Where To?

Where To is one of those why didn't I think of that applications. The app provides a categorized directory for searching Google Maps. The idea is simple, and the execution is nearly perfect.

Where To adds a feature to the iPhone that brings it closer to a full GPS device. The main function of the app is to present you with a tree of categorized search terms to be fed into Google Maps. You select from the top level 11 categories that include sections such as Entertainment, Emergency services, Food & Drink. From there you are presented with sub categories such as Movie Theaters, Auto Repair, and Pizza Places.

Once a sub category is selected you have the option to search from your current location which utilizes the built in GPS, from a pre-specified point on the map, or from the location of any of your contacts.

One of the more interesting features is only available under certain sub-categories. For instance Food & Drink> Pizza. From there you can select a chain of pizza places that the program knows about to search for just that pizza place. This feature is only available in a few of the sub-categories, mainly under Food & Drink.

The application features a favorites feature that allows you to add any sub-category to a list that can save you a click here or there by showing you all of your favorites, across categories, in one list.

The only real negative I can find with this application is that you can't add additional categories to the lists. This, I think, would be a great feature addition.

This application is absolutely beautifully crafted, works very well, and is surprisingly convenient and useful. While you would think you could just type in the search terms into Google Maps, this program makes it a 2-3 tap operation and saves you time.