Apple's do-all handheld devices are making life easier in all sorts of ways. Here we explore some of the iPhone and iPod Touch's most useful tips, tricks and applications for traveling and backpacking. Note that the iPod touch does most everything an iPhone does, besides the obvious “phone” part and costs much less. Everything listed below should be supported by both devices.
Wi-fi on the iPod Touch
First and foremost, the iPod Touch can be used to access the Internet anywhere there is a wi-fi signal. In this day and age, it is getting easier to find free wi-fi the world over in airports, coffee shops, and restaurants – just about anywhere. With access to the Internet comes a host of options and possibilities to help travels go smoothly.
Email, Skype and Blogging
Email is indispensable for most travelers these days, and internet cafes line the streets of any tourist town, but using the iPhone or iTouch for Internet access opens up a whole new world of convenience. With the iTouch backpackers can not only check their email, but also write an email offline as they travel, and send it when they get to the next wi-fi hotspot.
Skype has become commonplace on most Internet cafe computers, but now travelers can avoid the crowds and grimy headsets and call straight from their iPod. All that is necessary (besides wi-fi) is to download the free Skype application, make sure your account is topped off and buy a set of iPhone-specific earphones with a built-in microphone.
Blogs are a great way for travelers to keep friends and family up to date on the latest adventures. Now instead of hurriedly typing tales at the net cafe before time runs out, backpackers can take their time and write their experiences on the go. The iPod Touch has a very usable touch screen keyboard. Travelers can type their message and upload it to their blog the next time they have wi-fi. Many blog hosts such as Blogger and Wordpress have an easy post by email function.
Kindle and Offline Content
Amazon Kindle for the iPhone and iPod Touch and other similar applications give iPod Touch users the ability to download and read thousands of works of literature. Most public domain books are free or very cheap and Amazon often offers newer books at discounted prices, or even free in Kindle format. Travelers who want to lighten their loads can shed a few pounds of books with this handy device.
IPod Touch users even have the option to save web content offline for later viewing with an application called Instapaper. Saving information from Wikitravel or The Lonely Planet about your destination or brushing up on a little history or cultural background with a Wikipedia article can be very useful.
Maps, Utilities and Dictionaries
Navigational tools like Google Maps and Mapquest are available for the iPod Touch as well as applications to help find hotels, restaurants and service stations.
Handy tools like a world clock that shows multiple time zones simultaneously, a currency converter which updates automatically every time it connects to the Internet, and a weather forecast application, make the iPod Touch extremely useful for travel.
In the iTunes App Store there is also an abundance of free or cheap dictionaries and phrase books to help travelers converse with locals and fit in to the culture.
On top of all that, backpackers can listen to music and watch movies too!
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