Travel Tips & Tech

Are you planning a trip out of the country? Let’s talk about precautions you should take so you don’t come home to a smartphone bill that’ll ruin your vacation after-glow.

1. Call Your Cell Phone Service Provider (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, etc.) – Before traveling overseas call your cell phone service provider and ask what packages they offer to use your cell phone internationally. I’m an AT&T customer and they have several different choices of global plans. Think about how you might want to use your phone (calling the U.S., calling within the country you’re visiting, texting, email…) and ask how each of those is billed under your provider’s international plan.

2. Turn Off Data Roaming – Assuming you didn’t pay for an unlimited Cellular Data plan, the moment you board the plane, for your international destination, go into the Settings on your smartphone and turn off Data Roaming and the Cellular Data Plan. That’s the best way to prevent your phone from randomly using data to search for emails and texts throughout the day. Better that you control specifically when the Cellular Data is used. You can turn the Cellular Data on and off as you need it so as not to exceed the plan you’ve chosen.

iTranslate

Simply type in the word, phrase, or paragraph that you need translated into or from your native tongue. Choose the language you would like it converted to and *poof* translation is made.

Units

There are many handy conversion tools within Units, but for the travel the currency converter cannot be beat.

Google Maps

Don’t think that Google Maps is just for you to use when you’re at home. It can find you wherever you are and give your directions all over the world.

I’ve handpicked some particularly helpful gadgets to make your travels easier and more streamlined. I never go anywhere without my Bose sound reducing headsets. They’re great on trains, planes, or when you have a snorer in your midst.