Business Traveler Must-Have Travel Gadgets

Business travel is exciting fun and, some of the time, productive. However, it can also be quite stressful for the same reasons that it is interesting. You are traveling to a new destination which is most likely nothing like your office set up back home. And the expectations are higher as you are the brand representative.

Additional stress point is of course the travel itself. The time it takes to travel to the location could have been spent doing something productive. Standing in line in the checkpoint, waiting for the flight and so on are all time wasted. However, that is when having the right travel gadgets along could help you be more productive or just help you chilax.


Kindle

- it is easy to pack a bunch of books that you would like to catch up on in this one small device
- or you can load up PDF documents to review while en route.
- easy to read and use on flight
- long lasting battery charge



IPad
- iPad is very versatile.
- you can do more book reading or online reading, view movies and shows, and serve the web.
- with business apps for iPad, you can also complete a few of the productive tasks
- such as build out presentations

Fujitsu SCANSNAP S1100

Scanner
- might not be the most obvious business travel gadget, though the technology has advanced where the scanners are now wireless and quite compact
- keeps all the paperwork assembled during travel in one place
- can scan in credit card receipts, and other receipts, business cards, standard size paper documents, and more
- easily manage the documents with the app that comes with most scanners
- tax preparer and auditor delight


Wireless Mouse

- Until recently I didn't even think about this little computer gadget as I was dragging it around with my laptop. A wireless mouse is an essential gadget for anyone traveling with a computer. Track pads while convenient, since they are built-in, are quite uncomfortable to use, can cause unintended edits, and are not ergonomic. I have the Logitech Wireless Mouse M310and it has been awesome. It is very easy to set up. All you do is plug a tiny wireless connector into a USB port. The mouse is ergonomically design so it is great to use. They also thought of it while in transport. The wireless connector can be stored inside the mouse next to the battery, so you always have both in the same place. It has an on/off switch on the bottom so you do not waste battery life while it moves around in your bag.

Micro projector
- Pictures speak louder than words
- instead of relying on the folks at your destination to have all the equipment, you can be ready with your own that you actually know how to use
- no need to huddle over the small screen of a laptop with clients not able to see or be a little too close for comfort
- integrates with smartphones through apps
- when done with presentation, watch movies in hotel room on the big screen

ReVIVE Series Solar

Battery charger
- myCharge® Peak 6000 - What's in the name? It is a rechargeable 6000mAh battery pack. This little charger has enough juice to able to charge a smartphone 4 times, and even charges iPad and other tablets. You can charge up to three devices at once. Available at Amazon.com

ReVIVE Series Solar ReStore External Battery Pack with Universal USB Charging Port for e-readers , MP3 players , smartphones and otherUSB powered devices. Power up your gadgets with the energy of the sun.


Travel Bags
- There are many pain points associated with travel especially business travel. One of these is travel bags.
While vacationers tend to gravitate to bags that are light and roomy, for business you want bags that are sturdy, great ride-along, and easy to pack and transport. They also need to protect your valuables such as iPad and laptop while en route. And offer a multitude of compartments and pockets to organize everything you need to conduct business on the go.

Smartphone
- Per a recent survey, technology is a top tool for business travelers to balance personal and professional lives and achieving overall work-life productivity. Gadgets that they find most helpful are smartphones, as they help them keep in touch with their family as well as social and professional networks.

It is also important to keep things clean and presentable during a business trip:

Travel Laundry Clothesline Flexoline

Travel Laundry Hanger

Travelon Laundry Soap Sheets

Travelon Stow-Away Laundry Bag

Kushies "On the Go" 2 Pack Wet Bag

Lewis N. Clark Wrinkle Wiz


How do you prepare for your out-of-town trip? Let us know below

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East coast storm preparation could have been better

While I thought I was prepared for the coming of the storm, I was only partially prepared for Sandy.

We had plenty of water stored. We also have a water filter. Plenty of food and with electricity out, we would have even more food, and fun, when emptying out the fridge and freezer. We had flashlights and LED sticks, and of course, candles. The LED sticks were actually our LED under cabinet flute lights that served double duty during the storm.

