The latest web-connected mobiles and sat-nav devices mean the tech-aware traveller need never be lost or out of contact.
Deciding what to put in your pocket or your backpack may well make or break a trip (or your back, if you carry too much). A Swiss Army Knife can help prise open an uncooperative ale on a picturesque cliff miles from anywhere; a converter for a power-plug can give your mobile phone some much-needed juice in a stopover location. But now, travellers can put the entire internet in their pocket along with a multibillion-dollar system of satellites. We’re talking internet-connected mobile phones, GPS navigators and cameras that receive GPS information and can record precisely where a photo was taken.
An internet-connected phone can be a traveller’s best friend. For a start, qantas.com is now available in a special mobile version (go to qantas.com in the iPhone’s web browser, or qantas.com/wap on other phones), which allows you to check scheduled departure and arrival times worldwide, timetables, lounge information and Qantas contact numbers.
Qantas’ new Travel Insider site (you're on it now) is where you can read the best of Qantas The Australian Way online – the latest of our respected city guides and information on where to eat, drink, shop and find things to do. It’s presented alongside travel tips from Qantas Frequent Flyers, staff and Ambassadors who share restaurant and accommodation reviews from around the world. It is best viewed on a PC or Mac, but works on advanced smartphones, too.
Search giant Google also offers a vast array of services for travellers – if you search for a Qantas flight number, you get live flight status instantly. Or search for “time in Bali” or “1000 baht in AUD” to get immediate results. You can also use Google’s online translation tool (translate.google.com) to get maps and directions in most countries.
Travel cheap
Staying in touch while travelling can be an expensive business, but it need not be. The key thing to remember is: don’t just switch on global roaming on your mobile. Costs vary wildly depending on your network: a call to Australia from China will cost $6.60 per minute on Optus, $6.09 on Telstra, $3.50 on 3 Mobile and just $2.07 on Vodafone.
A new service called TravelSIM (Website) provides special prepaid SIM cards for travellers that allow them to place calls at much cheaper rates no matter where they are in the world. For example, calling Australia from China costs $2.14 per minute. Data usage on your phone is expensive when roaming, no matter which mobile network you use. Telstra charges $15/MB, Vodafone $10/MB, and Optus and 3 Mobile up to $20/MB. Ring your carrier before you leave, as most have dramatic discounts available if you pre-purchase global internet access packs prior to your departure.
Choosing your hotel wisely can also make a big difference. The Shangri-La chain is the first in the world to provide free wi-fi access in all of its hotels, though many other hotels also provide free internet access at individual locations. This is often a key selling point for travellers who are weary of arriving at their destination only to find internet access at their hotel can cost up to $70 a day. With free wi-fi access, you can also avoid expensive hotel phone charges by using Skype to make calls. Or you can sign up with an Australian VoIP provider and make calls using your computer with their recommended VoIP software at rates similar to call rates within Australia – such as 10c untimed calls to any Australian landline.
Twitter travel
The online service Twitter is proving to be a hot spot for travel research. You no longer need to stop in at a tourist centre in the city you’re visiting – simply send staff at the centre your questions via Twitter. And you can see their updates on what’s happening around town that day. The city of Portland was first to open an official Twisitor Centre but other countries (and most Australian states) have adopted it with gusto. Qantas Travel Insider has a Twitter account (username qftravelinsider). But beware: as with any unmoderated internet forum, the opinions on Twitter are of variable quality, which is why checking back with reliable sources such as Qantas Travel Insider is always wise.
Travel-tech essentials
The following paragraphs contain our picks of the best in tech to take on your holiday or business trip. Cameras that use satellite signals to record exactly where a photo was taken; laptops with inbuilt noise cancellation, so you can use any pair of headphones and cancel out any unwanted plane noise. Even flash memory keys and portable hard drives are getting travel-tough and more affordable.
Capture the moment
Digital cameras now shoot high-definition video, record precisely where a photo was taken and weigh just a few hundred grams.
Olympus E30
This new 12.3MP DSLR has “art” filters built in, such as grainy black-and-white film, facial smoothing, pop-art and pinhole. It has a hinged screen that can be angled. $1799 (body only).
Sigma DP1
A truly unique compact camera that has a full-sized DSLR sensor inside it and takes shots at up to 14.1MP resolution. It’s built like a tank, too, with a “full metal jacket”. $999.
Canon Ixus 980 IS
Won’t frustrate you with incorrect automatic settings, because it has full manual controls, letting you tweak settings if something’s not right. $599.
Canon EOS 500D
This hot new DSLR can do high-definition video recording, has 15.1MP still resolution and a huge three-inch liveview preview display on the back with nearly 1MP resolution. Price yet to be announced at time of writing.
