Travel Technology - Best Device for Globetrotting Father

My US-based dad frequently travels overseas for pleasure, often on several-month-long cruises stretching across dozens of countries. He likes to be able to access his email and on-board internet facilities tend to be obscenely expensive.

I use a Verizon Blackberry 8830 overseas (w/a $65/month data plan), but I don't think it would work well for him because: a) he's a bad typist with fingers, let alone thumbs, b) there's no camera on the 8830.

What would be a good device for him to carry along? Who would be a good service provider? Extra points if there's a way for him to upload and share photos or if it could double as his daily-use cell phone while he's at home. I should clarify that he doesn't need something which works at sea, just in ports or elsewhere on land.

why not suggest a netbook based soln; a combination of a netbook with a BB tethered; this way you get the compression benefits of BB for data AND access to BB data plans for pricing;

the netbook is a convenient form factor that has a webcam, sd slot, small enough for travels yet not too hard to type on..

i cannot weigh in on specific data plans unfortunately, perhaps someone can chime in with details on specific plans..

Do the Blackberry even let you use tethering when in Europe? I know my Storm with Verizon won't let it happen...

HTSC

if you have a compatible cost efficient data plan, u can tether via usb or bluetooth at least...

ps: just came across this site per chance; and saw the tmobile soln to be a viable soln conditional on wifi being available..

calls, texts, BB PIN all go through UMA, have a look here, http://www.assassin711.com/?p=92

Thanks for the idea -- I was wondering if a netbook might be the best solution for him. Would love to go with just one device though. How about a netbook + skype for voice?

netbook and all its attributes and benefits; ie skype, webcam, email, movies, trf pix from digital camera (storage), etc etc are convincing;

if your dad will be carrying a phone irregardless; then the BB comes into play since you can PIN each other at next to nothing, really takes up minute amounts of data AND for its more simplistic use; as a phone..

don't forget the advantages of each alone are multiplied when u combine both services...

I have to say I think a simple solution would be to just go to an internet cafe in each port. There is no really cheap way to stay in contact with outsiders when you are stuck on a cruiseship.

1) A netbook
2) Small good quality quad band GSM + dual band HSPA + bluetooth mobile
3) A good camera

Think:

* Prepaid data SIM cards
* Easy "tethering" - the Nokia PC suite is very good for this
* Good memories for the cruising

dont forget that he can upload images from the phone and email them back home for safe keeping, or to an internet site as his own store.

probably cheaper just to send them to you to store for his return, and to make you jealous as he enjoys his SKI* vacation.





* SKI = Spending the Kids Inheritance :D

1) A netbook
2) Small good quality quad band GSM + dual band HSPA + bluetooth mobile
3) A good camera

Think:

* Prepaid data SIM cards
* Easy "tethering" - the Nokia PC suite is very good for this
* Good memories for the cruising


exactly right...!!

SKI* holidays, heheh...

id say netbook....if he needs gps id advise him to use an iphone just cause they are more versatile than purpose built gps units and theres tonnes of navigation apps for it...some that even let you cache maps...