Mike's NBC-TV stories

Packing List

With summer officially here, chances are you will be travelling at some point.

Forgetting something or some things you need, however, can ruin a trip.

These apps can help manage and take the stress out of packing.

Packpoint is much more than a list app. Users input details such as length of stay along with planned activities – everything from working out and eating to going to the beach. The app then generates a list of what you should pack based on yout variables. And don’t worry, the list is fully customizable so it can be changed as needed. Packpoint is free and available for iOS and Android with premium services available for small charge.

Packing Pro might just be the most comprehensive packing app around. The app allows you to plan for multiple trips and people at the same time. It starts with a to-do list and continues with an essentials list, and has reminders for anything users might have to take care of during their trip – even stuff to do after it’s over. Packing Pro is $2.99 for iOS.

Travel List is a great choice for those who want a minimalist approach to packing. You create lists and check items off after packing– leaving a list only of what’s left to pack. Travel List also has customizable alerts, such as the one that can remind users to recharge camera batteries nightly. It can help manage multiple trips in the works. Travel List is $1.99 for iOS.

Mike is a veteran journalist whose video "PC Mike" reports have been distributed weekly to all 215 NBC-TV stations since 1994, making him one of the most experienced tech reporters in the country. His tech stories and videos have appeared on MSNBC, CNBC, the Today Show, The New York Times, USA Today and in numerous national newspapers and magazines. In addition to the PC Mike tech blog, he also publishes the Roadtreking.com RV Travel Blog in which he travels North America in an RV reporting about interesting people and places.