Digital Help for Visitors to Toronto

With the Pan Am & Parapan Games officially starting tomorrow, a large number of tourists have already begun arriving in Toronto.  As one a specialist in mobile apps with a focus on apps that help people find their way around and learn more about their places, I  put together a list of my favourite Toronto mobile websites and apps.

All the the apps and websites below offer crucial information for getting around Toronto and most include geolocative maps that pinpoint your mobile location to offer customized help and directions. There are sources below to help you find your way to and around Toronto whether by public transit, car, foot, or bike. I have also included some of my favourite sources for finding out more about our city - from restaurants and restrooms to history and hijinks.

Note: I have tested all the desktop and mobile websites but not all the apps.

Pan & Parapan Am Games - Official Source

Desktop Website	Mobile App	Mobile Website
Pan Am Games official website is comprehensive and has all info on the games and cultural events. You can also buy tickets and merchandise. (including Pachi stuffies) Key Info: * Sports, schedules, venues, countries participating, events, transportation, and news Pointing Your Way: * Interactive map of sporting & cultural venues * Venue pages have maps and links to directions * Interactive trip planner provides driving or public transit directions	The app appears to have all info and features of desktop website. It has interactive, locative maps of sporting and cultural venues. Available on: Android and Apple.	Mobile website is similar to desktop website and has been mostly optimized for viewing on a mobile. Key info and functionality present, including their trip planner. But no links found to interactive maps - instead links to Travelinx for transit directions.

Transportation

Desktop Website	Mobile App	Mobile Website
Regional Public Transit
Triplinx - combines info on transit systems for Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas - specifically Brampton, Milton, Burlington, Mississauga, Oakville, York Region, and the regional GO Transit services. Key Info: * Schedules by route, fares, maps, and paratransit services Pointing Your Way: * Stop Finder - get nearest transit system by entering address * Interactive Trip Planner - enter address or venue for directions for transit, car, or bike	No app appears to exist (but none needed as mobile website works well - see note to right)	Mobile website is fully optimized. Mobile website has full content and functionality as desktop website.
Toronto Public Transit
Toronto Transit Commission (known as TTC) is Toronto's only public transit system. TTC serves downtown Toronto as well as Scarborough, North York, East York, and Etobicoke. Key Info: * Fares, alerts, schedules, day passes, airport routes, maps,etc. * You can now buy day passes online! Pointing Your Way: * Interactive Trip Planner - enter starting and ending points for routes	TTC's official app just launched this July. TTCconnect is only for buying tickets via Android or Apple I use TTC Tracker. It's easy to use and hasn't let me down. TTC Tracker gives schedules for buses & streetcars (subways come about every 6-8 minutes) by route or stop.	Mobile website is fully optimized. It has all essential info, including maps and interactive Trip Planner.
Airport
Pearson Airport is the airport most visitors to Toronto use. (There's a little airport on Toronto Island mostly for small flights). Pearson is in nearby Mississauga. Key Info: * Arrival and departure updates, parking guide, and free wifi info. Pointing Your Way: * Interactive terminal maps showing gates and showing amenities, food, and services	The app appears to have all info and maps of website. Available on:Android, Apple, and BlackBerry.	Mobile website is fully optimized. It has all essential info, including interactive terminal maps and customized directions to airport.
Parking
Green P Parking is owned by City of Toronto. They provide many of the parking spots here (160 lots containing about 20K spaces). Prices are reasonable (not cheap) and they don't jack up rates during special events (as some lots will). Key Info: * Rates per lot, monthly permits, pay tickets online Pointing Your Way: * Find Parking function map out nearest lots by address, venue, or intersection entered or by browsing a map - sort by distance or price * Each lot has a webpage with its location plotted on Google Maps and rates	The app has same features as desktop website, but with additional functionality of paying via your device, setting expiry reminders, and extending meter time. Note: The app just launched and paying via app is not yet possible at all locations. Available on: Android and Apple	Only partially available via mobile browser. In a near-sighted decision, the mobile website only promotes the app. The helpful info provided on desktop website is not available, nor is their parking finder. But payment functionality is available to members via a browser or text messaging.
Taxis
Gata Hub - Now that Hailo is gone from North America, a local company offers service to hail official taxis via mobiles. Rather than having to know the specific name of a cab company, this service allows you to request a taxi pick-up in Toronto. Note: * I haven't used this service * You can't hail a cab from website	GataHub's app allows one to request a taxi pick-up, estimate a fare, track taxi locations, and get arrival times. Available on: Android and Apple	Mobile website is optimized, but one cannot hail or view taxis from website.
Uber Toronto - links riders with private (unofficial) cars. Taxis in Toronto are regulated but Uber drivers aren't, which can result in cheaper rates than taxis. However, Uber rates can fluctuate based on demand (unlike official Toronto taxis). Note: * I haven't used this service * UberX service is in legal disputes here * You can't hail a cab from website.	Uber's app allows one to estimate a fare, split bills with friends, view driver profiles, pay with your mobile, and order a pick-up even if you don't know your address. Available on: Android, Windows Phone, and Apple	Mobile website is optimized, but one cannot hail or view cars from website. Mobile website does have a Fare Estimator.
Bicycling
BikeShare - Toronto has various bicycles stationed in docks in the downtown of the city to rent for short term travel and return it to any of the stations. Key Info: * Info on signing up, rates, and overall program Pointing Your Way: * Station Map plots the location of bike depots on a map with real-time updates on bikes and docks available Note: * I haven't used this service * There are also a few other places to rent bikes in Toronto, but here's a list.	No official app, but various third party apps - search your app store for "bike share Toronto"	Mobile website is optimized and offers same functionality as desktop website.
Bike Parking - Toronto is not a bike-friendly city in various ways. One way is that there aren't many (official) places to lock them. The City has some bike parking spots, but they are not always easy to find. A Toronto developer has built a service to address this. Key Info: * Find the address of spots or suggest a location for one Pointing Your Way: * Enter an address or browse a map of Toronto to see nearest bike parking spots	No app	Website works well on mobile browser, but it isn't fully optimized. Mobile website appears to have full content and functionality as desktop website.

