Tech Topic 67: Tech Tips for Stress-Free Summer Travel

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This week the OnEBoard crew shared tips for using Google's AI-powered tools to prepare for summer travels . 

This week's backgrounds in Google Meet were travel-inspired. Bob used a photo of the mountains, while Nina and Peggy showed a tropical beach. 

Bob Danley: Use Gemini to find the cheapest flights


What Google Flights in the Gemini app can and cannot do (click to enlarge).

Bob used Gemini 2.5 Pro to find an inexpensive flight between Missoula and Chicago. His prompt included the instruction to "find the cheapest cost" and the time frame he wished to travel in. 

He used the Gemini app (gemini.google.com), and notes that this is not available if you use Gemini in Google Docs. 
  • Set the model to Gemini 2.5 Pro
  • In the Gemini Settings > Apps enable Google Flights.
Bob says: "It does it really quickly and in fact it will open up Google flights in case you don't like what it gave you and you can change the parameters."

Bonus tip: "When you get to the airport take a deep breath and slow down. Think about what you're doing." If you rush you may make mistakes or leave something behind.

Nina Trankova: Prepare your mobile phone for travel

Nina shared her checklist for making sure her mobile plan, devices and accounts are ready for travel. 

  • She makes sure her mobile plan has unlimited mobile data. 
  • If you have sensitive financial documents in cloud storage, remove it before you leave so it can't be compromised if it's lost or stolen.
  • Make sure your device has plenty of storage. 
  • Charge your devices and carry a spare battery, especially if you are traveling in the mountains (or other locations) where you can't easily plug in your phone.
  • Add an emergency phone number on your phone's home screen, in case it's lost.
  • Turn off location services for apps that don't need it (and don't post on social media live, because that reveals your house is unoccupied).
Nina's Gemini prompt: "Give me a list of suggestions to protect my data on the go in Italy. I'm a European citizen." Get the full Gemini-generated list of tips. 

Bonus tip 1: Use Gemini to create a packing list customized for your destination. Nina used the prompt "For our summer travel we are visiting our daughters in the Dolomites, Italy. Our flight is booked on 25 August. Ask me 5 questions for my packing list."

Bonus tip 2: Nina also notes that appointment booking slots in Google Calendar are automatically unavailable during an upcoming trip. Learn more about bookable appointment schedules in Google Calendar.

Peggy Kolm: Research travel destinations with YouTube's AI-powered search results


Info about YouTube's AI-powered search results carousel (click to enlarge).

If your search on YouTube is related to a place or things to do in a specific place, you may see an AI-powered carousel with relevant clips from videos. That will also have descriptions and links to more videos. Perfect for travel research!

This is currently only available to YouTube Premium subscribers in the United States. Learn more about experimental features for YouTube Premium subscribers at youtube.com/new.

OnEBoard will be back with 3 Tips in 10 Minutes on July 13.

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