Publications
Partners
Maps.Me
If you are heading away on holiday this year, it might be a good idea to make use of Maps.Me – an app that provides access to maps, even when you are offline.
All you have to do is download the maps for your destination (preferably when you are in a WiFi zone or still at home) and then when you arrive, you can navigate your way around – whether or not you have a data connection.
The Maps.Me app works on both iOS and Android, and millions of travellers swear by the service.
If you are on the move this festive period, don’t leave without your map.
Flightradar24
If you are flying somewhere, Flightradar24 will help you keep up to date with any changes to your flight.
But it does a lot more than that.
It can also help you navigate foreign airports and track adverse weather patterns that may be wreaking havoc with air travel.
Even if you just want to know what the weather will be like when you step off the plane at your destination, Flightradar24 can assist.
Bottles
Bottles is an alcohol delivery app (similar to food delivery services) that works on both iOS and Android.
Once you have downloaded the app, you peruse the menu, order what you need and Bottles promises to have it delivered to your door within the hour.
Toll Track
If you are planning a long-distance car journey to your holiday destination this year, then tolls will most likely be an eventuality you will encounter.
Toll Track will make navigating the tolls that much simpler.
Launched by Code Sense, Toll Track offers a route planner and a toll cost calculator, so you will know exactly how much you’re in for at the tollbooths, before you leave home.
Toll Track can also be used to automatically track and log your toll fees, so you have a record of what you spent.
Minderz
Going away, but do not want to book your dog or cat into a kennel?
Minderz might be a solution for you.
Conceived in 2016, initially as an Uber-like service for babysitters, Minderz pivoted into the pet-sitting market and launched in South Africa earlier this year.
Minderz offers at-home pet sitting, dog walking, drop-in visits and pet boarding.
Prices range between R99 and R189, depending on the service.
All pet sitters are vetted.
Garden Answers
Garden Answers is a plant identification app that instantly identifies over 20 000 plants and gives you accurate and detailed information about them.
All you’ve got to do is snap a photo and submit it.
(Plus, if one of your plants is looking sickly, or you suspect an insect infestation, Garden Answers has experts on hand to help with advice.)
Best of all: it’s completely free.
EskomSePush
It wasn’t that long ago that Eskom promised that load shedding was a thing of the past.
Now we all know that proclamation was a little premature, with load shedding rearing its ugly head again, just in time for the holidays.
EskomSePush will keep you in the know as to when load shedding is likely to disrupt your plans.
Once the app is downloaded, type in the area you are in, check if any load shedding is due and then plan your holiday accordingly.
You can also set the app to send you push notifications to warn you of power outages.
This article originally appeared in the 20 December edition of finweek. Buy and download the magazine here or subscribe to our newsletter here.