Services and Amenities

Business Directories
Desktop Website	Mobile App	Mobile Website
Yellow Pages is the leader in local businesses listings across Canada. They have extensive listing for Ontario including Toronto Key Info: * Search for contact information and addresses of a specific business / organization or browse categories via directories. * Filter results by rating, neighbourhood, etc Pointing Your Way: * View businesses by category on a map or view a specific business' address on a map with directions	The app has same features as website, but with additional ability to search for individuals and well as businesses. Works well on my Android. Available On: Android, BlackBerry, Windows, and Apple	Mobile website is fully optimized. It allows one to search for businesses or individuals and view results plotted on a map.
Bathrooms
SitOrSquat Restroom Finder - addresses persistent problems of finding available (let alone decent) washrooms when you need one. Listings aren't the most up-to-date or comprehensive, but if you're a newcomer and you gotta go, it's better than the alternatives! Key Info: * Search for washrooms and filter results by accessibility, changing tables, family bathrooms, * Add a life-saver to the list and rate as good (sit) or bad (squat) and attach a photo (of the washroom, no selfies please) Pointing Your Way: * See the nearest bathroom to you on a map or enter a location	The app has same features as desktop website. Works well on my Android. Available On: Android and Apple	Does not work on mobile browser.
Shopping
Finding your way around Toronto's many malls (we love to shop in climate-controlled comfort here) can be difficult. Rather than download various apps, a leading owner of malls here built one app for all theirs. No website available for content, but here's a useful article of the Top 10 shopping malls in Toronto.	CF SHOP app has directories, maps, events, and promos. They have an interactive map feature "mark your location in the mall, get directions to your favourite store and even pinpoint your parking spot". Note: I haven't tested this. App includes local malls Eaton Centre, Sherway Gardens, Shops at Don Mills, Promenade Centre, Fairview Mall, Markville Shopping Centre and others. Available On: Android and Apple	Mobile website only promotes the app.

