Q. How do Frequent Travellers stay connected? A. Per-Apps.
Whether the motivation for your frequent travel is to enjoy a holiday, or to earn a dollar, the ability to keep connected to home-base, via smartphone and tablet apps from the iTunes store, has never been easier or cheaper (free in fact).
The world has quickly moved on from the need to race back to your hotel room to download emails onto your laptop, and jaw-dropping overseas phone bills to welcome you home.
While the job of listing available apps is the modern equivalent of painting the Sydney Harbour Bridge, we will attempt to compile a list of the latest and greatest, and here are a few old favourites to kick things off:-
While not having all the web-based functionality, the Facebook app keeps you up to date with office politics, or gets the latest holiday photos to family and friends.
World Clock/ Time Zones
In conjunction with timeanddate.com this app means you never again have to ask the question “Oh! Did I wake You? What’s the time there?”. Smarter than wearing two watches and particularly handy on trips with multiple destinations.
Google Maps
A basic freebie to point you in the right direction, and calculate your travel time, whether walking or driving.
Google Translate
No more fumbling through those little phrase books, or relying on your high school French, this app makes you an instant multi-lingual traveller.
Skype, Viber, Foocall, Hey Tell
Free unlimited phone and video call – no more arguments over hotel markups on already overpriced phone calls.
XE Currency
Just the app you need to avoid credit card statement shock when you realise you had the decimal point in the wrong place. Frequent updates and handy calculators.
Urban Spoon
Complete with user reviews, this app is never short of a suggestion on where to eat – regardless of location or budget.
Wi-fi Finder
Remember the old days of internet cafes and their exorbitant fees. Now there’s free wi-fi sites wherever you travel.
SAS Survival Guide Lite
Just the app for getting off the beaten track. Will bring out the boy scout in you.
There’s a few for starters. What other tech freebies do you recommend to ease the burden for business travellers, or add to the fun of holiday planning?
Please share them with us.