iphone vs blackberry for europe trip

Not sure it is possible to give you an answer. I think you've stated a lot of the considerations that go into whatever decision you make. Personally, I wouldn't switch to a new phone or an iPad just for the trip, especially if you admit to not being tech-saavy. If you get anything, you might start small with a Touch. You can load a lot of the useful apps on it and you can use it over there with a wifi connection.

Doris, Whether you take a Blackberry or iPhone, one thing you'll need to be extremely careful about is NOT to use the data portions of either device, as HUGE roaming charges can result. I recently saw an example where an iPhone user returned home after 2.5 weeks abroad to find a $37,000 bill waiting! There are data roaming packages that will moderate the costs to some extent, but you'll need to speak with your Cellphone customer service rep's, so that you're fully aware of the costs. An iPod Touch is a good option for music and limited internet use where Wi-Fi is available, however I've found that the small screen and keyboard are not ideal for those in the 60+ age group. As your husband has a visual disability, an iPad would provide a better display for internet browsing. As this is your first trip to Europe, you might find it helpful to read Europe Through The Back Door prior to your trip. Happy travels!

Thanks for both responses. I have read Rick Steve's guides and am excited about the trip (sooooo excited) but I want to make it fun for my husband as well. Although he just wants a phone he can call me with, I will need his assistance "navigating and coordinating" (thus the interest in an ipad) and he will need some kind of music player to listen to the prerecorded tours. I have AT&T and will get the Global roaming for the 3 weeks we are gone & I am having my voicemail forwarded to GoogleVoice. So my phone will be used only to receive phone calls from my husband (a dozen calls? - until one of us gets lost LOL!) and wifi access. I just don't find many apps for the BB and wonder if I should get an idevice for that reason - or just get an iphone for myself... still need an MP3 player for husband ...see here I go again ...

Doris, to call the limited amount you've described, I'd just stick with your current phone. There are some Blackberry apps that might be useful, but it is true that Blackberrys look more limited when compared to iPhones (or Androids, for that matter). If you think your husband would like the iPad, I'd go ahead and get one. I'm not sure I'd make the leap to an iPhone just because the trip is coming. You note you like the keyboard that Blackberrys offer. Some people hate the virtual keyboard on the screen-only phones and you might fall in to that group, so I personally wouldn't want to make the switch right before a four week trip. (Too much adjustment when you're already out of a routine.) But if you get an iPad or even a Touch, you can try out the on-screen keyboard and see what you think. Also, because the gadget isn't doing double duty as your phone, your husband can keep it when you two separate. I assume you've already ordered the Telestial phone. If not, I'll just throw in the advice that you can probably buy an inexpensive prepaid phone in Europe once you arrive that will let you roam for probably somewhat less than Telestial charges. But, if having a phone before you go is important, stick with your current plan. (Telestial and other similar companies actually are selling you a phone that is tied to a U.K. number. Getting a U.K. prepaid phone does much the same thing without the middle-man.) Have a great trip. Be adventurous.

Doris, As you'll need an MP3 player for the RS Audio Tours, the iPod Touch would be a good choice as that will cover the tours and also the Trip Advisor App. (but you'd only be able to access it where Wi-Fi is available). I'd suggest getting a Touch model with at least 16 GB of memory. Regarding the phone issue, you mentioned that you're planning to get a Global Roaming pack with AT&T (I assume that's for your Blackberry?). That will cover one of the phones you'll need. One question though - does your husband currently have a Phone? Which method to use will depend to some extent on the answer to that question. One other method you could consider would be to buy a quad band, unlocked GSM phone off E-Bay or other sites. That would provide more choice in the type of phone handset, so you'd be more likely to find a model that's comfortable for your husband to use with his "visual disability". If you buy a cheap PAYG phone in Europe OR use the Telestial phone (or one from the other "travel phone" firms), you'll have very limited choices in the type of handset. Aside from reading E-books or whatever, I'm not sure an iPad fits the situation too well. Good luck!

Thanks for your thoughtful responses. I know Telestial isn't the most economical, but we have a pregnant daughter-in-law and aging mother ...just would feel better if we had one number to give them. I will probably just keep the BB - and decide if I can interest my husband in an ipod or ipad. That will probably be as much technology as we can handle anyway!

Doris, given the need to be easily contacted from folks back home, I'd tell them to call the Blackberry number (assuming you are with AT&T and not Verizon, unless of course you have one of those hybrid Verizon phones that works in Europe). Calling an international number isn't that complicated, but it makes for added tension when one is already stressed. Much better to tell relatives to call a number they are used to calling. I think Telestial offers a local number that forwards to its international (or U.K.) number. If you use that, you will pay extra for each minute of the call, but it sounds like cost isn't the primary concern for this trip. I'd test it out when you get there to be sure it works. I have forwarded local numbers to international numbers before and it has mostly worked, but it isn't always 100%.

I have a blackberry, but my husband and I bought an iPod touch specifically for our trip to Europe last May. We loved it. We didn't have to worry about data charges, were able to hook into the free wifi around town or at our hotel, were able to use the RS travel app and the metro app (LOVED the metro app!!), took some pretty decent pictures when our big camera was stored away and email them out to our friends and family immediately. We also stored audiobooks for the long train rides. It turned out to be a pretty fantastic tool.

That is exactly what we are going to do ... and thanks for mentioning the metro app Brittany. I just need to rethink the Telestial phone at this point. Great advice from all of you.

cellomobile.com has an International Black Berry which the web site says "Truly unlimited, no hidden terms capping your data use" I would love to hear from someone who has used this. I want to get it for GPS and email. But sound like it doesn't work as a phone, so I would also have to rent a cell phone for calls. Anybody.....?