As the weather heats up and you plan a vacation, there’s that persistent quandary: what should you pack?
When it comes to your tech travel kit, a little thought in advance can save you time, money and travel snags. So, here is our list of gadgets you won’t want to leave behind. Some of these were showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January this year, so you’ll need to be patient till they arrive in the market. But it doesn’t harm to be aware!
Get charged
This is a practical solution to a common problem; keeping your electronics charged. The Innergie PocketCell Duo is able to charge two devices at once from its dual, rechargeable 6800mAh lithium-ion batteries. Just plug into the two USB ports or use the Magic Cable, which includes a 30-pin Apple connector as well as micro-USB connectors and you can easily recharge your device from any USB power source.
Track your luggage
This gadget will appeal to anyone who has ever lost luggage. The TrakDot Luggage Tracker can accurately locate your suitcase using a chip packed in any bag. Of course, if you are in Dubai and your bag is in Abu Dhabi, you have the problem of getting your stuff. But at least you know where your luggage is. The cost of the chip, about the size of an iPad, is not much, but you will have to pay for the service.
On-road fitness
FitBit Flex will help you keep track of your fitness levels. The band will track steps taken, distance travelled in a day, calories burned and the quality of your sleep. The data is sent to the FitBit website and you can analyse how you are eating, sleeping and working out during your journey.
Books on the go
Anyone who likes to read on the road should consider the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite an essential companion. It has a display that’s easy to read from in bright sunlight and also lights up in the dark. As an added plus, it weighs no more than a paperback. And if you need a new book, all you need to do is connect to a Wi-Fi network and download.
Capture memories
Though your smartphone can be a basic point-and-shoot, better photographs demand better cameras. Our favourite camera is the Canon IXUS 255 HS, which offers a good balance of features in a modestly-sized package that isn’t too bulky to carry everywhere. The 12.1 megapixel camera has easy connectivity to smartphones and tablets, allowing uploading to popular social networks, while the GPS-via-mobile functionality means users can track their nights-out and holidays by tagging location data.
