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Nov 30, 2011

There is a Travel App for That: Netflix

We signed up for Netflix about 4 months ago and it has been a hate love type of relationship. It is great that we can order movies on DVD we have not seen yet. But it is a hassle to get some of the more popular ones and forget about getting a show you like that is also popular as it will be on back order for quite some time.
Then there is the streaming service, that we still continue with even though they had the whole debacle of splitting up the services. We have thought on several occasions since then to cancel one or the other. While it is great to be able to stream movies instantaneously, and we able to do it through our TV, the selection has been quite small. After the first couple of months we were caught up on most of the shows and movies we would want to see and did not have many choices for awhile.

Notwithstanding, this post is actually about the great benefit for travel that Netflix services can be. On our trip up north for the Turkey Weekend, we had the iPhone and iPad along. And for the first time I tried using the Netflix app away from the house and on the location's wi-fi. It was great. The streaming worked very well and I was able to watch a couple shows. The next day while I was getting my car updated and new wipers installed, my wife watched a movie on her phone while also helping to host a yard sale. She was also very excited to find out that we are able to access and stream movies and show just about anytime and anywhere as long as there is secure wi-fi connection, and also one that has a good reach and not too many other devices using it.

Why good to have on a trip: 
- easy access with app
- movies and shows available anytime
- pre-select queue of stuff to watch on a trip

Available on iTunes and Android Market

Did You Know?: 
- To use this app to stream, you would need Wi-Fi. And that is where another great travel app comes in: There is a Travel App for That: Free Wi-Fi Finder

What do you use to stream movies and shows? Leave a Comment

Nov 21, 2011

Top 15 Holiday Gifts for your Travel Gadget Geek

As holidays fast approaching and we struggle to come up with the perfect gift for everyone on your list, it’s worth considering that traveling is one of the most past times for a lot of folks. And travel accessories might make a great gift. Especially since many travelers have a favorite item or gadget they can’t leave home without. Even if the person on your list is not looking for the latest tech gadget, there are quite a bit of great travel items that would make their day and even year.

Here are some favorites from folks who spend a lot of time away from home, as well as a look at a few new and interesting items:

Tumi Plug Adaptor - This little gadget offers four different plug configurations in one unit, good for 150 countries for powering devices like MP3 players, digital cameras and mobile phones. It comes in a little black case and the prongs can be pushed in and out for easy storage and transport. http://www.tumi.com

Noise-Cancelling headphones - Sometimes all you want is a little peace and quiet, or just tune out all the things going on around you. And that is when noise canceling headphones are life enhancers, if not life saver in some situations. Read more: Noise canceling headphones - life saver for travelers?
Latest headphones for travel that I recently came across are SleepPhones. Unlike earphones that require you to lie in the same rigid position, AcousticSheep SleepPhones are flat, removable speakers built into a soft fleece headband. They let you fall asleep naturally, without popping drugs or jamming in uncomfortable plugs. Available in several colors from Amazon.com: SleepPhones

Travel Size Bottle Kit is a great travel gadget for packing and organizing and, most importantly these days, abiding by the TSA rules. Read more: Travel Bottle Kit - TSA approved, ready to go

Portable chargers —  to provide hours of extra power when the battery runs out on an iPhone, BlackBerry or iPod.
Solio Bolt charger - eco-friendly, versatile and packable. The charger has an on-board battery and rotating solar panels, and it can juice up from the sun, a USB port or the wall to power your phone, MP3 player, e-reader, GPS or camera.

EBook readers are becoming more and more popular since you can carry with you an entire library for the size of just one paperback. And with with the low price of eBooks and newer and cooler versions of readers coming up, such as Kindle Fire, they area great gift for a person on the go.

GPS - an essential gadget when traveling. One of the most annoying things about going on vacation is getting lost. This tech gadgets will keep you on track in the car, on a boat, or if just walking around town


Smartphone - A smart phone lets you access travel tools such as emails, maps, GPS, compass, check the Internet for hotel reviews etc. For holiday commuting or standing in line, there is no better gadget. Check out our weekly post: "There is a Travel App for That" for some useful travel apps.

Digital Camera - You can't go on a holiday without a camera. A digital camera is probably the most essential travel tool so make sure you have a good one ready for the "Kodak moments". We love our Canon Powershot SX

A Watter Bottle is not only a great accessory to have on a trip but it can also save money and protect your health and invigorate. Instead of purchasing multiple water bottles or drinking from street fountains, a waterbottle would provide clean drinking water that you can fill up from a water filter or at a rest stop. Drinking water is very important. It is even more so on trips when you spend a long time in between stops and walking

Digital Luggage Scale - Take the guesswork out of packing and avoid paying extra fees by finding out luggage weight before check-in.

