History: Maps of the World – iPhone App Review

History: Maps of the World (Free)

REVIEW - "Historical Maps in an App"

History: Maps of World is a peculiar little app. It offers users 18 historical maps of the world. Maps range from the US Collective Defense Arrangements of 1967 to the South Pole 1894. There is a world map from 1598 and a NATO map from 1970. The collection is random and small, but interesting.

Looking at maps that are outdated may not be a good idea for navigating, but looking at historical maps is entertaining. Seeing what changes have happened not only in political borders, but as map making skills improved, is interesting. Once a map is selected and opened, users can zoom in as usual on their iPhone or iPod. That is the only feature of History: Maps of the World.

If you are looking for a specific historical map it will be easier to Google that map - and the initial image will probably be larger and easier to move around on your computer. The novelty and entertainment in this app are short lived as it does not have much to offer. The app really is nothing more than 18 random, historical maps with only available feature: zoom-in.

A better, and more useful, concept for this app would be to feature historical maps that relate to a common theme. Instead of having one map that outlines NATO involvement in one year, one map that shows immigration patterns in another year and so on… have a group of maps that track immigration patterns over the course of a few hundred years. Or a group of maps that show changing trade routes from the 1300's through the present. An app like that would allow users to find a topic of interest and then have access to the library of available maps.

Instead, History: Maps of the World is random and essentially useless in its current version.

- Melissa S.
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