10 apps to download on your iPhone before you travel

by Karen Walrond on

I’m actually starting to believe that I’m the only person in the free world who doesn’t yet own an iPhone — and really, it doesn’t make sense. I’m an Apple junkie, and have personally owned only Apple computers and other products since the mid-nineties. Heck, even our television at home is hooked up to a mini-Mac. So why have I clung to my non-Apple phone with such gusto?

This post on Travel Overseas, however, might be the last nail in the coffin: it features 10 great iPod/iPhone applications to download before you take your next trip. The applications include everything from mini-guides to cities around the world, to Near+Now, an application that lists restaurants, bars, clubs and other points of interest close to your current position, to nifty weather reports from your next destination. And the coolest part is that for the most part, they’re free.

Be sure to check the article out. As for me, I’m going to start looking into finally junking my two-year-old cell for an iPhone. It’s time, I think.

Daily deal – Altec Lansing iM-237 Orbit MP3 speaker for $25

by Scott Carmichael on

In today’s daily deal you’ll find another of those great products that made the Gadling Top 25 travel products of 2008.

The Altec Lansing iM-237 Orbit MP3 is a portable speaker with enough punch to fill an entire hotel room with clean crisp audio.

The speaker is powered by 3 AAA batteries which can keep the speaker going for almost an entire day.

Included with the speaker is a hard carrying case with clip and a 2.5mm music phone adapter, which allows you to connect the Orbit to phones with a smaller headphone jack, like on some Blackberry devices.

The Orbit MP3 launched last year for $39, but recently dropped in price at some retailers to under $25. You’ll find it at this price at Amazon.com. In the right column on Amazon, you’ll also find a retailer selling it for just $17.49, with $6.98 shipping.

Product review – Scosche ReviveLITE iPod/iPhone charger/nightlight

by Scott Carmichael on

The Scosche RevieLITE is the kind of gadget that always manages to get my attention – it takes a really basic feature, and adds something “cool”.

In this product, Scosche combined an iPod/iPhone charger with a nightlight into a slick portable device.

The unit features a set of folding prongs on the rear, and a folding iPod charger on the side. On the front is an LED with a light sensor and a power switch for the nightlight.

It’s about as simple as can be – plug the unit into the wall, plug your iPod in, and let it charge. When you arrive back at your hotel room and you are too drunk to find the light switch, the reviveLITE will show the way to your bed – provided you were able to find a suitable outlet.

Of course – even the simplest of products often have one major flaw, and in the case of the reviveLITE, it is the lack of rotating prongs. Everything is fine and dandy if you use it with a vertially placed outlet, but a horizontal outlet will mean your iPod hangs on its side. Not a massive inconvenience, but still pretty annoying.

The Scosche reviveLITE retails for $39.99, but is available from retailers like Amazon for under about $10 less, which is not too bad for a quality iPod charger. The charger weighs just 2.7oz, which is lighter than most iPod chargers, especially since those usually require a separate cable in your bag.

Daily deal – Kensington iPod Deluxe FM Transmitter for $15

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today is for the Kensington iPod Deluxe FM Transmitter.

This is not your average iPod FM transmitter, as it has several very smart technologies built in to help get your music on your car stereo.

The QuickSeek feature actually searches for available frequencies, so you don’t have to keep adjusting your radio to find an open spot. In addition to this, the transmitter even broadcasts an “RDS signal”, which means a car radio with RDS will display the iPod track name on its display!

The device will work on any iPod with a dock connector, including the iPod Touch (the iPhone is not listed as being compatible).

This FM transmitter normally retails for about $80, but Frys.com currently has it on sale for just $14.99.

Shipping is about $6, but those lucky enough to live close to a Frys store can select free in-store pickup.

Daily deal – 50% off everything in the Zagg InvisibleSHIELD store

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today is a sweet 50% discount off anything you purchase in the Zagg.com online store. Zagg.com is where you’ll find the InvisibleSHIELD device protection film which provides a plastic barrier against damage to your devices.

The film is available for almost every popular mobile (smart) phone on the market, as well as for the iPod, gaming devices, GPS units and even watches.

Their product comes with a lifetime warranty, and the films start at about $15.

The Zagg store also sells several kinds of headphones and portable speakers (also included in the 50% off offer).

To get the discount, add your products to the online cart, and enter coupon code SHOWSP09 when you start the checkout process.