Travel Tech Gadgets

New Cool Up-and-Coming In Travel Tech Gadgets News

2025-12-23T08:00:00.032-05:00

The Latest in Air and Motor Travel

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Topic: Moto Transport

✈ SOLARIS® World’s First Self-Charging Solar Motorcycle

It features retractable solar wings that unfold when parked to increase sunlight capture for charging its lithium battery, eliminating reliance on plugs or fuel stations.
maskarchitects.com/portfolio/solaris-worlds-first-self-charging-solar-motorcycle

Image via https://maskarchitects.com

This post may contain affiliate links; please read my disclosure here.

✈ First in U.S. Charging Road

maskarchitects.com/portfolio/solaris-worlds-first-self-charging-solar-motorcycle/

Detroit now has a road that can charge electric cars as they drive over it ⚡️
A quarter-mile stretch of 14th Street has been outfitted with copper coils beneath the asphalt, creating North America’s first public electric road capable of wirelessly charging EVs in motion. Test vehicles equipped with special receivers can draw around 16 kilowatts of power while driving, helping Michigan figure out how to expand the technology to buses, shuttles, and high-traffic routes.

✈ Fully Autonomous Trucks

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Topic: Air Travel

✈ Australia’s Qantas revealed the ultra long-range Airbus aircraft.

The A350-1000ULR is a configured Airbus aircraft set to enable the world’s longest commercial flights. The plane is expected to connect travelers in Sydney to London and New York for the first time from 2027. The flight is named Project Sunrise.
qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-first-project-sunrise-aircraft-takes-shape-in-toulouse

Image via https://cnbc.com

✈ Apple Wallet is getting US passport support very soon on iPhone

Digital ID offers a secure and private way for users to create an ID in Apple Wallet using information from their U.S. passport, and present their ID with iPhone or Apple Watch
apple.com/newsroom/apple-introduces-digital-id-a-new-way-to-create-and-present-an-id-in-apple-wallet

Image via https://www.apple.com

4 Things That Will Help Get You Through TSA Faster

✈ Electric Air Taxi Flies From One Airport To Another Airport

In the world of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft going from one airport to another is a big deal. This past July, Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 prototype completed the world’s first airport-to-airport flight by a full-scale, piloted winged tilt-rotor eVTOL designed for commercial service.
jobyaviation.com/news/first-piloted-evtol-air-taxi-flight-between-two-public-airports

Image via https://insideevs.com

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The Best Trip is No Trip: Top Tech Reasons to Love Your Winter Staycation

2025-12-16T08:00:00.008-05:00

The top reasons to take a “staycation” this winter

It's that time of year when everyone is thinking about a winter getaway, but the most relaxing, affordable, and smartest trip you can take is the one that involves staying put. Forget the hassle, embrace the cozy, and get ready to upgrade your home-based holiday with a few killer gadgets.
The staycation is officially on the rise, and for good reason. It’s not about settling for less; it’s about choosing smarter. And as a travel tech blogger, I can assure you, your home has never been a better-equipped destination.

The Top Reasons to Ditch the Airport and Embrace Your Home Base

According to recent surveys, travelers are choosing to stay home for very practical, very compelling reasons. This isn't just a trend; it's a savvy move for the modern traveler.

The Desire to Save Money (43.1%): This is the number one reason. A staycation eliminates the massive costs of flights and accommodation, leaving your travel budget intact for a future, bigger adventure, or better yet—for some sweet new home-based gear!
The Need to Catch Up with Projects Around the House (32.2%): Your home is your biggest investment, and a staycation provides the perfect time to tackle those nagging tasks.
Family/Kids Activities and Obligations (31.5%): Staying local means no disrupting schedules and more time for comfortable, familiar activities with the ones you love.
Plans to Visit Local Sites or Engage in Local Activities (22.1%): Be a tourist in your own town! You’d be surprised what hidden gems you've overlooked.
Do Not Want to Travel (12.5%): Plain and simple. Sometimes, the idea of packing, unpacking, and navigating new places is just too much.

How Travel Woes Make the Staycation a Necessity

Even beyond personal preference, the current state of travel infrastructure is another powerful argument for staying home.

Airports are congested: Long lines, packed terminals, and general chaos. No thanks.
Air Traffic Control is understaffed: This leads to systemic delays, even before weather plays a factor.
Airlines are cutting down on flights: Fewer options mean higher prices and less flexibility.
Airlines are experiencing delays in many airports: The risk of missing a connection or simply losing a day of vacation to a tarmac delay is too high.

So What does this mean for the traveler? Your vacation time is too precious to waste on travel stress. By staying home, you maximize your relaxation-to-stress ratio!

Your Staycation Tech Upgrade: The Ultimate Relaxation Gadgets

Now, for the fun part! A staycation is only as good as your ability to fully check out. That's where smart tech and gadgets turn your home into a personalized luxury resort.

1. Escape the Noise with Active Noise-Canceling (ANC) Headphones

What: The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (or a more budget-friendly option like the Sennheiser 450 BT).

Who: The home-bound traveler who needs to tune out distractions—be it loud neighbors, house projects, or the kids' cartoons.

How: ANC technology uses microphones to detect ambient noise and generate an opposite signal to cancel it out. This creates a cone of silence perfect for reading, deep work, or just meditating.

So What: You get hotel-level quiet without leaving your couch. Use them to finally enjoy that e-reader in peace, listen to a travel-inspiring audiobook, or just put on some calming white noise to truly disconnect.

Click here to grab the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and find your peace!

2. Set the Mood with Smart Lighting Systems

What: A smart lighting system, like Philips Hue Smart Bulbs or a starter kit with a Google Nest Hub Max or Amazon Echo.

Who: Anyone who wants to transform the vibe of their living space with minimal effort.

How: These systems connect to your Wi-Fi, allowing you to control color, brightness, and scenes with voice commands or a simple smartphone app. You can go from "bright work mode" to "cozy Tuscan sunset" in an instant.

So What: Ambiance is everything on vacation. Use smart lighting to create a reading nook, a movie-watching den, or a spa-like bathroom retreat. It tricks your brain into feeling like you're in a new, luxurious setting.

Elevate your home's mood with Philips Hue—check prices here!

3. Master Your Comfort with a Smart Thermostat

What: Devices like the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium or Amazon Smart Thermostat.

Who: The savvy saver (remember the 43.1%?) who wants ultimate control over their environment and utility bill.

How: They learn your habits, sense when you're home (or not), and let you adjust the temperature from your phone. Many integrate with smart speakers for voice control, making hands-free comfort a reality.

So What: Your perfect staycation means never being too hot or too cold. Program a cozy, energy-efficient 'vacation mode' for your home that saves you money while maintaining peak comfort—one less thing to worry about.

Start saving energy and maximizing comfort with an Ecobee today!

Final Takeaway

A winter staycation is the most stress-free and financially responsible travel choice you can make right now.

By using the right travel tech—like ANC headphones for peace, smart lights for ambiance, and a smart thermostat for perfect comfort—you can transform your home from a base of operations into an oasis of relaxation. You skip the crowded airports and delays, save a ton of money, and finally tackle that to-do list.

Don't travel hard. Travel smart. Staycation on!

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The Holiday Travel Tech Survival Guide: 5 Ways to Keep Your Sanity (and Your Gadgets)

2025-11-21T09:13:00.005-05:00

5 Ways to Keep Your Sanity (and Your Gadgets)

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Holidays are fun, but they can also be stressful to traveling during this time. With the right planning, you can skip the stress and keep the festive feeling. Our Travel Tech Survival Guide is here to help you plan smarter and travel happier, so you can focus on making memories rather than worrying about battery life.

1. Plan Ahead

» Know what gadgets can be taken on the trip
» Check which gadgets can be transported where, checked bag or carry-on
» Stay in the know of the latest travel tech by following TTG

This post may contain affiliate links; please read my disclosure here.

Hitting the road for Thanksgiving? Here's the best time to go

2. Tech Gifts

✈ If you're bringing large tech gifts or gadgets, ship them.
Whether you buy gifts, wrap them, and ship them yourself to your destination, or order them online to be shipped directly there, it doesn’t matter—just ship them ahead of time. It will save you precious space in your suitcase.

From SmarterTravel:

Holiday surcharges run October 5th through January 18th across all major carriers, because apparently regular rates don't adequately capture the experience of standing in a post office line behind someone shipping 47 individually wrapped packages to 47 different relatives. USPS adds $0.40-$2.00 per package. FedEx and UPS implement demand surcharges ranging from $0.40 to a whopping $108.50 depending on size and timing, with peak rates from November 24th to December 28th.

3. Travel Documents Digitized

✈ Make sure you have all your travel documentation in one place (purse, carry-on, etc.) that's easy to access. Add your hotel and airline's phone numbers, as well as the emergency number at your destination, to your phone.

Now it is even easier to keep your documents in one place. Apple lets you place your passport into the Wallet app. Using Digital ID, users can store a US passport in Apple Wallet. You would need the latest version of iOS 26 to add your passport.

How to add your passport to Apple Wallet

However, this new feature doesn't mean you should leave your physical passport at home. Digital ID can't be used for international travel or crossing borders.

