Words About Things

Previously I wrote about how Nike had lauched an iPhone App called True City. The application features recommendations from local ‘tastemakers’ and content added by users. It covers 6 European cities, listing interesting places to visit which might otherwise be overlooked. The idea is that the guide is written by those in the know and can be constantly updated unlike traditional guide books. There app features small restaurants, cool boutique shops, non-chain coffee shops and independant record stores.

At the time of writing the previous post I hadn’t had the opportunity to test out the App but I recently traveled to London and put it through its paces. I go to London quite often and thought that I had quite a good knowledge of places to visit. Using the App I found that there were interesting shops and restaurants hidden away where I would have never found them. Using the True City app was quite straight forward, you just click on the area of the city you are in and scroll (or flick) through the recommendations. If something captures your interest you can save it to your list of l0cations. The areas of interest can be organized by type or by location and you can of course add your own suggestions.

There are ways in which the Nike True City Application could be improved, for instance it could have setting which allow you to be notified if you went within a short distance of a location you might be interested in. For example you could set the app to notify you if you passed any of the recommended independent coffee shops. Another useful feature would be to include transport information which may be useful to visitors. For example Nike could partner with a travel site to include information about flights to London or train times out of the city.

Perhaps the app doesn’t need more features, I’m sure as it matures and new content is added it will improve. There are plenty of travel related iPhone apps but most are not as slick as True City. It also feels like it has been updated by those in the know rather than out of touch travel writers. If you have used this (or, in fact any other travel related) app please add your comments below.

[This post was also featured on wordsaboutthings.wordpress.com]

A new guide book aims to be an eccentric guide to the coolest spots in five of the coolest European cities. We have all read stuffy guide books which haven’t been updated in 20 years which point out areas of historic interest but lack a personal touch. Le Cool (what an awful name) was created to offer an up to date alternative with details of all the best hard-to-find spots and hidden gems.

If you want to find cheap hotels in London or car hire in Barcelona these aren’t the guides for you. But if you want a locals guide to the best record shops, undiscovered pubs and art galleries then Le Cool is the guide for you. The design is adventurous and the tone is light which isn’t something you could say about most guide books.

The London guide is edited by former Suade bassest Mat Osman. He says that the guide is for

“…people who love the city. People who love scooter shops that turn into coffee shops, and flats with aeroplane wings through them, and manga libraries, and doll’s house furniture shops, and bubble-and-squeak stalls, and hairdressers-cum-art galleries-cum-nightclubs, and rollergirls, and so on and so on …”

More info on the Le Cool website.

Boris Johnson has spoken at the Conservative Conference about his plans to reduce pollution in London by 2011. The capital currently has high levels of dangerous airborne particles referred to as PM10s which need to be reduced in order to avoid fines of up to £300m from the EU. Johnson scrapped previous plans to expand the western edge of the congestion charges zone in order to ‘protect the capital’s small businesses’.

Banning traffic on hot days

Boris announced plans to ban traffic from particular areas of London during hot, still days. Drivers will have limited access to Marble Arch, Euston Road and Tower Hill on days when airborne particles are likely to linger and rise above safe levels. Vans and lorries will be affected although cars could also be subject to the exclusions. Last year pollution rose to unacceptable levels in the capital on at least 100 days. Some have argued that these plans seem to aim to merely meet the EU restrictions rather than combat the pollution problem facing London.

Asthma and traffic fumes

Those with Asthma are most likely to be effected by high levels of PM10s with two thirds of those polled saying that traffic brought about their symptoms.

“Two thirds of people with asthma say that traffic fumes trigger their symptoms and nearly a third say that a reduction in air pollution is the single thing that would make the most difference to their quality of life. Measures to reduce people’s exposure to these substances are therefore very welcome and we hope these measures will help London achieve its regulatory targets for emissions.”

Kate Ravenscroft, Asthma UK

The pollution in the capital is though to have brought about the premature death of more than 3,000 Londoners in 2005 (some put the figure as high as 8,000).

Trees and taxi cabs

The proposed plans include the planting of trees and hedgerows in heavily effected areas. Taxi cabs and minicabs over 15 years old will not be given licences after 2012 to force those with the most polluting vehicles to replacing them in order to work in London. Those with older used vans will have to pay £100 per day to enter the centre of London from 2012.

“By 2012 the eyes of the world will be on our city, and I am determined that we will be a cleaner, greener and less polluted city, that safeguards the health and well being of its citizens. These proposals call for everyone to play their part in curbing pollution but those who contribute more to this problem should be expected to do more to provide the solution.”

Boris Johnson.

Low Emissions Zone

The Mayor’s plans for changes to the Low Emissions Zone are not expected to come into force until 2012, one year after the deadline for reducing airbourne particles. Vehicles that do not meet strict low emission specifications will have to pay a fine of £100 per day to enter London. The scheme currently covers buses, coaches and lorries over 3.5 tonnes but will be extended to include 90,000 smaller vehicles such as vans. Critics have said that waiting until 2012 will put lives at risk.

In a shocking display of dishonesty Oxford Airport has been rebranded as London Oxford Airport. The airport caters mostly to business customers and the owners hope that change in name will lead to an increase in use from those looking to travel to London. Those using the airport may be surprised to find themselves almost 60 miles from the capital.

Ros Weatherall of the Oxford Civic Society is unimpressed by the rebranding:

“Good grief. Oxford is a great place in its own right and I find it insulting it is being considered just another offshoot of London. Trying to make Oxford seem like a suburb of London is very misleading. This is an insult to the major historical and cultural impact Oxford has had on the country.”

London Oxford Airport’s Marketing Manager James Dillon Godfray says that the new name was created to try and emphasize the proximity of Oxford to London rather than to trick customers. As the Telegraph points out London Oxford is not the only airport outside of the capital to use the name London in its name.

“London Stansted Airport, in Essex, is just over 40 miles from the capital, while London Luton Airport, in Bedfordshire, is 35 miles away.”