USB anywhere and everywhere

USB - Universal Serial Bus, a connection technology for attaching peripheral devices to a computer, providing fast data exchange. These used to be simple and mostly tied to PCs with limited data storage. Not any more.
USBs are part of many different devices and technologies, though they still serve the same purpose, storing data and connecting peripherals. Most computers come with two or more USB ports. It is very unusual to see anything less. Those are USB connectors, that come in many different types (Types of USB Connectors). These days USB has moved on to many other devices. It is part of new TVs, handheld devices, some phones, tablets, memory storage devices and much more.
USB flash drives are small and portable. They come in many different forms, shapes, sizes, and even colors. One example is the Transcend Jetflash Rugged USB flash drive. It comes in variety of colors, but most importantly it comes within a rubber casing that can survive shocks, splashes, dust, and drops from several feet. Making it a great storage gadget to take on a trip. It is available with 16 GB of memory to store a ton of travel photos, videos, and more.
All the gadgets with the USB connection built-in also need to be charged somewhere if the computer is not immediately available such as during traveling. And that is where devices such as the Traveler3USB, come in. With several USB charging ports, it allows travelers the ability to charge cell phone, MP3 Players and other portable devices easily and quickly. Though if traveling abroad don't forget to also take along a Travel Power Plug Adapter compatible with voltage in country where you are traveling.
A green alternative to charging your devices on the go is the Lenmar Solar Powerport USB battery charger. As the name implies this portable charger can power any USB-compatible cell phone or media player from a 3-hour solar charge. Hopefully your travels will take you to places with at least that much of sunshine available to keep your gadgets juiced and ready for use.
For more demanding gadgets such as tablets and netbooks, there is high-powered though still compact travel charger and battery back up. XeMilo from Revolve (revolveusa.com/index.php?p=1_55_xeMilo) has a 4,400 mAh built-in battery that can be powered from outlets or from the sun. Making it a powerful yet eco-friendly travel gadget.
Another type of device utilizing USB storage is a voice recorder flash drive. One example is the Sony ICD-UX71 Digital Voice Recorder. This gadgets are small, easy to use since they come with simple functions. No software to install. No cables or batteries to worry about. Depending of amount of storage, can capture audio up to 40 hours. It also can be used to store MP3s and other media. Great to have on a business trip or an exploration.

Update 07/08/11: Today stumbled across a new cool USB gadget, Ice Cube-inspired Topaz Desk USB Lamp. Check out more info about it here.

USB Battery Charger - charge two AA Batteries in four to six hours while on a computer or plugged into wall outlet adapter. Just plug the power station into any USB Port and the LED light will blink while the batteries are charging and turn off when they are fully charged. The USB Battery Charger has a safety circuit that prevents overcharging.

Some interesting USB flash drive designs:

Travel Gadgets: Handy Gizmos for Stress-Free Travelling

By: Anna Clare

There are so many things about travelling that can cause stress, that sometimes we wonder why we bother leaving the house at all.

For one thing, there's the packing. Stressing about whether or not there’s room in your suitcase for everything you need on your trip can be a real headache – and if you go over your baggage weight limit, you'll either have to pay the airline an excess baggage fee, or leave a few things behind.

But we say: Stress not! There are some excellent travel gadgets and accessories that can significantly reduce the stress of going on a trip, and we’ve selected a few of our favourites that can help you have a happier holiday.

Trace Me Luggage Tag

One of the things most likely to spoil your holiday is losing your luggage. Spending your entire trip wearing just the clothes you arrived in is painful enough, but knowing you’ll never see your precious suitcase contents again is deeply distressing.

With the Trace Me Luggage Tag you can greatly reduce the chances of losing your luggage forever. The Trace Me Luggage Tag is strong and durable, and contains an individual serial number and 2D bar code, linked for life to your registration details on a secure data storage system used by law enforcement agencies, airport baggage handling organisations and lost property services worldwide.

If your luggage goes astray, a simple scan of the Trace Me Luggage Tag will identify it as your property. Registering your Trace Me Luggage Tag is quick and easy to do online, and there are no recurring fees or subscription charges.