4. TSA Is Cracking Down on Power Banks—Here's How to Make Sure Yours Won't Get Taken Away

In response to safety concerns surrounding lithium-ion batteries, the TSA has stepped up enforcement and is paying closer attention to power banks during security screenings. According to the TSA, power banks are not banned. However, they are only allowed in carry-on bags. For more details, see tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/power-banks

Most standard power banks fall under the FAA’s 100Wh (or 27,000mAh) limit, but higher-capacity models are increasingly common, especially among travelers looking to charge laptops or multiple devices. If your charger exceeds the limit, isn’t clearly labeled with its watt-hour rating, or ends up in a checked bag, it could be flagged, delayed, or even confiscated at screening.

To help you avoid a stressful bag search (or worse, losing your charger entirely), here are some power banks that meet FAA and TSA standards—and they’re all available on Amazon.

For the Minimalist (Pocket Size):

Anker Portable Charger, 10,000mAh 30W Power Bank

Anker 622 Magnetic Battery 5,000mAh Foldable Portable Charger

Gxorul Wireless 10000mAh Foldable Magnetic Portable Charger

Anker Compact Travel-Ready 10,000mAh Battery Pack

For the Power User (Laptops & Tablets):

Iniu 20,000mAh Portable Charger

Anker 737 24,000mAh 3-Port Laptop Portable Charger

5. Get there happy - Wireless headphones for In-flight entertainment

✈ The Problem: Most airplane screens still use single-prong, 3.5mm audio jacks. They do not have Bluetooth connections. This means your fancy noise-canceling AirPods are useless for watching movies unless you use the cheap, uncomfortable airline headphones.

The Solution: A Bluetooth Transmitter. This tiny device plugs into the plane's headphone jack and connects wirelessly to your earbuds.

» AirFly Pro 2 Bluetooth Transmitter is sold by Apple, but is also available on Amazon.

» For our travels, we got a lesser-known brand transmitter and love it. Here are a couple of similar versions:

» Avantree Relay - Premium Airplane Bluetooth Adapter with Advanced Qualcomm Chipset

» 1Mii Bluetooth 5.3 Transmitter

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Travel Smarter This Holiday Season with Audible: Books and Podcasts Wherever You Go

2025-11-04T08:00:00.023-05:00

Don't Just Travel, Experience Travel: Your Holiday Soundtrack with Audible

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The holidays are upon us, and for many of us, that means one thing: travel! Whether you're flying across the country to see family, embarking on a festive road trip, or jetting off to a winter wonderland, the journey itself can be just as much a part of the adventure as the destination. But let's be honest, long travel days can also be…. a bit much. That's where this secret weapon come in to transform your holiday travel from tedious to terrific: Audible.

This post may contain affiliate links; please read my disclosure here.

Think about it: hours in a car, train, or plane. Sure, you can scroll through social media or stare out the window, but what if you could dive into a captivating story, learn a new skill, or get lost in a hilarious memoir? That's the magic of Audible, and it's particularly potent during the holiday travel rush.

Why Audible is Your Ultimate Holiday Travel Companion

1. Escape the Noise (Literally and Figuratively): Airports are bustling, planes can be loud, and sometimes, you just need a mental break from your fellow travelers. Slip on your noise-canceling headphones, if you have them. If not, check out these noise-cancleing earbuds and let a brilliant audiobook transport you. It's an instant escape from the chaos, creating your own personal bubble of tranquility.

2. Maximize Downtime: Travel often comes with unexpected delays. Instead of feeling frustrated, you can turn those moments into an opportunity. Catch up on that bestseller everyone's talking about, finally learn about the history of your destination, or even brush up on a new language. With Audible, every waiting room becomes a library, every traffic jam an immersive storytelling session.

3. Stay Entertained (Without Staring at a Screen): While I love my travel gadgets, sometimes it's nice to give your eyes a break from screens. Audiobooks allow you to relax your vision, perfect for winding down before a nap on a long flight or simply enjoying the scenery without distraction. Plus, it's a fantastic way to keep kids entertained on road trips without relying solely on tablets.

4. Beat Travel Fatigue with Mindful Engagement: Long journeys can be draining. Engaging your mind with a compelling narrative can actually help keep you more alert and less groggy than passive entertainment. It's a different kind of stimulation that can make the miles fly by.

What to Listen To: Your Audible Holiday Travel Starter Pack

Audible offers an incredible library, from the latest bestsellers to timeless classics, and everything in between. Here are a few ideas to get you started for your holiday travels:

» For the Thrill-Seeker: Dive into a gripping mystery or suspense novel that will have you on the edge of your seat (even if that seat is 30,000 feet up).
» For the Family Traveler: Explore a fantastic children's story or a series that the whole family can enjoy together on a road trip.
» For the Self-Improver: Pick up that non-fiction book you've been meaning to read. Learn a new skill, explore a historical event, or get inspired by a motivational speaker.
» For the Holiday Spirit: Immerse yourself in classic holiday tales or festive audio dramas to truly get into the season's mood.

How to Get Started with Audible and Why Now is the Perfect Time

Getting started with Audible is incredibly easy. All you need is your smartphone (or tablet), the Audible app, and an account.

» Here's the deal: Audible offers a fantastic **free trial** that's perfect for your holiday travel. You get one free audiobook to keep, even if you cancel! That's right, a complimentary story to accompany your journey, and you can explore their vast library to find the perfect fit.

**Click here to start your free 30-day Audible trial and grab your first free audiobook**

Imagine starting your holiday journey with a brand new, engaging story in your ears. It truly transforms the travel experience.

More Reasons to Love Audible (and Why You Should Sign Up Today\!)

Offline Listening: Download your audiobooks before you leave home and listen seamlessly, even without Wi-Fi or cellular service. Perfect for flights, remote road trips, or just conserving data.
Audible Originals: Discover exclusive content you won't find anywhere else, including podcasts, dramas, and non-fiction series.
Easy Switching: Start listening on your phone, then pick up right where you left off on your tablet or even your smart speaker at home.
Membership Perks: Beyond your monthly credit for any audiobook you choose, members often get access to sales, exclusive content, and a selection of free audiobooks.

*Ready to make your holiday travel truly memorable? Don't just arrive, experience the journey with Audible.

Happy travels, and happy listening

*P.S.* What's your go-to audiobook for travel? Share your recommendations in the comments below\! I'm always looking for my next great listen.

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The Ultimate Travel Tech Prep Guide for the 2026 Total Solar Eclipse: Iceland, Spain, and the Gear You Need NOW!

2025-10-28T08:00:00.002-04:00

Total Solar Eclipse on the Euro Continent

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If you were one of the millions who witnessed the Great American Eclipse in 2017 or the recent one in 2024, you know the feeling. It’s the kind of awe that makes you chase the shadow across the globe. But you also know the *traffic nightmare* and the *last-minute scramble* for lodging and essential gear.

This post may contain affiliate links; please read my disclosure here.

The good news? The next major celestial spectacle is set for August 12, 2026, and it’s going international\! The path of totality crosses through **Greenland, Iceland, and Northern Spain**. The bad news? You need to start planning, booking, and gearing up *right now*. This event will not be easy to get to, and without the right travel tech, your perfect viewing spot could turn into a total bust.

Where to Travel: Spain vs. Iceland

Forget the logistics of Eastern Greenland—the two best bets for adventurous eclipse chasers are Iceland and Spain. But they offer completely different experiences.

» Iceland: The Midnight Eclipse. The eclipse happens in the late afternoon/early evening (around 5:45 PM local time), but thanks to the land of the midnight sun, it won’t be dark.
* Pro Tip: Head to Patreksfjörður on the Westfjords for the longest totality in Iceland (over 2 minutes). Be prepared for unpredictable mid-August weather and pack a lot of layers\!

» Spain: The Sunset Grand Finale. The eclipse occurs right around sunset (8:30 PM local time). A magnificent view as the sun disappears over the horizon\!
* Pro Tip: Oviedo in Northern Spain offers the longest totality on the mainland. It will be hot, so plan on hiking Mount Naranco or getting to a cool coastal spot early.

The Essential Travel Tech You Must Pack for 2026

If I learned anything from my own trips, it's that technology is the difference between a life-changing experience and a complete travel breakdown. **Go Travel. Take a Gadget. ®** Here is the gear you need to buy and pack well ahead of time, using the affiliate links below to get a head start.

1. The Critical Safety Gadget: Certified Eclipse Glasses

As we stressed for the 2017 event, **eye safety is non-negotiable**. Do not wait until August 2026, when local shops and online retailers will run out or inflate prices. The risk of permanent eye damage is real.

Buy yours now. Look for ISO 12312-2 certified glasses and viewers. We recommend getting a multi-pack for your whole travel group.
* Rainbow Symphony Certified Eclipse Shades
* Rainbow Symphony Eclipse Viewers
* Deluxe Plastic Frame Eclipse Glasses - Single Pair
* Medical king Solar Eclipse Glasses AAS Approved

2. The Planning and Navigation Gadget: Offline GPS Mapping

You'll be traveling to remote locations like the Westfjords of Iceland or hiking into a national park like Serra d'Irta in Spain. You can’t rely on spotty international cell service.

Load your route and viewing location onto a rugged GPS device or a premium offline mapping app **before you leave**. This is how you avoid getting lost or stuck in the inevitable pre-eclipse traffic jams.

