On the Road Again: Travel Tech That Makes

On the Road Again: Travel Tech That Makes
Like many of you, I spend a lot of time on the road and thus a lot of time thinking about how to best optimize the travel experience. So I do things like always carry my bags onto planes, book direct flights when possible, and travel as lightly as I can. But since this is by nature a technology column, and the technology I travel with changes pretty rapidly, I thought it might be worth discussing some recent trends and how they've impacted my own travel.

Connectivity
Years ago, when Wi-Fi was uncommon, we had to put up with dial-up connections at hotels, but that's no longer a concern. Once you've achieved a certain level of connectivity, you tend to expect it everywhere. Although 3G access points—whether they're built into a PC, part of a standalone MiFi type device, or provided via a 3G smartphone—provide a way to fill in the connectivity gaps, I recommend a slightly different approach. The problem with 3G access points is that they come with expensive monthly charges and often require a two-year contract where you pay for connectivity whether or not you need or use it.

I prefer a pay as you go alternative like Virgin Broadband2Go. It's a standard USB-based external 3G access point, but it costs less than $80. You can buy connectivity on-the-fly, whenever you need it. There are four options: 100MB of usage for $10 (expires in 10 days), 300MB for $20 (30 days), 1GB for $40 (30 days), and 5GB for $60 (30 days). And if you're worried about getting other devices online and have a Windows 7-based portable computer, you can share that connection, for free, with Connectify. Best of all, if you don't need it in a given month, you don't pay a thing MCTS Training.

Smartphones
No one traveling for work should be without a smartphone these days, and there are many excellent devices to choose from. I currently use and prefer Apple's iPhone, but phones based on Android are gaining in popularity. Research in Motion (RIM) BlackBerry devices are always a good option, especially for those businesses that want a bit more control over mobile access. Rather than get into a smartphone platform war, I'd like to just recognize that more and more people are using their phones for both work and play. And that means you're going to run into a very serious issue around battery life limitations.

Battery life is particularly problematic when you're traveling. While there was once a time when you could hop on a plane and be sure you'd be able to get work done, cramped quarters and overbooked flights have pretty much nixed that luxury. So I work when I can, but when it's not possible, I try not to get stressed out. And that means playing a game, listening to music, or watching a video on my phone. Which would be fine, except that the battery can be depleted by the time you get to your destination, forcing you to hunt for an outlet MCITP Certification.

You could just get an iPod touch or Zune HD, but another device can be expensive. A simpler and thriftier choice, perhaps, is to get an external charger. There are many alternatives, but I bring along two: The 3G Juice, which is just $50 and is iPhone/iPod touch specific and the Kensington Battery Pack and Charger ($70), which is advertised for the iPhone but has a USB port for charging any mobile device. I'll use one of these on the plane with the iPhone, ensuring that I have a complete charge when I land at my destination.