5 Alternatives to Maps App for iOS 6

For the most part, I enjoy the maps upgrade in iOS 6, although I was sad to see the end of Google's tied in search.

Without Google, it has happened to me a couple of times that I searched and drove to a place of business, only to find it is closed.

Here are some alternatives you can use to avoid problems and add more tools to your device's mapping ability.

1. Motion X GPS Drive
Developer: Motion X
99 cents

Long before Apple introduced voice turn-by turn directions, I began using this app. It's just about as functional as a Garmin or similar navigation system. There are lots of search options including Bing, Wikipedia, Facebook, contact list, gas stations, address book and more.

Your 99 cents will get you all the features except for Voice and automatic turn by turn. For a yearly subscription around $10 today, you'll get those too.

Click here to get the app

2. Google Search
Developer: Google, Inc.
Free

I have found that the 'voice' option provides a quick way to get directions, much like Siri. Say "Directions to 123 Apple St." and google will quickly find the directions for you. You will be directed to the Google maps web app.

Of course you can also search for the address for the business by searching by typing or voice and inputting the address into regular iOS maps.

Click here to get the app

3. Where
Developer: Where, Inc.
Free

A simple way to search for places of business. Once you find the place, tap "get directions" and you are given the option to open with iOS maps. Also, there's info about the business such as hours and phone number.

Click here to get the app

4. Bing
Developer: Microsoft Corporation
Free

Similar to the Google Search app, this app will allow you to search for a place of business using voice or typing. There are turn by turn directions presented inside the app.

Click here to get the app

5. Beat the Traffic
Developer: Triangle Software
Free

This app makes it possible to route out alternate paths to your destination. You can choose which major highway you would like to take which is useful for big accidents and other heavy traffic.

Click here to get the app

5 Free Apps for Music Lovers

1. Shazam
Developer: Shazam Entertainment Ltd.

Find out what song is playing by recording a short sample. The app will identify the song and save a tag for you to get it later. For iPad and iPhone.

Click to get the app

2. Slacker
Developer: Slacker, Inc.

Slacker is an Internet radio service like Pandora, with a couple additional features in the app. Many songs can be played by searching for them and you can search by albums in addition to artists and songs. For iPad and iPhone.

Click here to get the app

3. Vevo
Developer: Vevo

Watch music videos on your mobile device. For iPad and iPhone.

Click here to get the app

4. iHeartRadio
Developer: Clear Channel Management Services, LP

Listen to radio stations from all around the U.S. nation on your mobile device. For iPad and iPhone

Click here to get the app

5. Grooveshark

This is a web app to access music from Grooveshark.com account. Grooveshark is a shared music service where you can find almost any song you would like to hear for free. Save your favorites to your free account and make playlists to have your music collection everywhere. (Keep in mind that you will use Internet while listening to the songs).

Click here to get the app

Get in the cloud!

There is no need to depend on a computer to back up your iPhone or iPad any longer. I personally use my iPad as my main computing tool and have all data completely backed up in the cloud.


Here's how:

Back up phone (contacts, calendar, settings)

Go to settings app
Choose iCloud
Turn on iCloud backup
Make sure you have wifi and check that the backup completes


Put music and pics in the cloud using apps

There are many options to do this. Here are 2 good free methods.


For liberating large music libraries from your computer, Google Music is your best free option. You can upload up to 20,000 songs from your computer for free.
Go to here to check it out the website from your desktop, which you will need to do in order to upload music.

There is a web app to access the music on your iPhone or iPad. Simply visit music.google.com from your mobile device browser.



Photobucket
Developer: photobucket.com

This free app allows you to view, upload and download pictures from your account.

For large picture libraries, Photobucket is your best free option. You can upload and store unlimited photos and 500 videos with a free account. Go here to check it out the website for your desktop.


Click here to get the app

3 Free Photo Editing Apps for iPhone/ iPad

1. Photoshop Express
Developer: Adobe

This is generally good for all photos. It includes basic photo editing features of cropping, adjusting brightness, contrast and color saturation. There's also many cool filters to use such as the 'vibrant' one that makes all of the colors pop.

Click here to get the app

2. More Beaute 2
Developer: more-thing Company Limited

This tool is great for face portraits, it makes everything look brighter and smoother in one easy step.

Click here to get the app

3. iRetouch Free
Developer: Nick Drabovich

This app will let you get into more detailed photo editing such as replacing parts of the photo, blurring, smudging, etc. of course, it's easier to use on a bigger screen of the iPad.

Click here to get the app

3 Apps to Expand Your Mobile Storage

The limited storage capacity on iPhone and iPad need not hold you back from having all the documents, PDFs, images and videos available on your device.

Here are 3 of my favorite free options to access those items without jamming up your memory. Take your pick!


1. Google Drive
Developer: Google, Inc.

Get this app if you are looking to work with documents.

If you are already using Google in your life as much as I am, it makes sense to go with this option. You can store docs, pics, videos and google docs that were created online from this app. It syncs with your Google account. There's a desktop program for easy syncing and you start off with 5GB free.

Click here to get the app

2. Dropbox
Developer: Dropbox

Get this app of you are want easy photo uploading along with storage for documents.

When you sign up, you get 2GB of storage. You can increase this storage by purchasing more or referring friends to sign up. Also, if you allow automatic camera roll uploads, you get additional free storage.

This free app syncs with Dropbox.com. There is also a desktop application to keep you synced on that end. You can upload or download pics, videos, docs, etc from any of those access points.

Click here to get the app

3. Skydrive
Developer: Microsoft Corporation

Get this app if you simply want a lot of free storage.

Microsoft and Windows Live fans may appreciate this app more. It syncs with your Windows live account on skydrive.com. You can save and access pics, videos, and docs.

Big bonus for this app is the most free storage capacity at 7GB to start.

Click here to get the app

*Tip: How to upload*

For all 3 of these apps, there are 2 methods to upload from your iphone or camera.

1) From within the app:
Find the upload option and select items from the camera roll (only pics or vids)

2) From within another application such as email, Pages, etc:
Find the item and select "open with" option... from there you can choose the app you want the file to save to such as Google Drive or Dropbox.