Moving Abroad: Do I Need a Smartphone or Tablet?

The kids are out of the house, and you finally get the chance to move overseas. Maybe for a few months, maybe forever. You’ve already created a packing list, but there’s one item that you’re just not sure you’ll need—your smartphone or tablet. They can be a useful tool when you’re in a new country. But with the wrong service, they could be a useless money pit.

Library on the Go

When moving abroad, you don’t want to take your entire house with you. Heavy things like books can be difficult to haul around. The upside of taking a smartphone or a tablet on your trip is that either device can function as a traveling library while taking up just a small corner of your suitcase. Download your favorite guidebooks to the reader on your phone and virtually fold down your favorite pages. Use an app like Word Lens to translate signs and menus. Read reviews of area restaurants and entertainment with Trip Advisor or another travel app. You’ll feel at home in no time.

You can even use your smartphone to help you learn the language faster. With the free Google Translate app, you can speak up to 50 words into your phone, and the app will translate them for you. All of a sudden, asking directions, booking a train ticket, or getting to know the friendly couple at the edge of the bar just got easier!

Escape Roaming Fees

The downside to taking your smartphone or tablet abroad is the potential of roaming fees. According to travel writer Rick Steves, roaming charges in Europe can be high, but if you have an unlocked phone, you can replace your SIM card with a card made in that country to make calls at a more affordable rate.

Depending on your provider, you can avoid roaming charges altogether. T-Mobile, for example, recently announced a change to their roaming policy. The company, which also offers a wide selection of travel accessories—everything from Bluetooth headsets to Muse mini speakers—has lifted roaming charges in 100 countries. According to CNET, T-Mobile customers can text and access data without paying roaming fees. The company simplified its calling charges as well by setting them at a consistent 20 cents per minute.

Go Unplugged

Moving abroad should be an exciting experience. For some, this means enjoying a new environment with all the comforts of home, while for others, it means going unplugged. If you prefer the latter, consider leaving your electronics at home and get fully immersed into your travel adventure. Contact loved ones from local phones, or send them letters and emails from Internet cafes. However, if you do choose to go unplugged, it means that you will need to bring paper versions of all of your travel guides and translator tools.

If you don’t have access to free roaming, make sure that you download the data you are going to need while roaming. That way, you can pull up your map or itinerary without paying roaming fees.

Paige Hornell — Teacher, International Traveler, Margherita Pizza Connoisseur

I dropped my Acer A200 on Purpose and I'll tell you why!

I was in the electronic department!

Your probably would never drop your Acer Tablet A200 on the floor purposing to prove a point.  Most people don’t know how Durable the Acer Tablet is and how easily it recovers from drops and falls.   I must admit the tablet did have a Cover on it [Poetic(TM) Stand Leather Case with Angle Adjustable with HandStrap].  The lady was surprised but what she did not know.   I had a great insurance plan for my tablet if it breaks ,however she wasn’t told that.

That was a Bold Move!

I simply believe this Acer Tablet is way better than any Ipad and I like to prove it to people around my community.   I however know what people will say.   Sooner or later you will drop it enough to damage it and I’d have to say your right.  It isn’t unbreakable but built tough and I know how useful this tablet is.  

The End of the Story!

I am sure you probably wondering why I wanted to share this story.   In the end, I helped the lady find a tablet that is best suited for her 3 to 5 year sons.  It however is probably going to be stuck in her mind about this Acer Tablet and my blog.  I happened to tell her about it.  I wanted to reach and find out what happened to that tablet you bought your kids and find out how it is doing?  If your reading this, Let me know and tell me what you think of that tablet!  In the end, I still recommend The Acer A200 Tablet to anyone who wants a cheap durable tablet for your self or your family member.!

Paul Sylvester

Why Tablets are Booming! [Informational Graphic]

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Tablet's being used in Jobs!

As I was going to make this post up, I had a really good experience with what the Informational Graphic depicts.   As you can see there is a lot going on.  I thought we would at least break this down a little and hopefully make you understand just how they are being used.   If anything we can discuss some of the aspects from some of my previous posts as points to this new booming lifestyle people are taking up.

Mobile Productivity is on the Rise!

Although this isn't hard to believe that people are looking to buy Tabelts for business purposes.  Actually they have started to ask me in my local area which tablet is right for my business.  I have on occassion even helped them consult with them on this very aspect.  So I do know a thing or two about tablets.  I do not know everything about them but I can pretty much help you find the right one for what you may need it for.

Tablets are being used by Youths!

This isn't really a surprise on my part because my niece and nephews are all using 7" tablets right now and they are only 11 years old.  So that part I bet isn't really going to surprise anyone.   I even have a few good gaming apps for the android OS if your wondering.  I really can't say much else about this because I don't really have a lot more to say about this graphic.   It however is quite showing just how much demand there is for tablets in the workplace.  Please feel free and share this with your friends and family.

Paul Sylvester

Which Tablet is right for your Business? Part Two

Size and weight Counts!