* Garmin Rugged Handheld GPS Navigator
* Maps.ME - We found this app to be very useful and easiest to use for offline mapping. As long as you download the maps of the areas you are traveling to beforehand, you will have a full map view even when offline
* Offline Topo Map App Subscription

3. The Power Gadget: Portable Power & Universal Adapter

You will be out all day scouting the perfect spot, taking photos, and possibly waiting hours in your viewing location. Your phone, camera, and other gadgets will die. An empty battery is a missed photo opportunity.

Pack a high-capacity power bank and a universal adapter to handle the various European plugs.

* High-Capacity 20,000mAh Portable Power Bank
* Universal Travel Adapter with USB-C Ports

4. The Data Security Gadget: VPN Access

Whether you're booking an Airbnb a year in advance or just using public Wi-Fi in an Icelandic cafe, protect your credit card and personal data. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is essential travel tech.

Get access for all your devices before your trip, especially if you plan to stream or access banking services.
* Get VPN Access on Unlimited Devices with Private Internet Access

Final Warning: Book and Buy Now!

The lessons from 2017 are clear: **total solar eclipses create mass travel chaos.** Hotels and Airbnbs in the path of totality are already selling out, and rental car prices will skyrocket.

Don't be the traveler who shows up late, can't find a place to stay, and misses the show because they forgot their safety glasses. Secure your tickets, book your lodging, and most importantly, click on those links above to get your essential travel tech today You'll thank me when you’re watching the corona—the "ring of fire"—over the Atlantic, instead of being stuck in a Spanish traffic jam.

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Don't Let Digital Thieves Ruin Your Trip: The One Gadget Every Traveler Needs in Their Wallet

2025-10-21T08:00:00.003-04:00

Hackers Can Steal Your Credit Card Simply By Walking Past You

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As a travel tech blogger, I’ve tried every piece of gear designed to make a trip safer, easier, and more enjoyable. We talk about power banks, noise-canceling headphones, and digital luggage scales. But when it comes to true peace of mind on the road, most travelers are overlooking the single biggest threat in any crowded airport, train station, or tourist hotspot: RFID skimming.

This post may contain affiliate links; please read my disclosure here.

You're a tech-savvy traveler. Your wallet is loaded with contactless cards, your passport is RFID-enabled for faster border crossings, and maybe you even have a digital ID. These are the conveniences of modern travel. But here’s the unsettling truth: these items are constantly broadcasting your sensitive data—your bank account info, ID number, and more—and hackers are literally walking past you with cheap, hidden scanners, stealing it all in seconds.

A busy departure lounge is a digital thief’s playground. And you won't know you've been hit until your bank calls you a continent away.

The Invisible Threat to Your Travel Budget

When you’re navigating the chaos of a foreign city or rushing to catch a flight, you don’t have time to constantly worry about pickpockets, let alone an invisible, wireless attack.

The culprit is the Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) chip, which makes things like "tap-to-pay" possible. It’s convenient, yes, but it means that any standard credit card, modern passport, or ID card is an open invitation for a digital attack. A study once found that up to 73% of RFID-enabled cards can be skimmed in under three seconds—even through your backpack or your thick leather wallet\!

You don't need a bulky, hard-cased wallet to fix this. You need a piece of tech that works silently and instantly.

The Ultimate Traveler's Shield: Wallet Defender

I’ve found a simple, elegant piece of gear that has instantly become a permanent addition to my travel tech kit: the **Wallet Defender**.

It looks just like a standard credit card, but it’s a high-powered, military-grade electromagnetic shield. How does it work? You simply slide it into your wallet or purse. That's it. No charging, no batteries, no apps, and zero setup.

The moment it's in your wallet, it creates an invisible security field—a powerful 2.4-inch bubble—that jams the unauthorized 13.56 MHz+ radio frequencies used by digital thieves. It blocks their scanners, making your cards and passport invisible to them.

This is Essential Travel Gear

As a traveler, the best gear is always the gear that is:

» Effortless - Slide it in and forget it.
» Reliable - Works 24/7 without power.
» Low Profile - Takes up zero space.

The Wallet Defender is all three. You don't have to worry about buying a new, expensive RFID-blocking wallet or switching out your favorite travel backpack. Just slip this card in and know that while you're focused on finding your gate or enjoying a local market, your most valuable data is completely secure.

Don't let the fear of identity theft hold you back from exploring the world. Take two minutes now to protect your financial safety for years of worry-free travel.

**Secure Your Trip Before You Pack Your Bag:**

I've partnered with the manufacturer to get my readers a special limited-time discount. Don't leave your identity to chance. Click the affiliate link below to claim the deal and get the ultimate security shield for your next adventure.

» Grab Your Wallet Defender & Protect Your Data

Other travel safe gadgets and tech:
Universal Defense Phone Case
18 in 1 SOS Survival Card
Faraday Shield Bag for Devices

Happy and safe travels,

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TSA Travel Rules: Cordless Curlers Now Banned + 7 Smart Gadgets for Faster Airport Security

2025-10-09T08:00:00.042-04:00

Ways To Travel Safer and Faster

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Hey Tech Travelers, it’s time for your weekly dose of travel tech news.

We all love the simplicity of packing a cordless hair tool—no messy cords, no need for adapters overseas. They were the ultimate jet-setter gadget. Emphasis on were. Because if you’re planning a trip soon, I’ve got some unfortunate news about that beloved cordless styler: The TSA just cracked down on where you can pack them.

This post may contain affiliate links; please read my disclosure here.

This latest rule change is a crucial reminder that being a smart traveler isn't just about finding the hottest new tech; it's about staying compliant with the rules of the sky. Here’s what you need to know about the ban, and how the right gear can actually make your trip smoother than ever.

The Cordless Hair Tool Ban: Why Your Checked Bag is Now a No-Go Zone
In a move intended to prevent in-flight fires, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and many airlines have officially banned cordless curling irons, straighteners, and butane-fueled irons from checked baggage.

The culprits? The lithium-ion batteries or gas cartridges that power these devices. When stored in the cargo hold, these components pose a fire risk if they are accidentally activated or damaged. Since an overheated battery in the cargo hold is much harder to contain than one in the cabin, the rule is simple:

» Checked Bags: NO. You risk confiscation if you place them here.

» Carry-on Bags: YES (with caveats). Cordless devices are now restricted to your carry-on luggage (limit one per passenger), provided you take two crucial safety steps:

- They must have a safety cover securely fitted over the heating element.

- They must be protected from accidentally turning on.

Travel Tech Takeaway: If you can’t live without your straightener, you’re either packing a traditional plug-in, dual-voltage model (which can still fly in checked baggage!), or you’re sacrificing precious carry-on space and packing a heat-resistant pouch around your cordless one.

Beyond the Ban: 7 Tech & Gear Upgrades to Turbocharge Your Airport Experience
The headache of TSA rules isn't just about what's banned; it's about the painfully slow process. The good news is that the best travel tech isn't always a gadget—sometimes it's a service or a simple piece of gear designed to beat the queues.

Here are the critical upgrades you should be leveraging right now to make those long lines a thing of the past:

1. The Security Trifecta (The Service Tech)
Forget standing in the main line. The fastest tech isn't what you carry, it's the biometric clearance you sign up for.

» TSA PreCheck: Get expedited screening that lets you keep your shoes, belts, and even your laptop inside your bag. Click Here to Sign Up for PreCheck

» Global Entry: Perfect for the international traveler, this bundles PreCheck with expedited U.S. customs processing upon arrival.

» CLEAR Plus: Use your eyes and fingerprints to skip the ID check line entirely. It doesn't include PreCheck, but using them together is the ultimate airport speed run.

2. Laptop Lay-Flat Bags
The modern traveler carries a laptop, and pulling it out is the ultimate slowdown. Invest in a TSA-friendly backpack that features a "lay-flat" or "ScanSmart" compartment. These designs allow the backpack to open flat, isolating the laptop for the X-ray machine, meaning your machine stays snug in its pocket.

3. Compression Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are organization 101, but the tech version is the compression cube. These cubes feature a second external zipper that squeezes out excess air, maximizing space while keeping your clothes highly organized. When TSA agents need to peek inside your bag, they can easily see neatly compressed clothing instead of a disorganized mess, reducing the chance of a manual search. Shop my favorite compression travel cubes

4. TSA-Friendly Toiletry Capsules
The notorious 3-1-1 liquid rule (3.4 oz. bottles, in a 1-quart bag, 1 bag per passenger) is where most people fail. Stop relying on flimsy sandwich bags. Upgrade your 3-1-1 game with high-quality, magnetic, and leakproof containers like the ones from Cadence. They are pre-labeled and perfectly sized, making the mandatory liquid pull-out completely painless. Get the ultimate leakproof travel capsules

5. The Solid-State Revolution
The most elegant tech solution to the liquid rule is to just avoid liquids altogether. Swap out your gels and creams for solid alternatives:

» Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bars.

» Powdered face cleansers or mouthwash packets.

» Solid sunscreen sticks and deodorant.

These items are TSA-proof, leak-proof, and never count toward your quart-size bag limit.

