There are apps you use to kill time when you travel, such as games and social networking programs, and then there are apps you use to make your journey better. These are the ones to pack in your smart phone, whether you want to book your flight or hotel right on your device, or you’re looking for a place to wine and dine an important client. Our top picks will also keep your detailed itinerary at your fingertips, help you stay within your (probably reduced) travel budget, and let you exchange contact info without the need for old-school business cards. Here are our top 10 travel apps for Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, and more.

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ALK CoPilot Live 8

Platform: Android, iPhone, Windows Mobile

There are lots of different ways to get turn-by-turn directions on your smart phone, but CoPilot Live 8 offers the best bang for your buck. For a very reasonable one-time fee of $34.99, you get detailed street maps of the U.S. and Canada, the ability to plan multistop trips, and support for both landscape and portrait modes. This navigation app also includes free local search. Using the LiveLink feature, you can allow others to view your location in real time via the CoPilot website. Premium services include live traffic and fuel prices.

$34.99; www.alk.com

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