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Showing posts with label gadgets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gadgets. Show all posts

Jun 17, 2014

Mapping Travel: Smartphone Alternative

Taking smartphone on long or oversea trips...
I will be honest, I am still quite apprehensive about taking my phone everywhere I go. It's a pricey gadget. Moreover, besides helpful navigation it has a lot of other stuff stored on it. I would not want to be separated from it. Ever. (Keep Your Gadgets Safe While Traveling)
So while it is a bit more old school, I still prefer to grab a paper map of the location we are in once we arrived there. It usually has good details as well as marking of major squares and centers and local restaurants and even coupons.

Here is a series of shots, and what has become a tradition, of me reading the map and leading us on our next adventure:

Rehoboth Beach Travel Tech Gadgets Cruise Travel Tech Gadgets Greece Travel Tech Gadgets
South America Travel Tech GadgetsSouth America Travel Tech GadgetsDupont garden Travel Tech Gadgets


Related:
What to do (and not to do) when traveling overseas with Apple gear
10 Smartphone Uses for the Tech Savvy Traveler
Travel Video of the Week - Things You No Longer Need Because of Smartphones
Taking Your Smartphone Overseas

Sound-off: What do you think? Let us know below 

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Mar 20, 2014

Best Travel Gadgets for Spring 2014

Best Travel Gadgets for Spring 2014

Believe it of not, Spring is coming. With the weather that has been around this winter in the Northeast, most folks can't wait for warmer temperatures. Though winter keeps holding on, with below freezing temperatures still around in March.

Get yourself ready and look forward to Spring travel with these cool travel gadgets:

Water proof digital camera

We used to have the Panasonic Lumix (Travel Essentials of Nearcation, Two Year Wedding Anniversary - we were traveling and Fun in Dominican Sun). And while it was great for awhile and we took everywhere we traveled including water and land excursions, the viewfinder did not last as long as the rest of the camera. It kept getting water inside and foggy. Recently, we got the Olympus Stylus TG-830 iHS Digital Camera. It is as functional and durable as previous camera. It is light and takes great pictures in different settings. It is yet to stand the test of our travels, though that is coming up soon.
digital camera olympus targus


Rechargeable batteries
I wrote about the benefits of rechargeable batteries as well as about our favorite, Eneloop rechargeable batteries and charger, a few times. See here: Rechargeable batteries charger - saves money saves planet. And I stick to it. It is a great idea to take a long these type of batteries on long or short trip.
rechargeable batteries


TP-LINK Wi-Fi Range Extender and Router
Travel size wireless router can be used in your hotel room to hook up to wired internet and enable WiFi in your room for all of your gadgets. While at a hotel, or home, that already has a WiFi connection, this device can also provide a boost to the signal so your connection is faster and stronger.
I got this one a couple months back and after initial set up it easy and quick to use to give a boost to the signal to rooms further away from the router. In our travels we have on several occasions encountered lodging facilities that advertised free WiFi to only later find out if works within a few feet of the main location. This device would be great in these situations to get the better connection in your room.


Noise-isolating Headphones
Very few, if any, people travel without some type of headphones these days. Especially, the younger generation. Check out Travel Gadgets at the Sochi Olympics 2014 for some examples. So a great pair of noise-canceling headphone can go a long way on a Spring getaway.
As of late, I have noticed on my commute a lot more ladies wearing over the ears type of headphones. I know there were plenty who wore these prior, but the frequency has definitively increased. I wonder if it because the headphones are not much lighter than they used to be, much more mainstream and accessible in terms of price and design, and are more functional. I remember when the in-ear ones gained popularity, they were marketed as headphone you do not have to wear on top of your head, though that does not seem as much of a negative anymore.
If you wear these and/or know of any other reasons for the change, please let us know
noise-isolating headphones


For a limited time, up to 70% off on select Headphones!

Powerbag Sling Bag with Battery
Traveling light is almost always a best option. It is especially true during Spring break when there are more folks stirring around. A great way to pack light is to get most of the stuff into your carry-on suitcase and have the rest in your personal bag. And these multi-functioning bags are essential on the plane and when touring. You can pack all of your gadgets, snacks, peripherals and other knickknacks into them. And you will have easy access to your goods while en route and keep them safe and secure, and even charged with a Powerbag Backpack type of travel bag.
powerbag backpack


Some Other Great Travel Gadgets as noted by our readers:

Kindle Fire HD 7" with HD Display and Wi-Fi


Kidz Gear Wired Headphones For Kids


Belkin SurgePlus 3-Outlet Mini Travel Swivel Charger & Surge Protector




Sound-off: What are you packing along for your Spring getaway? Let us know below


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Feb 2, 2014

Travel Gadgets for the Super Bowl


Gadgets and Such for the Big Game

Smartphone - There are multitude of ways that this gadget can be used for the big game. You can keep track of the latest news on the weather, roster, team news, and such. You can also watch the game on the phone while out and about or picking up some extra items for the game with NFL or similar app. It can also be used as a remote while watching the game on the big screen.

Tablet - You can also enjoy the game while moving from room to room or if are remote. Download the app and you can watch the game just about anywhere. The tablet can also be used to keep in touch with social network while enjoying the game and tweeting about the latest plays and commercials.

Kindle Fire HDX 7", Wi-Fi


Wireless speakers - Hear the game from anywhere in the house or pick up the phone without having to take your game off the screen. Hook up a Bluetooth compatible phone or other gadget, and the sound will come through loud clear through the speakers.

