BC's Best Mobile Apps

Image by Flickr / Drukelly
If you live in BC, there's an app for that!

Need a little help navigating BC? These apps will help you live life to the fullest.

From guides to cheap parking spots to maps of the best park trails, here are some of the most unique (and, in many cases, most useful) BC-specific downloads available for your mobile device.

1 of 10 — ChicWalks Vancouver

ChicWalks works on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (iOS 3.0 or later)

This GPS-enabled app features meticulously researched shopping tours of Vancouver, listings for over 1,000 retailers and exclusive vendor offers.

Karen Henrich developed ChicWalks after she became frustrated trying to piece together a strategic shopping plan every time she hit a fabulous new city. “Who has time? Just give me an app that shows me where the shopping is!”

Fee: $0.99 from the App Store

Tip: This one also works on other devices. Simply type bit.ly/chicwalks into your smartphone browser and the ChicWalks app will magically appear!

2 of 10 — Park 'in' Spot

Park 'in' Spot works on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (iOS 4.0 or later)

Allan Young and Quan Nguyen collected information from lots and meters around town before launching Park ‘in’ Spot, an app that helps you find free and paid parking (broken down by price, type and time restrictions) in Vancouver.

“How cool is it that you’re able to shop around for the best rates on parking before heading out to downtown?” says the duo. “Just reference the coloured lines on the map to the easy-to-read parking legend and you’re off.”

Fee: FREE from the App Store

Tip: If you’re on a tight budget, find the nearest free street parking with one tap of this app’s real-time, movement-tracking GPS-locator button.

3 of 10 — Street Food Vancouver

Street Food Vancouver works on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (iOS 4.0 or later)

Got a hankering for a meal on wheels? Tatlow Park Software’s Street Food app lets you track down trucks serving everything from Chinese potstickers to southern pulled pork to Salvadorian pupusas on your phone.

The app even tells you (along with current location and hours of operation) if there are any daily specials being offered by your favourite food-laden vehicle.

Fee: FREE from the App Store

Tip: Victoria may be getting its own version of Street Food soon. According to the developer’s website, the capital city’s app is in beta testing.

4 of 10 — Vancouver, Then and Now

Vancouver, Then and Now works on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (iOS 4.0 or later); android (2.0 and up)

History buffs rejoice! Vancouver, Then and Now lets you discover the city’s past on your phone. Featuring more than 150 old photos (plus historical descriptions) that can be compared side-by-side with new ones shot from the same angle, this app lets you know when you’re approaching a “then and now” location.

“Vancouver is a city that has changed a lot, and keeps evolving,” says Jeremy Hood, who sourced and re-shot the photos for the app. “The idea … is to capture these changes to make people aware of Vancouver’s heritage.”

Fee: $1.99 from the App Store; $1.99 from Google Play

Tip: It’s not only about the downtown core; this app includes then-and-now photos from various spots across Vancouver.

5 of 10 — Tap Map

Tap Map works on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (iOS 3.0 or later)

Metro Vancouver has some of the best tap water in the world – and you should be drinking it! The Tap Map app identifies hundreds of public drinking fountains, from North Vancouver to Maple Ridge. It even shows your location relative to the closest free water source.

“There’s a lot of people out there who will drink tap water if they know where to find it,” says developer Rodica Micsoniu. “People will be buying less bottled water. We hope with this, people will walk to the nearest fountain.”

Fee: FREE from the App Store

Tip: Restaurants willing to refill water bottles can opt in to Tap Map by submitting an online form.

6 of 10 — Swim Guide

Swim Guide works on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (iOS 4.3 or later); android (2.1 and up)

Alongside original descriptions and colour photos of B.C.’s best swimming holes, the Swim Guide app offers water-quality information, driving directions and fun facts about beaches, lakes and surf spots across the province.

This aquatic application will even connect you to organizations working to protect your favourite body of water, so you can volunteer or make a donation. Use the “dead-fish icon” to report any pollution or water-quality issues you observe on site.

Fee: FREE from the App Store; FREE from Google Play

Tip: When winter rolls around, try the SnowSeekers Go-Guide or Whistler Blackcomb Live apps, both free, for trail conditions, current weather and more.

7 of 10 — iParks Navigator

iParks Navigator works on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (iOS 4.3 or later)

The latest version of this app lets you explore green spaces in and around Metro Vancouver, plus parks operated by the City of Richmond. Besides cutting down on paper brochures, the free download displays maps that track your position on trails.

Fee: FREE (for a limited time) from the App Store

Tip: Some parks have limited 3G-network capability. Backcountry users should not rely solely on this app; always use a compass, altimeter and accurate topographic map!

8 of 10 — Visit Vancouver

Visit Vancouver works on the iPad (iOS 4.0 or later)

Not just for tourists, this Tourism Vancouver app puts the city’s top attractions and up-to-date activities right at your fingertips.

You can even choose a restaurant based on the kind of cuisine you’re craving.

Fee: FREE from the App Store

Tip: The integrated tracking and recording tool lets you “footprint” your photos and replay them on Google Earth.

9 of 10 — MultiCamPlus Vancouver

MultiCamPlus works on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (iOS 3.1 or later)

This handy app gives you access to 32 traffic cameras across the city, helping you avoid trouble areas on the road.

Fee: $2.99 from the App Store

Tip: Can’t see the picture? It’s not your phone – the camera may be experiencing difficulty or under maintenance.

10 of 10 — BC Recyclepedia

BC Recyclepedia works on the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (iOS 4.0 or later)

Not sure where to recycle old car parts or dead batteries? This Recycling Council of British Columbia app can help you locate the closest of over 1,000 drop-off depots throughout the province for more than 70 materials, including furniture, organic matter and small appliances.

Fee: FREE from the App Store

Tip: Still not sure what to do with your waste? The BC Recyclepedia app gives you the option to call a recycling hotline to ask additional questions.