We had our entertainment as well. Kindle and iPad for reading. Cards and dominoes for playing. We had our phones while we had reception.

Though once the lights went out and the cell service was not working with some of the towers in the area knocked out, we had no news coming in any longer. And that is when I realized that there is one thing that was missing in our preparations. Hand Crank Radio. One of the first things I did once we finally got the power back was order one of these. The
Ambient Weather Emergency Solar Hand Crank Radio is a multi-function emergency connection tool. It can be charge 5 different ways: Solar, manually by cranking the handle, AC, car charger, and USB. It is a radio, a flashlight, and what is even more awesome, it can also be used to charge cell phone, MP3 players, Amazon Kindle™, Apple Ipod™, Ipad™, and iPhone™.
I think with this little gadget, we will be even more prepared. The weather has been unpredictable lately.  With this storm, there were water levels and winds that east coast has not seen in quite a few years. It is good to be prepared.

Hope everyone is safe and secure in the east coast. 

What to do after a hurricane?

Disaster Recovery Resources: FEMA, Red Cross, SBA Loans And More

How did you weather the storm and what gadgets did you have with you? Let us know below

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Gadgets to Keep Kids Busy While Traveling

On the Go Play 'n Snack Tray

Multitasking is standard on a road trip. Keeping your eyes on the road, determining directions either through GPS, or even more distracting, smartphone, and keeping another eye on the kids and keeping them entertained. On the Go Play 'n Snack Tray makes it a bit easier. It puts a lot of their books, pencils, toys, and other fun stuff within their reach. This travel gadget also acts as a table for playing with all those toys and for coloring books. It can also be used as a food tray when it is time for a snack. It is waterproof so it can handle spills and wipes clean for prolonged use. Tray is made of foam and it easily attaches to car seats and folds flat for space-saving storage.

Handheld games can be a great way to occupy kids' time while travelling. The games usually come in simple plastic casing making them portable and also less expensive if they go flying across the back seat by "accident".
Type of the games that these might include are word searches, jumbles, scavenger hunts, puzzles, and speed mazes. So they would be learning at the same time as they are playing. Brainteaser games are great for trips as they keep kids busy for longer period of time and develop their brains at the same time.
Perplexus is one of those games that is enticing and mentally stimulating puzzle.

Travel size games are easy to pack and transport. Best of these are the ones that have multiple games in one. This way you do not have to drag several different variations, they are easily switchable, and would keep the rascals occupied for longer. Four Children's Card Games, for instance, has 4 different card games within one package. It has Old Maid, Animal Rummy, Hearts, and Crazy Eights classic card games.


A Backseat Survival Kit, as the name implies, helps keep parent sane. It has quite a bit of activities packed into it. Includes 6 non-toxic water-based felt-tip pens, 6 skeins of floss, a pair of dice, 1 string loop, 8 foam Parchesi playing pieces, a 100 page activity pad.

Can't find your keys before the road trip, the toddler probably has them. Replace them with Electronic Metal Keychain Toy which looks quite a bit like the real thing and has three smooth, metal, teething-safe keys, plus a push-button remote that makes car sounds, a penlight and belt clip.


There is also now a whole market for kid-friendly tablets available so that they can have same gadget as the grown ups. While they might look like the full version tablets they are designed with kids in mind. They come with parental controls that limit what content is accessible and deactivates in-app purchases.

Fuhu Nabi

Speck iPad 2 iGuy

A pair of Kidz Gear Volume Limit Headphones would go great with any of these tablets. It allows parents to preset the volume so that the little ones do not blast music and such in their in ears.


Trunki by Melissa and Doug Sunny:

Trunki suitcases allow children to scoot along on their luggage through the airport or train station. They are lightweight, sturdy and can serve as luggage, riding toy, and transport for kids. Trunki is carry-on size, making a great option as a kids' travel pack.

How do you keep your kids busy while traveling? 
And limit the amount of "Are we there yet?" questions?
Let us know below


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10 Best Travel Gadgets for iPad

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.

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 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.

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
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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