10 Ways the iPhone Transformed My Last Trip (and Smartphone #Travel #Tips)

Traveling with an iPhone (or another smartphone) can enhance your travels in many ways. Until my last trip, I had traveled with no phone, I’d bought a local phone (and got a SIM card) and two trips ago, used my iPhone just to share when in wifi zones.

My last trip, to Indonesia, was the first time I went all the way with it–meaning that I unlocked the phone, used a local SIM and had an Internet plan.

Based on my experiences, I believe that one’s phone can make minor and major differences when traveling, depending on how far you take it. You could 1) use your phone as a basic device (like an iPod Touch) or 2) unlock it, get a local SIM card and use it as an actual telephone…

OR 3) you could do the above AND get an Internet plan. Go all the way with it, as I did. This can certainly open up the possibilities and improve your trip in a number of ways.

Here are 9 ways the iPhone 4S enhanced my time in Indonesia and tips re: how any smartphone might do the same for you. (Note: The apps I mention are for iPhones only.)

As an iPod Touch (Keeping phone locked)

1. Quick sharing of photos with locals

My Experience

At a certain point, whether in a village or elsewhere, people would ask about my family and friends. Often, it was challenging to provide an explanation (due to various divorces, etc) for many reasons (mostly the language barrier). It was much easier to just show photos. Because I had the phone, I could access many photo from home, which meant my new friends and I could easily view them together.

Family I met while taking a morning walk; thanks to my iPhone, I was able to share family photos and communicate with them using Google Translator.

App I Used

I used Camera +, which is a great app for many reasons, including the fact that it stores the photos in a film strip of sorts, which makes it easy to find what you’re looking for. PS: It’s only 99 cents.

My Recommendation

Chances are that you already have a good photo app on your phone. Make sure that before you travel, you’ve got plenty of photos of friends and family on it. Then, when you meet locals, pull out the phone and share. They’ll love it!

2. Unobtrusive video recording of people and events

My Experience

There were times when pulling out a full-sized camera to videotape something seemed like too much—whether in big cities or small towns. I often found it less obtrusive to use the phone’s video camera.

App I Used

VideoZoom2

This is a decent app that allows you to zoom while taking video. I think it was $.99. I got it because the video recorder on the iPhone doesn’t zoom. Anyway, it works pretty well—although it’s sometimes tricky remembering which videos you shot (the unrendered ones) because of how they’re displayed. Sometimes they begin to look the same. Still, I do recommend this app.

My Recommendation

Find an app that records video and allows you to do so the way you want to. Practice at home–before your trip–so that you know how to use it and how to render, store and transfer the files to your computer.

3. Recording Audio Only

My Experience

At one point, when I experiencing culture shock, I realized that some of it was from the different sounds I was hearing–not just the sights I was seeing. I got an idea, to record those particular sounds (birds, motorbikes, people talking, kids playing, etc.). I wanted them a) to remember what it felt like to be there (believe me–it’s amazing to listen to these clips now) and b) to possibly create a cool podcast made up of those sounds.

To do this, I just hit a button, recorded what I wanted, then renamed the file. At one point, unfortunately, the app jammed. Fortunately, I was able to download the recordings to my desktop and not lose any of the files.

App I Used

I used iRecorder, which is a free download. I’m sure there are many others to choose from.

My Recommendation

As is the case with the video camera, practice at home and understand how you manage the files. Also, back up every day or two so that you don’t lose anything.

As a Phone (Unlocking)

4. Calls and Texts–to Friends and Hotels for Rooms

My Experience

Now this might seem basic and something that we take it for granted at home, but it can really come in handy when away. If you’ve ever traveled to another country without a phone, you know what I mean.

I can’t recall how many times I used my phone…as a phone…in Indonesia. As soon as I got it set up (which was the first night), I was able to make calls to the person I was going to be staying with and later on, to hotels and other friends I was planning to meet up with. Texting made life easier, too, of course.

My Recommendation

I say that if you can, unlock your phone, get a local SIM and get a prepaid plan. You’ll love it! If not, then maybe just buy a cheap local phone. There are often special promotions that make it super affordable. And sometimes your phone will work in the country next door; just get that country’s SIM.

Also…be sure to call your phone company well in advance of your trip so that you’re clear regarding the unlocking process, etc.

