DATA USAGE IS SAPPING OUR DEVICES
But snapping pictures doesn’t sap a device’s battery – data usage does. Smartphones in airplane mode last remarkably long. Michaela Mannion, 47, spent four days caving in Vietnam last June, taking hundreds of images and videos. She recharged her iPhone just once to about 50 per cent, and emerged with plenty of battery to spare.
“I captured not only the beauty of nature to my heart’s content, but also enjoyed it without constant messages and notifications,” she said.
The truth is, we’re running our smartphone batteries to the ground because we’re chronically online. Beyond the necessities of navigation apps and on-the-go information checks, leisure travellers are often plugged to social media and messaging platforms. Worse, they may be peeking at work emails.
I used to scoff at tourists wandering around while livestreaming themselves, unaware that their outstretched arms and running commentary are a public nuisance. I couldn’t understand why anyone would invest time, effort and money on travelling, yet drift through UNESCO landmarks and trendy restaurants with their spirit lodged in a virtual dimension.
MOMENTS WORTH SHARING ONLINE
But now, my attitude is kinder, even at tourist hotspots like the Trevi Fountain. After COVID-19 brought travel to a halt, I count my blessings – every getaway is a privilege that people should enjoy however they like.
If being in constant contact with friends and receiving a flow of social media updates makes sightseeing enjoyable, then we can’t deny that these elements are part of any itinerary in this new era of travel.
