How to request a new application be composed?
 

Is there a way to contact Google, or another company to make a suggestion for an application to be composed for mobile devices? Android or Apple?

I am hoping for a travelers application for checking flight numbers and maps, and foreign banking, communicating with police...

Google and Apple are unlikely to be interested unless you can put a major marketing spin on it. (Perhaps Google could be persuaded it would tie in with local search, maps, location-based services?)

The same would be true of any other large company. If you've got a friend or colleague who's already developed an app, ask them!

Best thing might be to start with an app or web site that's already doing this general kind of thing, and suggest they add these features. tripadvisor? Your favourite travel agent?

I sometimes wonder how it is that makers of freeware, good freeware make a profit.

Adverts.

You have to differ between freeware and open source software. Usually freeware is closed source software that either uses advertising to generate money or is a version with lesser features/other limitations of a commercial program, like for example the Express versions of VisualStudio.
People that write open source software usually make their money with being employed by a company (either they write the software for that company, like for example some Red Hat developers or they just write the software in their free time) or they sell support contracts (you can for example use MySQL for free, but can also buy a support contract).

Enhancing the maker's resumes, credentials and professional reputation brings them money (through enhanced career prospects).

However, the standard way to get people to build new applications based on your own requirements is to hire contractors to write them. This would be an interesting Kickstarter...

They have regular JOBs.

The 50 Best Travel Apps for the iPhone

google > "travelers application for checking flight numbers and maps" seems like everybody's got an app for travel.

i use flightview for android.