Smartphone​s Help Simplify Summer Vacation Planning & Keep Travelers Connected

U.S. Cellular survey reveals top reasons mobile vacationers use devices while traveling

As the temperatures rise, people look forward to the annual family vacation, often the highlight of the summer. Thanks to advances in mobile technology, travelers can find new ways to use their mobile device to simplify and enhance their vacation experience. A recent survey by U.S. Cellular found that three in five customers, or “Mobile Vacationers,” use their mobile device to help plan or take a vacation. U.S. Cellular wireless users indicated that keeping in touch with loved ones was driving this mobile usage, along with wanting to share travel experiences and planning travel. Based on these insights from “Mobile Vacationers,” a smartphone or tablet can be an essential part of the traveler’s toolkit.

“Summer vacations are a time to create memories, and your mobile device can make it easy for you to share these memories and stay connected,” said Dana Dorcas, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in the Mid-Atlantic. “In addition to helping you streamline your travel plans, smartphones can help you share real-time updates from your family vacation with other family and friends.”

Summer travelers can use the following apps, available in Google Play, and tips to use smartphones and tablets to get the most out of their vacation time with family and friends:

Planning your trip doesn’t have to be a hassle. In fact, 78 percent of “Mobile Vacationers” say their wireless device allows for easy access to information while planning a trip or away on vacation.
• A great app to help you pack is Packing List which creates lists and lets you choose from preloaded master lists, group items by category, location and luggage and can share and manage lists. Easy access to information can also be helpful when planning travel routes.
• One of the most popular, highly rated and useful travel apps is Google Maps, which provides point-to-point directions with audio similar to that of a GPS device. And with Google Maps, the Street View option lets you see popular landmarks and explore the world at the street level before you go. 
• To find out the best places to hang out at your destination, an app called Where details nearby places and things to do at local cities and towns with maps to show you how to get there, which can be based on your personal preferences and friends’ recommendations.

Vacations allow for priceless time with family and friends, but keeping in touch with loved ones back at home is a priority for many vacationers. Eighty-four percent of “Mobile Vacationers” rely on their wireless device to keep in touch while on vacation.
• The GO Contact Widget allows you to store and access your most important contacts. With just one click you can make a phone call, send a message or email these VIPs (simultaneously) for a hassle free connection while you are away from home.
• The app TiKL turns your phone into the ultimate Push To Talk (PTT) Walkie Talkie with instant messenger capability. With TiKL you can instantly speak to or text one or many friends at once with the touch of a button. No setup needed, just have them in your address book or as Facebook friends.

Sharing special memories can make your trip even more enjoyable as 78 percent of “Mobile Vacationers” use their wireless device to share experiences from their trips or vacations.
• The PicsArt app touts itself as one of the world’s most popularphoto apps. With this app you can take pictures and embellish them using the app’s image editing suite and share artwork with a global community of other artists.
• The My Story app, which is available on the Samsung Galaxy S®4, S®III and Note™ II, allows users to create a special letter that includes your voice, pictures and video and share it with family and friends.
• Or send instant postcards as you go by using an app like Postagram. Just take a photo, or use one from Facebook or a photo library, personalize it and for around $1.99 (prices can slightly vary based on the options you choose) you can send a physical postcard to friends, family or even send yourself a copy for your scrapbook collection back home.

About U.S. Cellular
U.S. Cellular rewards its customers with unmatched benefits and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier has a strong line-up of cutting-edge devices that are all backed by its high-speed network that has the highest call quality of any national carrier. Currently, 61 percent of customers have access to 4G LTE speeds and 87 percent will have access by the end of 2013. U.S. Cellular was named a J.D. Power and Associates Customer Service Champion in 2012 for the second year in a row. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.