Smartphones in the Year 2015: A New Age Of Technology

The worst thing about smartphones is the fact that when you drop all of your money on a shiny, brand new phone,the latest and greatest thing on the market, but it becomes outdated in just a few short months! Although you might be the coolest guy in the office today (*see photo below), next week you might as well be living in the stone age...Oddly enough, this is also one of the coolest things about the smartphone market; there is always something to look forward to and whenever you get an upgrade there is always going to be something fresh to pick up!

Starting this year, most of the new phones will be using Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 chip. They are the latest and greatest chips out right now, and they are going to make tons of new things possible. Most of the top end smartphones that aren't iPhones use a snapdragon chip, so you know the next generation of Snapdragon is going to pretty much blow everything out of the water.

The processor in any phone is probably the biggest thing to look at. It powers everything; makes everything your phone does possible. Here is a list of some cool new things that are going to be possible with the new Snapdragon 810 chip:

4K Video:

Yes, some smartphones on the market right now already have a 4K display. But that isn't what they are aiming for here. New phones that come out this year will be able to stream 4K video wirelessly to a TV with just a few taps on the screen. (Now that is just super awesome.) You will also be able to record 4K video with most phones. Cameras capable of shooting 4K video aren't exactly new, but the point here is that you will be able to transport 4K video to other devices very easily and it is going to create a whole new world of possibilities!

Way better cameras:

 

Now that there will be way more powerful processors in smartphones, they can power way better cameras. There is a new smartphone camera made by a company called core photonics that is actually two cameras built into one. It has a wide angle imager, and a fixed telephoto lens that magnifies the image. By combining the two images together, you can take a picture that is better than a DSLR camera.

Recording audio in stereo:

One of the biggest downfalls of recording video with your phone is the fact that it always sounds like well, crap; especially if you are at a concert or something. But with these new processors, you will be able to record video with a high quality, stereo audio track. This means no more mono recordings; also means your chances of becoming a YouTube star greatly increase.

Using your phone as a computer:

 

The new Snapdragon 810 is 5 times more powerful than any other chip on the market. It has enough power that you will literally be able to wirelessly hook up a monitor and a keyboard and work on it like it is a PC. The possibilities are absolutely insane. Why even have a laptop when you can carry a PC in your pocket?

These are just a few very practical uses that you will be able to get out of the phones that will be coming out this year. There are way more things that you could do, I'm sure. And there will certainly be more apps and services that will come out based on all of the possibilities. If you didn't have an upgrade available when the iPhone 6 came out, don't even worry! You'll have a chance to get something that will make it look like a kid's toy very soon.

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Artemis Makes A Breakthrough In Wireless Connectivity

Last week, entrepreneur Steve Perlman announced his new company named Artemis, and showed off its new pCell technology. This new technology is designed to deliver consistent, full-speed mobile data to every single mobile device at the same time no matter how many users are connected at the same time in any spot at the time.

The idea behind the technology is pretty amazing, but some people would say that it wouldn't work exactly as planned. Some arguments that have popped up are saying that it would be impossible to run the network at full capacity to an unlimited about of users because the signals would become too complicated. But, that is exactly what Artemis intends on doing.

The way it works is pretty interesting. pCell does not try to suppress any interference, but instead combines radio signals transmitted from different stations. In doing so, it creates a personalized wireless network for each individual mobile device.

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Distributed Input-Output (a.k.a. DIDO) is another technology that Artemis is using. It's capacity has been proven to reach 10 times the limits given by Shannon-Hartley calculations, and has the potential to reach up too 1000 times the capacity. This is because instead of users sharing the same access point, they all get their own personal channel.

DIDO is a cloud-bases technology, and has been tested at every frequency between 1MHz to 1GHz. Indoor DIDO APs have a transmission range of up to a mile, and outdoor DIDO APs use Near-Vertical Incidence Skywave and have a coverage of up to 500 miles.

pCell works in all mobile bands and unlicensed spectrums like 900 MHz in the USA.