6. Tech-Optimized Cable Organizers
A jumbled mass of chargers, power banks, and adapters is a major red flag for TSA. It looks like a potential explosive device on the X-ray screen. Keep all your tech accessories—including your required-to-be-in-carry-on lithium battery power bank—in a dedicated cable organizer pouch. This visibility makes security screening faster and ensures your gadgets are protected. Organize Your Gear with This Top-Rated Pouch

7. The Slip-On Shoe Edge
While the TSA recently dropped the official mandate to remove shoes for standard screening (yay!), you might still be asked to do so if you trigger an alarm, or if you're traveling internationally. For maximum efficiency, always choose a high-comfort travel sneaker or slip-on shoe with a stable heel. The quick on/off saves you valuable minutes and reduces your friction point with the security process. See the Best Travel-Tested Slip-Ons

Happy Travels,

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Genius Kids Travel Gear for Your Next Family Expedition

2025-08-13T08:00:00.067-04:00

Best Gear for Travel with Kids

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Travel flashlight with different light modes: high, medium, low, strobe, and SOS

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Traveling with kids can feel like packing for a mini expedition—every item matters, space is limited, and convenience is everything. Whether you're heading out on a road trip, catching a flight, or navigating a busy airport with a toddler in tow, having the right gear can make all the difference between chaos and calm. In this post, we're diving into some of the most practical, space-saving, and downright genius travel gadgets for families. From collapsing toilets to foldable car seats, infant carriers to ultra-compact strollers, these smart accessories are designed to lighten your load and make family travel smoother, safer, and way less stressful. Let’s take a look at the must-haves that every parent should consider before hitting the road.

This post may contain affiliate links; please read my disclosure here.

Families on the Fly
https://www.tsa.gov/news/2025/dhs-puts-families-first-families-fly-campaign

» TSA just rolled out "Families on the Fly’ nationwide. Effective as of July 18th, there will be a dedicated family lane at security at select US airports.
This a game-changer for traveling parents.

“Families on the Fly” benefits for families include:
» Dedicated family lanes at select airports nationwide
» Discounted TSA PreCheck® fees for families coming soon
» Dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes for service members and their families

Current participating airports include: Orlando International (MCO) and Charlotte-Douglas International (CLT). Planned expansions will be coming to John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA) and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.

Full Travel Potty

No emergency is as major when traveling as a toddler that needs to go to the bathroom. As parents know, going #1 is relatively easy to deal with especially with boys. Though when it comes to #2, the poo, girl or boy, you need to find something ASAP to avoid a major clean up.

Just the other day we were on a walk in the park through a large loop that is couple of miles long. We were on the far end of this oval loop, when the youngest announced that he had to go. Good thing there was forest on one side and he only had to go #1 or this story would have a quite different ending. So this kid/family travel accessory is great to have with youngsters.

These compact, foldable potties set up in seconds, use disposable liners, and fit neatly in your car or luggage. Perfect for road trips, beach days, and unexpected “emergencies.”

Baby Whisper Co Travel Potty, Reusable Portable Folding Potty for Kids

Teo - Portable Toddler Travel Potty – Foldable

Jool Baby Portable Potty Training Chair with Travel Bag

Travel Potty for Toddler

TRIPTIPS Retractable Portable Toilet

We got one of these for our boy, ONEDONE Portable Baby Child Potty Urinal, but never used it. It was a lot easier to just put him next to a tree, around the corner, or even next to a tire.

Travel Car Seat

Standard car seats are bulky and heavy. While these are great to have while traveling so the kids are safer on the plane and cars, they also take up a lot of the space. The new technologically advanced car seats for travel can collapse to a compact size that can be placed in overhead bin.

Lightweight, FAA-approved foldable car seats or inflatable booster seats make flying and rideshare trips so much easier. They fold down small enough to fit in a backpack but still meet safety standards, ensuring your child is secure wherever you go.

For bigger kids, a travel booster is a great idea. We like the BubbleBum Inflatable Booster Car Seat and Chicco GoFit® Backless Booster Car Seat. The inflatable one packs small and is light. It is great to have in a pinch, or when you are giving a lift to a friend. The Chicco car seat is a standard seat and is very comfortable and easy to setup. It is also lighter than full seats and eay to carry with the built-in handle.

Travel Light Infant Car Seat

If you ever carried one of these in the last few years, most of them are quite heavy. You build up some serious parent muscles dragging that around.

Baby Trend EZ-Lift PLUS Infant Car Seat
» Weighs less than 8lb for easy carrying and lightweight mobility

Graco SnugRide Lite LX Infant Car Seat
» Lightweight infant car seat weighs only 7.2 lb, making it easy to carry baby from car to stroller

Maxi-Cosi Peri™ 180 Rotating Infant Car Seat
» Weighing under 8 lbs., Peri is one of the lightest rotating car seat available.

Travel Easy Fold Stroller

A good travel stroller is lightweight, compact, and folds in one hand (because your other hand is probably holding a snack or a small human). Many fit in overhead airplane bins, which saves time and reduces the risk of damage in baggage handling.

Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Travel Stroller

Inglesina Quid³ Compact Reclining Travel Stroller for Baby & Toddler

UPPAbaby Minu V3 Travel Stroller

Momcozy ClickGo Lightweight Stroller

Kids’ Travel Headphones

If you value your sanity on a long flight, invest in volume-limited, comfortable headphones designed for smaller heads. Pair them with a tablet loaded with offline movies, audiobooks, and educational games.

iClever Foldable Wired Kids Headset with Microphone and Volume Limiter
» we have two of these and they have been great for traveling on planes. We got great uses from them on just about every trip and continuing to use them. The folding feature makes then great for packing in the go bags for easy transport. They are comfortable and light to wear.

EarFun Kids Headphones Wired with Microphone, 85/94dB Volume Limit

Belkin SoundForm Mini - Wireless Bluetooth Kids Headphones

PHILIPS Kids Headphones with Cord, On-Ear Wired Headphones

JLab JBuddies ANC 2 in 1 Wireless + Wired Kids Headphones

Snack Organization Kits

Reusable bento-style snack boxes keep crumbs to a minimum and options organized. For road trips, I love using small tackle boxes (yes, the fishing kind!) with different snacks in each compartment — kids think it’s fun, and you won’t get asked for food every 10 minutes.

Divided Snack Serving Tray with Lid and Handle

6 Pack 6oz Stainless Steel Snack Containers with Easy Open Leak Proof Lids

Travel Snackle Box Container with Lid

Child GPS Tracker / Smart Bracelet

For peace of mind in crowded airports, theme parks, or city streets, a lightweight GPS tracker or smart bracelet can alert you if your child wanders too far. Many models let you communicate via two-way voice, so they can call you if they need help.

Air Tags-4 Pack Apple Kids Hidden Pin Case

Apple AirTag 4 Pack

Air Tag Holder for AirTag Case Keychain

JrTrack 5 Kids Smart Watch by Cosmo

Kids Wristband Protective Case for Air Tag

Waterproof Soft Silicone Air Tag Bracelet for Kids

_____________________________________

Extraordinary Parenting (eBook) - Discover Proven Strategies for Raising Happy, Confident, and Resilient Kids

Games For Travelling - Digital Download (PDF)

Smartkids Editable Kids' Games, Quizzes and Science Videos

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Travel Tips: Stay Alert Avoid The Travel Scams

2025-07-14T08:00:00.003-04:00

Travel Scam Alert 1. Tapping Credit Card At Gas Pump

This post may contain affiliate links; please read my disclosure here.

It is summer time, which means it is also the height of the road trip season. And if you are not driving an EV, you are stopping to refuel you ICE car.
Be aware. There are now fake stickers being attached at gas pump where you tap your card. Since most card these day are no longer swiped, bad actors improved their tech as well.

How to avoid it:
» Before tapping or swipping, check that the scanner is legit. Pull, tap, shake to make sure it is not easily removable
» Verify your purchases in the bank app, site, or by calling in.

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Travel Scam Alert 2. Fake Charging Stations (Juice Jacking)

What it is:
Scammers rig public USB charging ports at rest stops, airports, or gas stations with malware. Plug in your phone, and it can secretly steal your personal data or install tracking software.

We wrote a couple of posts on the dangers of this scam:
How To Safely Charge Your Phone At Airports
Good To Know: Charging Your Phone Safely While Traveling

How to avoid it:
» Use your own charger and plug into an AC outlet, not public USB ports.
» Or better: carry a USB data blocker or portable power bank.

PortaPow USB Data Blocker - Protect Against Juice Jacking

Travel Scam Alert 3. Free Public Wi-Fi Traps

What it is: You stop at a café or hotel and connect to “Free_RoadStop_WiFi” – but it’s actually a fake hotspot set up by hackers nearby. They can see everything you do online, including passwords.

How to avoid it:
» Always verify the official network name with staff.
» Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) every time you connect to public Wi-Fi.
» Disable auto-connect on your phone or laptop.

.

Travel Scam Alert 4. QR Code Phishing at Gas Stations and Tourist Stops

What it is: Fraudsters place stickers with fake QR codes over real ones at gas pumps, parking meters, or tourist info signs. Scanning them may install malware or steal payment info.

How to avoid it:
» Look closely – does the QR code look like a sticker placed over another code?
» If in doubt, don’t scan. Go directly to the company’s website or app.

Travel Scam Alert 5. Fake Booking & Travel Apps

What it is: You download what looks like a legit hotel app or booking site while traveling. In reality, it’s a phishing app designed to grab your credit card info.

How to avoid it:
» Only download apps from official app stores (Google Play or Apple App Store).
» Look for verified publisher names, ratings, and reviews.
» Use trusted booking platforms like Booking.com, Hotels.com, or Expedia.

Travel Scam Alert 6. Rental Car Remote Access

What it is: Some scammers rent cars with app-connected features (like remote start/unlock) and retain access even after returning the vehicle. They can track or unlock it later when someone else is renting it.

