Smarter Phones Become Favorite Vacation Accessory
By: Adam Johnes
Sleeping bags, tent, ice cooler and…a GPS navigation device?
As families hit the road for a vacation, they may pack the
proverbial station wagon with more gadgetry than travelers past.
Fortunately, technology can also help lighten the load.
Whether for entertainment or utility, people increasingly use
mobile technology to stay connected while they travel. The wide
range of affordable high-tech products can also make family
vacations all the more enjoyable.
Instead of overloading the car with Lego bricks and coloring books,
many parents are taking along all-in-one gadgets, such as
smartphones, to keep children entertained. Kids stay busy surfing
the Web, playing games and snapping photos. Smartphones, such as
the Palm Treo smartphone, combine a mobile phone, Internet access,
e-mail, organizer, games and more into one compact device. And, for
those who want to maximize battery life, a separate Treo TripKit
conveniently stows a car charger, extra battery and more in one
neat traveling pouch.
Not only can parents avoid overpacking the car with a DVD player,
laptop and other unnecessary luggage, but these all-in-one devices
can help keep the whole family happy. Parents can use smartphones
to:
1. Track expenses for gas, food and last-minute supplies.
2. Let children snap photos of interesting roadside landmarks with
the built-in camera.
3. Replace crumpled maps and avoid getting lost with a portable GPS
device accessory, such as the Palm GPS Navigator.
4. Sing along to the family's favorite songs downloaded on the
smartphone's MP3 player.
5. Instantly e-mail vacation photos to friends and family.
6. Edit last-minute Word or Excel documents for work.
7. Organize a Tic-Tac-Toe contest for the kids using the digital
note pad.
8. Find the nearest gas station, restaurant or motel using Palm's
GPS Navigator database containing more than 4.5 million
landmarks.
9. Keep children entertained with their favorite TV show using
applications such as MobiTV (sold separately).
10. Download and read an eBook to help pass the time.
The latest, smartest, all-in-one phones may soon become a favorite
vacation accessory for on-the-go families.
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