iPod and Other MP3 Player Tips
MP3 players (like iPods) aren't just for music anymore. These days, you can download podcasts, watch TV shows and movies, and even let Rick Steves guide you though the sights of Paris, London, Rome, and more with our audio tours.
What are your favorite tips for using an MP3 player as you travel?
- Please don't post questions here. Use our Travelers Helpline.
Android apps and Thinkfree Lite and Netbooks
I have noticed that most references on this site refer to Ipod related products.
Just so people are aware Android based devices have the same functionality using similar apps.
Oh 1 last thing. If you go to the DK Travel Guide website you can create your own PDF travel giodes for major cities that come with excellent local tips. Another great PDf resource for the traveller.
We have just returned from a 5 month intensive trip through western and eastern Europe (and beyond) as well as north Africa and Turkey. 22K by motorcycle. So we had to be very efficient in our use of space and technology.
The planning phase of our trip saw us develop a Word document 46 pgs long, that had all our sights to see info on it as well as an itinerary schedule containing detailed day by day destinations and mileages and travel times on an excel spreedsheet.
These were converted to PDF's and saved on our Android phone and netbook for back-up and viewed using an app called Think Free Office Lite. Now we have discovered another benefit of the Android/Google relationship and that is Google Docs.
Google docs lets you upload these same types of Word or Excel docs online, and save an offline version to your PC/IMac. You can access these same docs on your Android device as well and you can download them to your micro-SD card. An additional benefit is that with Think Free Office Lite for viewing they are formatted much better than the conversion from Word to PDF, and you can also make changes and re-save the file locally or in Docs.
Likely Ipod/PAd has a similar app. but the seamlessness of these apps for travel is exceptional.
BTW, our netbook was invaluable since it served as a host for our Garmin Map sets. Europe NT11, Turkey and Morocco topo as well as a backup for our photos from our 14mpx. camera and for doing online blogging. seen here at http://vstromadventures.blogspot.com
A note re: free wi-fi hotspots. They are available at McD's but you have to ask for an access PW. But it is free.
Brian Smith
Ladysmith, BC Canada 11/24/2011
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OEM software download
New York, NY USA 11/09/2011
IPOD TOUCH KINDLE VS KOBO
Ordered Rick Steves' Germany 2011 for my IPOD Touch from KOBO. Did not work very well, did not get a credit, was told to PRINT my copy as a solution. Switched to KINDLE and repurchased Germany 2011 and it worked great. Lesson learned don't buy KOBO version as the software has less functionality than KINDLE. All readers are not equal, recommend buy KINDLE. Also bought Italy 2011 and it worked great on KINDLE.
Used the IPOD Touch as our computer for a month long trip to Germany, Austria and Italy. Travel Guides at your finger tips at all times, plus email, browser and other apps such as Skype at hotels with WIFI.
Ross Maloney
Toronto, canada 06/22/2011
Extending ITouch memory
My friend works at the local Apple store. I was telling him how frustrating it is on trips when I'm playing games or watching videos and my battery runs out so fast. He suggested getting a back-up battery device called "Mophie". My ITouch fits right into it. You power it up separately and turn it on if you need more power. Amazing gadget!
Lois
San Diego, CA USA 06/13/2011
audio tour PDF map saves the day
We took Rick's audio tours and PDF maps on our recent trip to Italy. Mostly, we simply listened on our MP3 players. However, in Pompeii we forgot to pick up a site map. The printed guide can be difficult to follow without the site map. Having Rick's audio tour and PDF map on our iPad saved us from what would have been a frustrating visit. We loved all of Rick's audio tours!
Dianne
Denver, CO USA 05/03/2011
GoodReader iPad app lightens the load
The GoodReader iPad app is great for storing copies of important documents, such as PDFs of city guides, train schedules, hotel booking confirmations, trip insurance coverage, rental car confirmation, etc. No more carrying around a huge wad of papers. All we had to print and carry were entry vouchers for attractions and our train tickets.
