APP
OF THE
DAY
what3words: Navigation & Maps
Navigate to any exact location
What3words has a unique three-word combination for every three-metre square on Earth. These combos enable friends or emergency services to locate your exact position when traditional addresses are unavailable or unsuitable. So even if you’re on a solitary bench in a vast park or on a remote roadside in your conked-out car, you can be found.
What we love: The app isn’t just great in emergencies – Photo mode carries a certain romance. Upload an image of an important moment and What3words immortalises which of the planet’s 57 trillion squares it was taken in, by adding a customisable sticker of the address. The app also works offline, is compatible with other navigation apps and supports voice entry.
Quick tip: If you’d rather have a parcel stashed in the shed than in plain sight on the doorstep, many delivery companies now accept What3words addresses.
Meet the creator: What3words was created in the UK by Chris Sheldrick, Mohan Ganesalingam and Jack Waley-Cohen. The team set out to create a simple and concise way to describe location that would be as precise as GPS coordinates.