Some people may limit how much they’re traveling now, but lockdown has likely sent many jonesing for plane, train or automobile travel, so take the occasion to gift items for an anticipated venture.
As people are starting to reconsider a return to travel, the criteria has changed, and in addition to choosing a great getaway, a fun road trip, a short or long journey, travelers have other considerations to ponder: What can they bring that will make them less stressed, more safe and comfortable? Here’s a look at some fun tech-related gifts ideal for someone planning for or aspiring to plan for a trip, business or personal.
Image: GL.iNet
It doesn’t get much cuter than this (that is, if a router can be considered cute). The Beryl pocket-sized travel router weighs less than half-a-pound and measures 4.7″ x 3.3″ x 1.18.” It also has dual-band wi-fi, 512GB external storage, its own cybersecurity protocol, “quick wi-fi speeds” for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, and security to stay safe on public wi-fi. There are more than 30 VPN service providers to select from, with encryption and authentication with OpenVPN & WireGuard. Tor (The Onion Router) service and OpenWrt are pre-installed in Beryl. Blocks ads and online trackers with DNS encryption.
Beryl has one WAN ethernet port, two LAN ethernet ports, one USB 3.0 port, one Type-C, one MicroSD card slot, on reset button, one mode switch and a light.
Image: Oru
We have to keep safe, even in leisure. Tennis may be considered the ideal sport in the time of COVID-19, but if you want to take serious time off (and you have access to water), here’s something that might interest you: A folding Kayak. It weighs only 20 pounds and folds into a box the size of a guitar case; it can go from the box to a boat in less than three minutes, said the manufacturer, Oru Kayak.
Stay safe: Take a road trip with your immediate household and go for a ride in a kayak, in which you’ll be assured a minimum 8-feet distance from anyone else in the water.
A current promotion features a chance to win a $500 credit. See details on the site.
Image: Cobra
The Cobra SC 200D is designed for drivers who need the flexibility to record and monitor multiple viewpoints. This dual-view smart dash cam comes with the rear-view accessory camera so you can see what’s ahead and behind at all times. The Cobra SC Series smart dash cameras are available in multiple variations that record the road ahead, behind, and inside the vehicle for 360 degrees of visibility and peace of mind behind the wheel.
ChargeASAP
This credit-card sized charger from ChargeASAP can quick charge 4 devices: laptops, smartphones & USB devices at the same time. The manufacturer says “The Omega 200W and 100W chargers are the smallest chargers available on the market (66% smaller than traditional chargers) and the world’s first portable 200W charger to quick charge a laptop (MacBook Pro), a tablet (iPad Pro), smartphone (iPhone), and mobile device (AirPods, Watch) all at the same time.”
The price listed is for a two-pack, one 100W and one 200W.
Image: xSuit
Here’s something no one should ever be with out: a face mask. The xMask Air is a washable, and reusable face mask made from antimicrobial materials and, said the manufacturer, engineered with breathability and convenience in mind. Made of stretchable and lightweight fabric, the ear loops are made of soft elastic fabric for a “comfortably soft stretch.”
The xMask air comes with a 5 layer, 95% blocking filter and designed to guarantee a smooth and comfortable fit and optimal protection. For every xMask sold, one is donated to a hospital in need. To date, xMask has donated over 50,000 masks to hospitals across the US. Available in different colors, as well as different sizes. Regularly $29, but now with a 30% off code on the website during the holidays so the price drops to less than $20.30.
ESHLDTY
No matter how tech-oriented a hotel is, there never seem to be enough plugs for the business and personal traveler. The ESHLDTY waterproof indoor/outdoor power strip surge protector features a 6-foot extension cord, three AC-outlets and socket electric shockproof overload protection, and 1500 joules. The cord is getting an upgrade, too. https://comingsoon.eshldty.com
Gravity
Travel anxiety is nothing new. Instead of popping a pill before boarding a plane, people are turning to essential oils and other less chemical-y ways to stay calm. This therapeutic 10 lb. weighted blanket comes with a carrying case to sit atop most rolling suitcases, it measures 66″ x 48″ and comes in Calm Blue. Each blanket includes a duvet cover of “breathable technical fabric designed to wick moisture” (machine washable) and an inner-weighted five-grade glass beads piece (hand-wash only, air dry).
Also included is a one-year subscription to the Calm App, designed for sleep, meditation and relaxation. Provide your email for $20 off.
Timekettle
Instant translation, right in your ear. Looks almost identical to AirPods, the M2 can translate 40 languages and 93 accents, six languages offline translator with Bluetooth and App. The two-way online translation covers, according to the manufacturer, 85% of the world population. It has smart-touch sensors, can play music, answer or reject a phone call, has play/pause/skip the track, activate voice assistant with quick touch compatible with Apple and Google, six hours of listening and translating, a portable charger can extend it to 30 hours.
An Android offline package is included for an additional $30
Ricoh
It only looks like an Amazon fire remote control. It’s a camera that’s lightweight and designed for travel, and features a high-speed wireless transfer to upload photos quickly onto a smartphone. Compact and brightly colored, it can take 360-degree still images or video. It’s available in white, blue, pink and beige.
Exactmade
Eventually, travel may seem viable again. For some, business has made it necessary. This portable sanitizing wand is excellent for those traveling or just navigating around this coronavirus pandemic world. Ultraviolet-C light kills germs, viruses, bacteria and fungi. To use, wave over the non-living area you want to disinfect for a few seconds and the light destroys the organism’s ability to replicate. Comes with the wand, a USB charging cord, a carrying back and protective eyewear. It has a 15-day battery life, is ozone and chemical free and powered by 20 X UVC LED, eliminates up to 99.9% germs. Approved for air travel and has a child-lock safety feature.
Canon
Compact telephoto monocular that can pair with smartphones. It’s lightweight and has100mm, 400mm and 800mm telephoto viewing capability. Available for pre-order for its November 2020 launch.
It also features:
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Auto focus when viewing through the electronic viewfinder (EVF) and recording images and video with face tracking
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Optical Image Stabilization for shake correction
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0.39 inches, 2.36 million dots EVF
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12-megapixel still-image capture
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Full HD video capture up to 30p (29.97)
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Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connection with the Canon Camera Connect app and use of compatible mobile devices
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Live view and download of photos and videos with the use of the Canon Camera Connect app
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USB C terminal for charging and supplying power
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Micro SD memory card slot
Puro Sound
The PuroPro adheres to the Puro Sound Labs mission to protect consumers’ hearing, and the headphones are also volume limited to 85 dB for up to 8 hours per day, and 95 dB for up to 50 minutes per day, as recommended by the World Health Organization. The headphones are equipped with Puro Balanced Response Curve technology, to deliver a listening experience with crisp vocals, plus two adjustable ANC levels. The wireless Bluetooth v.5 headphones are lightweight, foldable and come with a matching hard cover carrying case, ideal for travel, with batteries that Puro Sound said provide up to 28 hours playtime with ANC, 32 hours without and 300 hours of standby time.
Whip-It!
Has a checkpoint-friendly compartment, a padded laptop sleeve that fits up to 17″ laptops, a dedicated neoprene sleeve in main compartment designed for power banks and external batteries, as well as two elastic pockets, one to fit an iPad, tablet or eReader and another for power cords, and small electronic accessories, wide, adjustable backpack straps, and padded top grab handle for transport or slip over luggage handle. 10% off first order, plus free promo, use code: 10FIRST