iPhone Apps for an African Safari

The iPhone has changed the way the way people use their cellular phones.

Apart from the friendly and very funky user interface it is the thousands of applications that you can download to your phone that makes the iPhone such an addictive little gadget.  With a multitude of photography apps and numerous references available I had an interesting thought.

If you are going on an African safari, which iPhone applications would you like to have on your phone?

I asked this question on both Facebook and Twitter and got some very ‘interesting’ suggestions but will run through those at the end of this post.  For now, here is a short list of apps I currently have on my iPhone and that could be useful when you head out to that Africa safari.

• Camera Genius – This app adds a lot of functionality to the iPhone’s camera.  Burst mode, zoom capability, visual grid lines, an auto timer and many more makes for a great app.  This is what the iPhone camera should have been.
• Camera Plus – Similar to Camera Genius in that it improves the functionality of the built in camera.  A simulated flash makes for interesting results.
• Best Camera - This app by Chase Jarvis, put the cool back into cellphone cameras.  You can either take a new pic or use one form your gallery and then apply various filters and adjustments to the image.  This app let’s you share your images immediately by uploading them to Twitter, Facebook or the Best Camera website gallery.  This one is a must have!

• Photoshop for iPhone – Pretty much what it says.  Process your iPhone images on the go.  Not as advanced as it’s bigger brother, this app is easy with great results.
• Tiffen FX – This app lets you simulate some of the many Tiffen lens filters.  This must be the most comprehensive collection of digital filters out there.  Easy and great fun.
• Photo Buddy – Another must have.  This app is like having your own photo assistant in your pocket and includes sunrise / sunset times, exposure presets, depth of field calculator and many more.

• Wildlife of Southern Africa – An extremely useful app which includes all the basic info you might need.  Categories include Insects, Fish, Frogs, Grasses, Wild Flowers, Mammals and many more.
• Sasol e.Birds of Southern Africa - I use this one almost every day.  Based on the best selling field guide, this app includes a full species account of Southern African Bird Species.  Apart from images and distribution maps all the basic information is also included.  What makes this app great is that you can take notes, keep a checklist and also listen to the call of the various species.  Stunning application!
• Weather Pro – For me this is one of the best weather apps out there.  You can view weekly forecast, which get updated all the time, graphs, predictions and radar images of your area.  The app picks up your location and gives your weather forecast specifically for your location.  Not sure whether to go on the morning game drive?  This app will help.

• Luan – This app shows you, all on one screen, the phases of the moon for the current month.  Should you want to shoot stars or landscapes with a large full moon just above the horizon this is a must.
• Distance Cam - Clever little app that helps you judge distance to you subject.  By moving the figure of an average sized person you can get a rough idea of distance which could help with you desired depth of field decisions.  Photo Buddy, mentioned above, can also help with this.  Should you need something s little bigger to try and judge distance you can also use a bus or s ship.

The options are endless and the image on the right shows just a few of the photography apps I have on my iPhone.  The iPhone will obviously never stack up to a DSLR but you can have a lot of fun with it and you will probably end up learning, or at least reminding yourself of the basics, as well.  You can find any of the above apps on iTunes Store by searching for the highlighted names.

Now as mentioned I had quite a few ‘interesting’ suggestions of applications people have used or would like to see on the iPhone.  Apart from things like weather and camera apps, which got mentioned quite a few times, check these out:

• Deborah – Used the built in Notes and Voice Recorder apps to record places, sightings and names of birds / animals.
• Cassio – Needs an app that will record GPS coordinates of sightings which could then let you view a map afterwards.  Nice idea.  (I use MotionX GPS which does exactly that and more.)
• Les - Something called to Trek-Transporter to get out out trouble QUICKLY should the need arise!
  
• Beth – Would like to have an app that will tell her where the bathroom is.
• Magi – Would like an app where you can enter the liquor you have available and it makes suggestions as to delectable treats.

Not sure if those last few are possible but if you have heard of any applications that could work let me know!  Tomorrow I will be posting the new iPhone wallpapers so make sure to come and download your favorite ones free.  Even if you don’t have an iPhone the images should work on other phones as well or you can just pop in o lok at some wildlifephoogs!  I also have a great guest blogger lined up for Thursday (and the next week!) so check in for a sneak peak tomorrow.

See ya soon.

Gerry