TEN TRAVEL GADGETS WE LOVE Technology! It seems like every day there’s some new gadget that’s making our lives easier or giving us the ability to do things we didn’t know we wanted to do. It’s so hard to keep up and sometimes the constant chase makes us wonder if we’re missing the entire point of travel – that is, pursuing unadulterated experiences in foreign places. Of course, we recognize that trips are not always for play, and sometimes it’s hard not to take advantage of the useful apps and devices we have under our fingertips. For our tech-savvy readers out there, here are some really exciting new-ish items that even we feel the need to bring on our next trip.
10 The Tylt Energi 2K is keeping things cool. Not literally, but figuratively with its slick design and eye-popping color options. This little pack is a powerful charger – just plug it into the wall to charge before you set out, pack it before you leave and flick it on when your phone or other device starts to run low. The LED indicator light on the front will let you know when Energi 2K is getting tired itself, but that won’t be before at least juicing your phone back up to full charge. It’s also pretty exciting that you can charge both the Energi 2K and your device at the same time. That’s like, infinite charge right there. Mind blowing.
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09 Let’s face it – hotels without Wi-Fi are kind of behind the times these days, but we’ve all been to those remote places where a DSL or cable modem is as good as it’s gonna get. Apple’s Airport Express can help. Simply plug the little box into the available Internet wire, and then into a power source. Your iOS device will pick up the signal, and an simple setup assistant will have you working by wireless in no time. On Windows, you can download the Airport Utility for free.
08 We’re kind of envisioning that the Tile will become our new best friend (bff), once it’s fully available and in action. It’s a little Bluetooth fob that can attach to basically anything – we’re thinking computer, tablet, keys, cat, etc. – and transmits a signal to an app on your phone when it’s nearby. You can tell when you’re hot and cold in terms of proximity to your lost item, and there’s a little alarm activator that emits a sound to make your search easier. Even if you’re not within the necessary radius of your item, other phones with the Tile app can search for your tile and let you know if (and when) it’s found. It’s like a crowd-sourced lost and found – finally.
07 Space. It’s on everyone’s mind. Are they sending normal people there yet? Do I want to go there? Not sure. But I do know that free space on my iPhone is always a concern. Gone are the days when you’re too nervous to sync your entire iTunes library to a device that looks tiny but everyone says it’s big but you’ll believe it when you see it. Simultaneously, gone are the days when your phone dies by 5pm from using too much Instagram or Twitter while touring rome or trekking in Nepal. The sleek Mophie Space Pack is a battery pack AND a storage device, meaning you can store thousands
more pictures and songs, and a few more movies, too. And get 100% additional battery time. And it’s a protective case. It’s an iTunes addict’s hero.
06 Nothing worse than crying kids on the plane. Even if they’re your kids, you can probably sympathize with what I’m saying. Ears get sensitive on planes (is that scientifically true?) and every noise is just, like, 1000 times worse than it is down on Earth. I know it’s hard for parents to travel with kids – I understand they don’t just have audio switches that you can turn on and off. So, I’ll just tune your kids out with a pair of noise cancelling headphones like the in-ear Bose QuietComfort 20i. Yes, they’re in-ear AND noise cancelling, meaning you don’t have to wear huge ear-muff headphones and constantly field questions regarding whether or not you’re a DJ. Because you won’t be able to hear them – the questions. These are also, like, $300, but what price tag do you put on a quiet journey? What about years of quiet journeys? Suddenly this seems like a sound investment. You’re welcome.
05 This next box-shaped item on our list of box-shaped items is white and green. More importantly, it’s one of those really cool power adapters (but not converters) that have a plug for every plug – at least the four most popular plugs – worldwide. Even better, when you plug in your item that you’re now physically able to plug in thanks to the Satechi Travel Router/ Travel Adapter, you can also plug in one more item that charges through a USB port, at the same time. Because this box has a USB port, too. You know what else it does? This box acts as a router, repeater, access point and client, which are all technical words that mean it can help supply and amplify wireless Inter
net in four types of situations. If you’re in one of those situations, we’ll assume you know what you need: this little box. (Sorry, we’re into travel here, not technologies.)
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04 When I think of packing for a trip, I usually forget one or all of the wires I’m going to need – phone, camera, laptop chargers – you know, life sustaining devices here. The Grid It is an organizational tool that reminds you of that money clip wallet with the magic elastic bands that your uncle had and demonstrated to you often. It comes in all different sizes but I’d imagine that you’d want a size that would fit in your carry-on, since that’s where wires go, right? I don’t think I’d store my phone in it because my phone goes in my hand, duh, but for things like iPods, chargers, adaptors, pens – all those things that get lost in your bag easily – the Grid It makes a lot of sense.
03 Don’t bring your laptop on vacation. It’s too heavy – you’ll regret it. Trust me. Instead, get the KeyFolio Pro 2 Removable Keyboard Case for your iPad! Poor iPads do get a bad rap for being a bit dysfunctional since they’re like lesser version of your actual laptop that has an expansive keyboard with keys that make such special clicking noises and spend tons of time with your fingers. An iPad can’t even go on your lap, which is the place for all special items like pets, children and cloth napkins, because it doesn’t have a keyboard. All the iPad is good for is watching movies and playing addictive games with birds. The Kensington iPad case has a compact, detachable Bluetooth keyboard built in so you can use your tablet for more meaningful work and your tablet won’t get a Napoleon complex. This product is really less about your convenience and more about empowering your iPad. Make the little guy happy. Go on.
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02 This tiny little projector (not even the smallest we’ve seen) is giving habitual wallet-photo-album-sharers a whole new playing field. Did you ever expect your friend/neighbor/ grandmother to project images of his/her grandkids and pets on your wall instead of dropping a metre’s worth of attached, plastic-protected images from a worn-out wallet? No? Well now that’s possible, for better or worse. Brookstone’s Pocket Projector Mobile puts images, video and games from your smartphone, computer, tablet and/or camera up on the big screen – the nearest wall – and does serious damage for the world’s demand on reading glasses. It’s got built-in speakers and focus control, and can run at full capacity for up to two hours – the perfect amount of time to share your African safari pics with your friends. Now that’s a lot of reminiscing.
01 We seriously don’t know what some airlines are thinking – like, there’s actually a flight on United Airlines that flies from California to Australia without personal in-flight entertainment screens at each Economy seat. Although inflight entertainment is a long way from being considered a basic human need, the lack of personal choice between watching repeat episodes of the Office (American version) or the newest Oscar winning movies is serious case of #firstworldproblems that we don’t want to suffer from. If you’re lucky enough to have your own tablet, (which I’m sure many of you, our savvy readers, do!) the Skyview Travel Seatback Mount is worth investing in. It hooks up to your tray table fastener, whether it’s open or closed, and holds your tablet or e-reader perfectly in front of your face. It’s perfect for reading or movies, especially if you’re taking a long haul with the little ones!