EuroCheapo's technology Articles

Paris McDonald's
Heading in for free Wi-Fi? Photo by Tom Meyers

Traveling Offline: How to NOT use an iPhone abroad

One afternoon in Paris this past February, I exited the Metro at the Place de la Republique. I had been visiting hotels all morning and needed a coffee break. The French café ritual is one of my favorite aspects of working in Paris. You stand at the bar next to locals, order “un cafe,” and » Read more

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Posted in Book Reviews, Cheapos at work, France, Media, Paris, Practical Info, technology, Travel Smarts
Using an American iPhone in Europe… without going broke

Using an American iPhone in Europe… without going broke

Note: This article was updated in February 2012 with new rates and information for Verizon customers. If you’re an American iPhone user getting ready to take a trip to Europe, you’ve likely been warned about using your iPhone abroad. After all, AT&T and Verizon’s rates for international data use can be confusing, and misunderstanding your » Read more

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Posted in Ask the Cheapos, Cheapos at work, France, Italy, Money Matters, Paris, Practical Info, technology, Venice
Cheapo Technology 101: How to stay wired while traveling

Cheapo Technology 101: How to stay wired while traveling

No matter where you’re traveling, it’s important to keep yourself well-connected, technology-wise. Luckily, pocket-size, travel-friendly gadgets are no longer limited to the businessman-on-the-go market. (And even the most modest backpackers duck into Internet cafes to type emails on PC setups that rival the most tech-savvy home office.) If you’re making plans for a 2010 getaway » Read more

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Posted in Practical Info, technology, tips, Travel Smarts, Trip Planning
London: Website helps you navigate the city’s confusing streets

London: Website helps you navigate the city’s confusing streets

As any visitor to London (and probably more than a few residents) can attest, getting around the city on foot can be maddeningly confusing. Because London grew over the centuries by swallowing up neighboring villages and towns, there’s little rhyme or reason to its layout. Hence the existence of mews, the charming narrow alleys where » Read more

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Posted in Free Stuff, London, technology, United Kingdom, walking
Flash: We’ve upgraded our budget hotel search!

Flash: We’ve upgraded our budget hotel search!

Pardon the interruption to our regularly scheduled “Daily Cheapo” programming, but we have an exciting announcement: We’ve unveiled a new release of our budget hotel search engine and think you’re going to love it! Our new search engine includes all the Cheapo “bells and whistles” we could dream up to help budget travelers find the best hotel. » Read more

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Posted in Budget Deals, Cheap Hotels, CheapoNews, Cheapos at work, News, technology
Packing Question: Should you take your laptop on your trip?

Packing Question: Should you take your laptop on your trip?

The scene is all too familiar: While packing your bags back home, you spot your laptop computer. It seems to be winking at you with an all-knowing, come-hither look. “Take me with you,” it says. “Please. You know you need me!” Well, Cheapos, what do you do? Should you pack your computer or not? Can you survive » Read more

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Posted in Ask the Cheapos, Other, Practical Info, technology, tips, Trip Planning
Tech advice: Twitter for budget travelers

Tech advice: Twitter for budget travelers

Recently Twitter, the micro-blogging service and current “it” brand of the web, turned 3 years old. Yet, while most three-year olds we know spend their time observing others and imitating their parents, Twitter is busy trying to create a new communication platform (and vocabulary) for the web. Twitter for budget travelers? So what does this mean » Read more

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Posted in Entertainment, Media, News, Practical Info, technology
Calling Home: Cheap tips for staying in touch while traveling

Calling Home: Cheap tips for staying in touch while traveling

By MATT KEPNES When I travel, I look for affordable ways to stay in touch with my friends and update my family back home. Thanks to the Internet, it’s much easier to stay in touch now than it was in the past, and the cost of doing so has plummeted. For those who are looking » Read more

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Posted in Europe, Media, Other, Practical Info, technology, Trip Planning
Madrid: Places to get free Internet access

Madrid: Places to get free Internet access

Photo by kevinturner Internet Cafés are so last year. Unfortunately, foreigners and locals alike discover free Internet access in Madrid only by word of mouth. Take Spain’s mega store Corte Ingles for example. Most people don’t know there’s free Wi-Fi in all of its cafeterias. Our favorite for the best views of the city: its » Read more

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Posted in Free Stuff, Madrid, Media, Practical Info, Spain, technology