Dianne
Denver, CO USA 05/03/2011
IPod and Skype
My companion and I ,carring backpacks, traveled by rail from Budapest to Vienna, Salzburg, Prague, Krakow, and Berlin. I carried an IPod touch with which I called my wife regularly using Skype. My wife does not do computers, so I placed a $10 deposit with Skype allowing me to call her land line. Cost was about 5 cents/minute. I had no trouble finding hot spots in each hotel in which we stayed. Did require a headset with a microphone. Was completely suprised by the clarity of sound.
CBenny
Greenville, NC USA 04/28/2011
Language App
An excellent translation app is Jibbigo - resides on device so does not need a wi-fi connection. Really liked the Spanish version.
whisper
USA 04/20/2011
Ipad and Learning Italian
Prior to the Ipad, my IPod was my Italian teacher. With the IPad, I have been able to download both audio and PDF lessons and study the spoken and written word. One of the best sources is http://www.learnitalianpod.com which I have subscribed to on and off for several years. Take a look at it. Another good Italian Language course is from Pimsleur. They have Italian 1 -4 on CD, or you can download from Audible. Used courses are available on EBay. One great APP for the IPad is Italian Audio Flash Cards, which has a couple of thousand words arranged by type with areas for audible, visual, and spelling. It is worth the expense.
Don't forget the Rick Steve's APP, you can tailor it to your trip and has some of his greatest inverviews.
Ciao
Greg Speck
Branford, CT USA 04/03/2011
Podcasts
Rick Steves offers great pod casts, but do NOT try to share an ipod to listen. My husband and I tried to limit what we brought overseas but it was a mistake. It was too hard to coordinate our walking and his talking to something that was feasible. In the end we were both just frustrated. 2 ipods 2 podcasts next time.
Shannon Fonferko
Schaumburg, IL USA 03/21/2011
Fav OFFLINE Apps!
World traveling ipod touch and/or ipad users may benefit from my time and money spent on OFFLINE travel apps that require no internet connection. My two very best workhorse apps are 1.) Lingopal 44: Communicates essential travel phrases to and from 44 languages QUICKLY, AUDIBLY and VISUALLY and 2.) Cityscouter iPhone/iPad Travel Guides: An utterly amazing swiss army knife all in one app... need nothing else. Aside from these two stalwarts, I also recommend these very comprehensive high quality offline apps a.) Direct U offline country maps and b.) MetrO by Kinevia for offline point to point metro and other transportation calculations.. pretty amazing c.) Play & Tour Audio Guides and d.) mPassport for an offline directory of English speaking doctors, dentists, etc... be prepared!
Jack
Quincy, FL USA 03/20/2011
IPod Touch is a smart traveler's best friend.
I just bought a new IPod Touch 4th Generation 64GB. If you want free texting to most carriers in the USA use the free App Textnow you just enter the phone number. For those with Google Accounts you can send and receive free texts.
For those who want to use Google Voice on their Ipod Touch get the free app Talkatone and set it up to forward all calls to your Google Chat. You can make calls free to the USA and Canada from anywhere in the world. For International calls or calls within a country load up your account in American Dollars from anywhere you are. Just add enough for the calls and you can manage it. With a lot of free WiFi Hotspots you can save the cost of Data/Cellphone costs and incompatible CDMA phones on the GSM network.
I love the Rick Steves App for Podcasts and tours of cities.
To listen to online radio I like the VTuner App 99 cents and you can listen to radio from home or from the country you are visiting.
Just be sure to purchase a wall adapter plug,car adapter plug, skins and screen cover. You can get this from KrazyOnDigital.com for a good cost. Just be sure to bring the adapters for the countries you are visiting.
If you wand a GPS on the IPod Touch look for a $80 adapter that plugs into where you would charge the Ipod and it will charge the IPod at the same time. Then download the app.
For E-books I love the Kindle,Nook,Borders and Stanza. Load up the books and read.
If you have important documents or want to upload photos use the IPod Touche's camera and get a [INVALID]box account(They give 2GB free and will give you up to 8GB for those you recommend to the service. For more GB you can purchase it.