Venturesafe 200 bag - a small daypack with a lot of security measures. First of, the shoulder strap is slash-proof and snatch-proof. A thief can’t quickly cut through it with a knife because there is wire mesh inside. The same wire mesh goes through the whole bag as well, so the old trick of slashing the bottom of a pack and taking what’s inside won’t work either. The extra-strong zippers tuck into little pockets so they are hard to reach. This bag has essential compartments for several gadgets, keys, and headphones. Read more: Top 5 ways to keep you and your gadgets safe while traveling

SteriPen - small, light and now rechargeable UV water purifier. Its UV light destroys over 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and protozoa such as giardia and cryptosporidium that might be found in some water traveling abroad. The Pen recharges via a micro USB B port using a computer, AC outlet or compatible solar charge. Other versions use batteries, lithium type are strongly recommended.

Digital Travel Clock & Photo Frame - "Love the Digital Travel Clock and it comes with a photo frame. Perfect gift indeed for those people who travels a lot."

Amazon Gift Cards - something for everyone. Never expire.

Swiss Army knife - its a classic multi-tool. Everything you need and more within one device.




Did You Know?:
How to Avoid Paying Retail for Christmas Gifts
Airplane travel gadgets to keep you moving


Nov 20, 2011

25 Gotta Have Travel Gadgets via Time.com

25 Gotta Have Travel Gadgets:
  1. Airport Express
  2. Canon Powershot SD1100 IS Digital Elph
  3. Franklin 12-language (Speaking) Global Translator
  4. MacBook Air
  5. Kensington ComboSaver Portable Notebook Lock
  6. Apple iPhone 3G
  7. Tumi Ultra Slim Universal Power Adaptor Kit
  8. Kensington Mini Battery Pack
  9. Kindle: Books to go
  10. Flip Mino: Point-and-Shoot Video
  11. Panasonic Portable DVD Player LS86: More for the Money
  12. Play Station Portable
  13. Headplay Personal Cinema System
  14. Able Planet's Clear Harmony Noise Canceling Headphones
  15. Asus R300 Handheld Personal Navigator
  16. Dash Express In-Car GPS
  17. HP EliteBook 6930p Laptop
  18. Wine Skin
  19. Tumi Frequent Traveler 22" Zippered Expandable Carry On
  20. Reef Stash Sandals
  21. Swissbit Swiss Army 1GB USB Flash Drive
  22. The Clear Card
  23. Travel Valet Service - Trackstick II
  24. Menospeak Book
  25. SteriPen Ultraviolet Bacteria and Pathogen Killing Water Wand



Nov 19, 2011

What travel gadgets are on your BlackFriday/CyberMonday list?

What travel gadgets are on your BlackFriday/CyberMonday list?

TheBlackFriday.com
Magellan's Travel Gadgets Deals
Great Gadget Gifts from GadgetUniverse
TigerDirect's BlackFriday Deals
CircuitCity.com Deals


Do not forget that there is a second chance to get some great deals:
CyberMonday.com
Mycybermondaydeals.org
Cybermonday.biz



What travel gadgets are on your BlackFriday/CyberMonday list?

Nov 18, 2011

Swiss knife of razors

C arzor-Card Shaped Razor & Mirror:

It is a card, a mirror and a razor, it can be all the above at the same time. 

Not sure how good of a shave this blade will give you, but it is definitely an interesting concept:

The blades are stored safely behind the mirror while it’s in your pocket, and it’s easy to use. This quirky design really meets the needs of man on the go who recognizes there won't always be time to shave in the morning. What does one do, when they turn up to work scraggly faced? Simply whip out this bad boy in the bathroom and remove the offending hairs.
When you detach the razor part of the card, the rest can be used as a mirror, and it will fit snugly in your wallet. You can even choose how to scent the razor- with mint, sandal, lemon, ocean, and orange are on offer.

Size:86x54x3 mm

http://www.infmetry.com/home-decor/bed-bath/carzor-card-shaped-razor-mirror


Why good to have on a trip: 
- Quick trim on the go
- Very compact, fits in your wallet
- Comes with a mirror
- Built-in scent strip included with each cartridge,
  available in mint, sandal, lemon, ocean and orange.

Did You Know?:
It is also available on Amazon.com, though it is called 3mm Ultra Thin Cassette Razor Portable Wallet Shaver there.


Nov 17, 2011

Is this possible new design for the next iPhone?

