Mom Maps

Mom Maps was recently updated to version 4.6 and I’ve taken another look at this popular app. Below is my original review followed by details and thoughts about this recent update.

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The Mom Maps name says it all – this app gives you maps just for moms. It uses your iPhone’s location to give you lists of “kid spots” that are nearby. These locations are divided into different categories: parks, restaurants, playgrounds, museums and indoor playareas.  Select your category and the app pulls up a list of what’s around. From that list you can select a spot to see more details. You’ll get the address, phone number, a website, a rating and reviews. (The last three show up if available.)  You can also choose to see the location on a map or get driving directions.

Right now the app supports 26,000+ (as of 1/23/11) different kid spots and they’re adding more everyday. The ladies behind Mom Maps were able to quickly add in my city so that I could test out the app.  It pulled up a ton of good stuff. Places I knew about and lots I didn’t. So any other Moms out there in Boise, this app is ready to go for you!

I asked Mom Maps how they’ll be going about adding all the new locations and this is what they told me. “We are adding a couple new cities every week. We are working from a list of cities as we get requests and then we going to get all the major US cities. Anyone can add locations from the website, so if someone wanted it in their area before we get there they could help populate it by spreading the word to other moms in their area. Our ability to locate really great spots outside of SF is automated and still very much relies on great moms(and dads) contributing content.  We can find the basics, but if there’s a restaurant, store or indoor playspot you love that is not there, or rated properly, please let us know and we’ll fix it!   Right away!”

As mentioned we regular, ol’ moms play a key part in getting great spots into Mom Maps. There is a website,www.mommaps.com that you can join and then use to recommend locations you want to see added. Here you can also rate and review different places and those ratings will show up in the app. You can also search for kid spots directly from the  website. If you live in an area that they haven’t added yet you can add your own locations from the web and tell your other iPhone lovin’ moms to do the same.

I think the idea behind Mom Maps is fantastic and the app is very well done.  I’m looking forward to using it in my city as well as when I travel. It’ll be a wonderful thing to be able to find a park without having to use a google search in Safari or the antiquated yellow pages. I also like having the ability to add reviews for a kid spot right from my iPhone. So if I find myself coerced into taking the kids to a fast food playarea and it smells strongly of stinky feet instead of fresh sanitizer, I can let other moms in the area know to steer clear.  We have to look out for each other you know.

2/17/10 Update –

Jill from Mom Maps wanted me to let you know that they appreciate all the feedback from users regarding location information. When I was writing my original review and requested information on good ol’ Boise, Idaho they were terrific and added it into the app.  The new version now includes more than a dozen metro areas and they’re adding more all the time. Vancouver was just added as well – hooray for the Olympic spirit!

The new maps on version 4 have worked great for me so far. Now you can also enter in your own kid spots as you’re out and about. This means that the locations featured in the app will continue to grow even more. There’s also the ability to add pictures and search within the app. Mom Maps also has several travel bloggers who are adding in reviews of their favorite spots.

Last, but definitely not least in my opinion, Mom Maps is now free. Hopefully more people will grab this app and we can all contribute and help it’s content to grow and grow and grow….

1/24/11 Update — Mom Maps continues to improve with each update. The list of supported locations also continues to grow. According to mommaps.com there are now over 26,000 locations in the app. This latest version of Mom Maps gives you the option to see these locations on an actual list, not just on a map. I think this is terrific myself because I’m a list person. You can also see select a location and then choose “nearby spots” to see what else is in that area. It’s easy to post your own reviews and pictures, Mom Maps still continues to grow thanks to the contributions of it’s users.

The biggest addition to the app is probably the “Share” feature. This allows you to share a location with your others via email or Facebook. It’s a quick and handy way to send out suggestions for playdate locations and more.

If you still haven’t tried out this free app what are you waiting for?

Interested in learning more about the mom behind Mom Maps? Check out my interview with Jill Semans, the developer behind the app.

Price when Reviewed:  FREE

See the app in iTunes

Seller: New Media Parents, Inc