Save Documents,music,photos etc without using up the memory on the Touch.
I like JiWires free Wifi Hotspot that lists the free WiFi Hotspots. Make sure you download the directory for off-line viewing and voilla you have found a place with free WiFi. Paris has Orange Mobile Hotspots which is free. You log on for 2 hour sessions at a time and can keep logging on after the 2 hours.
Want to write e-mails, take photos/video and send it to Facebook you can do this although the Ipod Touch's camera is not as good as a Cannon it gets the job done and its portable. You don't really need to carry around a heavy laptop.
Be sure you password protect your device and download the free App Find my IPhone/Ipod device so if you loose it and its registered with Apple you can see where it is and remotely delete the data.
Enjoy and I hope you will get the IPod Touch 4G 64GB. Its an expensive purchase at the outset but once you use it you can save money.
Daniel
Saratoga, CA USA 03/18/2011
Podcasts for France and Ireland
I took all of Rick's podcasts for Paris and they were fabulous. i listen to them now, 2 years later for a fun replay of my museum visits. Too bad they don't work for the remodeled museums. Please do them again, Rick!
I'm going to Ireland in 2 weeks and taking all the podcasts with his travel guide friends for a nice prelude to the trip. I'll listen again on the plane.
My kindle3 is loaded with the Ireland guide book and the Dingle and Dublin supplements.
Thanks, Rick
Thanks, Rick.
Cheryl
Charlestown, RI USA 02/03/2011
Using Kindle to play white noise
I have some .mp3 files on my phone that I can use to play white noise to help me get to sleep, but I have discovered that my Kindle 3 plays .mp3 files, too, and the noise sounds better over the Kindle's bigger speakers.
Paul
Tuscaloosa, AL USA 11/05/2010
wifi hot spots
Just got back from Northern Germany and thought I'd throw this out in case someone was looking for info on wifi hot spots: there are no free spots. Unlike here in the states where McDonalds, Starbucks, most food places, etc... have free wifi nothern Germany doesnt. I took my iPod touch with me so I wouldnt have to lug around a laptop but there was nothing available without paying. Everything is secure.
On the other hand, I was able to finally get on the web but that was from a pub owner giving me his password to get on his router.
Lee
nashville, Tn USA 10/28/2010
Another PDF viewing app
Referring to my previous post, there is an app called "D r o p b o x" but without the spaces (I can't write that word right now without having the word render as [INVALID] - odd glitch). "D r o p b o x" is another application that allows you to view PDFs. You can not edit or annotate PDFs in "D r o p b o x", but it does allow you to export to GoodReader, where you can edit files. "D r o p b o x" is also a convenient way for sharing files amongst multiple computers and your iPod/iPhone/iPad. It creates a folder on your desktop(s); you can simply put files into the folder, and they will sync automatically to your iPod. Any edits you make to files will be updated on all computers on which you have installed "D r o p b o x"
Leila
10/08/2010
PDFs on iPod touch
The GoodReader app for iPhone/iPod touch allows you to view, highlight, and annotate PDF files.
Leila
10/04/2010
Hot Spots for I-Pod Touch
for Ann: Wi-Fi hotspots can be located through a free App for the I-Pod Touch: Wi-Fi Finder
Casey Buchter
Soquel, CA USA 10/04/2010
Running PDF on IPods.
To Megan: The IPod is not set up to view PDF files. I have heard it said that Steve Jobs has [INVALID]d nothinjg from Adobe will ever show up on Apple. Never the less, this month's Popular Mechanics has an article describing a couple of ways to make it happen. Also, seaqrch online.
Casey Buchter
Soquel, CA USA 10/01/2010
e-books
Went to Paris, Venice, Florence, Siena and Rome. I brought with me my Kindle that contained all 5 of Rick Steves' e-books, my hotel and tour/museum confirmations, plus copies of all my documents needed for my trip (including passports). I was carrying luggage for 2 people so the e-books really helped lessen the load. Plus I get to keep my e-books "intact".