City Guides and Tourist Info

Desktop Website	Mobile App	Mobile Website
See Toronto Now is Toronto's official tourist office website with everything visitors needs to know (although the design could be better). It includes info for the Greater Toronto Area. Key Info: * Sites, shopping, events, food, lodging, and promotions * Onscreen and PDF maps Pointing Your Way: * Choose type of attraction or point of interest you are seeking and filter by neighbourhood * Attractions, events, food, and hotel search result pages list address and plot location on a map	The app has all key content of website, but also allows one to find sites by proximity and locative maps. Also gives distance to sites and directions. Available On: Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone, and Apple	Mobile website is fully optimized. Mobile website has full content and functionality as desktop website.
TripAdvisor - likely the best source of user reviews of hotels, restaurants, and attractions (although some reviews are clearly fake) all ranked by users. Key Info: * User reviews, guides, and a Q&A forum * Search for sights, nature, shopping, hotels, museums, food and drink, etc. Pointing Your Way: * Maps of every location	TripAdvisor's app Toronto City Guide app offers city content from desktop website but works in offline mode. Offers maps, directions, and itineraries. Available On: Android and Apple	Mobile website is fully optimized. Mobile website has full content and functionality as desktop website. It also offers directions to sites from device's location.
Bloor St. Culture Corridor - Bloor Street from Yonge Street to Spadina (comprising neighbourhoods of Yorkville and The Annex) is a main area for museums, shopping, bars, and restaurants. Key Info: * Find out about area stores, cultural sites, restaurants & bars, and hotels with descriptions and contact details * Lists of cultural events Pointing Your Way: * View map of locations by type and click on items to find out more	The app has same features as desktop website. In addition, one can search locations by proximity and view results in a list or by map. Available On: Android and Apple	The mobile website is usable and has all the same info as desktop website, but is not fully optimized and using the full map is difficult but possible (just click on it a few times to view entire map).

Food and Drink

Desktop Website	Mobile App	Mobile Website
Toronto Patio Guide - summers are too brief here, but we make up for it by celebrating the good times with gusto and patios are the best way to do so. Key Info: * Definitive guide with reviews of patios including contact info, opening hours, type of patio (rooftop, side walk, backyard, etc.) * Search for bars, restaurants, or nightclubs by name or location (but not cafes stupidly!) Pointing Your Way: * Find patios on a map or search by neighbourhood	The app has the same features as website, but in addition one can search by proximity, view results in a list or by map, and get a recommendation by shaking your device. Available On: Android and Apple	Mobile website is fully optimized. Mobile website has full content and functionality as desktop website.
Toronto Food Trucks - portable and convenient food and in increasing diversity. Info Available: * Guide of food offerings and truck locations with schedules Pointing Your Way: * View food trucks on a map	The app has the same features as desktop website, but in addition one can view trucks in a list or by map. Available On: Android and Apple	Mobile website is fully optimized. Mobile website has full content and functionality as desktop website.
Foursquare Toronto - It is not as much fun as it used to be, but it does do well in recommending nearby and trending restaurants, clubs, and bars. Foursquare has content on most cities in Ontario. Key Info: * Members see visits and recommendations from friends * Filter results by price, specials, open now, etc. Pointing Your Way: * Search for food, nightlife, shopping, or"fun" and refine search by address, neighbourhood, or your location	The app has same features as desktop website. Works well on my Android. Available On: Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone, and Apple	Does not allow one to load their website on a mobile.

Historical Information

Desktop Website	Mobile App	Mobile Website
Toronto in Time - offers more than 150 site histories are told through text and images. Key Info: * View items by theme (e.g., sport & leisure, law & order, industry, roots, arts & entertainment, fighting, etc.), neighbourhood, suggested routes * Search sites by keywords (try "Rolling Stones") Pointing Your Way: * See points of interest on a map	The app has same features as desktop website. In addition, one can search locations by proximity and view results in a list or by map. Works well on my Android. Available On: Android and Apple.	Mobile website is not optimized and is so hard to use on a mobile that it is essentially inoperable.
First Story - chronicles history of Toronto's First Nations people. Key Info: * Blog of history and events related to indigenous people in Toronto The website does not offer locative or map features. The app is essential for this.	First Story app let's one view aboriginal history points of interest via map or by proximity. Works well on my Android. Available On: Android and Apple.	Not optimized for mobiles and does not offer mapped content. App is essential.
Queerstory - chronicles history of Toronto's LGBTQ people. Key Info: * Multimedia (text, photos, or videos) histories tied to 37 locations in downtown Toronto. Pointing Your Way: * View location history by category or by map	The app offers same functionality as desktop website. Works well on my Android. Available On: Android and Apple.	Mobile website is optimized. Mobile website has full content and functionality as desktop website.
Findery - offers people's stories and perspectives on their places. Users upload notes and photos about locations. The result is eclectic and personal glimpses into places as other people experience it. Key Info: * Populated by user-generated content so notes are on any and every topic * Add a note about your experience here Pointing Your Way: * View notes by map, satellite, or grid view * Search for notes about or near address, neighbourhood, or business name	The app offers same functionality as desktop website. Works well on my Android. Available On: Android and Apple	Mobile website is optimized, but does not offer mapped content or search function. Get the app!

