Next Question
RSS
You definitely do not want to give your daughter an iPhone to take to London ... international roaming is incredibly expensive.
I was in Europe for a few months last year and used my Blackberry 8830 and its unlimited international data plan, which costs $60 per month and can be downgraded back to unlimited domestic data ($45/mo) at anytime.
She's only going for six weeks. Does she need to call or need GPS? I've been to London multiple times -- there are clear maps everywhere, it's not hard to get around, and everyone speaks English. If she's studying, it seems to me there would already be some sort of Internet solution and telephone solution provided. Six weeks is not that long, and if there's an emergency, she can use a pre-paid calling card to phone you from any real phone, for a lot less money, or simply email you to keep in touch.
If you insist on spending the money, Verizon offers short-term global phone rental (including international Blackberries): http://www.vzwrentinternational.com/
Permalink | Report
Truephone is software that can be installed on a variety of GPS enabled phones, not just an iPhone:
http://www.truphone.com/what_is_truphone/
It supports phones such as: G1, iPhone, Blackberry and Nokia.
It would be possible for you to purchase an inexpensive (maybe used) Blackberry and use this software to make voip calls. Buying used would avoid any contracts and many Blackberries have GPS functionality with GPRS (Europe) coverage and SIM cards that can be easily purchased and swapped across the pond.
2)
I've been to Europe on business a couple of times. Here's what I've done:
I've relied on my Blackberry 8800 for normal / emergency phone use and GPS functionality. The GPS functionality of the 8800 works well but if I wanted the absolute best GPS functionality (points of interest, etc), I'd purchase a separate TomTom.
For cheap VoIP, I've used my laptop and Hotel Internet Access with my existing Vonage line to send and receive inexpensive phone calls.
CONCLUSION
Packing thin and light is important when traveling. Some of the best times I've had traveling have been when I was lost and had to rely on local knowledge to find my way home.... but when no locals are around, the GPS functionality built into many phones works well.
Hotspot access is prevalent in many parts of Europe, but it's not 100% reliable by any means. Using VoIP on a stationary laptop may be perfectly fine and not required to be integrated into a handheld mobile unit.
I hope that this helps!
Permalink | Report
Answered Question
M$5
February 05, 2009 10:58 PM
I need an inexpensive GPS & Wifi solution for a 20 yr old student visiting London for 6 weeks.
My daughter will be studying in London for 6 weeks this spring. I would like an inexpensive way to give her a GPS solution and a WiFi VoiP solution. An iPhone would do it, but I don't want to buy a 2yr data plan for her because she doesn't need that. An iPod Touch would accomplish the WiFi Voip part, but it doesn't have a GPS. I could buy a separate GPS or an add on device for an iPod. Just wondering if there is an elegant solution. She will also have a laptop with her, so that could be her VoiP solution too (but obviously bulky to carry around all the time, but it is doable for making cheap calls home.
Interesting Question?
Yes (0)
No (0)
- In Pdas & Handhelds |
- |
- Report |
-
Share
RSS
Best Answer Chosen by Asker
| February 06, 2009 12:56 AM |
I was in Europe for a few months last year and used my Blackberry 8830 and its unlimited international data plan, which costs $60 per month and can be downgraded back to unlimited domestic data ($45/mo) at anytime.
She's only going for six weeks. Does she need to call or need GPS? I've been to London multiple times -- there are clear maps everywhere, it's not hard to get around, and everyone speaks English. If she's studying, it seems to me there would already be some sort of Internet solution and telephone solution provided. Six weeks is not that long, and if there's an emergency, she can use a pre-paid calling card to phone you from any real phone, for a lot less money, or simply email you to keep in touch.
If you insist on spending the money, Verizon offers short-term global phone rental (including international Blackberries): http://www.vzwrentinternational.com/
| Asker's Rating: |
• Thank you very much! I was letting my tech tendencies get the best of me. I asked the wrong question, but you answered the question I should have asked. Simple is best.
Permalink | Report
Reply
Other Answers (1)
February 05, 2009 11:52 PM
1) Truephone is software that can be installed on a variety of GPS enabled phones, not just an iPhone:
http://www.truphone.com/what_is_truphone/
It supports phones such as: G1, iPhone, Blackberry and Nokia.
It would be possible for you to purchase an inexpensive (maybe used) Blackberry and use this software to make voip calls. Buying used would avoid any contracts and many Blackberries have GPS functionality with GPRS (Europe) coverage and SIM cards that can be easily purchased and swapped across the pond.
2)
I've been to Europe on business a couple of times. Here's what I've done:
I've relied on my Blackberry 8800 for normal / emergency phone use and GPS functionality. The GPS functionality of the 8800 works well but if I wanted the absolute best GPS functionality (points of interest, etc), I'd purchase a separate TomTom.
For cheap VoIP, I've used my laptop and Hotel Internet Access with my existing Vonage line to send and receive inexpensive phone calls.
CONCLUSION
Packing thin and light is important when traveling. Some of the best times I've had traveling have been when I was lost and had to rely on local knowledge to find my way home.... but when no locals are around, the GPS functionality built into many phones works well.
Hotspot access is prevalent in many parts of Europe, but it's not 100% reliable by any means. Using VoIP on a stationary laptop may be perfectly fine and not required to be integrated into a handheld mobile unit.
I hope that this helps!
Permalink | Report
Reply
Answer this Question
Related Questions
How can I delete a Mahalo question if I discover the solution before anyone answers?
How do I tell a close relative that her thirteen(13) years old daughter is ''wiz kid'...
I saw an exhibition of very old bicycles and it seemed any that were before 1900 came...
What are some idea of fights that you can have with ur bff?
How do I tell a close relative that her thirteen(13) years old daughter is ''wiz kid'...
I saw an exhibition of very old bicycles and it seemed any that were before 1900 came...
What are some idea of fights that you can have with ur bff?
Ask a Question
Buy Mahalo Dollars with Credit Card or PayPal
Top Members
Most Popular Tags
Categories
- Anonymous
-
Arts & Design
-
Beauty & Style
-
Books & Authors
-
Business
-
Cars & Transportation
-
Consumer Electronics
- Coupons Deals
-
Education
-
Entertainment
-
Environment
-
Fitness
-
Food & Drink
- From Email
- From Iphone
- From Twitter
-
Health
-
History
-
Hobbies
-
Home & Garden
-
How Tos
-
Humor
-
Jobs
-
Legal
-
Local
-
Love & Relationships
-
Mahalo Answers Community
-
Money
-
Music
-
News
-
NSFW
-
Parenting
-
Pets
-
Science & Mathematics
-
Services
-
Shopping
-
Social Science
-
Society & Culture
-
Sports
-
Technology & Internet
-
Travel
-
Video Games
Welcome New Members
- just_jems, November 28, 2009 08:46 PM
- redfly, November 28, 2009 08:46 PM
- caryliz69, November 28, 2009 08:39 PM
- tiretrk, November 28, 2009 08:28 PM
- allchildsplay, November 28, 2009 08:27 PM
Mahalo Dollars are the currency of Mahalo Answers.
Each Mahalo Dollar costs $1.
Once you earn more than 40 Mahalo Dollars, you can request to be paid via PayPal. Each Mahalo Dollar is currently worth $0.75 when paid out via PayPal. Learn More
Also rather than splashing out for a mobile device that can do voip, she'd be just as well off getting an international calling card, and a regular mobile with a local sim. Either a pay-as-you-go deal, or a deal on a 1 month rolling contract.