Episode 1: New York City
New York is the natural place to start, the epitome of urban living, New Yorkers spend hours underground and enclosed in foot-thick brick walls. Signal access means planning, apps that require less or intermittent data connection, thrive here.
1. NYCMate-
If there ever was an app designed for traversing the caverns below NY, this is it. Sitting on the subway talking with a friend or two may lead to an improvised stop for something to eat or a quick cocktail. Quell any arguments about the route before they begin.
Densebrain and episode6 have teamed up to provide a clear and simple subway map packed with smooth zooming and expandable bus and neighborhood maps for getting more precise transit. The timetable tab is a nice feature as well. When you can't check the Google map, NYCMate is an invaluable resource.
NYCMate
2. Chase/BoA banking apps-
NYC is largely a cash-driven economy and there's nothing worse than walking into a corner bodega for that badly needed pint of Ol' Grandad to forget the day’s work, laundry detergent, or mediocre bagel; only to find that they don't take cards. These banks will help you out with an ATM finder. Not to mention they'll let you transfer funds when you've blown your budget.
Chase BoA
3. Time Out New York (TONY)-
No matter how hip, connected, or social you are, in NYC a block from you someone is making, performing, serving something you should know about but don't. TONY is a pretty good link to what's going on in any given neighborhood. Sure the interface is a little clunky and the design is far from svelte, but you are using this app to stop looking at the screen, right? Anything you’re looking for will be there; food, music, events, and if you've spent enough time in NYC, you'll really appreciate the Free & Cheap section.
TONY
4. doubleTwist/ ³(Cubed)/ Winamp-
Music on the train helps tune out the nuts, the screeches of the tracks, and... other people’s music. Once again, there’s no signal. If you’ve become a Pandora addict, you'll need to dust off your digital music collection before you leave the security of home. Pick your flavor of the aforementioned media players, each have benefits and drawbacks many times reviewed.
Personally, I don't have a fear or wires or manual syncing and don't watch many videos. I use ³, for the minimalist interface, though there are more exciting options.
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5. AC Adapter/airplane mode-
Necessary apps? Maybe a stretch, but it’s one I’m willing to make. Life in NYC is as unpredictable as any place I’ve lived, not to mention that your poor phone is searching high and low for a signal and you battery life will drop through the floor. Vigilance over power consumption is a necessary part of a smartphone user’s day-to-day. You never know when you’ll have access to an outlet again or whence/when life may whisk you away. My advice is charge early, charge often and shut it off when you’re not using it.
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