There are some huge benefits to pCell. It is compatible with every LTE device like the iPhone or the Samsung Galaxy, or any other LTE smartphone. Throughout all pCell coverage areas, these devices will be able to run at their full speed no matter what. Wireless carriers can set up pCell for way lower costs than traditional cellular, using base stations called pWave radios as opposed to building cell towers. It is currently being tested in San Francisco and will be ready for commercial deployment at the end of this year.

Lost Your Room Key? It's Ok, Just Use Your Smartphone!

 

Traveling of any kind can bring its own set of comforts and worries. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, we can all agree that our homes away from home carry their own stresses. More so for business traveling-- keeping up with all of your belongings can be an issue that you don't really anticipate. Your laptop is in check, you made sure to tip the waiter on your way out of the diner, but when you look for your room key, it's gone. Again, this is a common occurrence for anyone traveling, no matter what the reason may be. But once again, technology comes through for humanity. Don't have your room key on you? Don't worry. There's an app for that.

The new Starwood app for Starwood Hotels & Resorts is now offering an added new feature. Its added functionality of a "virtual room key" has given their customers the opportunity for less headaches when checking in and gaining access to their rooms. The app is set up to have a payment method and check in access directly involved with it. Now, when you book at the hotel, you don't necessarily have to wait in line or ring the bell for service at the front desk. When you arrive, check in and pay on your app, head to your room, and even enter your room via the app!

The access to your room is completely based on the app, should you choose to do it that way. It all works via Bluetooth technology. However, you need to have at least an iPhone 4S or newer for it to work. An Android device using the Android 4.3 OS or newer OS will also work. The locks on the door contain sensors which become active as soon as the Bluetooth connection is detected. One other good note is that the locks are completely battery powered. That means that although the batteries will need to be changed regularly, you will still have complete access to your room should the hotel's systems go down.

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This all seems very well and good, but could it be seen as just another gimmick to attract more customers? The CEO of the Starwood Hotels, Frits van Paasschen, actually addressed that very question. He admitted to seeing how the idea of it could seem to be a bit of a "novelty" when it first comes into use, but also said that he could see it actually being the new standard for checking into your hotel and your hotel room.

So far the only drawback is that this feature will only be available at the Starwood Aloft hotels in Cupertino, CA and Harlem, NY. Since they are the ones piloting the program, they do plan to see how well this new app works for their customers. Should the app and its uses see success, then Starwood plans to move it to all of their hotels by the end of 2015. But should you still want to keep things old school, you can always gain access through the front desk. You are not limited to the app. Just remember that having your key card and your phone become the same thing, essentially, can make life just a little bit easier for your travels.

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Packing Pro is Top Travel App of 2010

National Geographic called Packing Pro one of the best travel apps for iPhone. Apple showcased the app in their App Store Travel Guide and AppShouter called it "the ultimate tool for regular travelers." Examiner.com gives the app a five out of five stars rating and says, "Basically, everything you ever need for your trip is in here, and if it's not, you can add it!" Now, American Express' Travel+Leisure magazine has named Packing Pro the "Top Travel App of 2010." Let's take a look at this little app and see what all the fuss is about.

According to Packing Pro's website, the app provides you with a number of features:

• An expert list assistant which creates lists based on the number of people traveling with you, their ages, how many days you'll be traveling, the temperature and destination, and preferences such as how you will wash clothes or prepare food.
• Eight sample packing lists for different groups such as families, couples, campers, and business people.
• Customizable fonts, layouts, and colors.
• Easy navigation.
• A catalog of over 800 extra items for babies, kids, pets, sports, activities, cooking, religion, and more.
• Smart Search.

So how does the app work? Basically, you create your packing list and customize it by adding, deleting, renaming, or reordering categories and types of items or by using one of the sample lists provided. While doing this, the app will suggest ideas for your trip, such as "typical male/female" suggestions or suggestions based on whether you plan to travel lightly or not. You can use the app to check off items once they've been packed and keep a tally of how many items in each category you've already packed. You can even email completed lists to family and friends.