With a Phone AND Internet Plan–Going All the Way

5. Google translation

My Experience

There were times, especially when I stayed in a village (Payakumbuh) and on a tiny island (Gili Meno), when I met locals who didn’t speak more than a few words of English. They were sweet and wanted to communicate with me and vice versa. Because I had Internet 24/7, I was able to use Google Translator.

I just typed in what I wanted to say and pressed enter—a few seconds later, my words/sentences were translated into Bahasa. Sometimes, the people I spoke with did the same.

Although it wasn’t perfect, it was quite good. I was able to express myself and, often, to confirm what others were saying. This reduced awkwardness and misunderstanding. It allow allowed me to make friends with others. This was wonderful.

Recommendation

If you can, unlock your phone and get an Internet plan. Have direct links to Google Translator (or whichever app you might use) on your main screen so you can get to the site quickly when you need to.

6. Google Maps

My Experience

As awesome as this is at home, it was 10 times as amazing while in Asia. It was so nice to know where the heck I was, especially when approaching a city for the first time. It was really fun to see it on a map to track my movement while en route.

My Recommendation

Make sure your phone is fully charged before leaving for the day or moving on to another destination. That way, your phone will have the power it needs for maps, which tend to drain the phone’s energy.

7. Finding or double checking room while en route

My Experience

Sometimes, I needed time to google rooms I’d read about in my travel guide. Because I had Internet, I could do this while on a bus to a destination. Sure I did this with my computer when in wifi environments, but sometimes the wifi wasn’t good or even available.

Because I had Internet on my phone, I was able to get information about rooms whenever I wanted to. This was great because I was able to read reviews on the go. Sometimes, I made a last-minute change to my plans, which was a good thing.

My Recommendation

I think it’s good to do some of this in advance (on your phone or computer in a wifi environment), if possible, so you can conserve battery power and not leave things to the last minute. However it is you choose rooms, I say just use the phone as you need to!

8. Finding your way when lost

My Experience

This was a lifesaver when I got terribly lost one day. I was able to call and text the friend I was staying with in a village to let her know what had happened. More importantly, I was able to go in to Google Maps and pinpoint my exact location. This helped tremendously. It gave me piece of mind to see the streets on a real live map and also to see what I was going. As you may know, the maps track your exact location and this can help you see if you’re headed in the right direction.

My Recommendation

Check your paper map against the one on Google before you leave or return to a destination. Then, you’ll have a clear idea re: where you’re going and you won’t get as panicked as I did. Maybe you won’t even get lost in the first place!

9. Feeling connected when sick or having an intense moment

My Experience

I had some very intense culture shock my first few weeks in Indonesia. I was somewhat unplugged in terms of high-speed Internet–and that was, in many ways, a good thing. Having said this, it was also pretty damn incredible to have Internet on my phone (pretty much) anytime I wanted it.

I remember a few nights where it was raining hard and the power went out and I was a bit nervous. I went on to Facebook and connected with some friends at home. This was reassuring during these moments.

My Recommendation

Make sure you have plenty of credit on your Internet plan so that you don’t run out of it. Also, find out how to check your remaining credit. In Indonesia, I noticed that my Internet speed slowed down at one point even though I allegedly had an unlimited plan. Sure enough, there were some limits to it and I actually needed more ‘pulsa’ (credit). I learned the hard way. You don’t have to.

10. Having light when the electricity went out

Believe me, this was something I really needed more often than I thought I would. Sometimes, for whatever reason, I couldn’t find my flashlight when the power was out. No worries, though, since I had a ‘flashlight’ app on my phone. I loved it because it was as powerful as a small flashlight and was, in many ways, better than a candle.

Your Thoughts/Experiences?

Do you unlock your smartphone when you travel? Do you just get a SIM card to make calls or do you get an actual Internet plan, too? How does the phone help you? Any tips you’d like to share with me/my readers?

If you don’t use your phone (or any phone for that matter), why not? Do you feel that you’d rather be more in the moment while traveling and that the temptation to be over-connected would be hard to resist?

Here are more tips to make your travel experiences the best they can be!

PS: It’s also fun to take photos of yourself and the locals you meet, then to friend them on Facebook (on the spot) and share the photos instantly. They love it!