PhoneTalk

This week we asked bloggers around the Internet for ideas on how a cell phone can help while on vacation or help plan a vacation. Our final post comes from Matt Jansen, to read more from Matt check out his metaViper blog.

As mobile phones continue to add features on top of their core calling functionality, more and more they're resembling fully functional mobile computers. Smartphones are the beginning, but some devices like Apple's iPhone and Sprint's Instinct are stretching into new territory. And that evolution is great for vacationers because it means that the same access to information and applications that's available at home follows them everywhere.

But which of the comforts of home are most relevant to someone on vacation? Certainly a lot of that depends on the individual but I'm willing to bet that there are some frequent requests, the most obvious probably being good phone coverage and Internet access.

Can anyone even remember when you had to be at home or work to make a phone call?

Cell phone carriers are offer a variety of packages that include Internet access. With AT&T it costs about $130 per month for an unlimited data plan, and Sprint is making waves with its $100 plan that includes unlimited data plus unlimited access to most of its other services.

Here are some other services that might be useful while on vacation, organized by task:

• Check E-mail
  
  • Gmail mobile, provides a simplified mobile web site and a downloadable application.
  • Yahoo Go essentially provides a portal interface for your phone, including e-mail and flexible widgets for other content.
  • Teleflip takes a different approach by converting e-mails you specify into text messages sent to your phone. Great for people without a data plan.
• Look for good restaurants
  • Google SMS is the popular first choice for finding local restaurants or any other sort of business. Text message a query and receive results back in a few minutes.
  • Google 411 allows you to do the same thing using your voice and it's still free.
• Look up prices
  • Amazon's TextBuyIt , if you've got a good keyword, UPC or ISBN text it to Amazon for a response back on price and the option to purchase via a phone call.
• Take and send pictures to friends back home
  • Lots of phones provide the ability to take pictures and e-mail them out to friends and family. Just memorize where that camera button is.
  • Flickr also offers the ability to upload files to its service via e-mail or through a series of third party partners.
• Record video of special moments
  • Videos are usually pretty easy to e-mail as well.
  • YouTube allows you to upload videos using MMS.
• Create a daily log of activities to remember the good times
  • Jott can help with this by allowing you to voice dictate your narrative and translating the audio to text.
• Access to emergency services
  • Almost every mobile phone provides 911 access even when a service plan isn't active. Outside of the United States things get a bit more complex.
• Geotag where you went while you were traveling
  • Some phones like the Sony Ericsson allow you to mark a location on the map and create a log entry which could then link up with a site like EveryTrail. iPhone 2.0 also incorporates this feature.
• Find other single people for dating, especially since you're in unfamiliar territory
  • Install an application like MobiLuck to wirelessly link up with other users nearby looking for love. Of course, eye contact can work wonders too.
• Check your bank account to see how much fun money is left
  • Most major banks offer mobile banking, it usually requires a data plan and Internet access.
• Calculate tips
  • Many phones offer an installed application that will allow you to customize tip percentages and provide the tip total plus the grand total.
• Listen to music
  • Sprint and AT&T both have integrated with Pandora Mobile, so your tunes travel easier than ever.
• Watch the news
  • This is easy with the Simply Everything plan with Sprint, which offers unlimited access to various mobile TV channels. It requires a separate fee with AT&T.

Topics: Phone Smarts Music AT&T Wireless Sprint Cell phone plans Sony Ericsson Camera Smart phones Travel Video GPS