Nikon Coolpix P6000
Uses satellite GPS signals to record where photos were taken, so you can use GPS-aware software such as Apple iPhoto to view photos by place. $799.
Nikon D90
The digital SLR to drool over – it shoots high-definition video and captures pics at 12.3MP. It has a spectacular preview screen on the back with nearly 1MP resolution. $1699 (body only).
In the know street directories
The latest in sat-nav refines the concept of directing you from A to B. Big screens, voice recognition and inbuilt world maps are highlights of the 2009 models.
Garmin Nüvi 265WT
Genuine Aussie voice for the spoken navigation plus an easy-to-use, on-screen interface. It also monitors traffic congestion and roadworks to alert you to potential delays. Its antenna is built into the car charger cable. $549.
TomTom GO 930
TomTom’s top-end navigator packs world maps for an incredible 45 countries. And it also works in tunnels, unlike other navigators. $849.
Navman S300T
Undoubtedly the most attractive GPS navigator, with brushed-metal looks and a stylish sliding on-screen interface. However, good looks don’t necessarily make for better ease of use – try before you buy. $599.
TomTom One 4th Edition
Reads street names out loud. The slim, inbuilt suction mount means you don’t have to affix a separate windscreen mount. $249.
Uniden Trax 430
Includes Australian and New Zealand maps and displays 3D landmarks. The 4.3” touch-screen makes address input less cramped than on smaller models. $300.
TomTom GO 730
Steers clear of busy roads based on past actual traffic speeds recorded from other users. Speech recognition makes entering addresses a cinch. Bluetooth phone hands-free built in. $499.
Smarter phones
You’ll never hunt for an internet cafe again – or be bored in transit. Movies, music, internet and even satellite navigation are central to these market-leading mobile phones.
HTC Dream
Runs Google’s hot new Android software featuring superb integration with Google’s online services such as Gmail, Google Contacts and Google Calendar. Available from Optus for $15 per month on a $59 internet cap plan over 24 months.
HTC Touch HD
One of the highest resolution phone screens available: 800 x 480 makes it absurdly easy to play TV episodes and movies on the go. The slick HTC TouchFlo interface conceals Microsoft’s dated Windows Mobile interface. Available from Telstra for $1499.
Apple iPhone 3G
Thousands of cheap and easy-to-use mini-apps are available for the iPhone 3G, making it a pocket computer, not just a phone. Available from Optus, Telstra, Virgin Mobile and Vodafone. $0 upfront for 8GB model, on a $70 plan over 24 months with Virgin Mobile.
Sony Ericsson Xperia X1
A brushed metal body with an arc-slider makes the Xperia X1 very sexy. Plus a travellers’ warranty that promises a replacement handset anywhere in the world that has a Sony Ericsson service centre while your phone is repaired. $1499 from Telstra or $0 upfront on a $150 plan over 24 months.
Nokia XpressMusic 5800
Nokia’s first touchscreen phone comes with 12 months worth of unlimited music downloads – to keep. Various plans available from Optus, Virgin Mobile and 3 Mobile. Upfront price $979 (including 12 months of Comes With Music downloads).
BlackBerry Bold
Beautiful design married with the most reliable and fastest push email. Vibrant high-res screen, leather-feel backing and good multimedia playback. Available from Optus, 3 Mobile, Telstra, Vodafone. $0 upfront on $69 plan with 3 Mobile for 24 months.
Make light work
Choosing the ultimate travel notebook isn’t easy, but it’s hard to go wrong with any of the lightweights below, ranging from handbag to briefcase size.
Apple MacBook
Not just sleek and slim, the new aluminium MacBook comes with an inbuilt DVD burner, integrated webcam and top-class photo organising and video-editing software. From $2099.
Lenovo X301
It’s the PC equivalent of the super-skinny MacBook Air. However, it adds a slim DVD burner, a higher-resolution screen, three USB ports (not just one), an Ethernet port and wi-fi. From $2692.
Fujitsu Lifebook P1630
Unlocked 3.5G mobile broadband built in to this sub-1kg notebook means you don’t have to plug a USB modem in every time you switch on. Works with any mobile network. $3959.
Dell Inspiron Mini 9 with 3G
Small in both size and price and comes with inbuilt 3G mobile broadband. It’s priced like a mobile phone, with no upfront cost on a $60 plan (includes 5GB) with Vodafone for 24 months.
Sony Vaio VGN-TT17GN
It looks sensational, plays BluRay movies, weighs just 1.3kg and comes with free noise-cancelling headphones and inbuilt webcam. From $4999.
HP Mini 2140
HP’s latest notebook is sheathed in solid aluminium, has a 92 per cent-size keyboard and an Intel Atom processor that is faster than its predecessor’s underpowered chip. There’s also a card slot for mobile broadband cards. From $799.
Source: Qantas The Australian Way May 2009