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MacToddB

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 21, 2007
926
0
Rochester, NY
Maybe I'm paranoid, but I was thinking about the Miracle on the Hudson, the TV show Lost, and the movie Cast Away starring Tom Hanks, and how his flashlight went out, etc. So it got me thinking about apps for when you're stranded like that. Everyone posts variations on "what's your favorite app", but that's so wide open, so I thought I'd ask this:

What apps would you want/need if you were stranded on a desert island. NOT your favorite game to while away the time until your battery died... but what apps might actually help you save your life?

For sake of argument, I don't think you can assume that EDGE, 3G, or WiFi work or you could use Google Earth, etc. and email for help.

Here are some examples... It might be fun to compile a list of real apps, and wishlist apps.

an S.O.S. Flashlight app
a night sky constellation locator app
a snake and/or wildlife identifier
a First aid app
wildlife recipes
a battery optimizer app?
 

Knowlege Bomb

macrumors G4
Feb 14, 2008
10,280
8,962
US
Maybe I'm paranoid, but I was thinking about the Miracle on the Hudson, the TV show Lost, and the movie Cast Away starring Tom Hanks, and how his flashlight went out, etc. So it got me thinking about apps for when you're stranded like that. Everyone posts variations on "what's your favorite app", but that's so wide open, so I thought I'd ask this:

What apps would you want/need if you were stranded on a desert island. NOT your favorite game to while away the time until your battery died... but what apps might actually help you save your life?

For sake of argument, I don't think you can assume that EDGE, 3G, or WiFi work or you could use Google Earth, etc. and email for help.

Here are some examples... It might be fun to compile a list of real apps, and wishlist apps.

an S.O.S. Flashlight app
a night sky constellation locator app
a snake and/or wildlife identifier
a First aid app
wildlife recipes
a battery optimizer app?


That was the first thing that came to my mind...
 

MacToddB

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 21, 2007
926
0
Rochester, NY
Solar powered charger?

Yeah, I saw some at CES. But even still, make it harder and assume you've got one charge worth of battery life to maximize. Read up on poisonous snakes, recipes, first aid, etc., and save the rest for the flashlight?
 

Pressure

macrumors 603
May 30, 2006
5,182
1,546
Denmark
A GPS app with an integrated globe showing you latitude and longitude ;)

Oh yeah, every show with Bear Gryll's for wild life survival tips :D
 

eBay

macrumors member
Feb 27, 2008
31
0
If the plane you were traveling on crashed and you found yourself stranded on an island...chances are your iPhone would be soaked in seawater and have a smaller chance for survival than any of us would.
 

MacToddB

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 21, 2007
926
0
Rochester, NY
Next time I travel on a plane I'll put my iPhone inside a ziplock bag and also pack a solar battery charger. :D

I actually have an OtterBox waterproof case for my original iPhone! PlanetOtterBox.com has a picture of my daughter holding it in the waterpark at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas!

They don't make a waterproof case for the 3G since it wasn't a big seller. Instead they have a ruggedized, but not waterproof Armor case for the 3G... in fact I have three (black, white, and pink) and I'm giving them away to my users as part of the video submission contest.
 

Roadking

macrumors 6502
Feb 27, 2008
300
0
Go buy a satellite phone. Then you know you have a better chance of getting a phone signal.
 

akame

macrumors member
Jan 9, 2009
65
0
definitely need

1. compassapp or compass free
2. Tanjas SOS flashlight ($0.99)
3. Pocket First Aid & CPR Guide ($1.99)
 

sunfast

macrumors 68020
Oct 14, 2005
2,135
53
Dead easy - stuff the apps and use the screen to heliograph passing aircraft / vessels. Even better if you had a touch with you - the back would be perfect
 

notintheleast

macrumors 6502
Oct 1, 2008
424
0
NC
I know its boring, but it would have to be the stock photos app so that I can see pictures of my loved ones....
 

skestes

macrumors member
Jul 16, 2007
82
0
Airplane mode

Above all don't forget to put your phone in airplane mode first thing! :D
 

DavieBoy

macrumors 6502
Jan 8, 2009
421
1
New Jersey
Is There an app with sea turtles?

Jack Sparrow: How did you get here?
Will Turner: Sea turtles, mate. A pair of them strapped to my feet.
Jack Sparrow: Not so easy, is it?
 
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