How to avoid it:
» If you rent a smart car, ask the agency to reset the app credentials.
» Disable Bluetooth access if not needed.
» Don’t connect your personal account to the vehicle’s infotainment system.

Pro Travel Tech Safety Tips

» Use a VPN for any public internet usage.
» Carry your own charging equipment and power banks.
» Enable 2FA (two-factor authentication) on all accounts.
» Avoid using Bluetooth in public places unless absolutely necessary.
» Set up credit card alerts for unusual activity while traveling.

Meridian Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set
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EMF Protection With Defense Pendant
- It's a pendant people wear to protect themselves from the effects of EMF Radiation.
The Wealth Signal

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iOS 19 (actually iOS 26) - The Update That Revamps Icons, AI, and Siri

2025-07-01T08:00:00.018-04:00

The New iOS 26

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iOS 19/26 drops next month and it will be Apple’s biggest update since iOS 7.
Apple will introduce iOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, macOS 26 and watchOS 26 — named for 2026. A change from the version 1-18 that they were using previously.

There are great new features for travel you need to see (game changer in #2):

1. There are a few update to the overall design:

A new design with Liquid Glass that reflects and refracts what’s beneath it in real time, dynamically adapting to content across apps and devices. Its adds more transparency to buttons, switches, sliders, text, and media controls throughout the interfaces.

2. Live Translation

» Automatically translates texts in Messages
» Displays live translated captions in FaceTime
» Instant translation for calls in the Phone app
⁍ This is awesome for international travel. I was looking for this kind of tech a few years back, but it was not ready. With Apple development, it will likely be a much better option.
Imagine effortlessly conversing with locals, ordering food, or understanding signs in a foreign land. iOS 26 is rumored to bring AI-powered real-time translation to the forefront, with a particularly exciting integration with AirPods. This isn't just about translating text messages (though that's also expected in Messages!); reports suggest your AirPods could provide live, in-ear translation of in-person conversations. Your iPhone might even translate your words into the other person's language, making genuine cross-cultural communication a reality. This feature alone could be a game-changer for navigating unfamiliar territories and truly immersing yourself in new cultures.

3. No more searching

Apple Intelligence highlights the important stuff instantly.
It even understands what’s on your screen to give smart, direct answers. It can search what’s on your screen

4. AirPods will offer new camera controls
» You will be able to take a photo with your iPhone or iPad by tapping the stem of the AirPods.
» Apple is also working on a new feature that lets users record “studio-quality” vocals in noisy areas with voice isolation.

Meridian Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set
- Helps with pain relief, promotes relaxation and reduce stress, by stimulating pressure points in the body.
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The Wealth Signal

5. Smarter battery. Longer life.

AI-driven Battery Intelligence adapts to your routine, making your iPhone more efficient than ever. And the battery lasting longer is definitly a good to have during travel

6. New AI Siri

An AI-powered Siri is still not ready for the release. Originally slated for Fall 2024, the upgraded chatbot has now been pushed to Spring 2026

7. Messaging via Satellite

As a girl, it is a mini freakout moment when you don’t have wifi, network and are on low battery.

Text your live location by using messages via SATELLITE, for free pic.twitter.com/vNSmM1XEYe
— Ash Arora (@0xashesonchain) June 10, 2024

iPhone stolen? No problem
Immediately control your phone from your Mac and disable settings for account restrictions so they cannot turn it off. Open Maps and track their location real time! Bet the thief comes back to return it.

8. AirPods features update

New head gestures - Apple introduced head gestures so AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 users can nod “up and down or side to side to accept or decline Announce Calls and to interact with or dismiss Announce Notifications without using your hand
- new head gestures, including extending a Conversation Awareness volume adjustment before returning users to their original noise-control settings.

Sleep auto-pause
- Many people fall asleep with their AirPods on.
- Apple has been working on detecting when a user has fallen asleep while wearing their AirPods and automatically pausing playback

Camera control
- new feature will let users trigger the iPhone or iPad camera with a click on the AirPods stem

Newest coolest Apple AirPods Pro

9. Smarter Maps with Enhanced Trip Planning

Apple Maps has been steadily improving, and iOS 26 looks to solidify its position as a robust travel planning tool. We're expecting further enhancements to its "Guides" feature, making it even easier to curate personalized itineraries. More intelligent search capabilities will allow you to precisely pinpoint locations and services within a specific area, even if you're not physically there yet. Think searching for "taco spots near the Louvre" while still at home! This level of pre-trip planning integration will save countless hours and help you discover hidden gems.

10. Unified Wi-Fi Login for Seamless Connectivity

How many times have you arrived at a hotel, airport, or cafe and had to painstakingly re-enter Wi-Fi login details on every single one of your Apple devices? iOS 26 is rumored to solve this age-old traveler's woe with synchronized captive Wi-Fi portal login information across devices. This means you'll only need to enter those pesky credentials once, and your iPhone, iPad, and MacBook will all be ready to connect. A small but mighty convenience that will be a huge time-saver.

11. AirTag Sharing with Airlines: Lost Luggage No More?

While not strictly an iOS 26 new feature, the recent enhancement to AirTag's "Share Item Location" feature in iOS 18.2 is getting a lot of attention, and its integration with airlines is particularly promising for travelers. This allows you to temporarily share an AirTag's location directly with an airline's customer support system if your luggage goes missing. This streamlined process could dramatically reduce the stress and time involved in recovering lost bags, making AirTags an even more essential travel accessory. We expect iOS 26 to further refine and promote this valuable capability. 5. AI-Powered Battery Optimization: More Juice for Your Adventures

Every traveler knows the dread of a dying phone battery when you're out exploring. iOS 26 is expected to introduce AI-powered battery management tools that learn your usage patterns and intelligently conserve energy. This could translate to significantly longer battery life, allowing you to capture more photos, navigate longer routes, and stay connected without constantly hunting for an outlet. A truly "smart" battery will be a welcome relief for extended travel days.

12. Beyond the Rumors: A Glimpse into a VisionOS-Inspired Future

Beyond these specific features, the overarching theme for iOS 26 is a significant design overhaul inspired by VisionOS. This means a more "glass-like," translucent aesthetic with floating elements and refined animations. While primarily a visual change, a more intuitive and streamlined interface could also contribute to a smoother user experience on the go, allowing travelers to quickly access information and apps with minimal friction.

SOS Solar Phone Charger
- 20000mAh high capacity mobile external battery power bank.
- Super compatibility, compatible with more than 99% of mobile phones, tablet PCs.
- Dual USB ports, you can charge phones, pads, or other small electronic devices. Simultaneously.
- LED light, press the switch twice, and the LED will light up, works perfectly in darkness, especially for emergency

Related:
TSA To Accept Apple’s Latest Tech Instead Of A REAL ID
- Apple’s latest technology, Digital IDs, can be used to board domestic flights, TSA confirms
secretnyc.co/tsa-to-accept-apples-digital-id-instead-of-a-real-id

Video via TheVerge

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Good To Know: Different Types of USB Cables

2025-06-06T08:00:00.018-04:00

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Nothing ruins a travel day quite like a dead phone battery and the wrong charging cable. In our hyper-connected world, understanding USB cables isn't just tech knowledge—it's essential travel survival skills

This post may contain affiliate links; please read my disclosure here.

Update: What’s The Difference Between USB-C and USB-C PD?

The USB Cable Landscape: Understanding the Basics

USB (Universal Serial Bus) cables serve two primary functions: charging devices and transferring data. However, not all USB cables are created equal, especially when it comes to travel scenarios where space, weight, and versatility matter most.

The confusion often stems from the fact that USB cables have two ends, and each end can be different. You might have a USB-A to USB-C cable, or a USB-C to USB-C cable, each serving different purposes in your travel tech ecosystem.

Related: How To Safely Charge Your Phone At Airports

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Different types of USB connectors:

1. USB Type A – The most common USB connector, typically found on computers, chargers, and standard USB devices.

2. USB Type B – A square-shaped connector often used in printers and external hard drives.

3. USB Type C – A newer, reversible connector that supports higher data transfer speeds and power delivery, commonly used in modern smartphones, laptops, and tablets.

4. USB Micro B – A smaller connector used in older smartphones, external hard drives, and other compact devices.

5. USB Mini B – An older, compact connector previously used in cameras, MP3 players, and older mobile devices

This why I have a drawer full of charging cables.

In this day and age can we please make a universal connection...I have 50 cords here and I can't find one that fits what I need....wtf.

USB-A: The Veteran Traveler

USB-A is the rectangular connector most people recognize—it's been around since the late 1990s and remains ubiquitous in travel scenarios. You'll find USB-A ports on airplane seat-back entertainment systems, hotel room alarm clocks, rental cars, and countless charging stations worldwide.

Travel Advantages:
» Universal compatibility with older charging blocks and power banks
» Found in virtually every country and accommodation type
» Reliable connection that rarely fails
» Inexpensive to replace if lost

Travel Limitations:
» Only inserts one way (though you'll inevitably try it upside down first)
» Slower data transfer rates compared to newer standards
» Limited power delivery for fast charging
» Bulkier than modern alternatives

Travel Use Cases: Connecting to airplane entertainment systems, charging from hotel alarm clocks, using public charging stations, and as backup cables for older power banks.

