Google has released an awaited iPhone port of Field Trip, a tourism-oriented app originally launched for Android devices last fall. The title alerts people to nearby points of interest, including not just restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues, but art, landmarks, and discounts. Three different frequency settings determine whether the app pushes alerts frequently, rarely, or not at all.
Individual POIs can be saved as favorites, and/or shared with others via email and social networks including Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. A list of recent Field Trip “cards” can be loaded in case something was missed. An unusual feature of the app is a driving mode, which can be set to trigger automatically and talk about nearby places instead of just bringing them up visually. Audio descriptions are also available on foot.
The app is a free download, and requires a device running iOS 6 or later. Voice feedback only works when headphones or Bluetooth devices are connected.
