TECH TRENDS

Gadget Inspector

Keep these few gadgets on your radar for a safe, fun and manageable summer!

By Erica Rudnick Macalintal

Florida summer is in full swing, and there are loads of nifty gadgets which can make it more fun and manageable. Preparing for storm season as well as spending time outdoors can be taken to the next level with the use of some advanced technology, so keep these gadgets on your radar.

Storm prep: Hurricane season in Florida is nothing to sneeze at– every week it seems like there’s a new tropical system. While it’s important to watch local news for updated coverage, power outages are frequent and can make it difficult to keep track of what’s happening in real time. A wireless weather monitor such as the Newentor Weather Station Wireless Indoor / Outdoor Thermometer is great to keep around. Not only can you watch the changing stats when a storm is brewing, it’s a great way to keep an eye on everyday stats when storms aren’t a threat, giving you a better gauge for when numbers vary outside of their normal ranges.

And while tropical summer storms are all but inevitable, so too are the power outages that accompany them. Having a storm radio available for when things go dark is critical to being prepared. The Eton American Red Cross FRX3+ Emergency NOAA Weather Radio should be a staple in all Florida households, given that it is battery-powered or, in a pinch, powered by a manual hand crank. It also acts as a flashlight, signal beacon, and a charge station for your smart devices, which is invaluable when the time comes for keeping an eye on storm situa tions.

Savor (and beat) the heat:

Preparation is important, but luckily summer isn’t all about storms and blackouts. The (very) warm weather and sunshine allows for plenty of opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Beach days are almost mandatory and made better by incorporating tunes via portable speaker. The Willen speaker by Marshall offers great sound, water resistance, and is super cute given that it’s styled to look like a traditional guitar amplifier.

For those of us who don’t want to share our tunes with the world, some Bose QuietComfort 45 Bluetooth Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones pair to any smart device and can drown out the sounds of noisy neighbors while relaxing by the seashore.

Though, let’s face it – be it the beach, theme park or even your driveway, on bad days, Florida heat can be nothing short of stifling. Having a portable fan ready can make the difference between sweltering in despair and easily refreshing yourself. This cute O2COOL Deluxe Handheld Battery Powered Water Misting Fan is light, inexpensive, and comes in a variety of colors. Fill it with icycold water to keep yourself even more refreshed on hot summer days.