So In the Previous Entry we talked about the differences in tablets themselves.   I hate leaving it alone, so we are going to pick up where we left off!  Some questions that we first must ask and then answer are:

• What will it be used for?
• Will it be carried around a lot?
• Do you need Internet?
• Storage Space?
• Accessories with it!
• Battery Power?

Even though these seems like a few questions that are not important, may actually be important.   You could need internet for emailing people or just to take orders.   So it isn’t like you should ignore these or others.   Each question helps you determine which Tablet is best suited for your needs and which one maybe more or less expensive depending on how you intend to use it!

Do research!

If your like me you may have found this blog because you were doing your research but it doesn’t mean it ends here.   You will want to learn everything from wherever you can.   For example, did you know the Ipad can’t have an external SD card and thus might not be the best for your situation.   

I will tell you that each Tablet comes with it’s unique personalities and you will have to treat each one differently.    

The difference between an Ipad and the Acer A200 that I bought is quite simple, The Acer can have an Micro SD card and has an USB input so you can do multiple things to it compared to the Ipad which is limited to only a few things and can’t be easily upgrade with memory or size.  Although, probably has great speed and reliability, it however isn’t as important to me as which one actually you need.

Got Internet?

This is one of those really important questions because you have so many things that you might need.   I remember one time when I needed to get online to look up a solution for a problem at a friends house. He didn’t have wireless only wired and he only had one system that I was working on at the time.   I learned the hard way to always have a Mifi card on me in case that happens again.  Although you could also Tether to your Cell phone like I did but then you will still need to worry about charges to your account unless you already have it setup for just that.

If you did get a tablet how would you use it on the internet what are the cost to tethering it or buying a Mifi card for just that.   You got to make sure the expenses aren’t going to hurt your chances of making money and how to recoup your need for the internet.

I know this is a lot to think about, but remember which ever tablet you decide on will have to last you for a year or two.   It also might be a good idea  to get insurance on it [Affiliate Link] in case you break it or a customer’s kids break it!

Which Tablet is right for your Business? Part One!

Ipad, Windows, or Android?

I was asked this question recently and I really was struck dumb by the question.   When people ask what the difference in tablets are and why one cost 800$ and others cost 100$ to 200$?   I'd never really understood why some people haven't gotten the idea that all tablets are the basically the same.   No tablet that I know of will ever be perfect and be the ruler of all other tablets.   It just isn't that simple and thus it will be something that is more of a personal decision and maybe even a price decision.   Just because you can afford to pay for an Ipad doesn't mean you should buy one, and just because you have the money to buy an Android doesn't mean you shouldn't wait and do you research.  

The Ipad!

Even though I know some of you will say the Ipad is the best and no one can beat them.   I'd have to say that is your opinion but I am not here to debate opinions but to talk about what the Ipad is and what it  can do.   

The IPAD is an Apple Product and is all proprietary hardware and software to Apple.   It has been said that it is the fastest and most stable Operating System out there and that it is just a notch above Windows.   I think the reason people say that is that it is always going to be hard to ruin a closed product like that with software that hasn't been tested or allowed on the operating system.   They might seem good but they worry me about security and how they believe they are secure by being obscured with the Tablet Code and Tablet Hardware.  You might not find an application that is available for your business with an Ipad but then again you might have to figure out how to do it without Apple's permission or help.

Windows Tablets!

Now this is something that should be easily understandable, if you have a Windows Machine at home then you will understand that a Windows Tablet is a smaller and more compact version of Windows for the desktop.   You can't do everything on the tablet like you could on a home machine or laptop but you can do a lot more than you will ever think.  

Windows have Viruses and so does Windows Tablets!   I'm sure I have that one all to often, and I could argue the point but I will say this much every system you use can and most likely at one time or other has had a virus or has been infected so it really doesn't make much since to worry about it.

A windows can do just as much as an Ipad but may be different in that respect.   You can install almost anything you want and decide how you may or may not want to use it.   With that being said, you may not be able to view movies or shows streaming from the web.   Some Windows Tablet's aren't designed to do that.   Microsoft is trying to protect you that way by not allowing you to do that.  Some windows tablets actually can have and use USB out puts, unlike Ipads.   You probably can't do as much with the Ipad that you can do with an Windows Tablet or an Android Tablet!

Android Tablets!

So we are down to the Android Tablets, which include the Nexus 7 and the Kindle Fire.   Even though the Kindle Fire doesn't have the same face as the Nexus 7 under the hood it is the same.   They all are using what is called the Android Operating System and thus isn't as wildly secretive.   Anyone who wants to can produce an App for the Android marketplace.

With that being said, you do have to be a little more careful of which app to install and read the comments and reviews of people who have installed that app on their device.   You may find some apps that do some strange things to make money.   After all, most app's in the marketplace are free and thus the companies who make those apps are wanting to make money.

You will find that the Android Tablets are much cheaper and you can do almost anything you want with the tablet in reguards to Moding it or installing what you want.   It is considered an open source system so every person who makes the app or even helps with the Operating System can change it to help make it more secure.

Well this is the first Part of a Mini discussion.  This first part was to help you understand and get an idea of all this.   I will be posting the second part of this sometime in the coming days to weeks but I had to start with the basics.

Paul Sylvester