Essentially, the app helps you stay organized when preparing for a trip. It also seems like a great way to make sure you return from your trip with everything you came with. (Who hasn't gotten halfway home and realized they left that shirt in the drawer or that book on the nightstand?) Regardless of what type of traveler you are, this app seems like it could be used by anyone.

The app runs on iPhone OS 3.0 or greater, iPod Touch, or iPad OS 4.1 or greater. You can purchase the app at the Apple App store for $2.99.

See these related stories:

1. iPad Rentals are a Must-Have for Business Travel

2. Another Reason Not to Travel with Your Laptop

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The Cruise Finder App for Your iPhone

If you're planning on taking a cruise soon, there's now an app for you! iCruise.com, a website for booking discount cruises online, has finally launched a cruise app for your iPhone and according to the company, it's the best one on the market.

The app, which is called the Cruise Finder, is free to download and provides lots of great information. It includes 20 cruise lines, 200 ships, and 12,000 different itineraries from the iCruise.com database. Other features include a multiple search option, which allows you to find cruises based on destination, cruise ship, cruise line, departure date, or departure port; 32,000 pictures, including cabin photos; descriptions, and deck plans.

Uf Tukel, the co-president of iCruise.com said the app was created for people who plan vacations away from their computer. He said the company wanted to build something that was "visually appealing" and included most of the content found on the website. He also says the app is the only one of its kind in the United States, because such an app is a "complicated, expensive and time-consuming undertaking to target only 25% of the U.S. smartphone market, which happens to be demographically younger than the average cruiser.”

If you've already booked your cruise, the Cruise Finder app can help you, too! You can find information such as driving directions to various cruise ports, pier parking, and even port weather conditions.

Finally, if you're not into cruises at all, Tukel said he hopes the app will appeal to you, as well. "We certainly believe that this app will appeal to cruise enthusiasts, but we really hope that mobile technology will be a new platform for us to help introduce cruising to folks who never thought they’d consider it," he said.

Right now, you can't book a cruise from the app, but Tukel said that is in the works for future versions. You can download the app at iCruise.com or through the Apple App Store. iCruise is based out Delray Beach, Florida.

Check out these related stories:
1. Don't Panic; Call a Tech Travel Agent
2. iPad Rentals are a Must-Have for Business Travel
3. Florida Computer Rentals

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Kansas City Now Has its Own iPhone App

There's an app for almost everything these days and now you can include traveling to Kansas City in the mix. A new app called "Kansas City Uncovered - a Sassy Look at a Midwestern Gem" has been created by Sutro Media and it is now available from the Apple iTunes store.

It was compiled by Diana Lambdin Meyer, a travel writer and resident of the city. She came up with 109 restaurants and attractions along with 639 pictures (shot by her husband, photographer Bruce Meyer) for the app. Meyer said she tried to come up with "fun, distinct and memorable" selections and tried to include some information that even the most savvy of Kansas City residents and travelers would not know about.

According to the St. Joseph News-Press, a "marketing blurb" that comes along with the app reads, "This guide gives you the facts, as well as a little sass and trash talk as only longtime residents of the city can provide. Who would you ask about the controversial newspaper ad for the Blueberry Margaritas or what services Count Basie received at the Phoenix Jazz Bar?"

So what kind of attractions will you find in the app? There are museums, gardens, places to take children, attractions, fountains, nightlife, restaurants and even trivia. Did you know the first Walt Disney studio was located in Kansas City? Did you know the Happy Meal started there? You can also learn about different tours and hikes and some of the town's history. Visiting a specific neighborhood? You can use the app to tell what you can do in that specific area.

Meyer says she has lived in the city for 25 years and had a hard time narrowing down what she wanted to use for the app. Restaurants were the hardest things to choose from. She and her husband picked out their favorites, as well as asking others what they would suggest. She cut that list down to 50 restaurants, plus ten of Kansas City's famous barbecue places. The restaurant section includes facts such as where to get the best margarita in town and even some information on some of the city's iconic places to eat.

