Just like any other big sporting event, the Winter Olympics will draw hundreds and thousands of visitors from around the world to Vancouver. Local businesses, as was the case during Expo 86, will try to capitalize on this influx of population and local iPhone developers are no exception from this.

Among the applications developed locally, targeted towards the Olympic attendees, are ChicWalk, iCoin Canada, and Winter Games Grub. ChicWalk introduces local boutiques in form of a GPS-mapped walk, while iCoin Canada introduces new visitors to Canadian money. Winter Games Grub is an application with Games schedules, news, blogs, and even means for the user to submit content.

ChicWalk

As is the case in any city, local boutiques and designers are rarely featured on the mainstream tourism websites and maps. ChicWalk features 9 complete GPS-Mapped walks covering Vancouver’s fashion and design rich neighbourhoods. Covering areas from the West End to South Main, ChicWalk introduces more than 1000 shops to a Vancouver visitor while providing in-store specials and exclusive vendor offers. ChicWalk is the first application of its kind, addressing the needs of the Fashionistas visiting Vancouver.  The application also provides the means to forward the user’s secret wishes to a friend, family member, or spouse. This application is available for purchase on iTunes.

iCoin Canada

Visitors with no previous experience in handling Canadian bills and coins will find this application useful. This application, complete with a graphical interface and sounds, allows the user to figure out which coins or bills to use to pay their balance. By providing the numerical and the picture of the coins, it provides the user with an intuitive interface.

The current balance is saved upon exiting the application and by shaking the phone the balance is cleared. This application is available on iTunes and is featured in two versions, the paid version also features Canadian bills.

Winter Games Grub

No article covering the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games iPhone applications would be complete without mentioning an application that lets you track schedules, read news, and keep up-to-date with daily events.

Winter Games Grub is unique in its approach by combining news from social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter to provide a more comprehensive coverage of the games.

It not only lets you keep track of daily events but also provides the means to submit updates and news not covered by mainstream media. This application is available on iTunes for free.

You might also like...

• Supra Footwear Fall 2010
• Summer Fashion Trends for Men: Deceptively Cool
• Olympic Photo Blog II
• WTF? and Whine Wednesday
• Olympic Hockey Pressure

Sanaz Jahanbakhsh

With a degree in Electronics Engineering from SFU, Sanaz Jahanbakhsh is passionate about the local high technology scene in Vancouver. To satisfy her creative side, she is freelancing as a technical writer and enjoys writing on a variety of topics from fashion to travel. Among her other passions are encouraging young women to explore careers in the technology sector.

Homepage

Twitter Page