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A smartphone is a versatile device, the successor to the mobile phone, capable of a multitude of function which can be very very useful to hitchhikers. As of 2017 smartphones and mobile network coverage are ubiquitous in modern society in first-world countries, the consequence being that the average cost of the device as well as communication and mobile internet have fallen to the point of being a worthwhile investment for someone planning to hitchhike, if they don't owe one already.
This article intends to show all the uses, most of which have no cost, a smartphone can give in hitchhiking.
==Why get a phone at all?==
If your goal is to get lost in the world, and way from dependence on any kind of technology as a principle, then yes you don't need a phone. Remember though that, if you're hitchhiking, you're already dependent on technology, and high-technology at that: Cars.
But if the point of hitchhiking for you is to be able to go anywhere and see places, using as little money as possible and wasting as little time as possible (time is also money), then consider the cost and weight of these useful travel items: Map, GPS, flashlight, calculator, currency converter, books and, of course, phone. All of those are included, free of charge and weightless, in a smartphone.
==Why get a smartphone?==
==Wifi==
Another thing in society that is everywhere in modern society is internet, but more usefully, '''Wifi''' (wireless internet) and '''free Wifi internet hotspots''' are everywhere. That means in many places you need only ask for the password of the internet of the establishment you're in to get access. As a consequence of this also, '''cybercafés''' has almost completely died out, making it hard for a "deviceless" person to access the internet. Good news for hitchhikers is that free wifi is common on '''gas stations''' on European highways and, once more, in any '''McDonald's'''.
Internet is useful for hitchhiking mainly to check '''Hitchwiki''' for a good spot in the city you're in, or to check '''Google Maps''' (bundled with most phones) for your location. Furthermore, '''don't need a SIM card''' to take advantage of this. If you're dropped off somewhere in a city you don't know, simply ask people around for the nearest '''McDonalds''' (everyone will know where it is) or just head towards the '''city center''' - one will be there for sure.
You could try asking you parents also what internet deal they have at home since nowadays most families have a package which includes digital cable television, internet at home, and several SIM cards usually with unlimited calls and internet. The cost of one extra SIM card in those packages would be negligible but for you it can mean use of calls and plenty of mobile data automatically everywhere in Europe.
==Useful appsUses=====Google Maps==='''Google Maps''' is an application bundled with most smartphones, thus free. It works as a GPS and can, if connected to the internet, show you a map of any place in the world. Moreover, there is an option to '''download''' an area of map so that you will be able to use it '''even if not connected to the internet'''. Not only that, but most phones have a GPS (global positioning system) which tell you, anywhere on earth where you are, and yes, Google Mapscan tell you where you are with this even without internet. And all of this is free, takes up less space and is more useful than a physical map.Also useful in Google Maps is the fact that, if you're connected to the internet (through mobile date or Wifi from the nearest McDonalds or whatever) then it can give you directions from where you are to where you want to go by car. This is very useful because, to get out of a town back into the highway, a hitchhiker has too look for the on-ramp leading up to the highway or at least something on the way, and as a pedestrian, to the naked eye, this is not always obvious. Put if you ask Google Maps for the directions to the next city, via the highway, from your current position, and select the mode of transportation as '''car''' (public transport, by bike or on foot are the other options) you can then follow the path on the map that cars will have to take to get where you're going and finding a good hitchhiking spot will be much easier. Plus, since the GPS will keep working even after you've left the range of the free Wifi, you can keep following the map till you get there. ===Currency Converter===There are many free apps that can convert an amount in one currency to another so you can check prices. Not critical, but always nice to have since it's free. ===Internet Browser===All smartphones include a web browser.In the context of hitchhiking the most useful places to visit are:'''Hitchwiki map''' - So you can find the next good hitchhiking spot and useful info.Also check out the '''Hitchwiki Map''' and '''Trustroots''''''Couchsurfing''' - So you can find places to sleep for free if you really needUber===e-book Reader===You can carry some books around when you travel, for those long waiting times, but they weigh you down, and are not absolutely necessary. And if you'd like to read them at night when your camping in a tent, you'd need some light source, which requires batteries. Instead you could get an e-book reader app and download books from the internet. You can get an infinite amount of classic books for free in English and other languages.''''Aldiko''' is a good app. It has a very useful '''night mode''' which switches the background color to black instead of white so it doesn't hurt your eyes at night and it also doesn't use a lot of battery if you use it wisely. And of course, since the screen is backlit, you don't need to have a flashlight pointed at a book to read in the dark. ===Flashlight===But if you need a '''flashlight''' see better in the dark, again, it comes included with most phones, even some non-smartphones.