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EMF Protection with Defense Bracelet
- Support health from the effects of EMF radiation with this fashionable and robust EMF protection bracelet.
EMF Protection With Defense Pendant
- It's a pendant people wear to protect themselves from the effects of EMF Radiation.
The Wealth Signal

USB-C: The Modern Nomad's Best Friend

USB-C represents the future of connectivity, and increasingly, the present. This small, oval-shaped connector is becoming the standard for everything from smartphones to laptops, making it incredibly valuable for minimalist travelers.

Travel Advantages:
» Reversible design—it can be plugged in either up or down, it does not matter
» Supports fast charging and high-speed data transfer
» One cable can potentially charge phone (iPhones finally have it), tablet, laptop, and camera
» Increasingly common in modern hotels and airports
» Compact size saves precious luggage space

Travel Considerations:
» Not all USB-C cables support the same power levels
» May require adapters for older charging infrastructure
» Can be more expensive to replace in remote locations

Power Delivery Variants:
Standard USB-C: Up to 3A, suitable for phones and small devices
USB-C PD (Power Delivery): Up to 5A, can charge laptops and larger devices
Thunderbolt 3/4: Maximum performance for professional equipment

Best Travel Use Cases: Primary charging cable for modern devices, laptop charging, connecting to modern hotel room USB-C ports, and reducing cable clutter in your tech kit.

Micro-USB: The Persistent Companion

Despite being older technology, Micro-USB refuses to disappear from the travel landscape. Many budget airlines still use Micro-USB for seat-back charging, budget accommodations often provide Micro-USB cables, and countless travel accessories still rely on this connector.

Travel Reality Check:
» Still widely used in budget travel scenarios
» Common for portable speakers, fitness trackers, and budget electronics
» Often the only option in developing countries
» Cheap and widely available for emergency replacement

Travel Strategy: Always pack at least one Micro-USB cable, even if your primary devices have moved beyond it. You'll inevitably encounter a situation where it's needed.

Lightning: The Apple Ecosystem Essential

If you're invested in Apple's ecosystem, Lightning cables are non-negotiable for travel. While Apple is transitioning to USB-C, millions of iPhones, AirPods, and other Apple accessories already in circulation are using Lightning connections.

Travel Considerations:
» Essential for iPhone users (iPhone 14 and earlier)
» Required for AirPods, many iPad models, and various Apple accessories
» iPhone 15 and newer no longer use Lightning connection. They are now using USB-C instead » Apple's build quality is excellent but expensive to replace
» Third-party options available but quality varies significantly. We have trusted Anker Lightning cables for many years now and continue to buy their other cable types as well

Travel Tip: Invest in MFi (Made for iPhone) certified cables for reliability, but consider carrying a backup generic option for emergencies.

Multi-Device Cables: The Traveler's Swiss Army Knife

For travelers who hate cable clutter, multi-device cables offer an appealing solution. These typically feature one input (usually USB-A or USB-C) with multiple output connectors (Lightning, USB-C, Micro-USB).

Travel Benefits: » Reduces cable count in your tech kit
» Emergency backup for multiple device types
» Great for group travel where different people have different devices

Travel Drawbacks:
» Often slower charging speeds
» More points of failure
» Can be bulkier than individual cables
» May not support fast charging protocols

Charging Speed and Power Delivery: What Matters on the Road

Understanding charging speeds becomes crucial when you have limited time between flights or need to quickly power up before heading out for the day.

Charging Speed Factors:
» Cable Quality: Cheap cables often limit charging speed regardless of your charger's capabilities
» Power Delivery Standards: USB-C PD, Qualcomm Quick Charge, and proprietary fast charging protocols
» Device Compatibility: Your device must support the fast charging standard
» Charger Output: The wall adapter or power bank must provide adequate power
» Travel Charging Strategy: Focus on cables that support your devices' maximum charging speeds. A cable that takes 4 hours to charge your phone instead of 1 hour can significantly impact your travel schedule.

Data Transfer: When Speed Matters
While charging gets most attention, data transfer speeds matter for travelers who need to quickly backup photos, transfer files, or sync devices.

USB Speed Standards:
USB 2.0: Up to 480 Mbps—adequate for basic file transfer
USB 3.0/3.1: Up to 5-10 Gbps—good for regular photo/video backup
USB 3.2/4.0: Up to 20-40 Gbps—excellent for professional content creators

Travel Scenarios Where Speed Matters:
» Backing up camera photos at the end of each day
» Transferring large video files from action cameras
» Syncing devices before long flights
» Quick file sharing between travel companions

Durability and Build Quality: Surviving the Road

Travel is tough on cables. They get stuffed in bags, yanked from devices, coiled repeatedly, and subjected to temperature extremes. Investing in quality cables pays dividends on the road.

Durability Features to Look For:
» Reinforced Connectors: Stress relief at connection points prevents breaking
» Braided Cables: More resistant to kinking and internal wire damage
» Flexible Materials: Better for repeated coiling and uncoiling
» Quality Connectors: Gold-plated contacts resist corrosion in humid climates

Travel Durability Test: If a cable feels flimsy in the store, it won't survive your luggage. Invest in cables that feel substantial and well-constructed

Cable Management for Travel

Keeping cables organized and tangle-free enhances your travel experience and prevents the frustration of searching through a cable mess.

Organization Strategies:
» Cable Organizer Pouches: Keep cables separated and easily accessible
» Velcro Ties: Prevent tangling and allow quick length adjustment
» Cable Clips: Manage cables in hotel rooms and workspaces
» Multi-Port Chargers: Reduce the number of individual wall adapters needed

Packing Tips:
» Coil cables loosely to prevent internal wire damage
» Store frequently used cables in easily accessible pockets
» Keep backup cables in checked luggage
» Label cables if traveling with others who have similar devices

Related: anker.com/blogs/cables/how-to-identify-different-types-of-usb-cables-a-brief-guide

Tactical Defense Flashlight
- This tactical flashlight has the ability to switch between different light modes: high, medium, low, strobe, and SOS.
- It has a zoom in or out feature to get the perfect amount of light for your needs. The zoomable/adjustable light focus is especially useful when you need to illuminate a specific area.
- The body of a tactical flashlight is made of aluminum.

Get a reliable VPN for your computer and phone for travel and at home.

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New Cool Up-and-Coming In Travel Tech Gadgets News

2025-05-24T17:59:00.016-04:00

Travel Tech Gadgets News

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Chase Freedom® Card – your key to smarter spending, cash back, and unbeatable perks

Subject: Electric Vehicles Tech

» 'Range anxiety will go away': How the Mercedes CLA sedan could upend Americans' views on EVs
abcnews.go.com/Business/range-anxiety-mercedes-cla-sedan-upend-americans-views/story

The vehicle, available later this year in dealers, offers the "longest range and best charging performance" of any Mercedes model

This post may contain affiliate links; please read my disclosure here.

Subject: Travel

» Expedia's new travel tool lets you turn Instagram reels into travel itineraries
cntraveller.com/expedias-new-travel-tool-lets-you-turn-instagram-reels-into-travel-itineraries-we-tested-it-out

Image via Cntraveller.com

Subject: Security

» Boarding passes and check-in could be scrapped in air travel shake-up
theguardian.com/world/2025/boarding-passes-and-check-in-to-be-scrapped-in-air-travel-shake-up-plans

» Scout Bike Alarm for Extra Security
practicaltravelgear.com/scout-bike-alarm-extra-security

» ExpressVPN Joins Delta Business Traveler Platform for Secure, Seamless Travel
breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/expressvpn-joins-delta-business-traveler-platform-for-secure-seamless-trave

SOS Solar Phone Charger
- 20000mAh high capacity mobile external battery power bank.
- Super compatibility, compatible with more than 99% of mobile phones, tablet PCs.
- Dual USB ports, you can charge phones, pads, or other small electronic devices. Simultaneously.
- LED light, press the switch twice, and the LED will light up, works perfectly in darkness, especially for emergency

» CleanseBot: The robot cleaner that kills germs in hotel beds

cnn.com/travel/article/cleansebot-robot-cleaner-hotel-beds

Subject: VPN & Streaming

» Streaming While Traveling Abroad: Advanced VPN, Chromecast, and Other Tricks
perceptivetravel.com/blog/2025/03/16/streaming-while-traveling

» VPN Access on Unlimited Devices with Private Internet Access
https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/pages/get-vpn

Subject: Gadgets

» How Meta’s Upcoming $1,000+ Smart Glasses With a Screen Will Work
bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025/how-meta-s-upcoming-1000-smart-glasses-with-a-screen-will-work

» Apple is reportedly bringing live translation to AirPods
theverge.com/news/629506/apple-airpods-live-translation-ios-19

» Those Trendy 4-wheel Spinner Suitcases Are Terrible on Uneven Surfaces
cheapestdestinationsblog.com/2025/spinner-suitcases-are-terrible

» Apple is reportedly bringing live translation to AirPods
nicenews.com/innovation/handlebar-sensor-map-safer-cycling-routes

Subject: AI & Air Travel

» Air taxis to ferry fans and VIPs to venues at 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

» Riyadh Air and IBM to build AI-driven enterprise, to elevate guest and employee experiences
breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/riyadh-air-and-ibm-to-build-ai-driven-enterprise-to-elevate-guest-and-emplo

» US firm’s VTOL craft promises ‘longest-range’ with 400-gallon fuel boost
https://interestingengineering.com/transportation/us-firms-vtol-longest-range?group=test_b

XTI Aerospace, a U.S.-based company specializing in vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft technology, has achieved a major engineering milestone. The company has successfully updated the fuel system design for its TriFan 600 aircraft.