One of her favorites was a place called You Say Tomato. Of the restaurant she says, "It's a farm-to-table restaurant in an old building that used to be a neighborhood grocery store, and everything has tomato in it. Excellent food, independently owned and they wear tomatoes on their heads. We had to include it."

Each place to visit, be it a restaurant or attraction, comes with pictures, information such as prices, whether it's child-friendly or not, any interesting facts, and of course contact information and links to websites. There's also a map and walking or driving directions to each location.

The app can be downloaded for your iPhone for $1.99 at Sutromedia.com or the Apple iTunes Store.

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2. Kansas City Computer Rentals

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5 iPad Travel Apps You Won't Want To Miss

In the last month, as expected, iPad apps have been popping up everywhere. And while you can always use the apps designed for iPhone, to get the full quality of the iPad experience, you'll want to get apps specifically for your iPad. Travel apps are popular for any platform and the iPad is no different. Gadling.com picked out five different apps that are inexpensive, yet useful. Let's take a look at what they chose.

1. PointInside - Planning on going shopping and don't want to spend forever standing in front of one of those huge plastic maps of the mall, trying to figure out the key? This is the app that will help you find anything you're looking for. If you're in a new mall in a new town and you can't find the store you need, just consult your app's mall map. Looking for a bathroom or an ATM? It can help with that, too. Best of all, the app is free.

2. UpNext 3D Cities - If you're planning to be in Austin, Washington D. C., Boston, New York City, or San Francisco, you might want to check out this app. It puts Google maps to shame. Simply download one of the above mentioned cities and you've got maps with 3D buildings and, according to Gadling, a "powerful search system." This is also a free app.

3. Couch Traveler HD Earth Explorer - If you can't afford a vacation this summer, this app lets you travel the world from, well, your couch. Use maps and aerial images to sight see around the world, without leaving the comfort of your own home. Oh, and you can also use it when you're traveling and searching for something to do. Pricing for this app starts at $1.99.

4. Kayak - Imagine seeing hotel deals, old searches, and airline search options all on one screen. With the free Kayak app, that's a real possibility. You'll have access to Kayak's famous multi-airline flight search system, car rentals, hotels, and more!

5. FlightTrack Pro - The most expensive of the five apps, this one is an update of the popular FlightTrack Pro for the iPhone. Manage your trip and import your itineraries from TripIt with this app, or track the exact location of your flight. Check for flight delays and check the weather at your airport. There is so much more you can do with this app while traveling, the possibilities are endless. Unfortunately, quality comes with a price but for $9.99, you can't beat it!

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Yellowstone National Park App

A lot of people go to national parks such as Yellowstone to get away from technology, but what if you could use your iPhone to make your trip more exciting? What if your iPhone alone could provide you with a GPS-guided tour of the park, along with the history of Yellowstone told by renowned tour guides? Guess what? There's an app for that!

GeoRoamer is your very own audio tour guide of Yellowstone! You'll hear over a century's worth of knowledge as you're guided through the park, from experts Aubrey Haines, John Good, and Lee Whittlesey*. While you're guided through the park, the GPS system will let you know exactly where you are where you are heading, so you don't get lost.

The app includes all major tour sites in the park in its database and is based on the revolutionary Apple iPhone 3GS mobile phone. Most visitors to the park aren't able to have their own personal tour guide. That can be expensive and the park just doesn't have the resources, but with the GeoRoamer app, you get all the same benefits. Not only will you learn everything you need to know about popular sites, but you'll learn where the best views are located. Location experts can take you to the places best for beautiful scenery. For example, if you want to visit Barronette Peak, the app will take you there, tell you where you can find the head of the trail, so you can walk up the peak, and in addition, it lets you know if the trail is accessible by wheelchair or stroller.

