travel

Hipmunk travel search apps now connect to your calendar

Quirky and innovative travel search service Hipmunk has just updated its mobile apps (Android | iOS) with a nifty new calendar integration feature. As of today, the already powerful travel apps can now take inventory of your Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar, or Apple iCal events, and overlay its findings on your travel search results pages. This can be an especially useful tool for business travelers with difficult schedules.

If you haven't used Hipmunk before, it's a Kayak-like travel search service on the Web and mobile devices. What makes it unique is its capability to factor in things like departure … Read more

Get a DataJack MiFi Hotspot for $49.99

For frequent and infrequent travelers alike, nothing beats the convenience of a mobile hot spot.

Folks who travel a lot will probably want something with unlimited data and 4G service, but occasional users may want to consider a more affordable solution.

Here's one: DataJack has the MiFi 2200 mobile hot spot for $49.99, plus around $10 for shipping, when you use coupon code DEALNEWS1.

That purchase also entitles you to a free month of service, albeit with DataJack's low-end, 200MB data plan. Thankfully, there's no contract here, so you can let your service expire if you … Read more

Get a Dell Inspiron 11z 11.6-inch laptop for $299.99

So that was fun yesterday, doing that guest spot on CNBC -- right up until the feed mysteriously went black. Conspiracy theorists, have at it: Was there some overzealous Apple fanboy manning the broadcast, not liking my comments about the new iPad? It's funny how many people suggested that possibility.

Anyway, if you're looking for further proof that the iPad is a little out-of-whack, price-wise, check this out: While supplies last, Dell has the Inspiron 11z (1121) 11.6-inch laptop for $299.99 shipped (plus sales tax in some states).

That's a pretty amazing price for a … Read more

SeatGuru mobile app barely gets off the ground

I can think of few Web sites that would benefit more from a good mobile app than SeatGuru, a much-loved service that tells you which seats on airplanes are good, and which are not. I never book a flight without checking it out.

The service finally has a mobile site. It's a useful app to have, but it's not a good app. It could have been so much more.

The best bit is that you can just put your airline and flight number into the app to see a map of the seats on the plane. That gives … Read more

Is FAA gadget policy about to change?

When you get on a plane, you don't merely have to suspend your sense of time and space--you also have to place your disbelief in the overhead locker.

The idea that your cell phone or your iPad can interfere with navigation systems seems a little extreme, when pilots themselves are now increasingly using iPads in their cockpits.

And will he or she who has--at one time or another--not forgotten to turn off their cell phone on a flight please stand for president of the new Self-Righteous Party.

There is a possibility, though, that the Federal Aviation Administration might be … Read more

Google's Flight Search goes international

Google Flight Search, a fare-finding utility that riled up parts of the airline industry, has broadened its reach beyond the United States.

Previously, the tool was for flights within the U.S. Now international destinations are an option, according to a blog post today from product manager Eric Zimmerman.

"At this stage we've included more than 500 airports outside the U.S.," Zimmerman said. "If your ideal destination isn't yet available, we're working hard on expanding our global coverage and adding more routes in the future. Our goal is to make booking travel as … Read more

Get a 15.6-inch HP laptop for $299.99

In the market for a starter or entry-level laptop? You know, the kind that's good for things like word processing, Web browsing, and e-mail? Good for students and grandparents and folks with simplistic needs?

Look no further: While supplies last, Best Buy has the HP 2000-416dx 15.6-inch laptop for $299.99 shipped (not including sales tax). Surprisingly, it's new, not refurbished.

Not to gush, but that is just an amazing price. Granted, the HP won't win any speed awards (or, for that matter, design awards), but it covers all the computing bases well enough.

To wit: … Read more

XCom Global Wi-Fi service: 0 to addicted in 24 hours

BARCELONA, Spain--Even with some significant engine trouble, it took me a day to go from zero to addicted to XCom Global's MiFi rental service for travelers.

TheInter Communications subsidiary offers a handy service--$14.95 a day to rent a mobile MiFi network access point with unlimited data access when you're traveling abroad.

The price looks painful until you compare it to the alternative: I just paid my French carrier, SFR, a whopping 19 euros (more than $25) for a measly 40MB of data while I'm at the Mobile World Congress show here. And carrier gouging isn'… Read more

Optimize your road trip itinerary with OnTheWay

Road trips can be a blast, but sometimes recommendations can come too late. If you don't want to get back home only to hear about the amazing Corn Museum or outsider artist you passed by en route, check out OnTheWay, which mashes up Google Maps and Foursquare data to show you the best stuff to see along the way.

Here's how to use it:

Point your browser to OnTheWay. (It has a great mobile look, but I used it on my laptop.) You may want to connect to Foursquare first; you can get better recommendations that way. Click … Read more