Image via Interesting Engineering

» Boeing, Airbus ditch aluminum: Next-gen jets to fly on lightweight thermoplastics
interestingengineering.com/transportation/boeing-airbus-jets-lightweight-thermoplastics

» US scientists create jet fuel from sunlight making carbon-free aviation reality
interestingengineering.com/energy/us-scientists-create-solar-powered-fuel

» The world's first air bike is now a reality!

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Travel Tips: Don't Leave Your Money Behind When Traveling

2025-05-06T08:00:00.027-04:00

Tips for Keeping Money Safe at the Airport

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An estimated $58 million in loose change is left behind annually on airplanes.

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Nearly $1 million was left behind in security bins.

The Federal Aviation Administration handles more than 16 million flights an average year. And on every one of these flights, there is change being left behind by folks exiting the plane.

That is a lot of money people leave behind. It might seem like chump change (pun intended), but it all adds up.

PSA 1: When traveling, unless you are traveling from or to a country that mostly has coin currency, leave the change at home.

Of course, there are travel gadgets and accessories that would help you keep your change with you on and off the plane. Here are a few of the tips and gadgets for traveling with coins.

» Money belts are great for bills, coins, and other things you want to keep close.

» Don't put your loose coins and small bills into pockets. When combined with many other things you are likely to have in your pockets when you are traveling, the change might come with it when you pull something out.
Also, geometry. When you sit down and have change in your pockets, the pocket will angle downwards in a seat. This creates a nice slide for the coins to go down and out of your reach.

Meridian Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set
- Helps with pain relief, promotes relaxation and reduce stress, by stimulating pressure points in the body.
EMF Protection with Defense Bracelet
- Support health from the effects of EMF radiation with this fashionable and robust EMF protection bracelet.
EMF Protection With Defense Pendant
- It's a pendant people wear to protect themselves from the effects of EMF Radiation.
The Wealth Signal

» Lewis N. Clark RFID Blocking Travel Pouch can hold credit cards, IDs, and coins. It is small and comes with straps so you can keep it close to your body.

» For low-tech and low-cost solutions, you can keep coins together by storing them in a small snack-size ziplock bag. This way, instead of multiple of them bouncing around in the pocket, it is just one lump. And if the bag does fall out, it is much more noticeable and likely louder than individual coins.

» Coin pouch with a carabiner that attaches to your bag or jeans.

» Small coin purse with vintage kiss-lock clasp

» Character Small Coin Purse Pouch

» Leather Mini Coin Purse

» Leather Coin Clutch

» Mini Coin Purse Key Pendant

PSA 2: If you left your money somewhere other than the airplane, there is a site for it.

There Are Billions Of Dollars In Unclaimed Money. Get yours here

Click on your state in the U.S. map image to get the link to your state’s treasury website.

Related:
8 TSA Rules You Should Know
The One Item You Should Never Put in a TSA Bin
How To Safely Carry Cash as a Tourist

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18 Dumbest Things Smart Travelers Waste Money On

2025-04-22T08:00:00.010-04:00

Don't Waste Your Money On These When Traveling

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💸 1. Currency exchange at the airport

Biggest rookie move. The rates are terrible and they tack on hidden fees.

Instead: Use an ATM or a travel-friendly credit card instead.

🎧 2. Buying overpriced neck pillows and travel gadgets at the airport

A $40 neck pillow that feels like a sack of potatoes? Nah.

Instead: Buy one online for a third of the price. This one is only ten bucks

📱 3. Roaming charges

Forgetting to get a local SIM or international plan can lead to a phone bill that looks like a car payment. Always plan your data ahead.

🍔 4. Eating at tourist trap restaurants

That pasta place with a laminated menu and pictures? Yeah, you're paying triple for spaghetti that tastes like regret. Been there done that

Instead: Go around the corner to smaller streets. The food will likely be as good or better. We did that in Rome, Italy and found a small cafe almost on a cliff. The great part was that it was facing the Pantheon.

🧳 5. Excess baggage fees

Overpacking like you’re moving abroad for 5 years? Nope.

Instead: Pack smart, weigh your bag, and avoid those brutal airline fees.

🚌 6. Hop-on hop-off buses in small cities

Unless you're in a sprawling city, walking or using public transport is often faster, cheaper, and way more interesting.

🗺️ 7. Souvenirs that scream “Made in China”

Buying plastic Eiffel Towers in Paris? Might as well just light that 20€ bill on fire.

🏨 8. Staying in chain hotels in areas full of charm

Why drop $300/night on a cookie-cutter hotel when a boutique spot or Airbnb could be half the price and twice the vibe?

🚗 9. Renting a car when you don’t need one

Especially in cities with great public transport or compact walkable neighborhoods. Now you’ve got parking fees, gas, AND stress.

Travel Gadgets

📟 10. Electronic luggage trackers… with no battery life

People drop $100+ on trackers that die mid-trip. If you’re buying one, get a reliable one (like an AirTag, we love ours) and keep it charged. Otherwise, it’s just a fancy keychain.

Instead: Get and replace or bring with you the 2032 batteries comparible with AirTag.

💨 11. Mini portable fans for airplanes

They're the size of a deck of cards and blow less air than a whisper. For $20+, you’re better off fanning yourself with your boarding pass.

Instead: Each seat on every plane, even older models, has adjustable air vents. Point one towards you, but not directly, and adjust the air flow.

@happyandbusytravels How to control the aircon in the airplane? 😁 #airplane #howto #travel #vacation #airconditioner ♬ For videos! Rejector weakness system - MoppySound

📸 12. Oversized DSLR camera setups

Unless you're a pro photographer or doing National Geographic-level work, lugging a giant camera + lenses is overkill. Smartphones these days shoot in 4K and fit in your pocket.

Instead: If you do bring a DSLR for better group, indoor, or evening shots take these lighter DSLR accessories: Manfrotto Camera Travel Tripod, LED Portable Camera Light, Lowepro Passport Sling DSLR Camera

🔌 13. All-in-one universal adapters with 57 unnecessary ports

Half of them don’t work, they weigh more than your laptop, and the USB-C port mysteriously never charges anything.

Instead: A compact, quality adapter is all you need.

🕶️ 14. "Smart" sunglasses with built-in speakers

They look like spy gear but sound like a busted radio. You’ll still end up using your earbuds. And you likely won't look good in them

Instead: Get a great pair of regular sunglasses

🔦 15. High-tech “self-cleaning” water bottles

Cool in theory, but they’re $80+ and don’t actually filter anything dangerous — they just shine UV light. A basic filter bottle like a LifeStraw does more, for less.

Instead: Take along LifeStraw personal water filter

🛏️ 16. Portable white noise machines

Just use an app on your phone. Lugging around a palm-sized speaker that plays ocean waves? Come on now.

Instead: White Noise Lite app, Sleep Sounds by Sleep Pillow, White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds

🧼 17. USB-powered portable washing machines

This one’s legendary. It’s just a bag that vibrates. For $70.

Instead: Just wash your socks in the sink like a normal person, and use liquid travel sink packets from Tide and other travel-size detergents

📺 18. Travel routers (for most people)

Unless you're doing some serious remote work or connecting 5+ devices in dodgy Wi-Fi zones, these are bulky and unnecessary.

Instead: Unless you really need one and have one of these compact Travel WiFi Router

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Best New Travel Gadgets Available Now Or Coming Soon

2025-03-18T08:30:00.009-04:00

New Travel Gadgets Now Or Upcoming

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Laptop with solar charging, small adapters that provide big connections, flying cars, and more new travel tech..

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Lenovo Yoga Solar PC

First solar-powered ultraslim laptop - the Yoga Solar PC. The laptop is equipped with a Back Contact Cell solar panel. Lenovo claims that 20 minutes in direct sunlight will give the Yoga Solar PC enough juice to play an hour of 1080p video. And in low-light environments, the laptop can bring in enough solar power to maintain its charge while in sleep mode.

Image via Lenovo

» Measures just 15mm thin

» You can close the lid and let it soak in the solar rays

» This ensures that you’ll never be stranded without any charge again even when traveling

» When on a trip or even just off to enjoy outdoors, no need to drag your laptop charger

» Leave the Yoga lapto on a windowsill or picnic table for an hour while having lunch, and come back to a freshly-charged battery

» Yoga offers an energy conversion rate of about 24%, which is on par with most photovoltaic solar cells available today

» Currently in concept stage with more development and production to come

The TCL LINKPORT IK511 is a 5G modem in a USB dongle

» One job for one device and do it well - making sure you have secure internet while traveling

» It uses a USB-C connection to plug into your device and gives you access to whichever mobile internet service provider you have.

