10 Smartphone Uses for the Tech Savvy Traveler

10 Smartphone Uses for the Tech Savvy Traveler

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Travel Video of the Week - Things You No Longer Need Because of Smartphones

30 Things You No Longer Need Because of Smartphones

Our smartphones have replaced a lot of the travel gadgets and accessories we used to pack for a trip. These new devices have also enhanced some of the parts of travel beyond what was previously possible. I have mentioned the usefullness of smartphone while en route in a few previous posts: Smartwatches: A Revolution on Your Wrist?, Business Traveler Must-Have Travel Gadgets, and Best Gadgets for Watching Movies While Traveling. There is a lot you can do just with this small gadget in your pocket or bag. Video below shows 30 such items that we no longer need to take with us which means packing a lot less of the travel assist gear and more of the necessities. Which is so much better considering all of the luggage fees and transportation costs that exist now.

Sound-off: What are some other ways that you use your cellphone while traveling? Let us know below



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Cool Travel Gadgets That can Stand the Test of Time

Cool Travel Gadgets for your phone and more:

New phones seem to hit the market every few months. And that is just for one manufacturers. Combining all makes and models, a new phone comes out in about every few weeks. It is hard to keep up with the newest versions of the smartphones, though it is even harder to make sure that the accessory you just got for your phone would still be valid after some time.

These gadgets and accessories would stand the test of time (at least for a little longer):

What accessories do you have that you think would be soon obsolete?

Bluetooth wireless speakers
- every new smartie phone comes with Bluetooth standard. It is how they easily connect to your headset, car audio, and speakers. This means that the new phones coming out in the next few months would be able to connect to these cool portable speakers

Bose® SoundLink® Bluetooth Mobile Speaker


Jawbone JAMBOX Wireless Bluetooth Speaker


Digital Camera
While smartphones have been imposing on the camera market for awhile, they are still no match for a good DSLR or a great waterproof camera like the ones below

Panasonic Lumix Waterproof


Nikon COOLPIX Waterproof


Canon EOS 5D Mark II


Nikon D3100 DSLR



Tablet, by no other name than iPad
Based on some recent (unscientific) tests by CNET "The five toughest gadgets you can buy," iPad can withstand quite a bit and still keep on going, making a great travel gadget that would last. Not only that, there are more and more apps being developed for it that work on several versions as well as software updates that make it relevant and improve performance. Also there have not been significant alterations to this line from Apple for quite awhile. I have my iPad 2 and I would not be able to tell nor have had any desire to upgrade to iPad 3.

Cocoon GRID-IT Organizer
- No matter what the gadgets are or the accessories that they come with, when you travel you need to get them organized. This device keeps your gadgets, wires, thumb drives, earphones and more in one place.


Travel Phone Chargers
Most chargers have a USB plug in on their body. And since every phone these days comes with a charging cord that has a USB male unit at one of its ends, the chargers would last past your multiple gadget changes.
Mophie powerstation mini - charge virtually any smartphone, along with a variety of other USB devices.

Mophie's Juicepack is compatible with the iPhone, Samsung Galaxy Phones, and even the HTC One


iGo Power Trip 4700
compatible with most electronic devices by Apple, HTC, Samsung, Blackberry, Amazon, Google, Nokia, GoPro, and more. Recharge iGO Portable Battery 4700 using the included USB to Micro USB cable.



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Travel Video of the Week - 10 Summer Travel Tech Tips

Summer Travel Tech Tips:



While the summer is in full swing at this point, especially here in New York with high temps and even higher humidity, I came across this video recently and thought it has some great tips. They are listed below as well:

1. Ear buds cord wrap - these fun and simple looking gadgets keep earphones wires from tangling up while in your pocket or your bag. I have this guy -->
and it is awesome. Its easy to wrap the cord around it, its flat so easily fits in pocket, and is also lightweight.

2. Storing your other wires - use eyeglasses case that has a hard shell that would protect your cords as well as keep them all in one neat place.

3.  Body lotion and touchscreen devices - these two do not go together too well. If you touch your phone after applying lotion, it is likely to leave grease streaks. Solution to this problem would be to use a hand moisturizer instead which dries quicker that lotion so less likely to leave marks

4. Keeping devices clean - use Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes. Who knew? These wipes are good for multitude of things while on the go including wiping down your gadgets. They can be used instead of or in addition to microfiber cloth. Make sure the device is completely off, as in the power is turned off, when using these wipes. There are others that are more expensive specifically for cleaning devices, though these are anti-bacterial which is great idea for a touchscreens.


5. Keep them separated - when going to the beach or otherwise traveling, keep your gadget separate from beach towels and other dirty or damp accessories using Bikini Bag. These are designed to be used for damp swimwear so it does not get mixed with dry clothing. Reversing that makes it great for keeping gadgets dry and safe.


6. Dust plugs for phones - keeps dust and sand and other small particles from getting inside your gadgets' openings.

7. Get a defender type case for your phone, that has a plastic inside and silicon outside to keep the phone protected from particles as well as drops.
I and my wife both have iPhones and both have been using Incipio Case for iPhone 4/4S. They have hard shell inside and rubber outside for easy grip. They protect the phone very well and last for a long time.

8. Anti-Glare Protection for your tablet - helps when reading outside in the sunlight. And it also keeps the screen clean and protected

9. Back up battery - gives you an extra charge while you are out

10. Use password and activate "Find My Phone" type of security services

Top Ways to Keep Gadgets Safe While Traveling

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Gadgets Worth Packing This Summer - even if some are not tech

Fun in the Sun

Ideas on what to pack for vacation or a sightseeing trip:


Tube of Powdered Sunscreen
- great for everyone as it floats on and does not need to be rubbed in. It does not melt or desolves even in summer scorcher.
http://tickletimesunblock.com/

    


Digital Camera
5 Hot New Compact Cameras for Summer 2013







Useful Keychain Danglers
- Perfume - clip it onto your car keys, bag, or jeans hook, it can really travel. Be ready and smelling fresh anywhere you go

- Hand Sanitizer - while traveling you end up in some cool but strange and unknown places. And you also meet folks from various walks of life, touch things, grab on to things, and find things. Keep your hands clean and bacteria free with this travel accessory

- Utility tool - several tools in one taking up less space in your bag, cool


- USB - convenient, small, capless and pocket-sized for easy transport

- Flashlight - light anywhere you go with LED bulbs it will last throughout the entire trip


- Bottle opener -




Apple iPhone/Samsung Galaxy S III
The iPhone is easy to hold and easy to carry. Best of all, it is easy to operate even for first time smartphone users. Smartphones, overall, are nowadays an essential travel gadget.
Best Gadgets for Watching Movies While Traveling


Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
This latest version of Kindle has great contrast that comes as a result of an innovative integrated lighting system. You still get the easy-on-the-eyes readability and impressively long battery life, but no more need for a book light.


Which travel accessories would you recommend for this summer? 

What packing advice you might have?

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