Welcome to Gypsy Wednesday! Every Wednesday, I’ll strive to highlight all the juicy morsels related to travel and beyond.
One night my girlfriend pulled out a Christmas gift to herself – an iPhone. She began showing me the functionality, flipping through apps, talking excitedly. Meh – I was unmoved. A cell phone is a mobile tool that I can use to text, talk, or have close by in case of an emergency. That’s all.
We dropped the subject and moved on. The next time I saw her, she extracted it from her coat pocket to demonstrate another new app. I actually paid attention. The screen responded to her light touch, “Uh, look at this one, if you’re lost you can use the compass. Or this wifi finder, in case you want to surf.. “ At the end of our social outing, I almost snatched her phone and stuffed it down my pants. An iPhone is the equivalent to electronic masturbation. My lust for this gadget was cemented.
Why I Love It
The truth? I seriously get lost easily. Of course, on this journey I intend to get lost on purpose, but if I end up directionally challenged in Bangkok, a compass could come in handy before I’m ravaged by mangy dogs. Another reason, my fears about staying linked to the world or friends has run out of steam. Here is a product that offers me options in a singular device.
Basic iPhone Features
Without even touching upon apps, a basic iPhone 3G exhibits a terrific starter template for the tech-savvy traveler:
- Video Camera: I can shoot, edit, and share all from the phone. Wow!
- 3-megapixel camera: My informants tell me the camera lacks a flash, and is not high end, but it could work if my camera suddenly died.
- Compass: Ooh, this feature makes me squeal with joy. It will automatically reorient a map to match the direction I’m facing.
- Messages: I can send messages in various forms (text, video, pictures) with the option to send to one or several contacts.
- Voice Memos: An audio recorder to capture an observation or interview. Great for the freelance writer or intrepid journalist.
- ipod: Music is a must. This saves me from carrying 3 devices - phone, ipod and laptop. 2 out of 3 are decent odds.
- SIM Cards: All phones operate with SIM cards nowadays; what makes this potentially special is I can swap out cards during my travels.
- Mobile Phone: One complaint with iPhones is the poor reception. The 2.0.2 software update allegedly addressed bugs.
Cheap or Free Apps that Make Me Swoon
1. WorkSnug
Will scout all the wifi hotspots in a city, giving you locations and ratings. Cost – free.
2. Google Maps
A triple threat. Google Street View, public transportation options and walking directions adds up to heaven. Cost – free.
3. Urbanspoon
If I’m exhausted and want dinner quickly, this app can locate restaurants in my area based on location, cost and food type. Cost – free.
Since my itinerary is flexible, this app could be a godsend. Tripit is an advanced itinerary planner boasting integrated maps, local restaurants, driving directions, sightseeing spots, weather, and so on. The beauty of this app, it can be accessed online, but if you can’t tap a wifi spot, an itinerary is still viewable without one. Cost – free.
5. Skype
Free Skype-to-Skype calls based from a wifi zone. Also, call and text mobile phones by a pay-as-you-go credit. Cost minus mobile phone access – free.
6. XE Currency
Unbelievable, there are over 180+ currencies to access with the ability to monitor up to 10 at a time. It’s easy to switch to my base currency as well. Cost – free.
A universal translator with speed control from text-to-speech. Cost – $1.99.
Viola, there’s no excuse not to plan a trip today. You can choose to stay tapped in via technology, or trust in a paper map and guidebook. Obviously, there are no rules, the iPhone grants a traveler another option to take off, be free, and be connected.
With the release of the iPad today, Apple products continue to vie for my attention.
The iPhone could be my perfect partner. He won’t talk back, whine, burp, and will immediately respond to my magic fingers. What more could a gal ask for?
Photos: giglamesh under Creative Commons.
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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
@Nomadic Chick –
Just wanted to say thanks for your reply! (Thought I had already sent this, but hey ho!).
I am off to the Apple shop on Friday to pick one up. Great recommendation, great blog.
All the best, Tam
@Tam – Hello! There is no such thing as a stupid question, my friend. I’ll try to answer as best I can.
