mobiEXPLORE Italy – Review
By App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: Mobiexplore
Version #: 1.0
Date Released: 2011-02-15
Developer:
Price: 0.00
User Rating:
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I’ve never been to Italy, but with mobiEXPLORE Italy I believe that I could feel like a native in no time.
Before you can use this free app, it is necessary to update the app for the most recently updated Italian travel information. This is not done through iTunes or the App Store, but by Mobiexplore. The update can take a while, but it’s definitely good to know that the most comprehensive, up-to-date info on Italy is being downloaded.
After the updating is done, you are placed at the main menu where you can do many, many things. You can book transportation (including plane!), view useful Italian phrases, and learn about the foods near you. You can also discover activities to do while in Italy, find things like Italian sights, shops, foods, and hotels in your city, and book low-cost hotel rooms with no reservation fees through Booking.com, a prestigious hotel booking service.
Finally there is the ability to view local news or weather, learn about Italy (like emergency phone numbers, local customs, or fun facts), and view the deals of Italy. All this, again, is accessible from the easy-to-navigate main menu.
Probably my favorite feature of this app is its ability to work while offline. The last thing you want to worry about while on vacation is how much money you are spending on your phone bill. It’s great to know that this app won’t be using too much of your precious data. That is, obviously, unless you need to book a hotel or transportation, or view the news or weather.
Another great feature is the previously mentioned Italian phrases. The app includes phrases considered basic phrases, getting around phrases (pertaining to transportation), and gastronomy phrases (pertaining to food). Here it would be nice to have a search feature, where you could search for a phrase and all results appear before you or a pronunciation feature, but neither of these are necessary. The app works great as it is now.
One final thing that I love is the info included in this app. Tap on ‘Info’ from the main menu and get access to emergency phone numbers, something essential when in a strange country. There are also many fun facts. For example, Italian children go to school six days a week. Next, there are the local customs of Italy. It is great knowing that dressing well is a priority or that lateness in common in this country. Lastly (still in this same Info section), there are tips, useful pieces of advice, and regional facts too. Getting an idea of how thorough this app is now?
Is it strange that a simple app can make you want to take a vacation? I hope not, because this app has made me want to visit Italy.
Quick Take
Value:High.
Would I Buy Again:Yes.
Learning Curve:Low.
Who Is It For:Those traveling to Italy. (The developer offers apps for other places too, like Cyprus or various Croatian destinations for example.)
What I Like:There is so much that this app has to offer.
What I Don't Like:It's not the prettiest app, but I'd take functionality over beauty any day.
Final Statement:Packing for Italy? Don't forget this app.
Italy in a palm of your hand: All regions and major cities (Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, Naples …), city maps, sights, accommodation, restaurants, local events and much more.
You can also save money while booking a hotel: Real-time booking with the best rates for over 12,000 hotels in Italy, provided by booking.com - one of the world's leading online hotel reservation agencies. Fully functional free-edition, download it and enjoy exploring Italy.
(*Note: First time you start the app, you will need to click on "update" in order to download the app content. We recommend Wi-Fi use. After that you can use the app offline, except for content like weather forecast or events.)
