Many still use smartphones on vacation

Easy online access and the popularity of personal electronic devices mean that an increasing number of people are staying connected while on vacation, researchers report.

"Not that long ago, travelers would need to find a payphone or send postcards to brag about their vacations. Now they just log on and send photos and text," study co-author Christine Vogt, a professor of community agriculture, recreation and resource studies at Michigan State University, said in a university news release.

The new study found that the number of people using smartphones has tripled recently. In addition, wireless use is now greater when people are on vacation (40 percent) than at home (25 percent), and folks are more likely to use the Internet to plan vacations (80 percent) than for work (70 percent).

-- HealthDay