Gadling’s Top 25 travel technology products of 2008 — Part 2

by Scott Carmichael on

Blueant Supertooth 3

As more and more states introduce legislation banning calls without a handsfree device, portable handsfree devices have suddenly become more important than ever.

The Blueant Supertooth 3 is a very compact battery powered Bluetooth carkit with fantastic sound quality. The Supertooth 3 also features integrated text-to-speech and voice recognition.

The microphone inside the Supertooth 3 is so impressive that callers on the other end of your conversation will not even notice they are on a speakerphone.

By far the most impressive feature hidden away inside the Supertooth 3 is a vibration sensor that turns the unit off when your car stops moving. Thanks to this sensor, the carkit can provide you with several weeks of power. A smart magnetic clip even allows you to attach the Supertooth 3 on either side of your sun visor!

Why it matters to travelers: Small enough to fit inside your carry-on and perfect for your rental car.
Price: $129
Where: www.myblueant.com
Gadling review: October 29th 2008

Yougetitback

When I am on the road with my gadgets, I fear 2 things; running out of power to keep them running, and losing them. I’ve made it a habit to double check all my bags and pockets before leaving the plane, and I’ll usually spend 10 minutes going through my hotel room before I check out. But at the end of the day, it’s always a possibility that I leave my phone or music player behind.

To help increase my chances of getting my stuff back, I’ve labeled my more expensive gadgets with a tag from Yougetitback. These tags contain a unique serial number as well as a phone number people can call to help me get my stuff back. Of course, the entire process depends on the honesty of whoever finds it, but at least I have a better chance of getting it back than leaving it behind without any form of identification attached.

Yougetitback sells tags in all shapes and sizes, including key protectors and luggage tags. When you activate a tag, you can even assign a reward to your account which will be paid to whoever is honest enough to call. Yougetitback takes care of the return shipping process, so the caller does not have to worry about any costs.

Why it matters to travelers: May help increase your chances of getting lost gadgets or luggage back.
Price: From $9.99
Where: www.yougetitback.com
Gadling review: Coming soon.

Garmin Oregon 400t

The Garmin Oregon 400t is not your everyday GPS unit. While most manufacturers focus on bringing maps to your car, Garmin have spent a lot of time developing a GPS unit specifically for outdoors use.

The Oregon 400t is a rugged and waterproof touch screen device. Inside the unit is a high resolution topographic map designed for on the trail or water. The 400t even features a built in barometer and compass.

Thanks to its integrated geocaching support, you can start an outdoor adventure, and find your way home at the end of the day. The Oregon 400t even allows you to wirelessly send routes, tracks and other items to other Oregon GPS units.

Why it matters to travelers: The best way to find your way around when you leave civilization.
Price: $599
Where: www.garmin.com
Gadling review: Coming soon

Slacker G2

The Slacker G2 is a portable music player with a twist; instead of relying on your own collection of music, you get access to millions of songs provided by the Slacker service. Slacker offers a wide selection of themed radio stations, but you can also build you own radio station filled with artists and music styles you chose. The Slacker G2 can refresh its music through Wi-Fi, which means you’ll be able to get online and grab a fresh batch of music, no matter where you are.

The player itself is quite small, but Slacker still managed to squeeze a large screen inside, as well as a battery with enough juice for almost 15 hours of playback. The player even comes complete with noise isolating headphones and a case.

Why it matters to travelers: New music on the road, without the need for a PC.
Price: From $199 (4GB/25 stations)
Where: www.slacker.com
Gadling review: September 16th 2008

Proporta Gadget Bag

So, you’ve got an impressive lineup of gadgets for your upcoming trip, but how do you plan to carry it all with you?

In my case, I searched high and low, and finally found the perfect solution with the Proporta gadget bag. This 4 piece gadget bag is spacious enough to carry the most insane collection of gadgets. The main bag connects to 2 smaller bags using zippers, and a small internal bag holds all your little items.

Each bag even features a cable pass-through allowing you to keep gadgets inside the bag, and still use your headphones or charger cord.

Why it matters to travelers: Keeps all your gadgets in one convenient location, and can be split into 3 separate bags.
Price: $47.95
Where: www.proporta.com
Gadling review: Coming soon

Kensington Travel plug adapter with USB charger

Take one part international plug adapter, add a USB charger, and you’ll get the Kensington International adapter with USB.

