Engineers,
Today I would like to showcase a creative travel app that includes some unique and powerful features. When you design your own products, you need to consider how to set yourself apart from the competition. The Track Kit App for iOS does just that!
There are plenty of apps that let you use your phones GPS to draw your path onto a map as you walk or drive around. Track Kit does this, but then takes the idea to a whole other level by including many additional features.
To get started, you record a track. Recording a track means the app will use your GPS to draw your position onto the map. While your track is recording, you can then take pictures and the image will be saved with your exact coordinates. Track Kit calls these “waypoints”. You can also write labels and save them onto the map as waypoints.
If you’re on vacation, hiking, or doing anything interesting, this is a great way to keep a visual log as you explore. Most people will be taking photos anyways, so having these pictures saved by geolocation is a great idea because you can then “replay” your tracks to reminisce! Playing your tracks is cool because as you see your icon move along the map, you will get to see the waypoints you saved along the way. Best of all is the social aspect, as you can send your tracks to friends or take a look at theirs to see where they went, and pictures of what’s along the way.
As an added bonus, you can use the Track-Kit.net web site to upload, organize, and compare your tracks. This is a good way to store, watch or share your adventures. More importantly, it’s a place where you can browse other peoples tracks and discover interesting places to visit in the future.
The app also includes a speedometer and compass, but where things get really interesting are with all the different multipoint distance measurement and overlay tools. These features give you a powerful augmented reality experience, allowing you to measure the distance and height of objects in any pictures you take.
Track Kit is available on iOS for your iPhone and iPad. Try it out, and keep it in mind when you get back to designing your own apps. A simple intuitive interface, with many powerful features is key to success in a crowded app store.