Did I miss one of your favourites? Please let me know of other great sources.

No App Required!

I saw an ad today that had me puzzled at first. It was for a real estate agency, RE/MAX, with a simple non-descript illustration, but with a huge call out: NO APP REQUIRED.

I'm so used to seeing ads that hype mobile apps that I couldn't immediately conceive of what the ad was getting at. I thought they might be suggesting that their human, local agents are better than cold tech. But that wasn't the case (we all know tech is superior to humans - I don't want to offend our future robot overlords).

There was only other bit of text and it revealed the mystery. It was the URL Remax.ca.

Following up on the URL on my mobile device I found a really good mobile friendly website that had everything I would need from a realtor.

But to get this info, I didn't have to go to an app store, find, download, install, and then find again (within the clutter of my device's many apps).

Aside from the hassle of downloading apps (compared to the ease of locating a mobile website) studies have shown that users can only handle a few number of apps and only regularly use a small number of apps. Despite how developers sell companies on the need for an app and then companies hype their apps - we just don't need more apps.  

The World Wide Web would never have become as popular and powerful today if it had followed this app model. 

I think Remax going against the grain shows a genius level of knowledge of their customers' needs - even if the customers don't know they don't actually want an app for each company they do business with. Apps have been worshipped to such an extent and across sectors that recognizing the truth is no easy accomplishment. 

Google has recently been encouraging and now enforcing websites to be mobile friendly to rank well. (Read this article on this topic.) But otherwise I do not hear tech companies or design agencies insisting companies consider the mobile web first (as I have been for years).

So kudos to RE/MAX for figuring this out ahead of the curve. 

I'd like to know what prompted them to do this campaign so I will ask them and report back here. In the meantime, make your website mobile friendly and consider mothballing your app.

The Mobile Web and Everyday Life

My kid was away this weekend on a winter camp-out with her Brownie troop, so my wife and I used the opportunity to have some grown-up fun while she was away. So we invited friends over for dinner and planned a meal that was decidedly not kid-friendly (i.e. no grilled cheese).

I've had a smartphone for a few years now and used apps and the browser to access information before.  Normally, I use it for getting directions and contact info, weather, restaurant reviews, movie listings, news, or checking out my social networks via Facebook, Twitter, or Foursquare.

But this weekend, I used my mobile device in some new ways for me and I was struck by how much having ready access to a wealth of information is improving the run-of-the-mill tasks of everyday life.  

First, while enjoying our kid-free weekend and having a leisurely visit to a cafe and planning the grown-up menu for our friends upcoming visit, we used my mobile device to find a recipe for good and easy margaritas.

Then we found the nearest LCBO and grocery store on my device to pick up the ingredients.

While at the grocery store, I used my mobile device to convert recipes my wife had in imperial units to metric.  Google's voice commands made this really easy to do (as I could never do such conversion in my head).

Finally, at the grocery store, as were planning a Mexican meal and were curious about a variety of unfamiliar peppers the grocery store had. We wanted a little spiciness (not having to worry about the kid and all) but weren't looking for peppers that would have us in an emergency room.  So I googled the names of the peppers, found out their heat factor on the Scoville scale and what type of dishes they were best for.  Assured that we weren't going to be causing irreparable harm to our internal parts, we ventured out and tried new peppers.

These changes can be banal or momentous, but there is no doubt that the access to information that mobile devices and the Internet are profoundly changing the functions of everyday life.