Maui Revealed – Review
By App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By:
Version #: 1.0.1
Date Released: 2011-04-25
Developer: Crystal Springs Software, LLC
Price: 5.99
User Rating:
Loading...
What can you do while on vacation? You can see sights, dine out, visit beaches, shop, and much more. Maui Revealed can help you do all this and much, much more if you are visiting the beautiful island of Maui.
The app is a pretty large download as everything is stored locally. You do not need internet access to use this app as everything is available offline, which is great. There may be complaints that the app may not look too beautiful, but this is because it is designed for easy, high-contrast readability in the Hawaiian sun.
From the main page, you can search the island for anything or locate yourself on Maui and find nearby points of interest. There is also a virtual guidebook, which is just like having an actual guidebook without the usual “I’m a tourist!” screams.
In this guidebook, you can view worthy sights, dining places, beaches, activities (such as biking, gliding, and kayaking), adventures (such as lava field exploration and swimming with sharks), shopping places, night clubs, and hotels. These categories are broken up into different regions of Maui so you can easily find the places closest to you.
The dining information is one of my favorite parts of the app. Here you can search for food by location, type (local, American, Chinese, etc.), price, rating, or alphabetically. Each place does have a price range, $10-$15 for example, which is nice. If the restaurant has a different menu depending on the time of day, then this app will give you the price range of each meal. It really has incredible detail.
The app also has a great ‘Best Bets’ section. This section has many places which are the things you won’t want to miss. Some examples include best hike, best banana bread (on the planet), best place to waste your money, even best place to find golf balls while snorkeling! This is something unique that you will definitely want to check out.
One of my other favorite features is the general island information given. You can read about how to get around the island, traveling with children, hazards of the island, the Hawaiian language, and miscellaneous information such as Hawaiian time, music, and farmers’ markets. All of this is very nice to know and can make your trip more enjoyable.
One thing missing, however, is the inclusion of places like McDonald’s. While these places are missing, it is kind of nice to have only local eateries featured in this app as you should try to branch out and try places that aren’t available back home.
Quick Take
Value:High
Would I Buy Again:Yes
Learning Curve:Low
Who Is It For:Anyone going to Maui needs this app
What I Like:Tons of incredibly accurate information and still very easy to use
What I Don't Like:Some may complain that popular places like McDonald?s are not present
Final Statement:Only the ticket to Maui is more important that this app
The Maui Revealed iPhone app combines the best-selling Maui guidebook—Maui Revealed—with a location-aware GPS customized map that works without a cellular signal. This app is a candid, humorous guidebook to everything there is to see and do on the island. Best-selling author and longtime Hawaii resident, Andrew Doughty, unlocks the secrets of an island so lush and diverse that many visitors never realize all that it has to offer. Explore with him as he reveals breathtaking trails, secluded beaches, pristine reefs, delicious places to eat, colorful craters, hidden waterfalls and so much more. Every restaurant, activity provider, business and resort is reviewed personally and anonymously. Every beach, trail and location has been evaluated through years of field research. This app can help you have your best Maui vacation—ever.
• Fast and easy-to-use app designed for travelers
Interact through a revolutionary "smart" table of contents that highlights the best beaches, sights and restaurants and makes it easy to focus on what you want. You're just a tap away from being able to see exactly where anything is on the linked GPS-aware map. Want to make reservations, check hours or learn more about various companies? There are hundreds of links to websites and phone numbers that let you make calls, browse the web or get the information you need—fast.
• Never get lost with a GPS aware map
All GPS information, whether it's roads, trails or places of interest have been painstakingly gathered by the authors with visitors in mind. So that when you search, for instance, for a zipline tour, you will get the correct place you need to go—just past the 2 mile marker on Hwy 378—not their mailing address in another part of the island. Even if you already have the Maui Revealed book, this self-aware app is an invaluable addition. If you’re out exploring and want to find something to do nearby, or somewhere to eat, just tap the "Locate" button to see where you are on the map, then tap the map to see the guidebook entries for everything around you. The "MapIt" button reveals where you are and where you want to go.
• Customizable search features let you enjoy your trip your way
Trying to find something in particular? Use the powerful search feature to quickly find it. Not sure what you are looking for? Go to the lists of hotels and restaurants, and sort them by category, price, location or rating to help narrow down your choices. Or, check out the lists of Best Bets for interesting recommendations for each part of the island. An extensive Activities section covers everything from ATVs to Ziplines and will give you great ideas about what to do, which companies do it best and which to avoid. Looking for an adventure? Check out the Adventures section for activities that will push your limits.
• High-resolution specially designed interactive map with pinch-to-zoom detail
• Map works without a cell signal or data roaming charges
• Geo accurate hiking trails, beach access paths and points of interest
• Over 400 beautiful color photographs
• "Search" lets you quickly find guidebook entries
• "Map It" button lets you locate guidebook entries on the map
• "Locate" finds and tracks your current position on the map
• Links in the text make content easy to explore
• Smart Table of Contents previews relevant information
• Lists of hotels and restaurants can be sorted multiple ways
• Tap to dial phone numbers, visit related websites and view list of nearby sites
Guidebook Reviews
"An authoritative and in-depth look at all that the island offers"
—Josh Roberts, USA Today
"Great series of guidebooks...Their fun-to-read style is helpful and easy to follow. Their observations are precise..."
—Hawaii Magazine
