The Craze That is Apple Watch

The Craze That is Apple Watch
Or is it a craze? It is yet to be seen once the watch actually hits the stores in later part of April. For now, it is mostly tech news hype.

Here is a collection of information on the new shiny gadget:

To use the watch you need a phone with you at all times. And it only works with iPhone models 5 or higher. It is currently not compatible with iPad or iPod.

You'll need an extra cord to charge it. The Apple Watch includes a special magnetic induction charger. So you will need to bring the charger with you in your bag even for a short trip. Charge time: about 1.5 hours to 80% and about 2.5 hours to 100%

All-day battery life is based on 18 hours with the following use: 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use, and a 30-minute workout with music playback from Apple Watch via Bluetooth, over the course of 18 hours. Any more use than these test, and you will need to charge a lot more frequently than every 18 hours. Talk time is up to 3 hours. Audio playback up to 6.5 hours. Workout time up to 6.5 hours

Apple Watch is water-resistant. But take heed, it is not Waterproof. It can survive being submerged in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. However, any type of water related activity with the watch is not recommended by Apple. You can, for example, wear and use Apple Watch during exercise, in the rain, and while washing your hands, but submerging Apple Watch is not recommended. Apple Watch has a water resistance rating of IPX7 under IEC standard 60529. The leather bands are not water resistant.

Why Good to Have When Traveling:
- View time without accessing your phone
- also access notifications, tickets, maps (though non-interactive) and more features without having to pull and show your smartphone
- track how much you walked and your activity level
- keep in touch via messages and calls


video credit: theverge.com

Apple Watch alternatives (video)




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Tis that time of year - Tax Season

Tis that time of year - Tax Season

Why, you ask, a travel gadget blog would be featuring a post about taxes. As they say there are only a couple of things certain in life: death and taxes. But also I would like our readers to stay informed and that includes some things to watch out for as well as some great uses for that refund:

Top Tax Scams to Watch Out for in 2015

5 Surefire Ways To Get Organized for Tax Season

How to Write Off Travel and Entertainment Expenses
www.inc.com/guides/write-off-travel-and-entertainment-expenses.html

Business Travel Expenses via IRS
www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc511.html

Wake Up Someplace Special with Bed & Breakfast Gift Certificates

On April 15, Whole Foods grocery stores will not be charging customers sales tax on purchases made on Tax Day. This could add up to some nice savings for their consumers





Spafinder - get a gift certificates to a day spa for a stress-reducing massage after your tax filing is complete.

On Tax Day, Hard Rock Cafe is cutting Americans a break across the country by asking them to Sing your Favorite Song! from free entree on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.

Zazzle.com
Save 10.4% (it's advertised as 10.40%) on all orders at this T-shirt and apparel web site using code TAXDAYZAZZLE at checkout. Offer only good on April 15

**These offers are subject to change or expiration. Please review each vendor site for more details

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Travel Gadgets that Pull Double Duty by Charging Your Gadgets

Travel Items that Pull Double by Charging Your Gadgets

Bluesmart: World's First Smart, Connected Carry-On
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/bluesmart-world-s-first-smart-connected-carry-on


Hand Crank Radio

Ambient Weather Emergency Solar Hand Crank Weather Alert Radio, Flashlight, Smart Phone Charger

CampStove 

Warms you up while camping in the woods and will also keep your phones charged so you can call out for pizza. This thermoelectric device turns heat to electricity and powers most USB-chargeable devices including smartphones. And can boil 1 liter of water in as little as 4 min. 30 sec.
http://www.biolitestove.com/products/campstove

Bags That Charge Your Devices While You Travel
http://mashable.com/2013/09/19/device-charging-bags/

Phorce

A smart bag that can charge up to 3 USB devices simultaneously
http://phorce.com/

Powerbag

Powerbag Messenger Bag with Battery for Charging Smartphones

Mighty Purse

Mighty Purse "Premium" - The Purse That Charges Your Phone


USB-Charging Umbrella

An umbrella that includes four panels on top that captures solar power from any direction. The panels are woven into the umbrella’s canopy and convert solar power into electricity. You can, in turn, use it to charge your devices via USB ports at the base of the umbrella. And just in case the weather gets cloudy and there is not enough juice from solar power, this umbrella even features a 3.7-volt/1000mA battery that acts as a backup, providing continuous power for your devices.

