TripAdvisor launches offline functionality for its mobile app

TripAdvisor has unveiled a new offline feature for its smartphone app.

TripAdvisor has unveiled a new offline feature for its smartphone app.

The functionality allows users to download reviews, photos and city maps before they travel and then access this information on their trip with no data connection is available.

The development, flagged by the site’s vice-president of mobile Joost Schreve on Travolution last week, features more than 300 city maps worldwide as of the launch with more to come.

Adam Medros, senior vice president of global product at TripAdvisor, said: “The new offline feature for TripAdvisor’s smartphone app makes it an even more valuable ‘must have’ tool during your trip.

“More and more travellers are making spur-of-the-moment decisions about where to go and what to do and need a useful travel resource.

“Travellers can now access user reviews, photos and maps throughout their trip to help them pick last-minute hotels, restaurants and attractions to visit–all while avoiding costly roaming charges.”

Once data is downloaded the app automatically transitions between the offline mode featuring 10 reviews per point of interest when no data connection is available, and the full live version of the app when it is cellular or WiFi-connected.

Users can add and remove city maps as needed and download the latest version of the city map to sync the content with the latest reviews and opinions on TripAdvisor.

The new offline feature has rolled out to all countries and languages where the TripAdvisor app is presently available on iOS and Android smartphones.

The city maps contained in the offline feature are powered by Telenav’s Scout Maps and Navigation SDK, a mapping service that leverages OpenStreetMap (OSM) map data.