As you drive through the park, the app will tell you what the closest site you're approaching is and how far away it is, and provide directions from where you are. When you're near the site, the audio track will begin to play on its own. In between sites? The app allows you to listen to several "general interest subjects," such as the Fire or 1988, how the Continental Divide was determined, to simply learning about the park's bears. If you need to know the distance between towns and park sites, the app can do that, too, as well as let you know where the nearest bathroom is. You'll also find information on road construction, any type of emergencies (such as not drinking the water in a certain area), site accessibility, and local restaurant information (such as hours and menus).

From the Isa Lake to North Twin Lake, to the 45th Parallel line and more, the GeoRoamer app can help you find it, and even help you find bears!

*Aubrey Haines has been with the National Park Service for nearly 70 years and is considered the biggest expert on Yellowstone and has written several books on the topic. John Good, a world-class geologist is the park's retired Chief Naturalist. Lee Whittlesesy is the Park's Archivist, also having published a number of books on the topic.

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Apple Patents iTravel

It's being reported that Apple has filed a patent to develop a platform for the travel industry, called "iTravel." The application would allow you to book your flights, hotels, and car rentals, and provide a paperless check-in at airports. According to eTurbonews.com, Apple, Nokia, Amazon, Google, and RIM have been competing against each other to develop such a platform for travel.

Imagine having a digital boarding pass right there on your iPhone. It would handle check-in and baggage identification, advanced electronic ID, car rentals, hotel, and airline reservations, without you having to juggle your paper ticket and your picture ID.

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Free Frommers Travel Tools 9-in-1 App

Since 1957 when Arthur Frommer published the book, Europe on $5 a Day, the Frommer's name has been synonymous with travel. People turn to the company's bestselling guidebooks for vacation and travel tips and advice. Today, the company has published over 350 books across fourteen series, and covers over 3,500 specific destinations on their website, and now they're adding an iPhone app to the mix.

Frommer's Travel Tools is an application for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch and is being called a "9-in-1 travel companion." Former apps from Frommers were simply the mobile versions of their guidebooks but this one offers travelers a number of tools, including a tip calculator, packing list, postcards, currency converter, unit converter, time translator, travel trivia, city guides flashlight, and an "apps we love" feature. Best of all, the app is free!

Gadling.com calls it "surprisingly comprehensive" compared to other travel apps. Visit Frommers.com for more information or to download the app. And for $4.99 a piece, you can also download guidebooks for Hong Kong, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, New York, Oahu, Paris, Rome, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C..

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NileGuide's iPhone Travel App

Travel apps for the iPhone seem to be all the rage lately and now there are two more on the market. Apps from NileGuide and Gliider are great apps for people who enjoy traveling.

NileGuide's new app, called What's Next, uses iPhone's GPS technology to make suggestions to people in over 290 locations throughout the world. Looking for a nearby attraction, restaurant, hotel? Maye it's a kid-friendly spot, or maybe a place to go for a little romance you need? This app's got you covered. What's Next provides information from over 30 of NileGuide's partners, including TripAdvisor, Wine Travel Guide, and Citysearch. As a matter of fact, you can get most of the same information that's available on NileGuide's original website. However, if you're looking to access your NileGuide itineraries, you'll need to get the company's other app: Guide to Go.

The app's content is organized into categories such as Restaurants, Hotels, Nightlife, and Things to do, and once you enter into a category, you'll see a list of attractions sorted by "top picks." These are chosen by online reviews, awards, and your preferences. You can sort the attractions by which ones are located closest to you, and by other categories such as "hip" or "off the beaten path."

Once you pick the place you'd like to learn more about, you'll be presented with a picture, along with the address and phone number (the phone number is clickable), the place's website, and a review from a "local expert" or one of the partners. You can save each place to a list, if you'd like, or see the place (and your entire list) plotted on a map. While looking at the map, you'll be able to see other nearby places and click on them, as well.

According to the New York Times, in April, the company plans to add events such as concerts and plays to the app, allowing you to purchase tickets. What's Next will cost you $2.99.