Ana Chua
USA 09/28/2010
Difficulty view PDF maps
I am having trouble viewing the PDF maps on the Ipod touch- do you need to download another app to view PDF files?
Megan
Lincoln, NE USA 09/27/2010
MP-3 player use
Load Audio Books (from your public Library) if you're using Eurail. Use the Voice Recording feature to catch your trip comments, as well as portions of a tour guide's spiel, street music performances, etc. The ipod Touch has Skype as a free app, by far the cheapest way to call home
Casey Buchter
Soquel, CA USA 09/26/2010
PARIS METRO APP
I downloaded the Paris Metro app to my IPod touch. It was the best thing I took on my vacation. I never felt lost in Paris and it was so easy to get around. Best thing was you didn't need to be online to use it. Great planning tool.
Linda
Arlington, WA USA 09/23/2010
I Touch Metro and Tube apps
We just returned from 3 weeks in Paris and London, and I used my iTouch apps for navigating the Metro and Tube! One does not need to be on-line to use these apps, and they are a big help in getting around.
Diana
Boise, ID USA 09/21/2010
IPOD
I purchased a new IPOD Touch in preparation for a trip to Europe. We are in Germany now and so far, there are NOT enough hots spots to use it for the web. The wi fi at our hotel works for our laptop but NOT for the IPOD. If I had it to do over, I would buy the 3G or 4G IPOD rather than the wi-fi one. Fortunately, I did download the pertinent podcasts before we left home.
Ann
Evansville, IN USA 09/15/2010
itouch
I am heading to SW Ireland next week and can't take my i-phone because it is a work phone. Would an itouch allow me to stay connected? Will there be enough wifi hotspots in SW Ireland for me to check and send e-mail? I think it I can send and receive email I won't need a phone.
Caren Henderson
Denver, CO USA 09/05/2010
Traveling with an iPad
Karen: Regarding traveling with an iPad, I talked to a friend of mine about his experience traveling with his wife to Vietnam and Singapore for three weeks, where he took his iPad instead of his laptop. I've published it in my site here: http://www.travelite.org/?p=173
He is a HUGE iPad evangelist--just absolutely loves it. He uses an iPhone as well, and he said the screen size was so nice that he just can't go back to using his iPhone for stuff like using Google Maps, or watching movies. He loves that he doesn't have to squint. He also said he used it constantly in ways he never imagined. If you already have an iPad, congratulations!
I'm still holding out; there are persistent rumors that Apple might introduce a new version next year that is the size of a Kindle. THAT's the one I will want to get, since the current size is nice but a tad too big for me to carry all the time.
Lani Teshima
SF Bay Area, CA USA 08/11/2010
audio guides on Nook
Throughout Italy, I used Rick Steve's Audio Guides and PDF guidemaps on my Barnes and Noble Nook, which doubles as an MP3 player. It was by far the best audio guide experience I've ever had.
Juli
Medford, MA USA 08/01/2010
Rick's podcasts
I downloaded Rick's podcasts on my Iphone for sights in Venice, Florence & Rome and listened to them before we got there, so I could have an idea of where I was going. I also printed out the accompanying maps. Really helped!
Laurie Epstein
Oklahoma City, OK USA 07/29/2010
iPad vs. iPod
Has anyone traveled with an iPad? I have both an iPod Touch and an iPad, and am trying to decide which one to take to Italy in September. I am leaning towards the iPod because of size/weight.
Karen
Overland Park, KS USA 07/19/2010
pdf on ipod
I want to respond to the previous post about saving email attachments / pdf app on ipod touch. I just returned from a trip to Paris and Amsterdam. I use an app called goodreader to download all pdf files to my ipod touch . That includes all metro and bus maps, bus routes, air ticket /hotel reservation numbers and other travelling info for both cities. It comes with the free lite version to try before you buy. I am sure there are a lot of pdf readers out there but this is the only one I have tried, so I cannot provide you with any comparison between the different pdf readers. For the Goodreader, you can download the pdf files directly or transfer between computer and ipod provided wifi is available. Be aware that the lite version limited to 5 pdf files only. The full version costs me $0.99 and I am quite happy with it. Do a search on the app store and test them out before you make a purchase.
m
Vancouver, BC cCanada 06/28/2010
IPad
I think I want to hold out for future generations of the Ipad that hopefully will include a camera for skype and usb plugs?
