(NAPSA)—Sleeping bags, tent, ice cooler and...a GPS navigation device? As families hit the road for a vacation, they may pack the proverbial station wagon with more gadgetry than travelers past. Fortunately, technology can also help lighten the load. Whether for entertainment or —_-o = = utility, people increasingly use mobile technology to stay con- nected while they travel. The wide range of affordable hightech products can also make family vacations all the more enjoyable. Instead of overloading the car with Lego bricks and coloring books, many parents are taking along all-in-one gadgets, such as smartphones, to keep children entertained. Kids stay busy surf- ing the Web, playing games and snapping photos. Smartphones, such as the Palm Treo smartphone, combine a mobile phone, Internet access, e-mail, organizer, games and more into one compact device. And, for those who wantto maximize battery life, a separate Treo TripKit conveniently stows a car charger, extra battery and more in one neat traveling pouch. Not only can parents avoid overpacking the car with a DVD player, laptop and other unneces- sary luggage, but these all-in-one devices can help keep the whole family happy. Parents can use The latest, smartest, all-in-one phones may soon become a favorite vacation accessoryfor on-the-go families. with the built-in camera. 3. Replace crumpled maps and avoid getting lost with a portable GPS device accessory, such as the Palm GPS Navigator. 4. Sing along to the family’s favorite songs downloaded on the smartphone’s MP3player. 5. Instantly e-mail vacation photos to friends and family. 6. Edit last-minute Word or Excel documents for work. 7. Organize a Tic-Tac-Toe con- test for the kids using the digital note pad. 8. Find the nearest gas station, restaurant or motel using Palm’s GPS Navigator database containing more than 4.5 million landmarks. 9. Keep children entertained smartphonesto: 1. Track expenses for gas, food with their favorite TV show using interesting roadside landmarks eBook to help pass the time. and last-minute supplies. 2. Let children snap photos of applications such as MobiT’V(sold separately). 10. Download and read an