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Cut Your Disney World Wait Time with an iPhone App

If you're planning a Walt Disney World vacation this year and you own an iPhone, there's an app that may cut down your wait time. Undercover Tourist is a discount travel company based in Orlando, Florida, and they and they've launched a new iPhone app that will help take care of those long lines at Disney attractions. It's currently the top-selling paid travel app on iTunes.

The app was developed by Undercover Tourist and Phunware, Inc., and it's definitely the first of its kind. The goal of the app is to minimize the time spent waiting in line or looking for attractions at Disney World.

"We felt we were doing a great job getting our customers through the gates of popular theme parks like Disney World. Through our app, we can now further serve them once they are inside. This application helps customers avoid long lines, navigate their way to each attraction, and learn more about rides and restaurants all when they can use it most – while they’re actually inside the Disney World parks," Ian Ford, the President and Founder of Undercover Tourist said in a press release.

The App integrates accurate wait-times and real-time park maps with information about rides, and restaurants within the parks. It also offers you the ability to purchase attraction tickets through Undercover Tourist. The information is available for Disney's Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Alan S. Knitowski, the CEO of Phunware, Inc., said in the press release, that the app will eliminate the need for bulky maps and other items tourists use to find their way around the park, "Now guests simply engage with this app, wherever and whenever they need, it that has everything they need for their visit in one simple and convenient location."

The app will be available for $3.99, but is initially being sold for $1.99 within the first 90 days of being released, or if you purchase at least $500 from undercovertourist.com.

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New App for Finding Your Luxury Hotel

Do you find yourself with lots of money to spend on traveling and luxury hotels but little time to spend on making travel plans? If you're one the lucky few, Small Luxury Hotels of the World is ready to help with their new iPhone app, which is coincidentally free. The new app, which also works for iPod Touch, allows you to "discover, enjoy, and share" the over 500 lodging properties offered under the brand, anywhere, anytime.

The app, which is obviously meant to appeal to those who can afford luxury hotels, will make it so that you can book any hotel of your choice and share the information with your family and friends. It also finds nearby points of interests such as tourist attractions and restaurants.

"The free iPhone app was developed with our guests’ needs and wants expressly in mind. It provides a highly flexible and easy way to search, browse and book a hotel while on the go," says Paul Kerr, the company's CEO.

The app was designed by Fortune Cookie and is being promoted as having three main functions:

1. Discover: Browse and book your luxury hotel through categories such as such as destination, specific experiences or the latest special offers for a quick getaway. Whether you're looking for a relaxing spa weekend or a week at a tropical location, you'll be able to find it here.
2. Enjoy: Once you've arrived at your destination, you can find points of interest that will help you make the most of your trip with these personal recommendations.
3. Share: This function allows you to create a list of your favorite luxury hotels and share them with friends and family via Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail.

Justin Cooke of Fortune Cookie has said of the app, "We have designed the SLH iPhone application to allow SLH guests to engage with SLH at every stage of their journey – finding the right property to suit their needs, using the app to enhance their experience while staying at the property and of course, sharing the experience when they return.”

The app is available for both iPhone and iPod Touch and will be available from the Apple Apps store later this month.

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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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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!

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!

5 Ways to Learn the Language

Traveling to a new country can be a very daunting experience. And even more so when you don't know the country's language. While you're probably not going to learn to speak a new language over night, there are some great options out there to help you get started, learn a few key phrases, and even take along with you to use if you find yourself lost in translation.

1. Franklin Five-Language European Translator ($19.99)

If you're on a budget and in need of an electronic translator, this one's for you. It has over 5,000 conversational phrases and 210,000 total translations in German, French, Spanish, Italian, and English. Categories of phrases include directions, shopping, emergencies, dining, and lodging. It features a QWERTY keyboard, phonetic spell correction, metric and Euro currency conversion functions and Rolodex memory. Franklin makes more extensive translators that cost a good bit more, but if you're simply taking a vacation and need a little translation help, this one works just fine.

