Sleeping bags, tent, ice cooler and…a GPS navigation device? As families hit the road for a vacation, they may pack the proverbial station wagon with more gadgetry than travelers past. Fortunately, technology can also help lighten the load.
Whether for entertainment or utility, people increasingly use mobile technology to stay connected while they travel. The wide range of affordable high-tech products can also make family vacations all the more enjoyable.
Instead of overloading the car with Lego bricks and coloring books, many parents are taking along all-in-one gadgets, such as smartphones, to keep children entertained. Kids stay busy surfing the Web, playing games and snapping photos. Smartphones, such as the Palm Treo smartphone, combine a mobile phone, Internet access, e-mail, organizer, games and more into one compact device. And, for those who want to maximize battery life, a separate Treo TripKit conveniently stows a car charger, extra battery and more in one neat traveling pouch.
Not only can parents avoid overpacking the car with a DVD player, laptop and other unnecessary luggage, but these all-in-one devices can help keep the whole family happy. Parents can use smartphones to:
1. Track expenses for gas, food and last-minute supplies.
2. Let children snap photos of interesting roadside landmarks with the built-in camera.
3. Replace crumpled maps and avoid getting lost with a portable GPS device accessory, such as the Palm GPS Navigator.
4. Sing along to the family's favorite songs downloaded on the smartphone's MP3 player.
5. Instantly e-mail vacation photos to friends and family.
6. Edit last-minute Word or Excel documents for work.
7. Organize a Tic-Tac-Toe contest for the kids using the digital note pad.
8. Find the nearest gas station, restaurant or motel using Palm's GPS Navigator database containing more than 4.5 million landmarks.
9. Keep children entertained with their favorite TV show using applications such as MobiTV (sold separately).
10. Download and read an eBook to help pass the time.
The latest, smartest, all-in-one phones may soon become a favorite vacation accessory for on-the-go families.
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