This adapter has retracting plugs for most countries in the world. What makes this product stand out, is that the top of the adapter can be removed, and replaced with an international USB charger.

Why it mat
ters to travelers: A single device with international plugs and a USB charger
Price: $29.99
Where: www.kensington.com
Gadling review: November 9th 2008

Slingbox Solo

Ever been stranded in a hotel room with nothing more than 6 channels of local programming and a barely functioning remote control?

The Slingbox Solo is the only product in this list that works best when left at home. The Slingbox Solo takes the signal from your home TV (cable, cablebox, DVR or satellite box) and “streams” it over the Internet.

By running the Slingplayer on your computer, you get full control over your video source back home thanks to a “virtual remote control”.

You can even access your Slingbox on a compatible mobile phone, or with the new Slingcatcher.

Why it matters to travelers: Watch your home TV when you are away from home.
Price: From $179.99
Where: www.slingmedia.com
Gadling review: Coming soon

La Fresh travel wipes

La Fresh has the honor of being one of just a few non battery operated products in this list.

La Fresh produces a lineup of single use travel wipes. Their assortment includes the usual stuff like anti-bacterial wipes, but also deodorant, sunscreen, makeup remover and even shoe shine wipes.

Their single use travel combo packs include everything you could possibly need to freshen up if you find yourself away from the civilized world (or if the airline loses your bag!). Inside a small pouch is a deodorant wipe, a minty-mitt mouth wipe, nail polish remover, hydrating lotion and a shoe shine towelette.

Of course, because the towelettes contain very little liquid, you can carry them through the TSA checkpoint without getting hassled.

Why it matters to travelers: Perfect solution for a quick freshen-up on a trip.
Price: From $8.99 for a single use travel pack
Where: www.lafreshgroup.com
Gadling review: August 14th 2008

MoGo Mouse

The MoGo mouse is a credit card sized mouse designed to fit inside the expansion slot of your laptop. You’ll need Bluetooth in your laptop (or a USB Bluetooth adapter), but the rest is all plug and play.

The mouse recharges in just a few minutes when inserted in your laptop and a small folding stand raises the mouse off your desk for ease of use. The mouse is surprisingly easy to use and is available for PCCard and Expresscard/54 laptops.

Why it matters to travelers: Easy to carry, and usually better than the built in mouse of your laptop.
Price: From $79.99
Where: www.newtonperipherals.com
Gadling review: Coming soon

The Notebook Buffer

As portable computers become faster, the heat they produce increases. With some computers I have tested, I’ve measured well over 135F on the bottom of the machine. With heat like this, you get dangerously close to injury territory.

There have always been notebook cooling pads, but they add more bulk to your luggage, and the fans inside these coolers drain even more battery power from your laptop. In my quest for a better solution, I came across The Notebook Buddy.

This fabric mesh cooling pad is made of thousands of little springy pieces of plastic, allowing for air flow under your machine. The pad can be rolled up and stuffed in your carry on bag.

Why it matters to travelers: Allows you to use your notebook on your lap without burning yourself
Price: $18.95
Where: www.thenotebookbuffer.com
Gadling review: October 9th 2008

Daily deal – Nokia text to speech GPS unit for $99.99

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today is for the Nokia 500 GPS unit. This automotive GPS device comes with a huge array of features, including Bluetooth handsfree dialing, text-to-speech (including street and road names), video and music playback, and even a built in FM transmitter.

The Nokia 500 originally retailed for $400, but buy.com currently has it on sale for just $99.99 with free shipping.

Included in the package is the unit itself, a car charger cord, windshield mount, USB cable, 2GB memory card and even a carrying case.

Reviews of the unit are generally very positive, so you can rest assured that your $100 will go towards a reliable and well rated device.

(Via: Fatwallet)

Daily deal – Dash Express connected GPS unit – $199.99

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today is for the Dash Express connected GPS device. This GPS unit is different than any other unit I’ve ever mentioned here on Gadling.

Inside the Dash Express is essentially a mobile phone, and with this, you are always connected to the Internet (as long as you are within coverage).

By being connected, the Dash Express constantly receives updates about traffic on your route. It receives this information from a variety of sources, including fellow Dash Express users. This feature makes the Dash Express the only GPS unit on the market that can report traffic on ALL roads, not just the major highways.