Wendy
Toronto, Canada 06/21/2010
iPod App
There's a neat app for the iPod Touch called TripIt, Leslie. You forward your confirmation emails for your trip to your tripit account and it makes up an itinerary for you, including maps! Very cool! And I think it's $1.99 or something.
JanisV
St. Louis, MO USA 06/19/2010
Saving email attachments (copies of reservations, etc.)
I recently purchased an Ipod Touch (3rd generation) in preparation of my September trip to Italy. I'm not a techie, so am having a bit of trouble figuring things out.
Main question: I've figured out how to view my email from within the Ipod Touch. I sent myself my itinerary and other .pdfs as attachments to an email. How do I save those attachments for future reference? I don't see how to save them and then open them later to show our hotel reservations, etc. if I need to. Help?!?!?!?
Thank you!!!
Leslie
Leslie
Dallas, OR USA 06/09/2010
Rick Steves Podcasts
The podcasts for Orsay and Louvre are not recommended because the Orsay is renovating and rearranging and the Louvre directions are confusing possibly because of rearrangement of items as Rick warns. We found the Left Bank Walk and the Versailles podcasts to be very helpful.
Charles Faulkner
Arrington, TN USA 06/03/2010
New High Rez iPhone/Touch
The internet is buzzing with word about a new iPhone (with speculation that an updated iPod Touch will follow), and the spec that is of most interest to me is the rumored doubled screen resolution - same resolution as the new iPad, albeit in the smaller iPhone/Touch version. While not very helpful for web browsing (can you really SEE type that small, even though crisper now), it should be great for videos - I find my Touch best for videos on the plane, but wouldn't mind a little more sharpness. (And of course with higher resolution, matching the iPad, you'd be able to run the iPad apps - if you could deal with the diminutive pixel size).
I am hoping the new edition Touch comes out before I leave on my end-of-July holiday.
The new iPhone is supposed to have an extra camera on the front, for video conferencing (Skype, for example). Hopefully the Touch will finally get cameras - it burns me that the Nano has one but the Touch still doesn't.
Finally, rumor has it the updated/speedier microprocessor from the iPad will make it into the iPhone/Touch. My Touch is already plenty fast, but with double the resolution on the new editions, a faster processor is always nice to have.
Now if only Apple would come out with a 5" screen on a Touch to slot in between the Touch and iPad. No rumors about that, though.
Mark Mia
Burbank, CA USA 06/01/2010
iPad Fab in Europe
May 2010, just back from Prague and AMS: iPad recognized and passed in scanners (but had to be taken out of backpack twice); great as a travel tool for latest news (including volcano ash), weather, email, and Frommer's app for money and time conversion (only small size and one orientation). My wife also read her favorite new Nora Roberts novel on the trains and plane, played Shanghai and listened to music when bored. Bring iPad charger and converters, but still lighter than laptop.
Fifty something technocrat
Seattle, WA USA 05/16/2010
Headphone Splitter
My husband downloaded the Rick Steve's Audio Tours of the Louvre and D'orsay. I got a headphone splitter, each plugged into that and the splitter into his iphone and we were on our way. At times I looked like I was on a leash if he got ahead of me, but it was nice to listen to the tour together.
DVRDIVA
Chico, CA USA 04/20/2010
Podcasts
Rick Steve's podcasts of walking tours and museum tours for London were wonderful. For the first time, we got our kids (two teens) interested in the sights by listening to the podcasts on their iPods. Beats Mom or Dad reading the tour book out loud to them! The podcasts really helped add interest and ease to our trip.
