I know what you're thinking - "why didn't you do this app last Friday, when the Canadian National Exhibition opened, slacker?" Well, the truth is I needed to see the official CNE 2012 app in action, while on the grounds, before penning this. That seems sensible, right?

The deal with the CNE 2012 app is that it is designed to take a lot of thinking out of what can be an overwhelming event to attend. Usually when I go, I can anticipate a number of things: my body will get beaten down as I circle the festivities multiple times, I'm going to spend way more money than I need to, and I'm going to hate every single person in the food building that is able to find a table.

However, not everything is easy to anticipate ahead of time, thus the importance of the app. Within it, the app provides basic information like where the CNE is, ticket prices, hours of operation and parking details, but also stretches out to give the incoming, or on-the-grounds patron, insight into what's going on when he's there, or when he's deciding on a day to make the trek down.

CNE 2012 features listings of concerts and attractions, in three different manners - by alpha order, by day, or for the day in which the app is being accessed. Within these sections, the user is provided with photos, location info, times/dates and summaries of each and every concert and attraction that's happening at the CNE.

In the Attractions section, an attendee can get the lowdown on the Arts, Crafts & Hobbies Pavillion, the ever popular on-site farm, the International Pavilion, the midway, and just about anything that one could want to witness. Some of the attractions that feature a large collection of vendors will incorporate a PDF listing of who is in attendance.

Some features that really struck my interest include the app's direct link up to The Weather Network (especially important when it comes to determining what to wear or bring), the map of the grounds (great for when you lose the pamphlet at the gates), the My Schedule section (which allows you to plot your day), and the Friend Finder.

How the Friend Finder works, is that when a user enters his name into the app, he is then provided with a PIN number. The number can then be given to friends of the user, who are also using the app. If the individual and his friends keep the app open, they can be able to trace one another's location on the grounds' map for 24 hours. Considering how easy it is to lose people in the sea of humanity known as the CNE, this is a particularly important feature.

The CNE runs through September 3, so get out there and murder your body, pocket book and be thankful that this iOS app is free.

If my feet and bank account allow me, I may see you there in the coming days. Good luck my fellow EXers!

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