Web Buzz: Springpad to a memorable trip
With this app, collect and organize vacation ideas before your trip, as well as digital memorabilia afterward.
Name: Springpad
Available for: iOS, Android
What it does: Saves notes, photos, videos, to-do lists, audio, books, music and more to notebooks that multiple users can share and collaborate on.
Cost: Free
What’s hot: This is not a travel-specific app, but it works nicely as one. For my pre-departure trip planning, I used the Place, Link, Checklist, Notes and Social sharing features. I especially liked that when I looked up a “Place,” it would ask me whether I wanted to get directions or “view tips on Foursquare” that were attached to that find.
What’s not: The link function was hit or miss. When I typed in my favorite travel websites (www.travelsavvymom.com, https://www.amateurtraveler.com), it didn’t recognize them. I had to use my browser window to grab the URLs and paste them in so that they would add to my “Notebook.” Also, the app felt slow when it was searching for items on 4G in the car and on Wi-Fi at home.
Worth it: You can’t beat free. It is a handy organizing tool; just make sure you have strong, free Wi-Fi to go with it. If you haven’t been to the destination, you might want to augment your research with some fast Internet browsing before you add it to your Springpad.
Sign up for The Wild
We’ll help you find the best places to hike, bike and run, as well as the perfect silent spots for meditation and yoga.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
