Lose the Bulky Wallet: Consolidating Credit Cards into one Cool Device

by Neil Woodburn on

If you’re like me, you’ve got far too many cards in your wallet. Wouldn’t it be easier to get ride of all but one, a magical card which assumes the identity of all your other cards?

Well, the iCache is on its way.

This small electronic device electronically stores information from all the magnetic strip cards in your wallet. Any time you need to use one, you pick what you want from the screen and a plastic card temporarily loaded with the pertinent information slides out of the contraption. It is good for one swipe and then the information is stripped from the card and it returns into the iCache.

The coolest thing is that one cannot access the device until the correct thumbprint is scanned.

The device itself is about the size of a small cell phone, so it really won’t cut down on space–especially if you’re a guy and will be carrying it around in your pocket. Personally, I think I’ll pass for now. But once they figure out how to do this with my cell phone, I’m on board!

Turning your Laptop into a DVR TV

by Neil Woodburn on

For all you road warriors out there who simply can’t be on the road without catching your favorite TV show, here’s a handy little device which converts your trusty laptop into a DVR television.

Simply plug the WinTV-HVR-950 hybrid TV stick into an available USB port, load up the software, hook up the portable TV antennae, and start watching TV. The antennae can pluck both analog and digital signals from the air.

Or, if you happen to be near a cable jack, you can screw the cable onto the end of the device and pick up a cable television signal. Of course, if you are near a cable jack you’re probably near a TV as well. The benefit here is that the WinTV-HVR-950 can record programs to your hard drive just like a DVR. So, the night before you fly home, you can plug into your hotel’s cable, and record a few shows for the plane flight.

This is a pretty cool little toy but personally, I think the only reason I might ever use it would be to catch live sporting events while I travel. Otherwise, it’s DVDs and video iPods for me.

Price: $99

Top Road Trip Gadgets

by Neil Woodburn on

Summertime is road trip time.

In the old days, this meant long tedious hours in the car with nothing to do but play I Spy Something with my Eye.

These days, however, a whole host of gadgets are at our fingertips to woo, mesmerize, comfortize, and otherwise entertain our bored skulls as we tool down the highway.

But what to bring along?

Douglas Rogers, writing for Forbes Traveler, has thoughtfully put together a list of Top Road Trip Gadgets (and, as usual with Forbes Traveler, a slide show to accompany it). Some of the items aren’t too unique–such as a satellite phone, handycam, or laptop computer–while ohers are a bit cooler; a radar detector or satellite phone. What really blew me away, however, were two very cool items.

The first is the Car MD. This nifty little tool “plugs into your car’s computer” and diagnosis any problems with your automobile. It costs $89.99, which is a whole lot cheaper than a mechanic and more honest as well. But is it reliable? Forbes Traveler unfortunately does not provide a hands-on review so you just might have to check it out yourself.

The other cool gadget is the sunglasses with a spy camera (above). Pop one of these on your head, plug the other end into an MP4 player, and then you can record video of everything you come across on your road trip, including, according to Forbes Traveler, that “cute girl in the MG convertible.” Shame on you Forbes!

Bill of Rights Travel Gear

by Adrienne Wilson on

Let’s imagine – you’re at airport security waiting in one of the most horrific lines ever. Your turn finally comes and you’ve done everything they’ve asked for and more: laptop out of case (separate bin), cell phone out, belt off, shoes off, hat off, jacket off and undergarments off (kidding). You go through the metal detector, the lights flash red, the sirens alarm and now you must be searched. Did I miss something? Oh yes – the Bill of Rights. How clever is this for a piece of travel gear?

Created by Dean Cameron as a sort of political art tantrum the Bill of Rights – Security Edition is a single sturdy metal card, 2.5 inches across by 3.5 inches high (playing card size) with the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution printed on each side. (For quick reference Amendment #4 is highlighted in red.) So as you tip off the detectors, TSA searches you and “takes your rights” from you, you’ll need to decide “how much freedom are you willing to give up for safety?” If the thought of being bold and challenging our nation’s security worries you some, but you still wish to be heard, Security Edition has also created Fourth Amendment dog tags, key chains, and luggage tags. Not quite as in your face as the full Bill of Rights, but food for thought none-the-less.

Cheap and very, very cool – those luggage tags could well be in aid in getting your baggage back untouched.

Toiletries Meet Pitotubes

by Adrienne Wilson on

Packing toiletries always becomes a major production. I have yet to master a way to shrink down the amount of shampoos, lotions, and travel-sized shaving cream I toss in my bags and then there’s the reoccurring nightmare of everything exploding while some 35,000 ft in the air. I’ve managed to soothe myself and my worries by wrapping the goods twice in recycled Target bags, but who am I kidding? If the lotion, baby oil or body wash is going to leak, it’s going to leak.

Leave it to the folks at CoolHunting to find some sort of travel gear/invention to help someone like myself out. They’ve discovered Pitotubes, the creation of a former flight attendant who too often heard the tale of ruined goods from explosive bathroom items. The tubes can are said to withstand the most brutal luggage handling and changing pressures. They are elegant, leak-free, refillable travel bottles made from high quality PETG recyclable plastic. A set of six bottles with labels costs about $50 and for that price I think I’m willing to chance my double-wrapping Target bag method a little longer, though my luck may be running out.

Pitotubes can be purchased at Flight 001.