Turtle Shell 2.0 Rugged Water-Resistant Wireless Bluetooth Hi-Fi Speaker


Apps - When there is a Super Bowl party, there is likely to be some alcohol involved. And if you are drinking you should not be driving. There are apps for that. Such as intoxicheck, Breathaleyes, and DrinkTracker Breathalyzer. Theses apps can give you an estimated blood alcohol reading, keep track of your drinks, or test you to determine whether you are sober. While these are mostly for entertainment purposes, they could still be good indicators.
Super Bowl XLVIII official app

Wireless Clean Up Tool - At the end of the game, with some great celebrations, someone has to clean up. A wireless bagless vaccum makes it easier. It can be great for cleaning up indoors as well as cleaning inside of your car.

Black & Decker Cordless Hand Vac



Sound-off: What kind of gadgets did you have at your Super Bowl party? Let us know below

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Nov 6, 2013

Travel Video of the Week - Smartwatches: A Revolution on Your Wrist?

Smartwatches: A Revolution on Your Wrist?

A new watch is now hitting the market what seems like every month. Quite a few of the consumer electronics manufacturers are jumping on board to design their own coolest and latest watch.
While these are being gobbled up (Thanksgiving is almost here) by those in tech industry, they are yet to capture the acceptance of mainstream. These watches are not robust enough currently to supplement smartphones and too advance and too expensive for most casual watch wearer.
They are also not compatible with multiple products. As mentioned in the video, smartwatches need to encompass more in their features to attract more attention. They need to include fitness and sleep tracking and other capabilities that are currently offered in standalone products. This way they can replace multiple wrist things or enhance the watch and smartphone at the same time.
















More content on smartwatches:

Smartie Watches - Wrist Watch Reincarnation
http://traveltechgadgets.blogspot.com/2013/09/smartie-watches-wrist-watch.html

5 Things To Know in Travel and Gadgets
http://traveltechgadgets.blogspot.com/2013/08/5-things-to-know-in-travel-and-gadgets.html

New Cool Up-and-Coming Travel Gadgets
http://traveltechgadgets.blogspot.com/2013/10/new-cool-up-and-coming-travel-gadgets.html

Sound-off: What do you think? Let us know below

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Jun 18, 2013

Innovative Travel Gadgets and Packing Ideas

Everyday items that can be used for much more during travel

  

Not only these keep you organized, these can also keep your stuff safe. The containers by themselves do not look like much when closed, but hold nice valuables inside.



  



  

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Oct 17, 2012

10 Best Travel Gadgets for iPad

ipad case keyboard

Bluetooth iPad keyboard/case
Tablets are all the rage. They are small, easy to use, come with full web surfing ability, and are convenient. That is convenient to a point. They are great to swipe through a bunch of web pages or apps,  however typing on them is not as easy. While I got used to typing on my iPad and do not really mind it, quite a few folks miss the feel and touch of their keyboards. So to keep the tablet convenient and at the same time improve use, there are now cases that have the keyboard built in. You have best of both worlds. Protection for your tablet and a full size keyboard.

rollup keyboard water resistent
Roll-up Keyboard
For those with tablets that might already have a case or who do not need a keyboard at all times and would rather have a slimmer gadget to take a long, there is the roll-up Bluetooth connected keyboard. It is made of flexible silicone material that rolls ups and can be easily stored in your travel bag. And because it is made of silicone it can be cleaned with soap and water so you have it clean and ready for next trip. It can be quickly recharged via a USB connection.

Power up Backpack
To work, iPad needs power, that is what I call a "duh factor"
solar power backpack

Travel bags come with many features, though being able to not just store your tablet but also charge it is one of the best. Backpacks, such as the Powerbag Back Pack, have a battery installed that can provide juice not only to the iPad, but also to your smartphone, e-reader, music player and any other device that can be connected via USB. The battery is easily charged with included AC adapter. And it can be connected while inside the bag, no need to take it out, though you do have that option.
AC adapter

Since a electric socket is not always available when traveling, there are bags with newest technological advancement, solar power. The solar powered backpack captures the sun’s rays as you are walking storing the energy within the battery. It is ready to provide some juice to your gadgets while out and about. It does not need to be clear sky and sunshine, though preferred, for the battery to charge. The panel absorbs UV rays even on a cloudy day. And these backpacks also provide great storage and transportation for your travel gadgets :)

Hand-cranked generator
Another great source of power when traveling is you. With hand-cranked generators you can manually build up enough juice to give your gadget much needed staying power.

in ear headphones

A good set of earphones
iPad is one of the few Apple gadgets that does not come with its own earphones. Watching movies while traveling, catching up on the shows or presentations, listening to music and music videos, and playing games are some of the great reasons this gadget is an essential accessory for the tablet. One of the better pair of earphones, and the one I have included in previous posts, are the Klipsch Image S4. These headphones have noise-canceling technology yet relatively small with great sound.

And if you would like to hear all of the above out loud, wireless speakers are a great addition. Jawbone JAMBOX seamlessly streams music via Bluetooth connection and it lasts up to 10 hours of power from internal rechargeable battery.


Eye-Fi Wireless Memory Card
Featuring built-in WiFi, Eye-Fi X2 memory cards simplify photo and video upload, sharing, organisation and back-up. Simply slip the memory card into your camera,

ipad stand

iPad stand
Tablets are great for watching movies and catching up on your shows. That is what we use our for when we try to keep to our goal for this year of having dinner at the dinner table. We use the Arkon portable stand that is quite sturdy keeping the iPad in place and also padded resting it comfortably. The stand also folds small for easy storage.


Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit


iPads usually come with this gadget. Theses adapters make it easy to upload pictures and videos onto the iPad. You can transfer the files directly from the SD card or using the USB cable.


iPad Case
From simple Smart Cover, to those with crazy designs and built-in stands and other cool functionalities, there are many choices to keep your iPad clean, safe, and stylish.


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