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You are here: Home / News / Travel Gadgets, my World News Now segment

Travel Gadgets, my World News Now segment

March 22, 2012 By Andrea Smith Leave a Comment

Tech tools to take on the road when you travel. Here’s the video from my recent  ABC’s World News Now segment. And read on after the clip for more info on the gadgets I showed.

(You can watch the clip live at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1_GlAoZelw&list=UUSQT422UlKMWlp88doWqzig.)

If you’re planning a trip this Spring, or even a little weekend getaway, you’ll want to check these out.

POWERBAG SLING $139

If you’re one of those people who is constantly running out of juice, and looking for a quick way to charge up your phone or your tablet, look no further than the bag on your back. The Powerbag has an internal battery that can charge up your gadgets on the go. It will charge a variety of devices, because it comes with different connecters with micro and mini USB tips, as well as an Apple connecter. There’s also a separate USB slot available for charging an extra device, provided you have the cable. Powerbag says the battery can charge the average smartphone twice.

Charging the bag is simple. It comes with an AC plug that goes directly into a water-resistant port in the front of the bag. When the bag is charging, you’ll see a light indicator on the front of the bag. You can also take out the battery and plug the cable directly into it.

The best part of the sling model, aside from the roomy inside, is the ability to move the strap from side to side, depending on whether you’re a leftie or a rightie. The Powerbag Sling comes in six different colors with a 3000mAh battery. You can but additional batteries or upgrade to a more powerful battery on their website.

http://www.mypowerbag.com/backpacks/sling.html

INNERGIE POCKETCELL  $79.99

Running out of power for your portable devices is almost a bigger issue these days than getting lost when you’re on the road. Where are you going to be able to stop and plug in your devices to charge them up? And what if you only have a mini USB cable with you but your blinking GPS needs a micro connecter. Innergie has solved that problem, and then some.

The PocketCell rechargeable battery pack can add hours to your devices, whether it’s an iPhone, Android phone, e-reader, tablet, portable game console, if it takes a USB cable, chances are, you can charge it. Included with the battery pack is Innergie’s Magic Cable Trio which has integrated smart-tip Apple, Micro, and Mini USB connectors, which means there’s very little likelihood of you saying, I don’t have the right cable. And they’re all connected so they won’t get lost.

You can recharge the PocketCell from either a laptop or computer, or an AC plug using a standard USB power adapter.

You can purchase the additional mini DC adapter w/dual USB ports for $20

http://www.myinnergie.com/PocketCell/default.aspx

 

BELKIN MINI SURGE PROTECTOR $20         

The hotel room never seems to have outlets. Or is it just that we have more things to charge at the end of the day? Either way, be safe and pack the Belkin Mini Surge Protector along with all your gadgets. It’s a compact power strip with three AC outlets and two USB ports that also acts as a surge protector. The 360-degree rotating plug makes it easy to fit into hard-to-reach outlets. Never worry about stacked up waiting-to-be-charged phones again, just don’t forget to pack it when you check out.

http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=400738

 

TP-LINK MINI POCKET WIRELESS ROUTER $29.99

The sad fact of travel in the connected age is not every hotel offers wi-fi in its rooms. I ran into this situation on a recent trip when I found only wired internet access at a very uncomfortable desk. The trouble was, neither my husband nor I had a laptop with is. we both had tablets that needed wi-fi. And who wants to sit at the desk? The TP-Link Mini Pocket Wireless Router was made for just this occasion. Plug the Ethernet cable into the back of the cube-shaped device, plug the device into a wall socket, and you have wi-fi that everyone in the room can access.

http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/?model=TL-WR700N

Filed Under: News, Tech, Tech Reviews Tagged With: ABC WNN Travel Gadgets, Andrea Smith Travel Gadgets, Belkin Mini Surge Protecter, Innergie PocketCell, Magic Cable Trio, Powerbag, technology, TP-LINK MINI POCKET WIRELESS ROUTER, usb tips, weekend getaway

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Andrea Smith headshot (600x800) Andrea Smith is an award-winning technology reporter, producer, consultant and speaker. [Read More...]

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