When Sarah and I first began planning our backpacking trip through Asia, I was very resistant to the idea of bringing any electronics with me (aside from my camera, of course). My parents mentioned the idea of getting an international phone, but I refused to consider doing so. I wanted to do it the old fashioned way and didn’t want to be reliant on a little handheld device.
5. Diptic
9. EEBA
Well, one day I came across several forums in Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree forum with numerous backpackers raving about how the newest version of the iPod Touch is the perfect travel companion. So, I decided to give the idea a little more consideration and got ready for some hardcore researching.
To be honest, I was pretty much sold on the idea after looking at the endless number of awesome travel apps available for the iPod Touch. The only thing I was at all nervous about before leaving home was dealing with homesickness while being gone. That being said, my main reason for using the iPod Touch while traveling was so I could stay in contact with loved ones easier. In hindsight, I know I made the best decision and our travels would be significantly more difficult without this little device. And after you read the list of awesome travel apps we’ve been using, I’m pretty sure you’ll be sold on it as well! Here's our run-down on how to use your iPod Touch while you travel:
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| 4th generation iPod Touch |
iPod Touch: 4th Generation
Yes, I am aware Apple recently released the 5th generation iPod Touch (it’s fine, I’m not bitter...). However, the 4th generation iPod Touch was the latest version available before we left, and it has proved to be more than sufficient. But if money is not a huge issue for you (the 5th generation iPod Touch currently has a higher price tag than the 4th generation), then the 5th generation iPod Touch may be worth it for the significantly improved camera, fun colors it comes in, and other cool improvements!
Both generations of the iPod Touch have a built-in microphone and camera (both incredibly useful!). It’s perfect for those unexpected photo ops when traveling or for using as an alarm clock when you have those early morning buses to catch. Most apps that are available for the iPhone are also available for the iPod Touch. Click here for more specific details on both models!
Ten Great Travel Apps for the iPod Touch
You can find an app for essentially anything you can possibly think of. Aside from the obvious must-have apps like Skype, Facebook, Instagram, and an app connecting to your email, there are several other apps that have been particularly helpful during our travels. Here is a list of my favorite ten apps that I downloaded, after intense research and deliberation, before heading out on our backpacking adventure!
1. textPlus
Free
This app has become my favorite app on the iPod by far. It offers unlimited free texts to any US or Canadian mobile number, allowing Sarah and I to contact loved ones on a normal basis. Once you download this app, you are assigned a phone number that others can text you back on. You can only send and receive texts while in a wifi zone (if someone texts you while you are not in a wifi zone, you will simply receive it the next time you enter one). 5 stars for this app!
2. Kindle
Free
When you are traveling and carrying your life in a backpack for months at a time, every extra pound can make a difference. So leave the books at home and download this Kindle app instead! There are many Kindle editions of books available on Amazon to download for free (and others for a price), particularly classics. Just search “free kindle books” on Amazon.com to find these gems, and stock up! Some of my favorite freebees have been: Les Miserables, A Tale of Two Cities, Pride and Prejudice, The Scarlet Letter, and various Agatha Christie books!
3. Google Translate
Free
This app allows you to translate text between 64 different languages. It requires that you be in a wifi zone when looking up words or phrases, but you can conveniently star your favorite translations and access these when you are offline. Many of the languages even offer the option to listen to a recording speak the text aloud. Perfect!
4. Convert Free
Free
This app is particularly useful if you are from the United States, the only industrialized country in the world that does not use the metric system. This app allows you to quickly and easily convert between all different types of units. Just a few of the conversions offered are kilometers to miles, Celsius to Fahrenheit, grams to ounces, and many more.
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| One of our Diptic collages! |
$0.99
Diptic allows you to create collages from your photos that can then easily be shared with friends and family via Facebook, Twitter, email, and more. It offers a vast number of layouts, different border effects, and 14 optional filters to use. It’s a fun and effective way to share travel photos with loved ones at home!
6. Pano
$1.99
Pano allows you to effectively capture many of the stunning views you will undoubtably come across during your travels! You can connect up to 16 photos and create huge 360-degree panoramas. It helps you to easily line each shot up with the last one via an effective transparent guide. Finished panoramas are then automatically saved to your iPod Touch so you can easily share it with others!
7. Postagram
Free
Postagram turns awesome pictures from your travel adventures into a quality postcard you can have delivered to family or friends by mail. You can even add a personalized message on it! It costs $0.99 per postcard and arrives within days.
8. Mint.com
Free
First of all, if you do not already have a Mint.com account you need to make one immediately after reading this article. Mint.com is a personal finance website that allows you to manage your money, budgeting, bills, and expenses in one convenient location (and it’s free!). You can connect all of your bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and more on this website so that you can easily keep track of your financial situation and manage it from one convenient location. Seriously, I can’t rave about this website enough. The app is basically just an on-the-go version of this website and is incredibly useful when you are a budget backpacker needing to keep track of every dollar!
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| Our budgeting envelopes on EEBA |
Free
EEBA is a budgeting app that has helped me stay on track financially during our travels. You can create different envelopes with specific budgets for various aspects of your travels. For example, I have envelopes for hostels, food, ground transportation, visas, and more, with specific budgets for each one. The app allows you to record separate transactions within each envelope so you can easily keep track of exactly where your dollars are being spent.
10. XE Currency Converter
Free
This awesome app converts between pretty much any currencies in the world. It was once named app of the week on iTunes and has been featured on BBC, the Travel Channel, and CNN! It automatically updates conversion rates when you enter a wifi zone and stores the latest rates for use when you are offline. You can monitor up to 10 different currencies at one time. Need I say more?
A Few More Tips
As soon as you get your iPod Touch, make sure you download the Find My iPhone app. This app allows you to use another iOS device to locate your iPod on a map if it gets lost or stolen. You can also display a message on it, have it play a sound, lock the device, or erase all the data on the device for your protection. If iOS 6 is downloaded on your iPod Touch you can also put your missing device in “Lock Mode,” which locks it with a four digit password while displaying your contact number on it. Pretty cool!
If you are traveling out of the country for an extended period of time, there is a good chance you will be using Skype pretty often. Download the free Skype app and research the various options for calling your home country while away. For the cheapest rates, sign up for a Skype subscription; you pay for it monthly and can terminate the subscription at any point. I am currently subscribed for unlimited calls to U.S. cell phones and landlines for $2.99/month. However, Skype’s special offers change relatively often, so check their website for current offers. Click here to see your different options for skype subscriptions or click here to see what special offers they currently have.
Now that you have the low-down on the benefits of traveling with the iPod Touch, you can make a more well-rounded decision on whether or not this will be a worthwhile travel investment for you. Even with all the awesome apps on it, my main (and most valued) use for it is to contact my family and friends easily. I can call them, text them, or send pictures to their cell phones with ease. Trust me, if you haven’t already considered purchasing one of these handy devices for your travels or are a little hesitant like I was, you may want to give it a second thought. After all, this is the 21st century, right?
*For those of you thinking of moving to another city/country, check out this great article on how to use your iPhone apps to navigate your new home!
*For those of you thinking of moving to another city/country, check out this great article on how to use your iPhone apps to navigate your new home!
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