2. Odyssey Translator iPhone App ($4.99)

As with anything, there are tons of iPhone and Blackberry apps for language translation. Unfortunately, most of them require you to access your phone's data plan to even use them. When you're traveling overseas, this can be a problem due to access limitations and extra fees. The Odyssey Translator is one that does not require data access. It offers translations of typical questions you might ask went traveling. It comes in Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, French, Italian, and Mandarin Chinese and each language is sold separately. The app even says the phrase out loud.

3. Rush Hour Spanish Audio Book ($19.95)

This three-CD set from Berlitz has been called "cheesy" by a Fox News reviewer but it helps you learn language the old-fashioned way: by song. Berlitz calls it "language-learning entertainment" and it does get you singing along. You'll "listen, repeat, and sing" with two characters, Jon and Elena, who meet at a gym. Before you know it, you'll have learned several new Spanish phrases and quite possibly find yourself humming a tune on your next vacation to a Spanish-speaking country.

4. 30 Words Translation Cards ($8.95)

Flash cards have been around for years and carrying them into a restaurant with you probably isn't the most exciting thing in the world to do. But these are different. The two-sided, accordion-style cards contain over 700 words and phrases, along with the phonetic spelling for each one. In addition, you can print free content to go along with your cards. They're available in European Spanish, South & Central American Spanish, French, and Arabic and they cover non-typical travel topics as well as the usual. They're even waterproof!

5. My Coach Language Series for Nintendo DS ($29.99)

If you have kids, there's no need for them to not know the language as well and Nintendo DS offers translation tools that pose as games and puzzles for Spanish, French, Chinese, and Japanese. There are drills that take advantage of the DS microphone. You can even track your progress as the game grades you on your skills. OK, admittedly, this might be fun for grown-ups, too, but it's definitely something the entire family can use to help prepare for their next vacation.

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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!

Stalk Celebrities on Your Next Trip to Hollywood with New iPhone App

Millions of people head to Hollywood each year to experience glitz and glamour and a good celebrity sighting story to tell their friends back home. Some hope they'll bump into Clint Eastwood at a restaurant or find themselves shopping next to Julia Roberts. Others go all out and sign up for a bus tour that takes them all around the city, driving by celebrity homes and hotspots.

If you're planning to visit Los Angeles this year, chances are you hope to spot a celebrity or two. Well, thanks to B/C Interactive, there is now an app for that. Released last month, Celebrity Star Maps, a new iPhone app, is the key to making your dreams come true...sort of.

This app cuts out the need for a bus tour and guides you to the stars' homes via GPS navigation. It even provides you with aerial views of the various mansions. And just like the bus tours, it it'll take you to a host of celebrity hotspots - places voted most likely to see a star. It even provides you with various celebrity biographies.

The app is only $4.99 at the iTunes store and may be worth price if celeb-hunting is your cup of tea. Bus tours can run anywhere from $25 to over $100. Of course, you'll have to drive yourself around to your various destinations and if you've ever driven in Los Angeles, you know paying the extra cash for a chauffeur isn't always a bad idea.

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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!

Using Your iPhone Overseas Can Be Costly

iPhones and apps are great for travel. People are using them for everything from booking flights to locating wi-fi hotspots in new destinations. But what happens when you go outside of the United States? Will it cost more to use travel apps in say, Paris, than it does in Atlanta? The short answer, according to National Geographic, is yes. If you're planning to travel outside of the United States, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands, it will cost you more to use your iPhone.

One thing you can to avoid expensive international rates is to turn off your data roaming. You can do this by going to "Settings," then "general," then "network," then "data roaming OFF." By doing this, you disable features like email, apps and internet browsing. But if you simply can't go without Googling that restaurant you wanted to try or taking advantage of your favorite apps, there are a few other ways to avoid paying too much for iPhone usage.


