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"Leafsnap"
"Leafsnap" can make users smarter, or at least appear to be smarter, by letting them know what type of tree is overhead during the day.
It's being described as the first in a series of electronic field guides developed through a collaboration between Columbia University, University of Maryland and the Smithsonian Institute.
Not only does it contain a thorough database of just about any type of plant one might find in the northeastern United States, but it has a "snap" button that allows botany novices to take a picture of a leaf against a white background. Based on its shape and color, the app will provide a list of the best possible matches. You can then decide which tree it is, based on the pictures and information.
Developers say they are working on allowing the app to identify plants, trees and fruits located around the entire continental United States.
"Leafsnap" is free and only available for the iPhone right now. Developers say they are working on an Android version and will release it soon.
"Google Earth" For Android
To identify places around the entire globe, "Google Earth" is certainly not new, but there is now an app that is optimized specifically for Android tablets. As always, users get to experience the awesome effect of seeing the entire globe, then zooming in to a particular
spot.
What's unique to this version is the ability to add "3D Buildings" from the layer menu, which lets users fly around landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty or pretty much any big city around the globe.
"Google Earth," for the Android 3.0 "Honeycomb" operating system for tablets, is a free download.