Boingo Wi-Fi Credits for the iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad offers connectivity on the go

by Scott Carmichael on

Boingo just released a new app for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad – their second application for the platform. In this newly released app, you can purchase Wi-Fi connectivity credits on the go – using your App store credits or stored payment method. Credits are good for a single hour of access.

Credits can be purchased in blocks of one, or ten (with a buy ten get one free promo). Best of all, the app comes with one free credit.

By linking the Wi-Fi credit purchase with your existing app store payment method, you won’t need to reach for a credit card or worry about having to enter a new payment method on the road. Credits are just treated as an in-app purchase, like many other add-ons for App store purchases.The application manages the purchases, and also acts as a hotspot finder.

The new Boingo Wi-Fi credits app can be found in the App store. If you plan to use Boingo more than a couple of hours a month, you’ll be better off with their smartphone plan – which offers unlimited worldwide access for just $7.95/month.

Kensington iPhone car mount amplifies with no batteries – the Gadling review

by Scott Carmichael on

As the iPhone slowly becomes a viable navigation system (thanks to apps like Navigon, TomTom and Magellan), it becomes important to find a safe way to mount your iPhone (and prevent it from shooting through your windshield if you need to brake).

The new Kensington “Windshield/Vent Car Mount with Sound Amplified Cradle for iPhone“ is a suction cup mount with several really smart features that make it the perfect iPhone mount for in your vehicle.
One of the best features of this new mount is an amplifier – it uses a sound chamber to boost the volume of your phone, which means it doesn’t need batteries or switches. The amplified sound is a little “tinny”, but certainly much louder than without the mount.

The mount is capable of holding iPhones in a case, and thanks to an assortment of rubber gaskets, you can still use the amplifier without removing your iPhone. The flexible arm on the mount allows you to adjust it any way you want – which means you can attach it to your windshield, dashboard or a beanbag friction mount (like the one I’m using).

The cradle portion of the mount rotates – which means you can use your navigation package in landscape or portrait mode.

All in all, a simple yet very effective and well designed mount. Kensington clearly put some thought into this mount – and the small touches (like a place to store your iPhone power cable) make it a pretty handy little gadget. It is small enough to fold up and pack in your bag for using in a rental car, and the built in amplifier means you’ll even be able to hear your iPhone when you have the windows (or top) down in your car.

PROS: Strong suction cup, holds iPhone in a case, amplifier really does work
CONS: Amplified audio is a little “tinny”

The Kensington Windshield/Vent Car Mount with Sound Amplified Cradle for iPhone retails for $39.99, or $49.99 with a low-profile iPhone car charger cord.

For more information, or to place an order, check out the Kensington product page. As usual, your favorite electronics retailer may have this product for quite a bit less, so shop around!

OneTravel brings quick airline ticket purchases to your iPhone with “Wanderlust”

by Scott Carmichael on

Online travel agency OneTravel just released their very own iPhone app – Wonderlust.

The application brings easy air ticket reservations to your phone, allowing you to find fares from almost any airline in the world. Searching is simple – and if you regularly use the application, you can securely store your travel profile inside the program, making booking a ticket quick and easy.

During my review, I did run into a minor glitch – when entering an airport code, the app first matches the letters to countries. This means that AUS turns into a list of all the Australian airports. To actually find Austin, I had to scroll all the way to the bottom of the list.

Other than that, the program functioned perfectly – I had a list of all available fares in 10 seconds, and could book a ticket right away. The booking screen allows you to select the number (and type) of passengers, and even lets you pick a premium cabin. Some other apps require you to pay for their premium version to get access to first and business class travel.

Once you have booked a ticket, the app also acts as your booking manager, providing quick access to your itineraries.

Wanderlust is free of charge, and is available in the App store (iTunes link).

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Blog it or Facebook it or Tweet it or … – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

Let friends and family share in your road trip adventure by posting details along the way via your blog, Facebook, Twitter or other social media site. People at home are curious about your adventures, and seeing your update may trigger a memory or suggestion they have to improve your trip.

With a smartphone such as the Apple iPhone, Motorola Droid or Research in Motion’s BlackBerry, it’s a snap to post a status update of your trip or take and upload a photo or video of a roadside attraction. Smartphone Facebook apps and apps such as Bloglive make it easy to upload your content.

Of course, don’t do any of this while driving. Wait until you’re stopped, or have a passenger do the posting.

More road trip apps for your phone – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

The iPhone and other smart phone applications are making our lives simpler every day. Road trips are no exception. Before leaving on your next road trip, try these apps, all available on the App Store (warning: links open iTunes):

  1. Free WiFi Finder (free) helps you find strong and free WiFi hotspots on the road;
  2. Where To? ($2.99) helps find places of interest like museums and shopping centers and is great for unfamiliar places; the special ‘Surpise Me’ feature helps when you’re indecisive;
  3. Road Trip ($4.99) allows you to keep records of fuel prices, mileage, and travel expenses so you may graph them and export to a CSV file.

Related: Road trip tip: 6 useful iPhone apps for road trips