Author: Rebecca

Regardless of where you’re traveling, why, or with whom, your smartphone will be going with you.

Because mobile devices like smartphones and tablets go with us, no matter what, there are some very important travel hacks, including finding the most powerful portable charger, that can make all the difference to your convenience or frustration level while you’re away.

Pew Research Center data shows that almost two out of every three Americans is a smartphone owner.

Moreover, Pew’s data also says that nearly half of all Americans own a tablet. When traveling, we don’t like to leave those devices behind. Just as you wouldn’t go anywhere without packing your toothbrush and spare pairs of underwear, your smartphone is something you won’t leave home without. That said, while your toothbrush can be used as many times as you want, your mobile devices do have a limited battery life. To overcome that problem, you’ll want to pack the most powerful portable charger you can find, not just any little battery pack.

Having the most powerful portable charger means that, no matter the delays you face, you’ll still have enough battery.

Other handy tips? Consider the following:

• Connect to WiFi when you can – tons of airports, restaurants, coffee shops, train stations and malls offer free WiFi. Use that whenever you can so you can shrink your data usage.
• Download music playlists and movies – do this before you leave. That way, you don’t have to rely on data or WiFi for the entertainment you want (and need) while you’re stuck in airplane mode, don’t have a connection, or don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for roaming data.
• Roam wisely – if you are going to be traveling a lot – particularly internationally – it might be worth your while to investigate plans that are designed for usage outside the US. You can choose options specific to other countries to which you’ll be traveling regularly, or you can find a plan that will cover lots of different places so you’ll have affordable service no matter where you go.
• Keep your power bank charged – don’t forget that even if you have the most powerful portable charger out there, you have to juice it up before you go!

The government of the United Kingdom has partnered up with the GSMA to use tech to help.

The U.K. Department for International Development (DFID) has now funded a project that will be conducted by the GSM Association (GSMA), a mobile operator group, which will use mobile technology in order to help to combat poverty among people living in developing nations.

The purpose of the use of these mobile devices will be to help to enhance the quality of life in areas of extreme poverty.

The DFID will be funding the effort as the GSMA creates and implements mobile technology that will help to batter the response in catastrophes such as natural disasters. It is also meant to help to ensure that people have access to safe drinking water and that women will be able to have access to the use of financial services. This new partnership, says the U.K. government, will be important in overcoming extreme poverty as well as gender inequality. It is also meant to “promote decent work and economic growth, innovation and infrastructure.”

The United Kingdom has been battling extreme poverty for a decade and is now adding mobile technology to boost its effectiveness.

Nick Hurd, the international development minister, explained that the United Kingdom has placed itself “at the forefront of bringing the battle against extreme poverty into the digital era,” over the last decade. He also went on to add that “With more people in developing countries using mobiles than ever before, this partnership with the GSMA and its members will increase access to banking services, especially for women, bring access to energy to many for the first time and even vital health information.”

The hope is that this opportunity for boosting the development of mobile tech in these areas will both change and save lives, while giving women the opportunity they need to take hold of their own potential. This will allow those economies to experience meaningful growth and will make it possible for Britain to establish trade with them.

Mobile technology provides an affordable way to bring communication and tools within reach of those who need it most.