TripIt Releases Apps for Blackberry & Android

The TripIt app for iPhone was so popular, the travel website decided to develop apps for other platforms. Now, TripIt is available for both the Blackberry and the Android phones. The apps are free, but you do have to sign up for an account at TripIt.com (don't worry, the account is free, too).

The app lets you access your travel plans on the go, from your phone. Sure, lots of apps do this, but some say it's a lot more organized, particularly for a free app, than lots of the ones out there. It allows one-click access to your hotel, airline and other locations from your itinerary whenever you have a question or problem. Simply forward your confirmation emails from any airline or hotel and the app will organize your plans into one simple itinerary that lets you access and share your information with the click of a button. Also, the app sends you alerts and information about potential travel delays.

At the website, GeekSugar.com, a blogger talks about how a friend of hers used the app and received a flight cancellation notice from the app about half an hour before the airline notified her. She was able to get another flight to the same destination at the last minute before the other passengers from her trip attempted to do the same.

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Traveling Safely with Your Data

When you travel, you probably take all sorts of precautions. After all, you'll be in a place you're not familiar with, with people you don't know. You probably stay on guard, keep your luggage locked up and don't keep large amounts of cash on you. But what about your data? Most people take their laptops and cell phones along when they go on trips, or they use public computers, but what are they doing to keep these items safe?

Most people may take a few precautions at home or the office to make sure their data is secure, but when you're traveling, there is a whole new set of things to worry about. For example, using public computers in cybercafes and hotels may seem like a convenient option, but most people don't realize most of them have malicious malware on them. This can include keylogger programs that record your strokes or capture screenshots of what you're doing. Both can lead to someone stealing your log-in information. Before you using one of these computers, ask an employee or attendant what sort of security measures are used on the computers or see if you can't find a security program icon and check it out yourself. If you can't find a secure computer, avoid doing anything that involves your financial information and if you check your email, change your password when you do get to a secure location.

Using public Wi-Fi on your own personal laptop is a safer option but it can cause some problems, as well. There is free, easy to get software on the market that allows people to view and analyze Wi-Fi traffic. Your data could be read by the wrong person using this software. Use a firewall for protection. The most recent versions of both Apple and Microsoft operating systems come with a free one. You'll also want to make sure your information is encrypted. You can check this by making sure your website addresses say "https." Also, while using your laptop or smartphone in public, you may want to consider purchasing a privacy screen. This will prevent nosy neighbors from getting a glance of what you're doing.

Even when you're not using it, you'll want to protect your laptop from potential thieves. Stealing laptops is big business these days, especially at airports. According to the New York Times, over 12,000 laptops are lost or stolen each week in airports. Make sure you've protected and backed up important data. Also, never leave your laptop alone. Take it to the bathroom with you if you need to and never check it with your luggage. Even if you leave it in a hotel room, you'll want to invest in a lock to prevent dishonest hotel staff from doing something they shouldn't.

Switching gears from laptops to smartphones, a smartphone is often a safer alternative for checking email and other data that you may use your laptop for. If you use your iPhone, Blackberry, or other device to connect to Wi-Fi, though, you have the same worries as you do when you use your laptop. Also, some people can use Bluetooth to snoop into your text messages and contact information. And don't forget there are apps you can buy that will help you find your phone if it's lost or stolen. MobileMe for iPhone allows users to locate missing devices on a map, set a password lock from a remote location, display a message on the screen and erase data from a remote location, as well as making your phone ring, even if the ringer is turned off.

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Google Store View Coming to Google Maps?

With Google Maps' Street View, you can view almost any street in America or almost any major city in the world, but what if you can go inside the buildings? That possibility may become a reality with the rumored Google Store View.

The blog Search Engine Land received an email from a New York city candy shop, Oh Nuts, which claimed a Google representative came inside and took pictures of the store and its products. The reason is supposedly because Google is working on a new feature, which is tentatively being called Google Store View.

While no one will confirm whether or not this really happened, the store did send in photos from store security cameras, which show someone walking around the store with a camera and tripod, taking pictures. When contacted by Switched.com, Google would only say, "We are always experimenting with new features for Google Maps. We have nothing further to announce at this time."

If this really happens, it could change a lot of things about the way we shop. Customers could browse stores without leaving their homes, which is good for customers, not so much for businesses. Also, it would allow people to browse stores in locations they aren't familiar with or plan to travel to ahead of time. The other problem is the privacy concerns that often pop up with Google Maps. If people are worried about views of themselves outside of various places, you can bet they're going to be upset that they're being followed inside. Never mind the fact that it would take a lot of work on Google's part to get every store in the country to allow the photography.

While it's quite possible Google is experimenting with the idea, don't expect it to happen anytime soon. If the woman taking pictures inside the store really is with the company, her equipment doesn't really look like something they'd use for this type of venture. Also, it's a long road between one little candy shop in New York and the entire United States or even the entire city of New York.

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Sony Dash Streams TV and Movies from Netflix

Sony has just announced that its Dash Personal Internet Viewer, the device seen back at CES, will feature a dedicated app for Netflix. This means that the device will allow Netflix subscribers to instantly watch thousands of movies and TV shows directly on the Dash. But that isn't all, Demand Media Inc. has confirmed that eHow, Golflink and LIVESTRONG.com will also be added to the content lineup.

