Technology and solos Gadgets and apps can help solo travellers stay in touch and keep healthy

TECHNOLOGY

What to tech on your travels

Gadgets and apps can help solo travellers stay in touch and keep healthy and happy. Kim Benjamin looks at some of the latest and most useful trends

Innovations in technology mean it’s easier than ever before to stay connected, be entertained and share experiences while travelling. Technology can also enhance our health and wellbeing and provide an element of safety and security, an important aspect for all travellers, particularly in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic.

We’ve taken a look at the latest technology gadgets that can enhance solo travel, helping people to stay in touch, monitor health and even check if food is gluten-free, as well as listing essential apps to help you make the most of your time away.

Portable battery power banks are a must. Opt for ones that will stay charged for a few days rather than hours. With the range of power banks available, you can have anything from a stick-like lipstick-style design, such as one from Anker, to Jackery Bolt’s stylish compact aluminium offering, to ones that look like a slim book. If you have several devices with you, invest in one with triple chargers. And what if you’re miles ‘off the grid’ and are unable to recharge? Solar power banks are the ideal solution here – all you need is some sunlight.

For those who want to document and chart their travels, drones can help you take professional standard photos and videos while on the road. There are long-range options for the ultimate in panoramic views or check out the ultra-compact selfie-taking drones that fit neatly in your pocket.

“Be sure to search for drones with ‘follow me’ autonomous

tracking so you can focus on where you’re going while your ‘eye-in-the-sky’ wingman records you from afar,” advises Steven Hummel, senior research analyst at the Consumer Technology Association. Some of the more popular products include DJI Spark and the Zerotech Dobby but bear in mind the different regulations in destinations regarding drones, and do your research carefully before you consider flying one.

Health is a top consideration when travelling, particularly for those going it alone. Track your heart rate, levels of fitness, calories burned and sleep patterns with a range of wearable devices, such as a Fitbit or smart watch – ideal for monitoring your health levels. If you have specific health needs, such as following a gluten-free diet, you can test your food at restaurants or out and about with a gluten sensor starter kit from Nima. Other useful tools include portable water purifiers, such as the Steripen Ultra.

Whether you travel light or over-pack, you’ll want to ensure that you bring everything back safely. Antitheft luggage from the likes of Pacsafe can help ensure your belongings are protected from a range of threats, with features such as anti-slash fabric and lockable straps. The more sophisticated – and more expensive – options even have RFID-blocking wallets built in, helping you to keep sensitive data such as passports or ID cards safe from hackers.

Not every traveller may want to get away from it all, in which case it may be useful to consider a portable mobile/ wi-fi hotspot, so you can have access to data and the internet. You can either rent these for a short trip or own them if you are planning several trips or extended travel.

“As 5G networks and infrastructure become more widespread, 5G mobile hotspots will be a must-have for travellers needing ultra-fast speeds and low-latency response times,” says Hummel.

APPS NO TRAVELLER SHOULD BE WITHOUT By Kim Benjamin

The likes of Google Translate, iTranslate and Microsoft Translator are indispensable to help you master the lingo when abroad. Language translation apps are continually evolving, incorporating neural networks and artificial intelligence algorithms. They can now more accurately recognise words, both verbal and text, and string coherent sentences together. By integrating with your phone’s camera, some translation apps can identify and process native text directly from an image and transpose the transcribed text using augmented reality (AR)features.

Getting from A to B can prove testing in unfamiliar destinations. But if you’re armed with navigational apps such as Google Maps – which are now also enhanced with AR – you can use Google Live View. This overlays virtual signs, arrows and pop-ups on the screen on your phone to help direct you as you walk. “This can be especially useful in areas where ‘real-world’ signs are obscured,” says Steven Hummel, senior research analyst at the Consumer Technology Association. Another app, Wayfinder, can go even further, populating your screen with helpful and relevant stops along your path.

Mobile payment apps are essential, too, offering a safe and secure way to pay for goods on the go. Popular ones include Apple Pay and Google Pay, with security features enhanced by biometric technology. This means you can use fingerprint readers and voice or facial recognition before completing payments, giving you added peace of mind. With retailers, restaurants and hotels across the globe increasingly adopting mobile payment technologies, transactions are both convenient and secure.