1) Yes, you can buy a jailbroken/unlocked iphone. Jailbroken means the Apple 0/S is essentially reprogrammed so you can download certain apps or themes that are not available through the proprietary Apple framework. It’s cool. My current theme is called Crazy Robots & I hear robot sounds whenever I get a text message! Unlocked means after “jailbreaking” the phone, a programmer can download a program that overrides the SIM card parameters, which allows you to input any SIM card and the O/S reads it. You cannot unlock an iphone, unless you’ve jailbroken it first. I highly recommend ebay, here’s the UK version: http://bit.ly/peZv7D. Ebay has some controls in place for the buyer over those other “free” advertised sites. a) always go with a top-rated seller b) besides a top-rated seller, make sure they have 100% positive reviews c) make sure they allow you to return the item if defective. Some sellers allow 3 days, some 7. I always go with 7 days. Enough time to make sure the phone actually works properly. Keep in mind, you will be paying a lot more for an unlocked phone over going with a contract in the UK and buying the iphone through them. However, I like the idea of buying freedom, that’s just me, though. :)
2) See 1) above. Yes and yes. Once a phone is jailbroken/unlocked, all you need to do is buy a SIM with text messaging, phone minutes and a data plan in any country that provides such things and you will have a local number. :-D
3) How high res are we talking? That would eat up a data plan, but yes, if you are within range of a wifi-hotspot, I think you could do that. Is the album Picasa? I do think it would take a long time to do though, depending on how high res you’re going.
4) You keep using the word “wireless”, so I assume you mean wifi-hotspot? Skype = yes, you could do that as well. Again, if you are using a data plan on the SIM card you purchased in that country, this will eat up your data plan, but absolutely – if you find a cafe with a wifi-spot, you can Skype your friends, without incurring call costs. I did that quite a lot with my first iPhone (was stolen).
The iPhone will do all of the above, though the high res pictures, not 100% positive I’d ask around on Mac Forums: http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/. Good resource for Apple computer or iPod/iPhone users.
Finally, think hard about why you want to bring the Air. It does sound like you want to upload lots of pictures and music, you say? The extra computer would be useful indeed. However, it is another item that can be stolen, which means you should also bring an external hard drive to back up the photos & music. More to carry, and is that what you want to do?
OK so I am a bit late to the iphone although I have had macs and macbooks airs for many years.
I’m about to go away for a year and cancelling my UK phone contract, but would like to be able to skype home and upload photos/music etc.
Can you clarify for me (assuming I am TOTALLY ignorant of these things), that I can
1) Buy an unlocked iphone (with no contract)
2) Buy a local SIM card wherever I am and use the phone wherever I go?
3) Upload all my high res photos to my online photo album when within range of wireless?
4) Skype my friends in the UK without paying for call costs? (i.e using a local SIM card to access wireless, does that use up minutes?)
Sorry for the sheer stupidy of these questions!
I am debating whether to take my macbook air, but if an iphone can do all of the above, the hell yeah!?!?!!
Thanks and hope you can help!
Tam
@Keith – I have a couple of ideas, one is to turn off roaming and use wifi/Skype to keep in contact with close friends and family, etc. I also plan on unlocking the phone, this gives me an option to purchase SIM cards from xyz country. Legal Nomads has been doing this on her trip. Basically, the phone option is nice if I had to call home quickly.
I’ve always kind of wanted an iPhone, but the cost of the data plan has kept me clean. My understanding is that using the phone’s data plan overseas is cripplingly expensive. Is the idea to turn that off and just use wifi?
@Lauren – They are pretty neat devices, right? Thank goodness you stopped by, your link will be going up, I promise! :)
I wrote a post a while back about my i-touch while traveling. I Love (and need) the currency converter tool, and i use the language apps a lot on the road as well. Versatile little toys, arn’t they?!
@Nancy – Isn’t it insidious? Similar to a nerdy, grating man who suddenly grows on you. I was a Microsoft Windows devotee forever, then one day I woke up to Apple. It’s been a great relationship thus far!