The Dash wirelessly transfers real-time internet by providing always on, sequential display of more than 1,500 apps from Sony's Bravia Internet Video Platform as well as the Chumby Industries Inc. personalized content channel. The Dash can also stream online music videos, TV or film content on-demand.

The device itself offers a 7-inch color touch screen with multiple viewing angles such as upright and tilted. According to Senior Vice President of Sony Electronics' Personal Imaging and Audio Business Brennan Mullin, "We're continuing to develop innovative products that bring online music, news, video and more into our customers' homes in real-time. By adding content from Netflix and demand Media to our Dash product, Sony is giving consumers a new, convenient way to enjoy some of the highest quality entertainment and most useful information available on the internet today."

A queue-based interface allows you to access Netflix-streamed content on your Dash in which choices from a Netflix member's queue will be automatically displayed when the Netflix icon on the Dash is touched. The same concept works for eHow, which provides people the ability to research, share and discuss solutions to everyday problems.

The Dash from Sony should be available for purchase this April for around $199 at any Sony Style retail store, a variety of authorized dealers or at www.sonystyle.com. It seems that adding this to the new Ford Sync System with Wi-Fi will make those long family road trips a little more bearable.

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Looking for a short term mobile technology rental to to make your next trip a success? Call 800-736-8772 today and ask about our Nextel Rentals, Two Way Radio Rentals, or even our Aircard Rentals!

The Southwest Airline App

Southwest Airlines has come out with its own iPhone/iPod Touch app. The iPhone app is the mobile phone version of the airline's Ding computer application. According to Southwest, it makes traveling with the airline "even more convenient" and helps you do everything from check in for your next flight to plan your next trip. For a limited time, you can get special air fare deals with the app that were previously only available with the computer widget version of Ding.

So what makes this app so great? The free app, which is currently available for download in the iTunes store, lets you book a flight, check a flight status, and check in for your flight. You can also book car rentals, reeive alerts about time-sensitive Ding deals, log into your Rapid Rewards Account, view other flight schedules, and lots more!

As Kevin Krone of Southwest puts it, "Whether you are managing Rapid Rewards credits or need to check-in for your flight, the Southwest Airlines app now offers customers the flexibility to do that and more-with plenty of Southwest flair!"

The L.A. Times Dailey Travel and Deal Blog went to their Twitter account to ask users what they thought about the app and most of the respones were positive. According to the blog, the only major complaint was about the app freezing or quitting mid-use. At iTunes, some reviewers complain about how quickly the Rapid Rewards feature expired.

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Looking for a short term mobile technology rental to to make your next trip a success? Call 800-736-8772 today and ask about our Nextel Rentals, Two Way Radio Rentals, or even our Aircard Rentals!

Loews Hotels' Valentine's Day Twitter Contest

Are you following Loews Hotels on Twitter? If you are, you may be one of the lucky winners of a romantic weekend for two, especially if you're a film buff.

To enter the contest, simply begin following the hotel chain on Twitter (@Loews_Hotels) and keep an eye out. On Monday, February 8th and each day that week, a trivia question about a romantic movie will be posted around 8:00 AM PST. The first person who answers the daily trivia question correctly will win a $50 food and drink credit for Loews properties, as well as a DVD that relates back to the trivia question.

On February 12, once every question has been answered and a daily winner has been declared, a random winner will be chosen from the week's five finalists. The winner will receive the grand prize, the "Drive-In Movie" package. The package includes a two-night weekend stay at the Loews Hotel in city of the winner's choice, as well as free parking, daily in-room movies, and popcorn from the lobby's "concession stand."

To enter, simply answer the trivia question publicly on Twitter. You may respond anytime between 6:00 AM and 8:59 PM PST. But remember, the first person to answer correctly is the winner, so you don't want to take too long to think about your answer. The contest is only open to United States residents and only one entry per Twitter account is allowed. Good luck!

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Looking for a short term mobile technology rental to to make your next trip a success? Call 800-736-8772 today and ask about our Nextel Rentals, Two Way Radio Rentals, or even our Aircard Rentals!

Considering a GPS System?

So have you finally gotten fed up with always getting lost when you’re in a rush? Are you thinking that maybe it’s time to look into getting a GPS system? Although most smartphones have some sort of navigation, there are many features on an actual GPS system that smartphones just don’t have. If you’re ready to look into this then read on. I’m going to let you know about some of the top-rated GPS devices available right now.

TomTom One 140-S
List Price: $199.95
Sale Price: $99 (at BuyDig.com)
I’ve written a review previously about the TomTom One specifically that discusses this system in detail if you are interested. This GPS device includes a multitude of maps and over seven million points of interest found within the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. It also has features like IQ Routes, lane assist, and multisegment routing. These are rarely found at such a entry-level price. This is definitely one to keep in mind.

