10 Best Travel Gadgets for 2012
The top 10 travel gadgets always seem to have a few repeats that keep improving and cannot seem do without. From the water purifier to the solar powered devices, people departing on travel vacations have a few options to select from for 2012.
1. CamelBak All Clear UV Water Purification System. CamelBak has a new water purification system that produces 0.75 liters safe drinking water in less than a minute. The device uses a high powered ultraviolet light to purify water of impurities such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa. The UV light can produce three liters of water for seven years.
2. Portable Water Purifiers. Consumers should purchase effective water purifiers to remove bacteria and parasites. Iodine based water tablets are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Electronic water purifiers are preferred for rendering potable water in minutes. These purifiers are inexpensive and highly portable.
3. USB Rechargeable Batteries. The USB rechargeable battery set will help user recharge their DVDs. The batteries can be recharged and reused without purchasing new ones. Solar battery chargers are also useful when taking backpacking trips. Phone battery extenders are also useful in camping situations or long road trips.
4. Solar Powered BackPack. The solared powered back pack captures the sun’s rays as you are walking and viewing the sites. The back pack may be used in the city or the open countryside as an alternative energy source.
5. Stash Sandals. Stash sandals are the perfect beach companion. No one wants to carry a bulky bag with them at all times. These sandals have a secret compartment to store credit cards, cash and other small items that you may need while having a good time at an amusement park or a beach.
6. Multifunctional USB Key. Users with multifunctional USB keys have multiple uses that may be beneficial to people traveling. Some multifunctional USB keys include additional tools such as pens and LED lights. Knives and scissors may also be present. For the protection of the consumer, some multifunctional USB keys feature password protection. This protects the user’s information if the device is lost. The device may also be waterproof if submersed while hiking or backpacking.
7. WiFi Modem. Unfortunately, there is a huge problem at hotels where people use the hotel Internet to spy on their neighbors information. To circumvent this problem, purchase your own Wifi modem and connect your smartphone or notebook computer to the device.
8. Electronic Multi Language Translator Apps. As you travel the world, it is important to know the local language. Internet translators are expensive. A multi lingual solution will help you communicate with the locals in as many as 12 different languages.
9. Energizer Carabiner LED Area Tent Light. This light will fit comfortably on a key chain and can provide some lighting in a precarious situation.
10. Joby Obus. This egg-shaped lamp is made of acrylic glass and will provide a significant amount of light. The beam of light will last for 40,000 hours which is almost 25 years. For only $200, this device is a must have for adventurous campers.
Joe Hall is the founder of Myrtle Beach Hotels. When he isn’t blogging or hanging out on twitter, you can find him relaxing on the beach, with beer in hand!
The Years Most Unused Christmas Presents
Christmas is a time of giving and receiving, but now January is here, what happens to all of those gifts that we didn’t really want? Every year we all receive one present that we would be quite happy without, and have to smile sweetly whilst moving on swiftly to the next giftt.
MyVoucherCodes have carried out a survey in which 48% of of participants admitted that this Christmas they received a gift that they still haven’t even used. Below are this year’s most unused presents, and considering their cost, there’s a few surprises.
Amazon Kindle
22% of participants who had an unused present said it was an Amazon Kindle. Of those, half hadn’t even downloaded any books onto it. This is quite surprising, as there’s no denying the Kindle is a great product. The fantastic thing about the Kindle is the e-ink display, which should appeal to those who don’t like reading from a screen, as it feels exactly like reading a real book.
However, when you purchase a kindle it comes with nothing to read except a user manual. Therefore to be able to use it, you have to set up an Amazon account, input your billing details and pay to download the books. From there it takes seconds to download a new book, but many people may be put off by the initial setup and cost, especially so soon after christmas.
Apple iPad
9% of the people who hadn’t used a present said it was an Apple iPad. This is quite understandable, as Apple products have as many critics as they have fans. The thought of having to use an iPad may be quite daunting to people who are used to Microsoft PCs and Android phones.
Many people also disagree over the relevance of tablet computers. Some say there’s no need for the middle ground between a phone and a laptop. The product does appeal to a lot of people, but it’s hardly pocket sized and the small screen couldn’t replace a computer monitor. The iPad also may not appeal to people who bring their laptop everywhere with them anyway, where it would just be another thing to carry around which is less powerful.