In addition to traffic information, the Dash Express also offers an online address search feature (through Yahoo), plus you can send an address from your computer directly to your car (Imagine not having to write down addresses before you leave!). The unit also has access to real-time local gas prices and movie times. To make the connected services even better, you can add “Dash Apps”, which are user submitted online searches. Dash Apps add powerful features to the Dash Express like speedtrap reports, local weather, and even local online Wikipedia searches.

In addition to the connected services, you also get text-to-speech for spoken commands, 3D map views, a theft deterrent option and an automatic day/night screen setting.

The Dash Express even allows you to “phone in” your destination with TellMe or 1-800-DIRECTIONS and have the address sent directly to the device!

The Dash express launched earlier this year for $399, but for just one day you’ll be able to pick one up for just $199.99.

There is of course one minor caveat; you will need a monthly subscription in order to use the online features. Subscribing is optional, but without the connected Dash services, the device is just another GPS unit. Subscriptions start a $12.99, and drop to $9.99 when you pre-pay for 2 years.

The Dash Express is on sale at Amazon.com, and ships for free.

When not to listen to your GPS unit

by Scott Carmichael on

If I had to make up a fake statistic, I’d say that one in three cars currently has a GPS navigation system. In the past decade, these systems have gone from the ultimate in luxury to just another $100 gadget.

One thing that has not changed however, is the inability of some people to make up their own mind and drive around without using the GPS commands as something other than a mere suggestion.

Here are 5 incidents when a driver let the soothing voice of their GPS unit tell them exactly where to go; without thinking about their next move.

Turn right at the railroad crossing with the approaching train…

A grade crossing in Bedford Hills, NY was the scene of an accident where a driver took a GPS suggested turn, right onto the tracks of the Metro-North railroad.

When the car got stuck, the driver and passengers got out and called 911. Unfortunately, the dispatcher was not able to reach the oncoming train on time, and it struck the car. Nobody was injured but passengers in the train were delayed several hours. An exact same incident occurred earlier this year, also involving a GPS unit.

Via: LoHud.com news and Engadget.com

Road safety truck stuck…

This stuck truck would be just as hilarious as any other situation where a driver failed to check the height of his truck before driving under a bridge. But the truck in question was on its way to a seminar to teach school children some important lessons on road safety. It took a salvage company several hours to pull the truck from under the viaduct.

100ft cliffs on the road to Crackpot

I’m not sure what is funnier; that GPS units have been directing people on a route along the edge of a cliff, or that these people are on their way to a village called Crackpot. When drivers get stuck on the perilous route, they attempt to reverse their car along the edge of the cliff. Thankfully nobody has gone over the edge yet. Villagers are trying to get the route removed from GPS maps.

Source: BBC News

Turn left (if you are a bus)

The Dutch have a fantastic public transport system. Their roads are so bus friendly, that they actually make entire routes and shortcuts just for the bus drivers. So, let that be a lesson to anyone who is NOT driving a bus. This bus route has a hydraulic gate which opens and closes for the local bus, and is clearly strong enough to lift your poor Volvo in into the air.

Corner VS. truck – corner wins!

Residents of the Welsh village of Tycroes have tried everything to warn drivers about the dangers of Cwmferrws Road, but it took this stuck Polish truck driver to finally force the council to design a road sign telling truck drivers not to rely on their GPS units for navigating the village. The truck in question was stuck for hours, and kept hitting a garden wall in his attempts at getting his truck unstuck.

Californians rejoice! GPS units can once again be windshield mounted

by Scott Carmichael on

For the past couple of years, residents of California have been banned from mounting their GPS unit on the windshield in their car. The law was originally put in place because lawmakers were convinced that the GPS units could interfere with a deploying airbag or obstruct a drivers view.

The new law, which goes into effect on January 1st 2009, was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger and permits windshield mounted GPS units in the lower left and right corners. Units mounted anywhere else will still be considered a violation, and drivers may be ticketed if caught (a $108 fine!).

The law is actually quite specific; GPS units must be mounted in the lower 7 inch corner farthest away from the driver, or in the lower 5 inch corner closest to the driver.

Of course, the new law was backed by some industry groups, including representatives of Californian car dealerships, a consumer rights group and even the California Space Authority who represent GPS satellite makers.

The only other state in the country that still bans the use of GPS units mounted anywhere on the windshield, is Minnesota, who currently have no plans to change the law. Alternatives for mounting your GPS on the windshield include using a self adhesive disk on the dashboard which allows the suction cup on the GPS mount to be attached, or a GPS friction beanbag which sits on the dash.