Smartphones are taking over the world. This is no joke. They do almost anything these days, check the weather, use GPS tracking, even talk to you! I recently got the iPhone 4G and trust me, I'm putting it to good use. I've even checked out some iPhone (and other smartphone) applications that make traveling a little easier. Southwest Airlines: this app lets you check your flight status, change reservations, get early check-in, and even rent a car with the click of a button. You don't even need tickets, they are all right on your phone. It works for Android, Blackberry and iPhone as well as having a mobile site for other smartphones. Google Translate (my personal favorite) allows you to speak directly to your phone and have the word or phrase repeated back to you in over 50 languages. Talk about useful? You can also star your most used translations for quick access later on. As of now, its only available to the iPhone and Android. Here's another, CurCon Currency Converter: Traveling out of the country is hard enough, but currency conversions are the worst. Now, CurCon, available to iPhone, quickly translates over 107 currencies and updates regularly to make sure you always have the right change, down to the last pound. The SitOrSquat app brings "emergency" solutions to a whole new level. Not only can you find the closest public bathroom at the touch of a button, but you are also supplied with information about the bathrooms' cleanliness and availability. Now that's what I call service. Urban Spoon, available to Blackberry and iPhone, gives you pictures, reviews, and locations of restaurants near your current location. It allows you to connect with friends via Facebook and see what places they recommend. And, for those of us who have trouble making decisions, Urban Spoon even has a "shuffle" option that will choose a place for you.
Ellen Studer
BestWeekends.com

Do the airlines think we're stupid? Obviously they must because they continue to add fees to already high airline ticket prices. A few years ago when things were really tough, the airlines introduced a number of fees for things that had been free forever. We kind of understood at the time, but it just continues to get worse. Those low fares they advertise are fraudulent because they don't really exist.

I'm a member of the Spirit $9 Fare which is probably the biggest culprit of fraudulent fees. There is no $9 fare because when you start out at $9, add taxes, seating, baggage and so forth, the final charge doesn't resemble anywhere near $9.

Here's a little chart to illustrate the point courtesy of USA Today:
                               Seating              Ticket Change           1st Bag
American                $4-39                    $150                        $25
Continental             $19+                     $150                        $25
Delta                      $80-160                 $150                        $25
JetBlue                   $10-40                   $100                        $0
Spirit                      $10-25                   $115-125                 $28-38
Southwest               $0                         $0                           $0

So, based on the above and all other things being equal....who should you fly with?