If you have Wi-Fi access, turn off your 3G. Wi-fi is faster and free under AT&T. 3G will rack up enormous fees and make you regret checking your emails 500 times while you were on your Mexican vacation. To turn your 3G off, simply go to "Settings," then "general," then "network," then "enable 3G off."

If you do have to use your 3G, rates can get complicated. AT&T charges by the kilobyte and megabyte of internet usage and there's no way to judge how many of either you've used by timing your 3G usage. According to the article in National Geographic, an AT&T customer service rep said that most websites will charge between 10 and 25 kilobytes. If you're inside one of the 90 countries that are within AT&T's roam zone, you'll pay half a cent per kilobyte and $5.00 per megabyte. Outside of those 90 countries, you'll pay two cents per kilobyte and $20.00 per megabyte. Confused? We were, too.

If you plan to use your iPhone overseas frequently, you may want to purchase an AT&T Global add-on. This will help reduce overage costs by paying a flat fee for using your 3G in the 90 countries within the roam zone. The plans range from a $24.99 a month plan that allows you 20 megabytes of internet to the $199.99 a month plan that allows 200 megabytes of internet. Fortunately, there is no contract with this feature. If you know you'll be traveling during one month and not the next, simply remove it from your monthly bill. Just make sure the country you're visiting is on the list.

Just remember, even if you purchase the add-on, you may still find yourself racking up the overage fees. You can keep track of your data by press *3282# and then "send." This lets you keep track of your usage and may prevent a few surprises when you receive your monthly bill.

More People Using Mobile Apps for Travel

These days, travelers of all ages are using their mobile devices for everything from flight notification to check-in. And many of them are even willing to accept advertising with free apps, or so says a study conducted by the Sabre Travel Network, the world's leading provider of high-performance travel industry solutions. The global mobile survey of 800 corporate and leisure travelers from North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific covered a broad range of topis from fees for apps to preferred features. Here's a look at what they found:

69% of the travelers surveyed owned a smartphone, with North Americans being most likely to own one (78%) and Asian Pacific travelers being least likely (46%). Most of the smartphone owners used their phone for email and about half used it for internet purposes. While younger generations are usually thought of as the ones to keep up with trendy technology, the survey found that nearly half, or about 47% of smartphone-owning travelers are 40-years-old or older, proving that theory wrong.

Both corporate and leisure travelers showed that they were often using their phones for getting relevant travel information in a timely manner. According to Greg Webb, the chief marketing officer of Sabre Holdings, smartphones are actually the preferred way to get information and he sees a huge opportunity for the travel industry, "This trend has seemingly penetrated all ages across all continents, highlighting the tremendous opportunity for travel agencies and suppliers to leverage mobile solutions to demonstrate value to their customers and creatively reach target audiences."

The study found that 63% of travelers are open to automating reaccommodation services and checking in and out of hotels with their mobile phones and 61% are willing to to use their phones to book flights. The travel booking company Travelocity validated this response by saying they've seen a large increase in the number of bookings coming from mobile devices in recent months. Of the various groups surveyed, Europeans seemed more open to using new mobile technology for these activities.

All travelers said they were willing to compromise some advertising for free travel apps. 28% of frequent travelers and 22% of leisure travelers said they actually preferred the free apps. However, in Europe, only 14% of travelers preferred the free apps.

"There's been a lot of experimentation with pay-for-services in the past," Webb said in a statement. "With advertising emerging as a more palatable choice for travelers, application providers and retailers now have a way of monetizing their offering and driving more value out of a potentially lucrative marketing channel." He also asserted that Sabre is committed to helping the travel industry "advance their mobile strategies" and next year, the company plans to increased mobile investments to, "continue growing our award-winning portfolio of mobile solutions for both agency and airline customers."

Sabre's recent launch of the mobile app TripCase for iPhone and Blackberry has been downloaded tens of thousands of times and was nominated for a "Innovator of the Year" nomination by PhoCusWright and was named "Best Travel App" by Business Week. Their Virtually There itinerary service is used by over 30,000 travel agencies around the world.