MP3 Players
14% of those who hadn’t used one of their presents claimed it was an mp3 player. Similarly to the Amazon Kindle, the main reason given was that they hadn’t downloaded anything onto it yet. Transferring your music to an mp3 player, especially if it isn’t stored on your computer, can be very time consuming, and it seems that many people still haven’t had the time.
Why Aren’t They Being Used?
It seems that all of the products being left unused are just remaining that way because they require some kind of initial setup. If they are a gift then the receiver may not have heard much about the benefits of the product before, which wouldn’t motivate them to get it set up. There’s no denying that they’re all good products, many people can’t live without their Kindle, iPad, or mp3 player. Maybe these results just show that when you get somebody a gift next Christmas, you should help them set it up too.
Plaisirs boutique is an online retailer providing a range of women’s gifts. For Princesse Tam Tam UK gifts and more that won’t go unused, visit Plaisirs Boutique.
5 Gadgets to Help Kickstart Your Weight Loss
Sometimes we need a little help and that couldn’t be any truer of a statement when it comes to weight loss. Gadgets often offer the incentive we need to get moving. Here are just five gadgets to help kickstart your weight loss.
Ormon Body Fat Monitor and Scale – $44.99
There are a number of great reasons to buy one of these scales. First of all, you can monitor the entire family’s weight (up to 4 people). It also measures weight, body mass index and body fat percentage. Some models of this scale even give the resting metabolism of the user.
BodyMedia FIT CORE Weight Management System – $149.99
Hate the idea of trying to keep track of how many calories you’ve burned? The BodyMedia FIT CORE Weight Management System does all the work for you. All you have to do is slip the band on your arm and it will track all the calories burned whether you’re grocery shopping or walking.
Wii Cyberbike – $199
If you’re the type that loves to workout with video games, you are going to love the Cyberbike. The Cyberbike allows you to use your power to win the game. In racing games that come with the accessory and other video games, such as Mario Kart, the faster you peddle, the faster your character goes. It even let’s you set goals based on calories burned, time and distance.
ProForm 505 CST Treadmill – $599
Want a killer treadmill without paying over $1,000, then ProForm may be the answer to your prayers. The ProForm 505 CST Treadmill comes complete with built-in apps, a surround sound system, iPod port and an extra long treadmill path measuring 20 x 50 inches. Best of all, it costs less than $600.
IPhone/IPod – $199 to $399
While this purchase can get quite pricy, it doesn’t have to. An 8GB iPod Touch will do what you need, for less than $200. With an iPod Touch, you can download a number of free weight loss and fitness apps. You can also hook your iPod up to certain exercise equipment to track your fitness.
These gadgets can be a bit pricy, but they do make the process of weight loss easier and a bit more enjoyable. Best of all, these are gadgets that offer a big bang for the buck. Whether it’s a treadmill with a built-in sound system or a scale that gives you more information that most, these gadgets will get you moving in the right direction.
About the Author: Douglass Shamel is an EKG technician and a nutritionist who loves helping people find ways to lose weight. He knows that using gadgets to hold yourself accountable is, for some, the only way to go!
Logitech’s New 1080p Videoconferencing Webcam
Have a meeting to get done at high quality so you can actually see what is going on? Then Logitech’s New 1080p webcam for videoconferencing is the way to go.
Logitech has come out a new range of next generation of webcam technology that deliver full 1080p HD video, onboard H.264 compression and USB Video Class (UVC) driver-less install.
Logitech worked with Skype to deliver true 1080p videoconferencing at a maximum 30 frames per second. Logitech says they have overcome the video quality drops to a level that makes video meetings acceptable. The advanced H.264 hardware encoding capability and video compression is managed within the webcam without having to place more stress on the computer’s processor, helping smooth video up further.
Checkout the video:
Nike Fuelband Video
Another cool device to keep track of your calories, steps and time. The Nike+ Fuel band allows you to sync with your computer or iPhone using a USB connection or via Bluetooth to an iPhone app. Track your stats and goals. Only available at Nikestore.com.