Charging Jacket

Several manufacturers have developed jackets that not only protect you from elements, but also provide juice for your gadgets. One example is a winter jacket, from Mountain Hardwear, with a heating element that will keep you toasty while it charges your gadgets.

http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/02/a-winter-jacket-that-charges-your-gadgets/

Charger bracelets

Another wearable device is a stylish bracelet that charges your phone. The simple band bracelet turns into chargeable cable by unsnapping the ends. It has a USB at the end that can be connected to your phone to charge.
http://www.case-mate.com/Rebecca-Minkoff/Case-Mate-Lightning-Cable-Bracelet.asp

Qbracelet

https://www.qdesigns.co/

XOO belt

These will keep your pants up and your gadgets charged up. A newest addition to wearables, this one is a combination of a classic belt and a portable USB charger. The belt comes with a  2,100mAh charge capacity, which means it can charge quite a few different type of mobile devices
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/xoo-belt-by-nifty-a-phone-charging-belt

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Travel Gadgets for Coffee Addicts

Travel Gadgets for Coffee Addicts

Small, clever new gadgets for making a cup of joe on the go

Traveling with a small press and a bit of coffee you prepare at home before leaving makes the trip so much better. These coffee gadgets work well for making just one or two cups and do not take much space in the luggage:

Secret Squirrel Cold Brew Coffee

Secret Squirrel is coffee concentrate that can be mixed with both hot and cold milk and provides the ideal base for any iced coffee drinks. Brewed over 18-24 hour periods using nothing but filtered water and ground beans, it produces a smooth, rich coffee flavor. Mix it up on the go and you got a cool drink you can take along when it’s too hot or you just want to enjoy the coffee without the scorch. www.secretsquirrelcoldbrew.com

Bodum Insulated Stainless-Steel Travel French Press Coffee and Tea Mug

Brew coffee or tea on the go and drink from the same container when ready with this travel press

3sixteen x HCR Travel Coffee Kit
3sixteen together with their good friends at Handsome Coffee Roasters in LA to produces a limited edition travel coffee kit that contains everything you’d need to create the perfect cup of coffee on the go. The kit contains an Aeropress, filters, a 12oz bag of coffee, a Porlex mini hand grinder, and an AWS digital scale.
http://www.highsnobiety.com/2013/04/15/buyers-guide-10-great-gadgets-for-coffee-addicts/

Aerobie AeroPress Coffee Maker with Tote Bag

Use it to make great coffee when camping, traveling, at home, and at work. All you need is hot water and coffee beans

Handspresso Wild Hybrid
For coffee addicts who need a tasteful espresso every morning throughout their travels, hikes and outdoor adventures.
http://www.handpresso.com/en/

Handpresso Auto Espresso Maker

We couldn’t have a coffee-related post without the vessels to transport it. These coffee transporters use vacuum insulation technology for maximum temperature retention, hot or cold.

Thermos 16-Ounce Vacuum-Insulated Travel Tumbler

Contigo Autoseal West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug

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Essential Gadgets When Traveling by Airplane

Essential Gadgets When Traveling by Airplane

Tablet/iPad

These devices are great for entertainment, catching up on work, and keeping everyone busy. They can be pre-loaded with books, movies, and games for in-flight enjoyment

Smartphone

An essential gadget these days when traveling, it can do all of the above in a bit smaller format. Great for games for little and big kids

Skyview Travel Seatback Mount for Mobile Devices



This attachment will hold up your tablet (iPad mini only) and smartphone so you don't have to

iPod touch

Music helps you tune out and enjoy the ride. With large capacity for MP3s, you can have a music fill the entire ride

Noise-Canceling Headphones

These types of headphone help you tune out even more so either listening to music or a movie

Kindle fire

No more dragging around several of your favorite or saved for the trip books. They can all fit into this lightweight device for easy viewing

Battery Pack

RAVPower® Deluxe 15000mAh External Battery Charger
All the electronic devices will run out of juice eventually. And you do not want to end up with a dud in the middle of the flight

Kneedefender






http://www.kneedefender.com/ - helps you stop reclining seats on airplanes so your knees won't have to

Relevant articles:
Travel Grooming and Personal Care Gadgets
Essential Travel Gadget of the Week
16 Reasons Why Travel Is Good For You
10 Smartphone Uses for the Tech Savvy Traveler


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