Changes in travel technology?
 

I have not been to Europe since 2009 and I wonder what has changed in terms of travel tech, particularly in Switzerland.

Phones -- I used to use calling cards because they were cheap, phone booths were ubiquitous, and it was no big deal if they were lost or stolen. Are smart phones the way to go these days or some manner of pay-as-you-go phone? Or are phone cards still viable? I don't need to be hyper-connected while I'm vacation.

Guide books -- Do the major guidebooks come in electronic form for smart phones or tablets?

Air travel -- Do I still have to take a plane to Europe or have transporters been invented yet?

Thanks!

I can't answer your question about phones.

As for guidebooks, some do come in electronic formats, while others do not (yet). Fortunately for you, two of my favorite guide books for Switzerland -- the Rough Guide and the Lonely Planet, are both available for the Kindle. I don't know about other electronic options.

One of the joys of travel in Switzerland is taking just about every form of public transportation that is, to date, known to man. :-) If transporters are an option, I missed them.

Enjoy! And do let us know how that teleportation option works out for you ... if you can.

Don't know about calling cards. I bought a smart phone for my last trip - unlocked quad-band LG from amazon along with a "universal" SIM from ekit.com. Cheapest way to go would be a used unlocked quad-band (not smart) from ebay with a SIM bought in Switzerland.

I bought - or rather, I should say that I THOUGHT I bought -- one of those ekit phones before going to Switzerland last year. Unfortunately, I ordered the wrong model and it did not work; I didn't have time to place a revised order before I left. So, if you pursue this option -- and I honestly thought it would be a great one -- be sure you know EXACTLY which features you need. (I'm sorry I can't tell you what the problems were -- I no longer remember.)

Phone: There are many options depending on your usage model. What is your usage? Calling locally from your hotel room? Calling internationally from your hotel room? Receiving calls while on the road? Communicating specific people at home at specific time, etc?

Guide books: many do come in electronic form, but what is your usage? Research before you go? Read when you are sitting down at cafe? Reference while on streets? It is harder to mark a page on an electronic media to flip to a specif location quickly. Also, different display technology benefit different usage model. E-ink displays are readable even under bright sunlight, but if your usage is indoor while sitting down, E-ink devices are slower than the LED devices, but LED devices are not readable under bright sun. Quick scribbling is possible on paper media, but not on electronic media.

One can still buy a prepaid international calling card also (actually just a slip nowadays with the PIN access # on it).
For 10 CHF, I made a lot of phone calls! one brand in Switzerland is "FLASH", available at most kiosks.

Thanks everyone!