Data usage for audio tours

Brain fade by ATand T.
Unless they think you are using cell data connection for the turn by turn nav,rather than just GPS which will work just fine without

candy,

I'm assuming you're referring to the RS audio tours?

It sounds like the AT&T rep. didn't have a clue what he/she was talking about (something I've noticed on several occasions with cell firm rep's). AFAIK the RS tours operate just like any other audio file and don't access the internet, and therefore don't need cellular data (unless of course you store the file "in the cloud").

You can easily test this by switching "Off" both Wi-Fi and cellular data on your iPhone, and then open the audio tour or other music files. They should all play normally. I just tested that on my 4S and that's the result I got.

In any case, you will need to address the issue of cellular data when you're travelling, as data roaming charges can be HUGE. If you don't think you'll need to access the internet or E-mail at all except in Wi-Fi areas, then it would be a really good idea to disable cellular data as soon as you leave home. The cost they quoted of $130 for each phone seems a bit steep. Given my location I don't use AT&T but hopefully Ed or one of the others will have further information on what type of travel roaming plans are available from AT&T.

You'll also need to consider a voice and text travel plan. Keep in mind that anyone calling your home number while you're away will simply be dialing a local number in your home area, but YOU will pay for each incoming call (usually billed in one minute increments, even if you only use 10 seconds). Calls received in the wee hours of the morning from someone that didn't bother to check the time difference are especially annoying.

Don't forget Plug Adaptors for the iPhone Charger.

Jen. Happy Easter and thank you for your great explanation. I will show to AT&T rep when we go back. Great customer service.

I just downloaded the Rick's tour last night to my iphone and the app says you only need data to download - once on there they will not access data.

I (think) I am planning to add voice text and data to my ATT phone - going to do the 300MB data for $60, the 50 text for $10 and the 30 min. of voice for $30... I hope that's enough. But even if you go over, it's still $1 min for calls, and I think another $30 for 120MB and 40 cents per text. So it won't be out of control I would guess. I just need to figure out how I check the usage and make sure I'm not over. And I'm planning to turn off cellular data unless I am actively using it, hopefully keeping some dumb thing from sucking up my data!

assuming you are referring to the RS audiotours, you will need a connection to download the audiotours, but once its on the device, you don't need a connection as it will be self contained on the device. You will not be using data to listen to the audio tours.

I used RS audio tours downloaded to a MP3 player -- so obviously internet data connection is not necessary to play the audio, just to download. (But the player sucked up battery !!)

I am likely not on the right spot to post this but could not find anywhere else more appropriate. Sort of falls into the Tech string.

I travel a fair bit and often take my 22 year old daughter. I had asked her to download some of Rick Steve's Audio Tours to her phone, which she never did when we traveled recently to Greece and then again to Italy. She did however do it recently while she was finishing up her University - year abroad, in England just this summer. She hit about 8 European countries and downloaded a number of Rick's audio tours. She absolutely loved them and was so sorry she did not do them when we traveled together earlier. Thank you Rick for doing these as it is really enhances what people see when they are too tired to refer to or to carry books. I plan on using them from now on, of course a long with his great guide books. When we see other people reading Rick's books while abroad we always say hello and say how much we love him. It is like an instant connection.

And yes....once downloaded at home you do not need to be connected to the internet to use them in the field. Just turn on your phone.