New smart phones have a thousand features ... most of which I neither use or understand. But making progress, slowly learning my Samsung Android Smart Phone. Kids pick all this up by osmosis, I feel retarded every time I ask for help.

A Smart Phone is quite handy for a lot of things ... and cost's me almost nothing. I use TracFone, a "Pay As You Go" company here in the USA. The Phone was $100 usd, came with 500 minutes Plus data ... and every time I buy minutes they are tripled. Never use them all up. Every 90 days you must buy more minutes, and get 90 days more. Time, minutes and data are ALL carried over month to month. Costs $20 every 90 days. Not bad.

Data comes when you buy minutes ... but I do use my Data up, so that does add to expense. Works out to about $10 USD per month (includes buying extra data) Most everyone I know spends about $100 usd a month on their Phone. Absurd. Not me!

A Smart Phone with Data lets you go on internet, listen to FM radio world wide, and much much more. (TuneIn Radio app) Using good quality "Ear Buds" a must!

I also put ALL my own music (about 1200 songs) into my phone, and I can listen FREE anytime. Same with Photos. About 300 pics in my phone to share with people on the road. Nice!

All this took me time to learn and sort out ... and I've just scratched the surface in terms of all Smart Phones can do. Most of it is stupid crap for the kids.

But some of the "Apps" are useful to travelers. I hardly ever talk on my Cell phone, got over 1100 minutes now, same in text (which I don't ever do).

I mentioned the GPS function. Handy. There are better "Apps" for GPS stuff, so far I've not got there. So, for me, baby steps and keeps the brain cells working a bit. If you can afford it, get an iPhone. I could not, so went with the $100 Samsung phone. Only problem is short battery life. But if you turn off Mobil Data and some other functions, it's much better. Charges up in an hour or less. Handy ... and now ...??? Can't live without it! BUGGER !!*#@