Have technology and travel come along way in the last couple decades or what? It wasn’t that long ago when being a savvy traveler simply meant having a rolling suitcase, or for the jetsetter, owning a Palm Pilot. We’ve come quite a ways from then. Gone are the days of freaking out because you left your boarding pass at home. Your smartphone can now serve as your boarding pass. Today, I'll spotlight a few of the top travel gadgets, some of which you may have never even knew existed.
Verizon Jetpack 4620L. No, not one of those jet packs, although “Jet Pack Guy” has been seen around San Francisco recently. This jetpack is so small that it can fit in to your back pocket. The jetpack mobile hotspot allows you to access Verizon’s 4G network and connect to the Internet on up to 10 devices. This is clearly for the business traveler who needs more connectivity than just from their mobile phone or wireless hotspot. Similar to what you would expect from a cell phone, the jetpack is $49.99, but requires a Verizon contract.
Voltaic Amp Solar Charger. As important as connectivity is to the savvy traveler, of equal value is staying charged. The more gadgets you have, the harder it is to find available outlets at places such as the airport, and you’re not going to be that guy or girl who travels around with a surge protector. That’s where the Voltaic Amp Solar Charger comes in. The charger uses two 2.0 watt solar panels to generate power in the sunlight to charge your electronics. Even when not in the sun, the power cable can be used to charge electronics.
Powerbag Messenger Bag. Everyone’s been there; you’re on the go, but the juice is running low on your electronics. However, rather than scurrying to find a spare outlet to get a few minutes of charge, now travelers can charge while they’re on the go with the Powerbag Messenger Bag. The bag has the same look and feel of most messenger bags, yet within the bag lies a portable 3000mAh built-in battery system. The battery includes smartphone, Apple, Micro-USB, Mini-USB connectors, and USB ports.
Bikn. Oh those dreaded four words; not “We need to talk”, but rather “I lost my keys.” That’s where Bikn comes in, a new mobile accessory that serves as somewhat of a virtual leash for your keys and other items of value. The kit includes an iPhone case and two tags. After downloading the app, users simply apply the tag to items they may frequently misplace, like a boyfriend, or more likely, their keys. As the name presumes, the gadget serves as a beacon between your iPhone and the items you’ve tagged, just as long as they’re no farther than a few hundred feet away.
Brookstone Pocket Projector. Much more advanced than the pocket protector is the pocket projector from Brookstone. Viewing photos, TV shows, and movies on the iPhone leaves much to be desired. Simply attach the projector to your iPhone 4 and it can project photos and videos up to 50 inches. Other notable features include its built-in speaker, as well as a built-in 2100mAh battery, which can serve as a back-up battery for your iPhone.
