I guess the battery life on a cellphone would be the killer in not using those apps. Recharging portable battery bricks as I found out with last years tour can be an annoying process, especially when one is stealth camping 90% of the time. If Spot didn't lock you into a year long contract, that would be a very good option.

I guess the old fashioned way of just updating facebook via location check-ins (did I just say old fashioned??) will have to suffice.