How My iPhone Makes Traveling Easier

I love technology.  I know that, like anything else, there can be a dark side to it especially if you allow yourself to be used by it instead of using it as a tool.  I absolutely love my iPhone and can’t imagine functioning without it at home, much less traveling the world.  I took a look at the apps on my phone to identify which ones make traveling easier.  Here they are:

First of all, just having the phone makes my life easier.  Being able to be reached no matter where I am is a tremendous comfort to me.  I still have kids at home. I also have a business where people who are very precious to me work really hard and sometimes need me.  I want to be available.  You may not want to be available.  To each his / her own.

Having Internet access on my phone is very helpful to me on a trip. I even stay up on my email as much as possible.  Again, your mileage my vary on this.  I’d rather not be under a mountain of emails from people who are now mad because they’ve been waiting for me. I’m always very careful, if I’m traveling out of the country, to make sure that I’ll have easy Internet access.  I call A T & T and add international data to my account.  I’m no idiot.  I don’t turn on data roaming unless I’ve pre-purchased the international data.

Memo:  You know, just the normal memo app that comes on your phone.  I don’t know about you, but I have some great ideas when I’m traveling.  Maybe it’s because I’m in the travel business but I suspect that everyone has better ideas when out of a normal routine.  Be sure to record them because I promise you won’t remember them when you get back and have 5000 emails.

Skype: My office operates on Skype.  I also have friends with whom that is our primary form of communication.  I enjoy having access to Skype wherever I am.

Google Maps: I don’t process verbal directions.  I have to see it.  How great to be able to navigate anywhere via this piece of technology in my pocket.

Bible App: There are several out there, pick your favorite.  Mine is “YouVersion”.  I love having Holy Scripture on my smart phone because it’s lighter and smaller than a printed Bible.  Especially 20 different translations of a printed Bible.

Kindle: See above with regard to weight and space of printed books.  Also, when I’ve read all of the “books” I have with me, I can easily get more.  (I read alot on vacation.)

Yelp / Urbanspoon: If I’m traveling somewhere where the subject of “Where should we go to eat” comes up, these apps can save the day.

AA (or the app of your chosen airline): Checking in online, checking flight status, setting a parking reminder, all very useful.

Whatsapp:  This is an app that allows you to text message other users without using the cellular network.  It works via Internet access.  So, when I was on the river cruise (with wifi) in France last fall I was able to text message with my husband when life hit the fan as it always does when I leave.  I also have friends and business contacts all over the world on my whatsapp so I can text them in my daily life without incurring international texting charges for either them or myself.

What about you?  How do you use your smartphone when you travel?