Gadgets

When traveling, staying connected with family and friends back home as well as to those in the same area you are visiting is possible.

1. Unlocking your cell phone. Many cell companies provide a code upon request to unlock your cell phone (just tell them you will be traveling internationally and would like to have it unlocked to use a SIM card from the area). This allows you to use local SIM cards to keep in touch with the locals in the area you are visiting, making it much cheaper than using roaming with your regular cell phone carrier.

2. Many travelers travel with their laptop computers or cell phones with Wi-Fi connections. There are many places that provide free Wi-Fi throughout the world. Thereby, you can keep in touch by email or instant messaging. Also, there is Skype which is an internet phone that provides free calls to other Skype members anywhere in the world. They also have discounted rates to landlines or cell phones.

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The Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and Android devices are one of the best travel gadgets in that it that has many travel apps that can assist you in on your trips. Instead of carrying around your laptop during a vacation, the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, or Android devices connects to Wi-Fi enabling you to surf the web to check your email or get web information on the place you are visiting.

Some free iPhone, iPod travel apps that I use:
Trips, flights:
KAYAK Flight, Hotel Search – kayak.com
FlightTrack – Live Flight Status Tracker by Mobiata – Ben Kazez
GateGuru – featuring Airport Maps – Mobility Apps LLC
Frommer’s Travel Tools – QuickMobile Inc.
Trip Organizer – Europ Assistance Holding
TripCase – Sabre Inc.
TripDeck – Travel Itinerary Manager – Mobiata
TripIt – Travel Organizer – TripIt
CheckMyTrip Mobile Companion – Amadeus
My TSA – Transportation Security Administration
HomeAway – Vacation Rental Search – Mobiata
Hotels near me – BluMedialab.com
HopStop – HopStop.com
StayHIP – Mobiata
Hostelworld.com – Web Reservations International
Currency – Jeffrey Grossman
Free Wi-Fi Finder – JiWire Inc.