Five iPhone apps to survive the commute

1. TripView (Sydney)

Linked gallery: In pictures: Five iPhone apps to survive the commute

Price: $2.49
Version Reviewed: 2.0
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
User rating : 5 out of 5
Developer: Grofsoft

In the travel category, TripView is currently the number one application in Australia. With its sublime simplicity and ease of use it is easy to see why.

Unfortunately, so far it is limited to Sydney and regional New South Wales - but there is definitely a market for it elsewhere in Australia.

This application is a straightforward public transport trip planner, however its beauty lies in its interface [see photo gallery, top right].

Lesser trip planners have you scrolling through lists of routes and timetables but TripView simply has you select those routes that are relevant to you. So there is no extraneous information about routes you don't use.

The user simply selects the route in question, searching by route, suburb, station, current location or a great visual map.

The route is then displayed on the home screen of the app along with any other route the user selects.

The user then simply touches the relevant route on the home screen and the next services on that route are listed.

These selected routes then make up the app home screen and will be shown every time the app is opened. With a touch you can tell whether it's a bag under arm bolt for the bus or a casual dignified stroll with a coffee.

TripView covers all of Sydney's major public transport and even includes some private operators as well. To ensure you are using the latest timetable simply use the update tab.

iTnews can also exclusively reveal that in the coming months the app will also pick up irregular services like additional services for large events and the like with the developer using official NSW transport data. 

2. Tramtracker (Melbourne)

Price: FREE
Version Reviewed: 1.3.2.1
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5
User rating : 4 out of 5
Developer: Yarra Trams

While public transport users in other cities wait for TripView, there are other apps available to help.

One of the better ones is Tramtracker, a Melbourne tram journey planner.

Like TripView it allows the users to define favourite routes, browse tram routes and use a location feature to find their nearest tram stop.

Going slightly further, the app also allows live updates of any disruptions or delays and an onboard mode so you can literally see where you are at any given point along the route. A sad end to the tourist's obligatory "Can you tell me when we reach..."

3. 13CABS (Melbourne)

Price: FREE
Version Reviewed: 2.3.1
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5
User rating : 2.5 out of 5
Developer: 13CABS

The newly released 13CABS has the potential to be a fantastic application. The app allows the ordering of a taxi direct from the users iPhone.

The user can simply enter the pickup address manually or have the GPS determine the users location. Duplication is again avoided with favourite pick up addresses and destinations stored for the user.

The most exciting feature, besides the fare estimator - (again handy for the unknowing tourist) - is without doubt the 'Where's my cab' feature. Once an order is placed, users can check when a driver has accepted the job, and then determine the last known location of the assigned cab.

At the moment this interface is a little unwieldy, but in future updates should the interface be improved this has the potential to be a truly great application.

4. Wake me up (Brisbane/Melbourne/Sydney)

Price: $2.49
Version Reviewed: 1.2 (Wake me up Sydney)
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5
User rating : No reviews
Developer: Optical Directions Consulting

Whilst the apps above will help get you where you want to go, once you know where you are going, you want to be sure you don't miss your stop!

For all the long distance train commuters out there, one app released last month may be interesting.

Wake Me Up (Brisbane/Melbourne/Sydney) is designed specifically for those that sleep with an eye open in case they miss their station.

After nominating the destination, Wake Me Up uses the GPS on the iPhone to sound an alarm as the destination approaches.

Rather intelligently, the app doesn't over use battery life or data by tracking the train the entire journey, instead setting intervals at which the GPS will be activated to check on progress. 

5. Zombieville USA (Zombieville)

Title : Zombieville USA
Price: $2.49
Version Reviewed: 1.5
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5
User rating : 4.5 out of 5
Developer: Mika Mobile

Finally, whilst these apps may make the planning easier, nothing can relieve the stress of public transport travel like a good old fashioned shoot em up!

And one of the best is Zombieville USA.

Again this app is remarkably simple but it is the genius styling that sets it apart.

Like the uber successful Flight Control, this game is all about the stylish graphics and interface and, oh, the fact you can't help but smile the first time (and every time) you use your chainsaw to saw a zombie head off!

Nate Cochrane contributed to this story.