Gadgets for Sophisticated Travelers
Remember the cartoon about the resourceful Inspector Gadget, who handled any extreme situation in a matter of seconds? All he had to do was give a command, and wheels would instantly appear from his shoes or huge springs would sprout. His fingers were also equipped with all sorts of devices, and the cartoon hero’s hat even concealed a long folding contraption that, depending on the circumstances, transformed into a telescope, a propeller, or a parachute. When futuristic fantasies are reflected in cartoons, know this: "Someone has long been working on bringing them to life." Life is becoming increasingly dynamic, and this is especially felt by people who are often ‘on the go’. Making travel safe, productive, and comfortable is a true art, and the keys to mastering it are new-generation gadgets. If the famous inspector from the 90s ever gets to see how far progress has come, he will undoubtedly add a couple of new items to his arsenal.
Gadget — Keyboard!
With the new generation laser keyboard Laser Virtual Keyboard, there’s no longer a need to carry bulky laptops on your travels. A regular tablet or phone is enough. The compact block (even smaller than a pack of cigarettes) connects via Bluetooth and projects an image onto any flat surface. The only drawback of the device is that displaying a symbol on the screen is accompanied by an audible signal, so people nearby might not appreciate such ‘music’. Otherwise, the virtual keyboard is in no way inferior to a regular one, and it’s also a real relaxation for the fingers. Cost: from 109 to 150 USD.
Gadget Pen-Translator!
Paper phrasebooks, tremble! A pen is entering the stage that instantly translates texts using the Google Translate principle. Just run it over printed or handwritten text, if the handwriting is legible enough, and the phrase will immediately appear in the desired language in a small window. And let those who doubt their pronunciation not be upset; the pen will say everything for you, just activate the voice function. This is simply an indispensable item for people who can no longer imagine their lives without exploring new countries. The translator pen not only solves communication problems, but it’s also a unique opportunity to read books and newspapers in 30 different languages. Cost: approximately 140 USD.
Gadget Safe-Sandals!
Perhaps the biggest drawback of vacationing in another country is the things you constantly have to carry with you. If there’s a beach nearby, the question becomes critical: either leave all valuables in the room and worry that a dishonest maid will enrich herself (in a hostel, you should also be wary of neighbors), or take them with you. But in the latter case, there’s a high probability that your belongings will be taken while their owner is enjoying the sea waves. The dilemma was solved by Reef, which developed sandals with a secret pocket in the heel. The pull-out compartments can hold a substantial amount of money, several plastic cards, and a room key. The manufacturing company proved so inventive that it even released a special model for diving enthusiasts. Cost: from 38 USD to 55 USD.
Gadget Gorillapod!
A flexible tripod with strong springy legs will come in handy when you want to take a memorable photo, and there’s nobody around, as luck would have it. It’s set up simply, just like a regular folding tripod, and fits any camera slot. You can attach the Gorillapod to a tree trunk, stair railings, ledges, rock outcrops, and even embed it in sand. With these flexible legs, any angle is possible! In the photo, the tripod might seem gigantic, and it has such an imposing name. In reality, the device is so compact that it will fit in a woman’s cosmetic bag. Cost: 19.20 USD.
Gadget Mini Water Purifier!
Some are already quite bored with well-fed Europe. The soul craves exoticism and unknown lands. Africa, baby, is devilishly beautiful, but before setting off, it would be good to get a pocket water purification station SteriPen. You never know where fate might take you. SteriPen’s UV rays kill bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms in water with 99.9% effectiveness, without spoiling its taste. After such disinfection, the water can be drunk without fear for your health. Additional purification and boiling are not required. The principle of operation of the purifier is simple: radiation destroys the DNA of bacteria, preventing their reproduction. The gadget fits into a glasses case and weighs no more than 100 grams. A pleasant bonus is a built-in flashlight. Cost: from 72.59 USD to 100 USD.
Gadget Suitcase. Follow Me!
How wonderful it would be to get off the plane and head to an unfamiliar hotel unencumbered, admiring the local sights along the way. But ‘pure perception’ is out of the question when a heavy suitcase turns life into a nightmare. Unless… it’s a Hop suitcase, which is so self-sufficient that it follows its owner on built-in caterpillar tracks without external help. All you need to do is turn on Bluetooth on your phone or iPad. The luggage will strictly adhere to the distance set in the settings. However, there is one problem: the suitcase reacts to any Bluetooth device signal, so, for example, at the airport, you can’t expect loyalty from it. In crowded places, it’s better to use the retractable handle. Just in case. Cost: approximately 1300 USD.
It’s a shame if such a suitcase gets lost at the airport, which happens quite often. But a prudent person will find a way to insure themselves against any risks. So…
Gadget Secret Chip!
Attach a small Easy-2-Pick chip to your travel bag, and you won’t be afraid of thieves or accidental luggage loss during your flight. The globalbagtag.com system will help track the suitcase’s movements. The coordinates of all chipped items are uploaded here, so now you won’t have to worry about the safety of your luggage. In some airports, similar devices are sold directly in duty-free shops. Cost: 12–13 USD. Inspector Gadget can only envy the owners of all these cool gadgets!