I’m with you. I resisted for the longest time. Now my lust for the iPhone is full-blown. I desperately want one for all those fun travel/food apps. (Not to mention ridiculous T-Pain voice apps, lol.)
@Chris – I never pegged you for a geek, but there it is. :) Glad you’re on board with me.
@Ayngelina – You are already a skilled photographer. You see, I have to compensate.
@Shannon OD – Hope you got some tips from Brooklyn Nomad re: New York. The app world is exciting, kinda like how I felt when I finally downloaded itunes on my computer.
@Cornelius Aesop – You can unlock it! See my comment to GRRRL. PC world posted a way to do it.
@Sofia – Welcome back! iPad does look cool, but at this point the iphone will work for my needs. Who knows? A girl might change her mind. :-D
My iPod Touch is my personal assistant, I just love it.
Just found out about the ipad today, it seems pretty awesome, might have to get one of those as well ;)!
I wish that my blackberry was hip to the SIM card. I think that the only way I would get an iphone is if I could unlock it to open up some options with carriers.
I have a 3G that I’m only just starting to use and find apps! Great list and I look forward to adding and playing with some of these :-)
I would really really REALLY love to get one but I’m going to lug around a netbook, DSLR and 3 lenses so I had to draw the line at that.
My iphone will travel everywhere with me. The ability to get local sim cards will negate expensive global roaming fees and you can disable data usage if you see fit.
Turn on wifi when you need to or data to get a google map. GPS has been useful here in aus for directions many times.
In saying all this I’m an IT geek from way back so not taking it was never an option.
@Grrrl – Ooh, one more thing, I saw Google Earth, but wasn’t sure if I’d use it. Hmmm, I might. And thank you kindly for the other recommendations. Kayak would come in handy. :)
Oh yeah, here are the instructions on how to unlock it: http://www.pcworld.com/article/137223/how_to_unlock_an_iphone.html
We’ll be set lady, hehe.
Ah, you beat me to the blog… Great minds think alike & I’m there with you! Been researching options for my time abroad- everywhere from Android to Nexus. Am a gadget head & life without my Smartphone would be painful. I got an iPod Touch in frustration. So far it seems like the best solution for my travel needs. Only thing – I need to be near a free WiFi in order to use online apps.
Can you get your iPhone unlocked? It would allow you to use country Sims vs. your own plan.
Google Maps/GPS supposedly doesn’t work well outside U.S./Canada (so I heard…) but I can still map tight locations abroad.
XE Currency- Yay! I didn’t know they had an app.
You might like:
Kayak
Google Earth (I once used it to find the type of building my hostel was in)
Hostelbookers (a cool app for any RTW budget traveler, huh?)
Airport Gates (99 cents & love it! How many times did you wonder how far you’d be running to catch your connecting flight?)
@soultravelers3 – I’ve heard bills for the iphone can be high. But, I’ve also been told there are work arounds. http://holeinthedonut.com/ does a post on how to turn off your roaming.
AT&T are terribly expensive, but some of the Canadian plans aren’t bad.
Honestly, I truly want the phone for the apps, the phone/surfing aspect is secondary to me. Silly, huh? But, there you have it.
Have you seen some of the outrageous phone bills some travelers have gotten unexpectedly with the iphone?
We haven’t given into the iphone, ipod, or wii, nintendo ds for our kid.
We had a top of the line global quad phone, but soon stopped using that. We just Skype every where from our macbook etc…even local calls. We do have a small handheld gps that has lots of bells & whistles, but we mainly use it for both vehicles & walking. Handy!
We love our macs, but frankly I also really love to go unplugged as much as possible when traveling & worry a bit about the addictiveness of the internet. Laptops help control that more than an iphone or ipad …just by size.
Travel 2.0 has been amazing for us, but there are times where we all really consider doing a total, unplug forever.
It’s the time suck thing & how it keeps one from being present with reality in front of you.
Still, there are times when it is tempting & we may give in to the ipad eventually. ;)