Garmin nüvi 885T
List Price: $799.99
Sale Price: $276 (at BuyDig.com)
Now yes, this system is more expensive, but it has some fantastic features like voice recognition, text-to-speech conversion, enhanced MSN Direct services, great Bluetooth phone support, and tons of other advanced features. The advantage to this device is that there are now newer Garmin models, so you can easily find the 885T at a discounted price.

Magellan Maestro 4700
List Price: $299.99
Sale Price: 199.58 (at ANTOnlibe.com)
The Maestro features voice prompts, a responsive touch screen, fast route recalculations, and a feature that allows you to easily find your car in a crowded parking lot. The downside to this particular system is that it has extremely inconsistent voice recognition and can sometimes take quite awhile to lock your exact location.

Gamin nüvi 265T
List Price: $219.99
Sale Price: $125.99 (at eCost.com)
This Garmin model gives you quite a lot for the price tag. Something quite nice that they include with the 265T is a lifetime of free traffic updates. The device also includes an ecoRoute feature that can assist drivers in saving gas.

These are all reliable GPS systems that should satisfy your desire to always know where you are going. All that you have to do is decide which features you would utilize most, and you have found yourself a brand new, dependable GPS system.

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Looking for a short term mobile technology rental to to make your next trip a success? Call 800-736-8772 today and ask about our Nextel Rentals, Two Way Radio Rentals, or even our Aircard Rentals!

Find a Warm Winter Vacation with Fodor's 80 Degrees

If you're tired of snow and sub-freezing temperatures, you may be thinking about taking a winter vacation to somewhere tropical, or at least somewhere warmer than where you are now. Well, Fodor's "80 Degrees" quiz will help you find your ideal vacation. As the website says, "tell us about your travel style and we'll recommend the perfect destination for you."

I decided to take the quiz, myself, to see what all the hoopla is about. To begin, you choose between "popular" and "off the beaten path," with three options in between, based on what your vacation desires are. Once you've picked either one (or one of the options in the middle), you hit "next" and you're given a number of other options. You can choose whether you'd like to "stay on a resort" or "go out exploring" and you can choose between "budget" and "upscale," depending on how much you'd like to spend. You then select who is going on the trip, with your choices being "just you," a "romantic getaway," "taking the kids" or "a large group." This completes Step One of the quiz.

In Step Two, you're given a list of activities and you are to choose how important each one is to you. The activities included are shopping, beautiful beaches, scuba diving, adrenaline sports, natural wonders, fine dining, excellent nightlife, casinos/gambling, golf, hiking, family activities, museums/historical sites, and snorkeling. Step Three is about lodging. First you decided how much you want to spend per night. The website gives a range of $150-450. Then it gives you optional amenities such as kitchen, pool, spa, children's programs, all-inclusive, and on the beach.

Finally, in Step Four, you have to decide on the logistics of the trip. You decided how long you're willing to travel and how many connecting flights you're willing to take, and then it gives you an option of destinations including Florida, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize or you can select "I am a United States citizen without a passport." Once you've made all these decisions, click on "get your results" and you're provided with your top ten matches.

For what it's worth, my top spot was the Florida Keys and the website provides you information about your assigned destination. It shows how the destination matches up to the activities you've chosen, things you can do while you're there, explains the logistics of getting there and even recommends hotels in the area.

Don't like your selections? That website is easy to navigate and starting over is easy to do. If you do like your selection, you can visit Fodor's online guide to the vacation spot and start planning your trip to 80 degree weather! Fore more information and to take the quiz yourself, visit Fodors.com/80degrees.

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Looking for a short term mobile technology rental to to make your next trip a success? Call 800-736-8772 today and ask about our Nextel Rentals, Two Way Radio Rentals, or even our Aircard Rentals!

Get Real-Time Travel Info to Your iPhone with TripTracker

Two new apps for the iPhone and iPod touch have been released by Pageonce. The apps, TripTracker and TripTracker Pro, put all of your travel documents in one place and helps you manage your itineraries. All you do is download the app, enter your airline and hotel account information, and from that moment on, anytime you travel, your information will automatically appear on your iPhone/iPod Touch.

Guy Goldstein, the CEO of Pageonce, had this to say about the apps,"TripTracker was designed specifically to be your mobile travel agent, saving traveller’s time on organising the annoying details. What makes TripTracker unique is that it’s the only app on the Appstore that automatically pushes real-time travel details to your iPhone, removing the inconvenience of adding it manually or sending e-mail commands to a third party provider."

The app features a number travel tools that will help manage your travel, whether it be for business or pleasure, in a hands-off manner. You can track live flights worldwild, including gate numbers, delays and cancellations. Also, you can keep track of hotel confirmation numbers, your check in and out dates, phone numbers and maps to the hotel.

Your iPhone will buzz with itenerary updates, even when it's not open. You'll also be provided with life flight maps and weather radars, and reports in your departing and destination locations. For future trips, your hotel and flight information will be automaticaly imported so you're not constantly having to retype everything and you can access your itenerary with one click. You'll even be notified when a frequent travel reward is granted to you. Pageonce also said that car rental information will be added in the near future.

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Looking for a short term mobile technology rental to to make your next trip a success? Call 800-736-8772 today and ask about our Nextel Rentals, Two Way Radio Rentals, or even our Aircard Rentals!