Ā The canton of Zurich's forestry and countryside agency has launched a mobile app that allows iPhone and Android smartphone users to see the canton's woodland in a brand new light.

Features of the ā€œEifach erlƤbeā€ forest guide include 18 forest trails, directions, as well as location-based attractions and activities. GPS technology means that ā€“ even in a network blackspot ā€“ the walker always knows where she is, and how far it is to the nearest picnic place or bus stop.

The web agency Liip has developed a new OpenLayers module for the app, which saves all geographical information for a given route offline. As well as maps from Openstreetmap.ch, zooming in to low levels switches to the official maps of the geographic information system of the canton zurich (gis-zh). Track points and directions are stored on the canton's WFS and WMS servers.

The app was developed using HTML5 and SenchaTouch, while PhoneGap ensures its compatibility with a range of devices. Liip's in-house designers worked closely with the development team to create a simple, clean and user-friendly interface. Perhaps the most interesting technical feature is the fact that the cross-platform app also functions even when the device is offline. As Nathalie Barengo explains: "Naturally, we knew from the outset that network access may be patchy in woodland areas. So, we had to come up with a solution that involved storing the maps, walking trails, photos and texts offline. Liip solved this challenge perfectly, making dead spots a worry of the past."

Tablet, PC and mobile phone users can also access the content on a responsive design website, which is particularly useful when planning trips in advance. The app is available both on Google Play and in the AppStore.