Travel Mom
Marysville, WA USA 04/11/2010
Ipad
Boy, this would be nice to have....but it seems a bit heavy. I bought a Nook for reading, and have really enjoyed it. The ipad does have the wonderful wi-fi connection, and it's FAST. Watching movies on the ipad is much better than on the iphone/itouch. All the apps will work, and the map is great as well. Someday for me, but not today or tomorrow. Rather have my $500 for travel. This is going to be a wonderful device, better than a notebook computer!
Mac lover (not the cheese)
USA 04/09/2010
Podcast Armchair Travel
I love listening to podcasts about the places I'll soon be traveling to, it's a great way to get ideas for things to see/do/eat, and a great way to kill time while riding the bus to work - I might be stuck in traffic on a Monday morning, but I'm really in Venice hearing about the amazing things I'll be seeing when I get there in a few months! Rick's shows are great, plus there are a lot of them to choose from on any given area, and I'd also recommend A Year In Europe, which is a podcast done a few years back by a couple from California who sell their house and decide to spend a year traveling all over Europe. The podcast ended with their trip, but you can still download a year's worth of old episodes on iTunes. They do a pretty good, funny, informative overview of the towns and regions they stay in, as well as local cuisine, museums, and other sites.
Krissi
Seattle, WA USA 04/02/2010
Store current contacts info on iPod
Before leaving on any trip, I confirm that my good old iPod Classic (80G, 2+ years old) has been synched to have my current contacts info on it. Meaning, the names, addresses, phone numbers and emails of everybody in my iMac Address Book (in my PC days it was my Outlook contacts). Very handy for all kinds of situations, from routine to emergency. I also get audiobooks on CD from the public library and import them into iTunes; I often prefer to listen to an audiobook than music on a long flight. I haven't tried adding guided walks to the iPod content, but may do that in the future. Thanks for all these tips.
Suz
Denver, CO USA 03/28/2010
iPod Touch
My wife and I bought an iPod touch for our honeymoon to Paris and London. Downloading Rick's audio tours of Versailles, Louvre, and D'Orsay museums saved us a TON of money, helped us kill time watching movies on the flights, helped us navigate the streets and subways, and even provided white noise at night (yes, there's an app for that!). This has to be one of the greatest travel tools ever!
Andy
Boston, MA USA 03/06/2010
No Missing Lost
I'm going to be in Europe for the final several episodes of Lost. With a US account on I Tunes I can download the episodes I will miss onto my IPOD even if they are still blocked in the European market. WHEE
Susan
Seattle, WA USA 02/21/2010
Great new apps for travelers
On a recent trip to Indonesia I loved using these free apps on my iPod touch: "TripIt" is handy way to view your flight and hotel details, set "Clock" to show current times back home and cities on the trip, "Weather" for your upcoming cities, "Currency" for fast way to convert and see what an item really costs, and "Gate Guru" helps find food in airports. And I'm a huge fan of "Packing," by Quinn Genzel, which is a well organized packing and to do list you can modify...you check things off when they're done. It gave me great peace of mind that I had packed everything and took care of other details as I headed for the airport to takeoff. They have Pro version you can buy, but the free version did the job for me.
Mary
Seattle, WA USA 02/11/2010
Free pod cast downloads
Thank-You Rick. Downloaded your free pod cast on Italy to my shuffle, yes I-pod shuffle it was all I had but it still worked out great. It was like having you for our personal guide. Used your Vatican pod cast and free maps off the pod cast site. Most helpful looking up at the Sistine Chapel paintings and map of St. Marks Square when needed to find the bathroom. Wish I would of downloaded more they were just the right length and funny at times with great info. Went back to the Vatican after listening to see what I had missed, like the door sealed by Pope John Paul on Christmas etc. I encourage everyone to try them. Actually listening to them now once back from the trip to help me understand what I saw. Thanks again.
Ellen
JOLIET, USA 02/03/2010
Rick Steves Ipod app
Very cool that the Rick Steves' Paris app is shown on the new unveiling of the ipad-- I used a couple of the Rick Steves Rome App while on a recent trip-- it was amazing, part audio guide, part map, and a lot more. Worth the money!
Cara
Houston, Tx USA 01/28/2010