I never had one of those big world maps as a kid, the kind you put pushpins in to indicate all the places you've traveled -- I'd been thinking about getting one for my children, but now I might as well go digital with Knapsack 1.0, a Leopard-only travel planning tool.Knapsack lets you build your itinerary (with the requisite pushpin world map), create checklists and postcards for each destination, and plan your daily activities for each trip. Once your itinerary is locked, you can send it out to family or colleagues so they can track you down if needed. Knapsack's got a clean, Bento-ish UI that soothes the travel-anxious brain (see the screencast for a sample).
For $39.95, it's a bit of a unitasker -- if you're already using a notebook, organizer or task-management app, it may be easier to leave your itineraries with the rest of your stuff. One might have expected Knapsack to implement iCal sync or integrated search with Orbitz, Expedia, etc., but I imagine that there are plenty of future features in the works.
[via Apple Downloads]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-14-2008 @ 11:25AM
artifex said...
It would be great if this could work with Memory Miner, so that itineraries (or at least GPS data) and pictures could be shared.
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3-14-2008 @ 11:29AM
MacGuyOH said...
This looks cool. I'll have to check it out.
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3-14-2008 @ 11:33AM
Bratling said...
Unitaskers rock! The best software tools are highly focussed on doing one thing really well. Think of BBedit, Transmit, grep, and vi.
Unlike Alton's rice cooker, a digital tool doesn't take up any space in your kitchen or on your counter.
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3-14-2008 @ 12:08PM
Brian B said...
I don't get it -- it has limited import and export possibilities. I use a website to manage my trips (http://www.tripit.com) which automatically imports the confirmation emails from many travel companies (airlines, hotels, agencies &c), creates itineraries with Google Map directions and nice print views, and has iCal feed exports for integration into iCal and Google Calendars.
It also allows collaboration with friends and other travellers.
If this software did this, I would pay, but for what it is, no way. A 1.0 release? Sure doesn't look or feel like it.
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3-14-2008 @ 12:26PM
Jeff said...
Great app, but it could definitely use some work.
I wish there was a way to display more city names. It seems so limited when you zoom in. Is that something you get with the paid version?
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3-14-2008 @ 1:36PM
Brad Willoughby said...
First off, thanks for the honest review, Michael. The four of us at TinyPlanet Software are excited and proud about what we've produced with Knapsack 1.0 and we've been getting some incredible feedback and suggestions.
That said, you're correct in saying that, "there are plenty of future features in the works". Many of the most requested features are mentioned in the above comments: iCal integration, iPhoto integration, enhanced map and/or Google Maps integration, import from tripit, dopplr, or other sites, collaboration with friends and other travelers, etc. We've only been live for a couple days and the amount of feedback has just been amazing.
We intend to grow Knapsack organically over time based on user input. Rest assured that we'll be working on these request and others to make Knapsack even better.
In the mean time, we hope you'll give 1.0 a try. It has a 30-day unlimited demo (no disabled features). We believe Knapsack has a place on any travel-loving Mac-user's dock.
Cheers,
Brad Willoughby
TinyPlanet Software, LLC
http://tinyplanetsoftware.com/
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3-14-2008 @ 1:39PM
ryanknapper said...
Why does it look like a car?
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3-14-2008 @ 8:46PM
david said...
because we need new glasses, ryan.
3-14-2008 @ 6:55PM
Micah said...
Seems cool...but LOTS of missing features.
-iPhoto integration DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-iCal exporting
-View itineries on iPhone/web , etc
-GPS integration
-Google maps location based servies (automatically add stuuf to iternaries based by finding locations in google maps)
- ETC
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3-14-2008 @ 8:49PM
david said...
ETC? they're missing ETC? oh man, that's just a deal-breaker for me. you're so right. let's avoid this great looking software with a dedicated and attentive dev team which will no doubt only get better because people are really digging it. they just didnt have ETC soon enough, that's all...
3-15-2008 @ 11:00AM
Don McDonald said...
Hello Michael, I noticed your interest in getting a pushpin map for your children. Please pardon the plug, but I just recently started manufacturing a nice, low tech, map for pushpins that uses fabric instead of paper, so those ugly holes don't show. I invite you to check them out at http://tackamap.com. I've even set up a special 20% off coupon for you (and all of your other readers). Just enter: tuawlotekmap at checkout. I love the stuff at TUAW. Keep it up.
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3-21-2008 @ 9:59PM
Dave Goldstein said...
Nice UI. Limited functions. Costly. Tripit is better. Sorry.
3 out of 5.
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