An app like Apple Maps or Yelp can help you find something if you know what you’re in the mood for, what if you want to be surprised? Or, what if you’re a lousy touchscreen typist like I am, wouldn’t it be cool to find the closest restaurant or theater without having to type even one character? Let’s check out Where To? A great little app to help you find points of interest no matter where you are.
Overview
Where To? is a points of interest database app that includes more than 700 customizable categories. by selecting a category, the app will display all nearby attractions fitting that category. All without having to type one letter!
The app also supplies a great amount of information about the location or attraction you select.
Once you find where you might want to spend some time, Where To? will supply all sorts of information about your selection.
I decided to try the app to find a good Mexican restaurant here in our small town. I tapped the fork and knife on the rotary dialer type interface and was taken to the Food & Drink category list. This list of restaurant types is quite comprehensive, with types of restaurants listed that I wouldn’t have even thought of. I scrolled down until I got to “Mexican” and tapped the selection. The app loaded a map showing all nearby Mexican restaurants.
I then selected a nearby restaurant I hadn’t yet had the opportunity to try, “Moe’s Southwest Grill.” by tapping the flagged pushpin, the app whisked me to the information screen, showing me pertinent info such as distance to the restaurant, reviews, even links to the restaurants menu and their website. Tapping the website address loads the restaurant’s website into the in-app browser.
By using the supplied icons, I could call the restaurant, add it to my contacts, email information about it, and select it as a favorite. One option I really liked was the routing icon. By tapping it, you’re taken to a screen that gives you the option of which navigation software you want to open the route to the restaurant in. Options for me were Apple Maps, Where To? itself, and a street view via Streets, an app by the same company that allows you to get a street view of the location, ala Google Maps. The list also displayed various other nav apps that weren’t loaded on my iPhone, but were available in the App Store.
One fun feature I enjoyed was the “Shake to Surprise” feature. If you’re not sure what type of restaurant or other attraction you might want, just shake your iPhone while you’re in the attractions list. It will select a random subcategory and then load the map to show you nearby locations. I loved playing with that feature, especially when the app selected “Cakes” for dinner.
One part of the app I didn’t get to try, but am looking forward to trying out, is the augmented reality feature. That feature overlays nearby locations over a live view through the iPhone camera. Allowing you to see all nearby points of interest laid on top of a live view. I’m thinking that will be fun to play with.
Verdict
Where To? is easy to use and seems to have a massive library of location information. It merges the features of apps like Yelp, and Apple’s Maps app, and allows you to he nearest restaurant, theater, supermarket, or other types of attractions easily and without ever having to directly enter one letter from the virtual keyboard.
While I’m not sure Where To? will replace Yelp and Maps on my iPhone, I can see where many users would appreciate the interface and features the app offers.
Rating:3.5/5[rating:3.5]
Price: $2.99 – Available for the iPhone in the App Store. [DIRECT LINK]
Pros:
- The easy to use “rotary” interface allows you to select categories of attractions without needing to enter anything via the virtual keyboard.
- The integrated browser that allows you to visit the website of your selection is a nice touch.
- Uses proven Google Search results.
- “Shake to Surprise!” Cake for dinner? SURE!
- Sharing your destination via Facebook, text, etc. Always a nice touch.
Cons:
- It would be nice if the app didn’t need to use an external app for street level view.
* The above review was commissioned by the developer in accordance with our app review policy, and has been written in an objective, unbiased fashion.
