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Friday, September 2, 2022

The Digitally Connected Traveler

The night before a road trip, I make sure all the kids have their cell phones charged, extra “butts” are packed, and extra cords are in the car. You moms can definitely relate that if those batteries go low, we will hear about it. I’m not complaining, I love my children but there are ups and downs with road trips and you want those little ones to be very entertained. When I was listening to a recent T-Mobile Stories Mobile Diaries podcast about today’s travel tech trends, and the host’s kiddo was crying 20 mins into their drive, I could so relate. I honestly think we have all been there. 






When special guest Mitra Sorrells, the editor and chief at a major travel industry reporting site, started talking about how people today are booking everything on their mobile devices from hotels to cabs (ubers etc.), I thought, “that is so me.” I truly can relate to this episode of Mobile Diaries called “The Connected Traveler.” I mean, raise your hand if you booked your last Airbnb on your phone (don’t worry, I can’t see you). I booked one while in the car traveling to a new city. Talk about last minute! Luckily it was just my husband and I so it was OK. I know things are a little different since COVID with travel thanks to things available like contactless bookings, keyless rooms and even new mobile tech for shopping. (No more cards at Sam’s Club! They went cardless.) I’ll be honest, it takes a little getting used to, but you will get there. 







Dan and I were in New Orleans once at this amazing bed and breakfast and it was a contactless check in with our phone and man did it make things so efficient. But, it also made wonder how we would get in our room if we lost our phone (yikes). That entire trip was pretty much phone, phone, and well more phone. I paid for things with cards on my phone, booked tours with it, and of course took pictures with it. My least favorite thing to do on it is to answer an actual phone call, haha!










 



  Doing everything from your phone certainly makes things convenient, but it can get a little clunky when I’m going to each app separately (my airline, hotel, car rental, attraction - they all have their own apps).  I loved learning from Mitra that a super app is being tested out!  This app would put everything in a single place so everything can be done with just one app.  Uber is testing this in England soon and I’m definitely looking forward to having it come here.  Will that leave some of us in the dust if we’re not tech savvy?  Don’t worry.  Mitra tells us that it’s definitely an evolution, but I think it’s all for the best when making my work-life balance even easier.  


Even though the initial purpose of a phone was for communication, I think the real lasting intention of a phone is for keeping hold of memories as that is what I get from all my photos and videos and social media content.  With T-Mobile’s help, I have enough memories to last a lifetime. Ok, I’m sorry that was super sappy, even for this 38 year old grandma.  






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13 comments:

  1. Ooh. I love the idea of a super app that can take the place of all the other travel apps I have to bounce back and forth through! I'm looking forward to that!

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  2. Aaaawwww....good for you! The power technology carries never ceases to amaze me.

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  3. I need to have this app. It definitely makes everything convinient and smooth.

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  4. I do a lot of that from my computer before leaving, but then have it all connected to the apps for when we actually get places. Having one app with it all would be awesome since we travel a lot!

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  5. This sounds class! I'll have to have a look into this app and see if I can make it work for me.

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  6. I really need to get this app! This sounds absolutely amazing and awesome! I’m surely going to check this out!

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  7. I love checking into a hotel on my phone, walking right past the service check in desk, and opening our room with my phone. I also use it to take and store my vacation photos. Having it all together in one APP would be awesome!

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  8. Its a task opening apps thats why I don't like doing everything on my phone. But this is sound interesting app.

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  9. Lol! Love the phone quote. But, yes! I love using tech as long as I'm in the US or have wifi. I need to get international coverage!

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  10. how had i not heard of this app? We are always on the go and with two young kiddos, this would be so helpful. I'm going to check it out now!

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  11. Where would we be without our phones eh? They become more important and necessary by the day. I feel you - that fear of losing it, especially while traveling, is real!

    Sara | mshealthesteem.com

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  12. I love the idea of a super travel app. It would be so helpful, I hate going from app to app. I am still a little old school and prefer doing things on my laptop, where the screen real estate is bigger.

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  13. I am all for anything like this is more streamlined. It’s so difficult so many different times to always be looking for stuff

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