Travel Gadgets for Parents (and Kids)

Gadgets for Parents and Kids:

Traveling with kids is fun. It opens them up to the world around them, introduces them to nature as well as culture. It also comes with some challenges such as keeping them from wondering off, safe, and entertained.
Kids gadgets and other travel gadgets can make it more enjoyable, fun, and stress free.

Filip
It is, as per their site, the world's first smart locator and phone for kids. This device looks just like a small plastic watch. However, it does a lot more.
It is a locator. By setting what they call a Safe Zone, you can monitor where your kids are within a certain area.

And it is also a phone
Mobile phones come with certain dangers for little ones, and they lose them often. Filip has a 2-way GSM cellular voice capability that provides the similar quality of coverage that you expect from a regular smartphone. You pre-program 5 phone numbers that your child can call using the Filip app for smartphones. This way they do not make unnecessary or expensive calls and have important numbers readily available. Your child can scroll through the numbers and call the one they want with the touch of a button. Moreover, you and only the 4 other people pre-programmed on the phone can call the child. You can also send text messages.
www.myfilip.com/

Along similar lines there is
Toddler Tag
A small device that helps keep track of your child’s location. It works wirelessly and is waterproof. The locator is a two-unit system--one that attaches to your child and one you keep with you. When a child starts to wonder away and strays out of a 25-foot range, a chirp-like alert sounds from your unit, so you're immediately aware.


   

SEAL swim monitor
While know where your kids are is important, it is even more important to make sure they are safe during the water activities. Kids are rambunctious, that is just their nature, they are full of energy. I have seen a couple of kids at a local pool dive in, get out, and dive in again more times in one minute then a dolphin.
The SEAL swim monitor and drowning detection is a wearable alarm system comprised of a band that hangs around the child's neck, which connects wirelessly to a guard band for parents. If the system detects a potential drowning incident in progress, the SEAL band triggers​​ a high intensity visible, audible, and vibrating alarm alerting guards and guardians to the danger so that a rescue can begin. The SEAL bands are adjustable with multiple colors and look like colorful necklaces during swimming. www.swimsealsafe.com

Contigo Autoseal Trekker Cup
Keep spills to a minimum with this kid-proof bottle. The lid is 100% spill and leak proof. The cup automatically seals between sips so no accidental escapes.




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Sign of the times – parents take at least three gadgets on a trip just to keep the kids happy. Gadgets such iPad, smartphones, game consoles, and laptops
Fuhu NABI Tablet is a kid friendly tablet that is easy to hold. Kids are able to surf using kid-safe Web browser, watch movies and TV shows, read books, learn math and play games.

game consoles

Before you go, download some fun and educational apps on your smartphone. You know your kids will want to play with one, so it will keep them entertained for a bit.

You can also pre-load some games, movies and shows on your laptop for the family to enjoy while at the airport or killing time in a hotel room.

If nothing else works to keep your kids entertained, tune out, with noise-cancelling headphones:)

Sound-off: Are there gadgets that you have packed to keep kids safe and entertained on trip that are not listed? Let us know below

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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

Sound-off: Let us know any tips you have for summer travel

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Top Ways to Keep Gadgets Safe While Traveling

Did you know?

There are 3-4 Macs that are left at airport every day.

Southwest Airlines has reported taking possession of up to 10,000 items a month that are left behind at airports and in planes.

McCarran airport in Las Vegas says about 30,000 items — an average of 82 a day — are left behind each year.

Many hotels see at least one item a day left behind by guests. Many see more. The Hyatt Regency in Chicago reports about 7,300 items a year, or about 20 a day, are left, according to Shaheryar Adil, a manager at the hotel.

More mobile phone chargers were left behind by guests than any other item
"If you are traveling and find yourself in need of a phone charger, definitely call down and ask housekeeping.
When we had our impromptu staycation in the city during the storm, we did just that. We asked the front desk of an iPhone charger, as both of ours were running low, and they were able to supply one to us at no charge.

Travelers left behind 8,016 devices between July 2011 and June 2012. Of those, 45 percent were laptops, 43 percent were smartphones or tablets and 12 percent were USB sticks.(Credent)

To avoid leaving your things behind while traveling, triple checking everything is key. Make a mental list of the most important things while packing, such as your e-reader, phone and MP3 player.
Rushing is the main reason customers leave things behind. Having a list might help ensure that gadgets are not left behind as you are ready to head out.

Best way to keep your gadgets with you is to keep them close. Even better is when they tell you if you are walking away from them. Devices such as Zomm and others below, notify you when you are about to seperate from your electronics or other valuables. They emit a sound to give you a warning.

    


To make sure gadgets such as laptops and tablets stay with you there is security software available, such as LoJack for Laptops, for download. It installs onto your laptop and provides a peace of mind knowing that you will be able to get it back and also that the thief would not be able to access your data.

Other travel tips to keep your gadgets safe:

Avoid the seat-back pocket – it’s a convenient place to store your iPad and phones while in flight but that seat-back pocket is the black hole when it comes to gadgets. Even though I avoid putting my gadgets there, I check these pockets several times at landing to make sure I didn't leave anything else behind.

Label your gadgets – An easy way to label is to use a piece of masking tape and write your name and phone number. Tape this to your gadget and you’re good to go. It’s low-tech but it works.

Know your gadget – If you do leave your gadget behind, be ready to give details to describe it to get back. Color, brand, model or any unique marks that your gadget might have are all helpful to reconnect you with your device. Also other unique, though internal features, such as a list of artists or list of files, would be helpful to know and present to identify you as the owner.

Physical safety of your devices:
All devices traveling should have some sort of carrier, cover or reinforcement in case it is dropped or gets wet. Some of the best are:
    

      

The Top 20 US Airports for TSA Theft
http://www.airportlostandfound.com/the-top-20-us-airports-for-tsa-theft/

The My TSA App provides passengers with 24/7 access to the most commonly requested TSA information.




Sound-off: Let us know if you have ever left things behind and if were successful in getting them back?

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Travel Video of the Week - Bike Tech Gadgets

Cool New Tech To Make Biking Safer:



Virtual Safety Lane

X-Fire 5-LED gadget looks like a regular tail light. However, it has 5 bright LED lights built-in with Laser Lane Marker. These laser pointer like lights provide guidance as well as visibility for the biker. They are visible from over a mile away to nearby motorists.

Another set of lights that could make your ride safer are the wheel lights by Revolights. These are currently on Kickstarter, though have already been fully funded. Their technology adds LED lights to the actual wheels of the bike, making them light up while riding

Top Bike Gadgets

The name might sound funny, Monkey Light, and the design and look of this light technology is entertaining, though these lights also provide protection for bike riders when it gets dark outside. Plus they are fun, cool, and waterproof


Blink/Steady Smart Tail Light
This is an innovation of good old tail light. It provides a notice to anyone coming upon you from behind. However, the Smart Tail Light has an accelerometer built in so that it can tell when the bike is in motion. It automatically turns on ones it senses motion as well as when it is getting dark with its light sensor. To prolong the battery life, the unit automatically turns off after 30 seconds of no movement. Blink Steady http://blinksteady.com/

Rearview Camera
With all the new cars getting a rear view camera installed for safety of pedestrian and garbage cans, bikes can have one too now. However, the technology might be slightly ahead of its time and would need to be perfected as it has received not so great reviews so far.

Sound-off: How do you trick out your ride? Let us know below

Best of the Bike Accessories on amazon.com


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