Jaunted

The tech-assisted writers were both hampered by Moscow's slow data network, which made downloading information tedious. This also caused their batteries to run low and sometimes to go dead. Because the assignment was in February, the iPhone-assisted writer also complained of frozen fingers, since the gadget can't read a touch through a glove. In addition, he said, he could have left his hotel an hour earlier each day had he been planning his itinerary on a laptop "instead of zooming in and out of Web pages and tediously typing on-screen." Staring at the tiny screen, he added, also cuts you off from the people around you, and makes it hard to fully appreciate your surroundings.

This couldn't be truer. When we visited Paris last fall our father-in-law insisted on trying to find the way to tourist attractions by using his new iPhone and it's Google Maps and GPS functions. Often, he would still be standing on a corner waiting for the map to download while we were prancing our way to the Metro station with our Access Paris guidebook leading the way. However, we did like using the iPhone's French Phrases application which makes it easier for better pronunciation.

What are your experiences using guidebooks instead of cellphones? Are guidebooks tried and true or do cellphones get you where you want to be faster? Let us know in comments below.

Related Stories:
· Conde Nast Traveler: Guidebook beat smartphones [Contra Costa Times]
· Get Smart? Testing the iPhone and the Blackberry Bold [Concierge.com]