Smartphone

A smartphone is a versatile device, the successor to the mobile phone, capable of a multitude of function which can be very very useful to hitchhikers. As of 2017 smartphones and mobile network coverage are homologous(wrong word!) in modern society in first-world countries, the consequence being that the average cost of the device as well as communication and mobile internet have fallen to the point of being a worthwhile investment for someone planning to hitchhike, if they don't owe one already. This article intends to show all the uses, most of which have no cost, a smartphone can give in hitchhiking.

Why get a smartphone?

Specifically, why get one instead of just the cheapest cellphone? Well, for the price of a cellphone, you can get a used smartphone from anywhere and all its functions. With a cellphone you still need to buy a SIM card to be able to make calls, whereas with the smartphone you have that and plenty of ways of contacting people without a SIM card, such as Skype, Whatsapp or Gmail. Most smartphones, except the ones made by Apple have the operating system - Android - developed by Google, and the main standard that people develop programs for, so there isn't a risk of it being rendered useless by lack of updates. This means that, though your phone may not be very powerful (if it was cheap), all apps will work on it, if a bit slowly. Some more advanced apps may not work properly, but those are really superflous for hitchhiking. The basics work fine.

Where can I charge my phone?

That's an important question, if you're hitchhiking, then you're, at least temporarily, homeless

Wifi Android Android apps Roaming Google Maps Hitchwiki Maps Trustroots Powerbank Solar Charger McDonalds