Smartphone for User Efficiency:

Futuristic design for next generation of smartphones by Yanko Design.

"Kunihiko Nakata’s Palette smartphone concept uses top and bottom “sub-displays” for quick and efficient multitasking. Hiding source tasks at the bottom of the wraparound screen means more room for browsing on the main screen’s display, and hiding network tasks at the top allows the user to send information simultaneously through multiple selected services like Twitter, Facebook, email, or text message."

http://www.yankodesign.com/2011/11/01/smartphone-for-user-efficiency/

What do you think of this design? Leave a Comment

Nov 14, 2011

Halloween is over, that means it is time to shop shop shop until you or the ball drops!

Halloween is over, that means it is time to shop shop shop until you or the ball drops!

Here are some Great Deals:

Amazon kicked it off early with its Countdown to Black Friday
They also have an app for it: Amazon Deals App (free)
And a multitude of Gift Cards for the site or various popular merchants.

TheBlackFriday.com

Also do not forget that there is a second chance these days to get some great deals:
CyberMonday.com
Mycybermondaydeals.org
Cybermonday.biz

Travel Deals: Black Friday, Cyber Monday & More via Peter Greenberg Worldwide

Will you be taking advantage of the deals or sleeping in? Leave a Comment

Nov 11, 2011

There is a Travel App for That: FlightTrack

FlightTrack is great way to track flights with nice visual representation on zoomable maps. The inbuilt maps work even when the phone is offline. The app lets you stay on top of latest flight information with real-time status updates for gates, delays and cancellations for more than 4,000 international airports. It allows users to find alternative flights with a few clicks. You can also save flight schedules for upcoming trips for quick reference. Moreover, the app shows the weather forecast and its potential effect on upcoming flights. A great travel app to have with you when traveling for business or pleasure and be in the know while on the way or at the airport.

Why good to have on a trip:
• Real-time status for gates, delays and cancellations
• Covers more than 4000 airports worldwide
• Full international flight coverage with 1400 airlines
• Find alternate flights at a tap
• Sync with your phone’s calendar
• Share flight status by email, Facebook or Twitter
• Supports multitasking on iOS 4
• Label your flights, store flight confirmation #, save seat # and add notes
• Zoomable, live flight tracker maps with satellite and weather radar imagery
• Review weather radar and forecasts
• Offline mode for use in airplanes – maps still work!
• Airtime, aircraft, and speed & altitude (US)
• Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later.

Did You Know?:
Flight Stats-web based flight tracking
List of airlines' direct sites

Available on iTunes: FlightTrack

 What is your favorite app for air travel? Leave a Comment

Nov 10, 2011

iPhone, Not Great at Everything..

Article first published as iPhone, Not Great at Everything... on Technorati.

IPhone is great, don't get me wrong. When coming back from our trip to Northern Jersey, we were glad to have it along. Even more so now that we have downloaded a new app only a couple of days before, Sigalert. This app shows current traffic patterns with very little delay. It was a great supplement to our Garmin GPS, which is an older model that does not have traffic updates. Sigalert also shows alternative routes or detours and keeps you informed of the speed around each entrance ramp, while taking a detour, indicating when the traffic has dissipated.
As great as some of the apps are and the newest features that have recently came out on an iPhone, there are some things that it cannot replace or duplicate...yet.
Reading on the small screen of most smartphones is not an easy task. You have to have great vision or a great pair of bifocals to be able to read the tiny font that appears on mobile versions of most sites. Even when reading basic text in an email or e-book, it is not optimal viewing.
And this is why Kindle and other similar e-readers have a place in persons hands and laps.
My wife have had her Kindle for awhile now and she has not gone to too many places without it. Recently, she upgraded her phone and got an iPhone. She loves it. It a great tool and a great travel sidekick. But as my wife stated, she would still prefer to have her Kindle along on commute or longer trips. It is simple to use, easy on the eyes, relatively light and with plenty of storage.
Do you watch a lot of videos on tour iPhone? If so, you have probably wished that the display was larger. While it has great graphics and it is easy to get videos or apps for streaming, the screen is tiny and has to be close to your face. Phone-holding elbow anyone?
Are you a gamer? iPad games blow iPhone games out of the water. Besides that, again, things are better on the big screen. That is why we shell out a lot more money to watch a movie on an iMax.
A couple of other things that I can think of that an iPhone cannot do are:
  • Type on a full keyboard - though there is a gadget for that, Flip-Out Keyboard Case.
  • Cook - there might be an app for that
What are some features you think that a smartphone does not have currently but might in the future? What about some that might be too futuristic?

