Travelogger

Jun|07|2009

The Techie Traveler

Posted by Noemi as Tips, Travelogger, Trends

iphone_homeDo you consider yourself a techie traveler? Maybe so; then again, maybe not. If you want to have a hassle-free vacation and have your fill of technology, then I suggest you get yourself an iPhone and lug it around with you. Here’s a sampling of how it can be your virtual travel assistant.

You can download applications that you will find very useful. Allow me to quote Phil Karren, who has had firsthand experience:

Every iPhone comes with Google Maps built in, making it easy to get directions, whether walking, driving or using public transit. The map is also great for finding the closest Chinese restaurant, hotel or any other local business. The built-in GPS gives you an up-to-date “you are here” indicator.

A built-in weather tool gives you the five-day forecast whether you’re headed to Beaver or Bratislava. The built-in clock automatically adjusts to the local time zone, and its alarm means you don’t have to ask the hotel front desk for a wake-up call.

But that’s not what impresses me the most:

Going to Paris? Hop on iTunes and download a French-English dictionary (SlovoEd for $24.99, or Cole Zhu for $5.99), Metro Paris Subway ($0.99, currently the 10th most popular travel app), and CityGuide Paris ($4.99). You’ll be provisioned with all the reference material right in your pocket, and if you don’t wear cargo shorts and strap a camera around your neck, no one has to know you’re a touriste.

The current most popular iPhone travel application is FlightTrack ($4.99), which lets you track flight status and delays, gates and more. FlightTrack uses the FlightStats service. FlightTrack Pro ($9.99) adds the ability to see Tripit.com flight itineraries.

Then again, I have to remember that the iPhone will be a useless brick in some countries. It will really depend on what your destination is.

What is your must have gadget when traveling?

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