Apps for Expatriates
Language
App Name: Lingolook Flashcards
Price: $4.99 USD per language
Platforms: iPad, iTouch, iPhone
Details: Lingolook Flashcards is a useful Apple application that lists 500 translations of the most commonly used words in any given language. 300 of the translations on offer are available in audio format, allowing expats to listen to the native phrase and learn the correct pronunciation. At present the electronic flashcards are available for the following 7 countries:
- Germany
- Japan
- France
- Spain
- Mexico
- India
- Italy
App Name: Qingwen Mandarin Dictionary
Price: $4.99 USD
Platforms: iPad, iTouch, iPhone
Details: Chinese is an exceptionally difficult language to learn and communicating with the locals can become a significant issue for expatriates living in China. This application is one of the best Chinese language apps on the market because it allows you to search for the words in both English and Pinyin quickly and easily. Stuck in an awkward situation? Simply search the app for the word you are looking for and show it to a local on the screen. Suddenly life is just a little bit easier.
Entertainment
App Name: Netflix
Price: Free
Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iTouch. Coming soon to Android.
Details: A handy app that allows expats to instantly watch TV shows and movies on their handheld device. Simply subscribe to Netflix and then watch them free from your smartphone. Great for expatriates who are living in foreign language communities that have limited television show choice.
Staying in Touch
App Name: W N Postcard
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS, iPhone
Details: W N postcard is a great application to use to show off to your friends as you enjoy news sights and experiences overseas. Simply take a picture,
add a message and email a digital version of the card to your friends and family. For an additional $2 per card (payable via Paypal), you can mail a high-quality glossy version of your postcard anywhere in the world.
App Name: OnTheRoad.to
Price: Free
Platforms: iPhone, Android
Details: One great way for expatriates to keep in touch with their friends and family back home and share their adventures is through blogging and online diaries. This handy app allows you to share photographs, videos and diary entries of the places you visit and the experiences you have as you enjoy life overseas. Don’t just tell your friends about your amazing new apartment, take photographs and instantly share them via email, your own website or social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook.
Navigating the Infrastructure
App Name: Wi-Fi Finder
Price: Free
Platforms: iPhone, iPad, iTouch
Details: Wi-Fi finder can be an extremely handy app for expats who have just relocated and have yet to arrange basic utilities like broadband. The application helps you to locate free spots where you can access free Wi-Fi services, an absolute lifesaver when you are out and about exploring your new home. The application currently knows of over 200,000 spots in 135 countries.
App Name: Sit or Squat
Price: Free
Platforms: iPhone, iPad, iTouch, Blackberry 4.2
Details: Sit or Squat is a crowd sourced database that provides the details of public toilets around the world. The database currently contains the locations of over 65,000 public conveniences. A great resource for expatriates to use in their host location and while traveling, the application generates a list of nearby toilets as well as reviews as to their cleanliness.
Are there any smartphone applications that you have found particularly useful as an expatriate. Leave a comment and tell us all about them.