Nov 7, 2011

Best Business Travel Gadgets

The Best Travel Gadgets and Accessories by Inc.com
- All the comforts you'll need on your flight and the luggage to carry them in.

Best Phone for Travel:
HTC Aria

Best Noise-Canceling Headphones:
Bowers & Wilkins P5


Best Portable Massager:
Soothera Wooden Ball Foot Massager & Therapeutic Slippers

Best Tablet:
iPad 2

Best Store for TSA-Friendly Toiletries:
AllTravelSizes.com



Best Bag for Traveling Light:
The Voyageur by Tumi

Best iPad Case:
Built NY

Best Bluetooth Keyboard for Your iPad:
Adonit Writer

For more business travel gadgets visit the Inc.com's Business Travel 50

Best Business Travel Apps:
FlightTrack Pro
MightyMeeting
Print n Share
Encamp - Project Management
mbPointer - for presentations
LinkedIn
Best Business Apps For Android

What travel gadgets you can’t leave your house without when traveling for business? Leave a Comment

Nov 2, 2011

There is a Travel App for That: Where To? - Discover your next destination

Where To? by FutureTap

This app enables you to locate almost anything nearby, including the nearest ATM, burger joint, medical provider, etc.

In some instances, while doing a search, you might not need to even type in what you are looking for as the app comes preset with 700 customizable categories and 2,400 brands. Just tap your way to various things nearby. You can search for recreational activities and categories ranging from medical, organization, emergency, entertainment, travel and attractions.
Where To? also has available Augmented Reality, which lets you explore a stunning new way of visualization (iPhone 4 or 3GS only; available via In-App-Purchase for only $0.99 for all devices under your iTunes account, free trial available). Your points of interest will be displayed on top of reality. It‘s more intuitive than ever to check out nearby locations.

Can't decide where to eat? This app can help there too. Shake your iPhone and it will pick a good restaurant for you to try. Keep shaking until you find a restaurant you would like to check out.

Video review of the Where To? app

Why good to have on a trip:
- Can be used to find local business nearby including, but not limited to, restaurants
- Able to get driving directions to any location chosen
- Available in 10 different languages, covering most of the world with locally optimized search
- Winner of the 2009 and 2010 Best App Ever Awards in the category “Best Travel App
- Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later
- Utilizes Google Maps

Available on iTunes: Where To?

Other cool travel apps:
MotionX GPS HDicon - all the maps and navigation instruments you need for your outdoor life: walking, hiking, sailing, off-roading, flying, geocaching, or exploring, anywhere in the world.

What app do you use to find things nearby? Leave a Comment

Nov 1, 2011

Newspapers = Obsolete? or Reborn?

Newspapers = Obsolete? or Reborn?

"I was on the train one morning. Alas without my Kindle. And as I looked around, I noticed that no one was carrying newspapers on my train. It seemed odd and interesting at the same time.
I took a closer look and saw just how many iPads and Kindles were bieng used and then how many of those users were looking at newspapers. Quite interesting. One person was on WSJ.com, another was on USA Today." - SG

Doing some research and looking on iPad as well as the Kindle store, it looks like while you can get free apps for most of the well known print publications, you would still need a subscription to get the newest version. If you enjoy reading it now, it is a good chance you would go with the digital subscription as well. There are still folks though that prefer, at least for the time being, to hold in their hands a print copy of a paperback or a newspaper. I think it would be at a sliding scale based on generation. For myself, while I like the accessibility and speed of digital publishing, once in awhile I like to have along a magazine rather than an expensive tech gadget that I have to be careful not leave or toss someplace.

Recently, Ziff Davis, one of the larger publishers, announced that they will be moving to all digital publication in 2012. It is more likely than not, that others will follow suit. Other large publishers also made news a few months back by putting up pay walls on the digital version of newspapers. While there was quite a bit of controversy regarding the move, it has been relativity successful for The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
Moreover, there are several applications that have been designed and have gained significant popularity as aggregators of news from well known newspapers and magazines. These apps are thriving since they are presenting articles from various publication within one easy to use interface. One such popular app is Flipboard, which is available for most mobile platforms.

So, are newspapers obsolete? I do not think so. Publishing is a very old industry that is meeting the new digital age. And as with most cycles there are always shakeouts. Some will survive and continue to thrive by being relative and providing great content and/or being reborn as digital publishers.

What do you think about the prospects of the newspapers?
How do you occupy your time during the commute? Leave a Comment


Did You Know?:
Letter to Our Readers: Times Begins Digital Subscriptions
How the Amazon Kindle Works





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