Web Buzz: Triposo

Are guidebooks slowing you down? Try an offline travel guide on your mobile device.

Name: Triposo

Available for: Android, iPhone and iPad

What it does: Uses algorithms and vector maps to turn travel data into comprehensive travel guides. The result? A travel guide that shows you where to eat and drink as well as popular places to sightsee and the history behind them. More than 50 city destinations for Android, 30 for the iPhone and 20 for the iPad. At least 10 country guides for all three too.

Cost: Free

What’s hot: The sightseeing feature is fantastic. Read information in a column on the left side of your iPad while you touch and browse photos on a map on the right. Keep clicking for more information on a specific attraction. Make a list of your favorites and access them once you’re in the city. Note: The behind-the-scenes cast of ex-Google employees is impressive.

What’s not: It took an incredibly long time to download on both my Android and iPad. I finally gave up with the Android, but once I was in the app on my iPad, I found the information was steeped in detail taken from open-content sources such as Wikitravel. That’s great, but I found some categories thin in big guidebook cities such as London.

Worth it: Yes, if you have time to load the app before you leave on your trip. Otherwise, it could be frustrating if you’re trying to download it as you stand in front of a monument.

— Jen Leo