetings. Travelers’ tip: If you take a picture of a postcard just right, it looks like you were really there. But you didn’t hear that from me.

7) Flight status

This is without a doubt, the best friend ever for a business person traveling abroad with their iPhone. It costs $3.99 but is well worth it in the long run.  With it, you can access arrivals, departures and delays by entering your flight number and airline. It basically provides you with a flight tracker. Of course, this completely destroys the excuse you are going to use for getting home two days later than scheduled. “Honey, I missed my plane, really”. Mm-hmm.

Should you travel on business abroad, and have been looking for that perfect excuse for purchasing an iPhone; now you have it. Bon voyage!

Guest bio: Article written by Ben who works for fastlec.co.uk - a company specialising in electrical supplies and products like redring water heaters. 

Comments

[Kyle]

Thanks for those apps you recommended. I will download them and add them to my ipad.

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[fat slice]

I always believe Skype is the best application to stay connected with your family ..

[Barbara Cote]

Microsoft hinted that the Zune and Windows Mobile teams were working closely and you can definitely see this relationship in Series 7. The menus and interface have the same fluid animations and clean typeface as the Zune HD's.

Barbara
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[Nic Coventry]

I really like the SitorSquat app, that's hilarious. I don't usually travel abroad, but there's time when I do go over to Canada, and this will be very useful. I don't think I will have a problem going to a bathroom, but I guess you never know. I did go to Mexico one time and I had to find a bathroom and I had to pay to use it! Crazy, I've never experienced that in my life, and that's prolly why I'll never go there again. Great article, very informative. Thanks for writing it!