anglotopia.netIn the analog vs. digital debate, another test case: Paul Croughton of the Times of London pitted an app-rich iPhone against a lowly guidebook. A sneak preview of his conclusions:
In fact, none of the London guides on the iPhone beats having a guidebook with you. Yes, phones are smaller and lighter, and using them means that you don’t instantly look like a tourist (although you might still be a target for pickpockets if you’re waving an iPhone about). But the apps can be fiddly and time-consuming, and they drain your phone’s battery something rotten. Which means you’re then stuck in a new city with no guide and no phone. And not even Apple can save you then.
Some of the more specific apps, however, are worth having, especially those that use GPS technology to personalise the information you receive. So, next time I travel, I’ll pack a guidebook, but I’ll browse the iTunes store to see if there’s a nifty little app that tells me where the nearest cab rank is, which platform I need to find on the subway and how to ask “Can I recharge my phone in your restaurant, please?” in Cantonese.
Read the full account of his test here. And what have your experiences been?
Frank@OBOW
