This article was published on January 6, 2011

Discover the entire world around you with Localscope. [FREE APP CODES]


Discover the entire world around you with Localscope. [FREE APP CODES]

A problem faced by most is where does one go to discover great spots in the city one calls home be it one’s permanent home, or a temporary stop for a business trip, vacation or other.

How does one solve such a problem?  One can conduct a Google or Bing search for a desired item, use an app like Yelp! to discover what’s nearby and what others have said about each spot, one can send out a Tweet and hope someone responds, one can ask locals for recommendations, and the list goes on and on and on.  The problem with these solutions?  Each is limited to providing only single options depending on which method you choose and the functionality of each is limited in a myriad of ways.

What if there was a way to conduct a search, regardless of one’s location, for over 34 different items including: Pubs, Hostels, Barbers, Parks, Hospitals, Gyms, Spas, Restaurants and more, using a single app?  You can and it’s super slick.

Localscope ($.99) is a social data-powered GPS app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch providing precise information on where you are and what’s around you.

The app, from Cynapse, not only features a grand design, but it’s functionality is equally as stunning.  Localscope allows users to conduct searches via Google, Bing, Foursquare, Twitter, and Wikimapia from a single, easy-to-use, user interface.

Conducting a Google search for a restaurant nearby returns the following results:

Once the search is completed, the app pulls up contact information so users can call locations directly or store them to your address book, offers map and direction options, and allows users to share a location by SMS, email, Facebook or Twitter.

A Foursquare search provides:

One gets the same map, direction and sharing options, plus a link to the Foursquare Venue URL.  The only thing lacking is the contact information to make reservations.  Thankfully a quick swipe to the right brings you back to the Google or Bing tab where you can secure reservations at your desired port of call.

Twitter searches are more interesting simply for what one finds.  Example:

One sees Tweets from certain locations, the ability to view the Tweet and the user’s Twitter profile, in addition to the map and direction features.

Regardless of how you search for items using Localscope, the really neat feature of Localscope is how one can choose to view results.  The options available are “List,” “Map,” or “Augmented Reality.”

The list view is fine, as is the map option, but augmented reality is where Localscope takes the cake.  To wit, sitting in my living room, deciding where to dine this evening, I discovered the following:

Simply grand.  Boi Na Braza it is, complete with contact information and how far it is from my home.

Even more grand?  The first 40 readers who email [email protected] will get their very own copy of this incredible app.

Localscope is truly a tool anyone can use and appreciate.  Localscope not only helps you discover what’s near you locally, but anywhere you happen to be at anytime.

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