Travel Charger Adaptor

If you rely on mobile phones and other gadgets to stay in touch while travelling, the Travel Charger Adaptor is probably the most useful travel gadget you will ever own.

The Travel Charger Adaptor combines adaptors suitable for use throughout Europe, North America, Africa, Australasia and the Far East, as well as featuring a handy USB power socket for charging MP3 players and other gadgets that you would normally charge through your computer.

Digital Portable Luggage Scale

Airline baggage weight limits can be very confusing – they differ from one airline to another, and when you check your bags in at the airport there's always that little nagging worry that you’ve exceeded the limit and will have to leave something behind or pay an excess baggage fee.

With the Digital Portable Luggage Scale, you'll never have this worry again. This handy travel gadget can handle up to 50kg – before you leave home, simply attach it to your case, wait for the beep, and read the weight. If you're over your baggage weight limit you can remove a few things and leave them at home, or pack them into your hand luggage instead.

The Digital Portable Luggage Scale can then be carried in your hand luggage so that you can check your bag weight again on the way home – which is very handy if you’ve stocked up on souvenirs and duty free goods during your holiday.

Paper Toiletries

Camping and backpacking holidays are lots of fun, but without a car to carry all the equipment in, you need to be quite strict about what goes in your luggage. Bottled toiletries can be heavy; even travel-sized bottles, if you carry enough of them, will weigh you down and make walking uncomfortable.

The best solution to this problem that we've seen is a fantastic range of paper toiletries that are ideal for travelling light. The range includes paper shampoo, paper shaving foam and paper anti-bacterial soap - simply remove a sheet from the small, lightweight pack, add water, and lather up.

Paper toiletries are also ideal for carrying in your hand luggage on flights; they're not liquid, so they won't break any no-liquid regulations when you go through security checks at the airport.

Portable Solar Charger

The Portable Solar Charger is another travel gadget that's ideal for camping trips, when access to an electricity supply might be restricted.

The Portable Solar Charger contains a Li-Ion battery which is charged by the sun during the day. Once charged, the Portable Solar Charger can charge your mobile phone with enough power to talk for two hours, or load your MP3 player with power equivalent to six hours of listening time.

The Portable Solar Charger comes complete with cables and a selection of adaptors, making it suitable for a huge range of mobile phones as well as many iPod models.

About the Author
Anna Clare is Website Manager at ShinyShack.com, one of the UK's leading sources of unusual gift ideas and suppliers of travel gadgets.

(ArticlesBase SC #917524)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Travel Gadgets: Handy Gizmos for Stress-Free Travelling

Top 10 Travel Gadgets and Tools

By Matt Ahl on ezinearticles.com

1. Smartphone. If you don't already own one you can get an iPhone, Blackberry or HTC. A smart phone lets you access travel tools such as emails, maps, GPS, compass, check the Internet for hotel reviews etc.

2. Digital Camera. You can't go on a holiday without a camera. A digital camera is probably the most essential travel tool so make sure you have a good one ready for the Kodak moments.

3. Video Camera. Another essential travel gadget and requires no further introduction. Nowadays most smartphones and digital cameras come with high quality video cameras.

4. USB memory stick. Lets you access and store documents and photos.

5. Universal power plug adaptor. Is an essential tool as it provides mating compatibility for most countries in the world.

6. Portable DVD player. Lets you watch movies and TV shows on the go and is a great companion when being stuck on an airplane for hours and hours.

7. Tablet computer. This is a hybrid between a smartphone and a laptop computer. The iPad and the Amazon Kindle are the most popular ones. This gadget lets you read ebooks and news, watch movies, go online etc.

8. MP3 player. The iPod is essential for killing time while traveling on buses, trains, and airplanes.

9. Portable laptop. Laptops are getting smaller and lighter and if you can you should bring one along. With a laptop you can go online, read emails, check Facebook, watch movies, store photos and videos.

10. Gaming console. Nintendo DS or PSP are the most popular ones. This is another great travel gadget for killing time while travelling.