» LINKPORT IK5211 doesn't have a battery or need a wall adapter

» It draws power from your device to do what it needs to do, so you don't have to pack extra cables

» Works cross-platform, including Linux

Meridian Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set
- Helps with pain relief, promotes relaxation and reduce stress, by stimulating pressure points in the body.
EMF Protection with Defense Bracelet
- Support health from the effects of EMF radiation with this fashionable and robust EMF protection bracelet.
EMF Protection With Defense Pendant
- It's a pendant people wear to protect themselves from the effects of EMF Radiation.
The Wealth Signal

HMD’s Amped Buds

Image via HMD.com
» Active noise cancellation, environment noise cancellation for clearer calls, and IP54 certified against splashes of water

» Standout feature is the case, which lets you use it to charge your phone

» HMD Amped Buds’ case has a massive capacity of 1,600 mAh

» This give the buds 95 hours of playback time

» Tiny portable charger for your phone via Qi2 wireless charging or USB-C

“Flying cars” are coming in 2026

» Aeroht subsidiary of EV carmaker Xpeng is planning to start mass production of its “land aircraft carrier” next year

» A folding two-seater passenger drone is carried onboard a Cybertruck-looking six-wheeled van

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New Cool Up-and-Coming In Travel Tech Gadgets

2025-03-04T08:00:00.056-05:00

New in Travel Tech & Gadgets

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Connectivity & Infrastructure:

» Starlink poised to take over $2.4 billion contract to overhaul air traffic control communication
theverge.com/news/620777/starlink-verizon-contract-faa-communication-musk

» At 281 mph, China tests its fastest high-speed train
popsci.com/technology/china-high-speed-train

Image via Popular Science

» ‘Impossible’ anode-free EV battery promises 500+ mile range on single charge
interestingengineering.com/energy/anode-free-solid-state-batteries-princeton

Space Travel:

» Six weeks, three moon landers: The era of private space exploration is here
popsci.com/science/private-lunar-landers

Financial Tech & Travel:

» Airline baggage fees: How much it costs to check a bag on major US airlines
thepointsguy.com/airline/airline-baggage-fees/

» Travel trade must embrace crypto payment options
breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/travel-trade-must-embrace-crypto-payment-options

Image via breakingtravelnews

» “The Future of Travel”: Trip.com Group to Showcase Next-Gen Tech at ITB Berlin 2025
breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/the-future-of-travel-trip.com-group-to-showcase-next-gen-tech-at-itb-berlin/

Meridian Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set
- Helps with pain relief, promotes relaxation and reduce stress, by stimulating pressure points in the body.
EMF Protection with Defense Bracelet
- Support health from the effects of EMF radiation with this fashionable and robust EMF protection bracelet.
EMF Protection With Defense Pendant
- It's a pendant people wear to protect themselves from the effects of EMF Radiation.
The Wealth Signal

Travel Gear & Apps:

» Travel Apps for Safety
petergreenberg.com/2025/02/25/travel-apps-for-safety

» How To Properly Wash Your Water Resistant Gear
foxnomad.com/2025/how-to-properly-wash-your-water-resistant-gear

» 6 Travel Items You Didn’t Know You Needed (But Do!)
tripandtravelblog.com/6-travel-items-you-didnt-know-you-needed-but-do

Image via Tripandtravelblog

» Buying a SIM Card or eSIM in Kyrgyzstan
toomanyadapters.com/buying-sim-card-esim-kyrgyzstan

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20 Travel Photography Tips That Will Make Your Instagram Pop (Check Out #15!)

2025-02-17T10:23:00.005-05:00

Travel Photography Tips For Your Instagram

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Travel photography is an art form that combines adventure, creativity, and storytelling. Whether you’re wandering through vibrant cities, relaxing on remote beaches, or hiking majestic mountain peaks, capturing those moments in a way that resonates with your audience is essential. To help you elevate your travel photos and make your Instagram feed stand out, here are 20 tips that will take your travel photography to the next level. (Be sure to check out #15—it’s a game-changer!)

1. Embrace Natural Light

Natural light is your best friend when it comes to stunning photos. Early mornings and golden hours (the hour after sunrise and before sunset) offer the soft, warm glow that makes your images pop. Avoid the midday sun, as it can cause harsh shadows and overexposure.

2. Use Leading Lines

Use natural lines—like roads, rivers, or bridges—to draw the viewer’s eye into the image. This technique creates depth and guides the viewer’s focus to the subject or destination.

3. Get Close to Your Subject

Instead of taking wide shots from a distance, get up close! Close-ups of local details, textures, and faces can tell a deeper story about the place you’re visiting.

4. Use the Rule of Thirds

This classic photography rule suggests dividing your image into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. Place key elements of your shot at the intersection points to create a more dynamic and balanced composition.

5. Show Scale with Human Presence

Including a person in your shot gives a sense of scale and makes the scenery more relatable. Whether it's a silhouette against a sunset or someone hiking a mountain trail, human presence can help tell your story.

6. Capture Movement

Travel is all about action! Whether it’s a bustling market, waves crashing on the shore, or someone riding a bike, photographing movement adds excitement and energy to your feed.

7. Experiment with Reflections

Look for reflective surfaces like lakes, puddles, or windows to create stunning symmetry in your photos. Reflections often add a surreal, almost magical touch to your images.

8. Shoot During Golden Hour

The golden hour (right before sunset or after sunrise) is famous for its warm, soft light. It’s one of the best times to capture travel photos, giving them a dreamy, ethereal feel.

9. Use a Drone

If you want to take your photography to new heights (literally!), consider investing in a drone. Aerial shots of landscapes, cityscapes, or iconic landmarks can add an incredible perspective to your Instagram feed.

10. Tell a Story with Your Photos

Rather than simply snapping pretty pictures, try to tell a story with your travel photography. Whether it’s a photo journal of a day’s adventure or an emotion-filled close-up, aim for images that convey experiences and moments.

11. Use a Wide-Angle Lens

A wide-angle lens is excellent for capturing sweeping landscapes or tight spaces like narrow alleyways. It helps you get more of the scene in one shot, making your images more immersive.

12. Capture Local Culture

One of the best ways to showcase a destination is by capturing its local culture. Whether through food, clothing, traditions, or daily life, showing the human side of travel connects with your audience on a deeper level.

13. Play with Shadows and Silhouettes

Sunset and sunrise are perfect times to capture silhouettes. The strong contrast between light and dark can make for striking, artistic photos that stand out on your feed.

14. Shoot in RAW Format

Shooting in RAW gives you more flexibility during post-editing. You can adjust exposure, white balance, and colors with greater precision, ensuring your travel photos look their best.

15. Use Props for Extra Interest (This One’s a Game-Changer!)

Props are the secret ingredient to adding creativity and personality to your travel photos. A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, or a vintage camera can turn an ordinary shot into something extraordinary. Props also help tell a story and make your photos more memorable. So, next time you’re packing for a trip, bring a few items to help your photos stand out!

16. Focus on Textures

Textures add a tactile quality to your photos. Whether it's the rough bark of a tree, the smoothness of a stone, or the intricate patterns in a building's architecture, textures can bring your images to life.

17. Use a Tripod for Stability

A tripod is essential for low-light situations, long exposures, or night photography. It helps you avoid blurry images, allowing you to capture sharp, clear photos even in challenging conditions.

18. Look for Contrasting Colors

Colors can evoke strong emotions, so look for scenes with contrasting colors. A bright yellow umbrella against a blue sky or red flowers in a green garden can create visually striking images.

19. Capture the Small Details

Sometimes, the beauty of a place lies in the small details—a coffee cup at a café, a close-up of a street vendor’s stall, or a patterned tile. These shots can give your followers a new perspective on your travels.

20. Edit, but Don’t Overdo It

Editing is essential in making your photos shine, but try not to overdo it. Enhance the colors, adjust the exposure, and sharpen the image—but keep it looking natural. Your followers want to see the true beauty of the places you visit, not over-filtered shots.

Now it’s your turn—grab your camera, pack your bags, and start capturing those unforgettable travel moments. 🌍📸✈️

Are you ready to put these tips into practice? Share your favorite travel photography techniques with us in the comments below! 👇 _____________________________________________________________________________

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New Cool Up-and-Coming In Travel Tech Gadgets - Summer 2024

2024-07-08T10:00:00.011-04:00

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New Cool Travel News Hacks & Gadgets This Summer

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TSA unveils new high-tech equipment to speed up screening process ahead of summer travel season
abc7ny.com/post/summer-airport-travel-tsa-unveils-new-high-tech

SpaceX unveils backpack-sized ‘Starlink Mini’ satellite internet antenna for $599
cnbc.com/2024/spacex-unveils-starlink-mini-satellite-internet-antenna

Netflix accounts have a screen limit, here's your family travel hack

» Netflix's screen limits only apply to content being streamed online on more than one device
» Instead of streaming on your tablet and phone, download the shows or movies to one of the devices
» Content that has been downloaded for offline viewing doesn't apply to the rule of one device at a time
» Enjoy watching your favorite content across devices while traveling

Electra’s Hybrid-Electric Test Aircraft Achieves First Ultra-Short eSTOL Takeoff and Landing
breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/electras-hybrid-electric-test-aircraft-achieves-first-ultra-short-estol-tak

Apple to begin mass production of AirPods with cameras by 2026
9to5mac.com/2024/airpods-with-cameras-report-production/

New AirPods will feature an infrared camera similar to what’s used as part of the Face ID module on iPhone and iPad. Apple’s goal is reportedly for the camera-equipped AirPods to integrate with Vision Pro

Toyota to unveil first ‘full’ self-driving EV next year as it chases Tesla
electrek.co/2024/toyota-first-full-self-driving-ev-chases-tesla/

Meet the eTH, an expandable electric RV that turns into an off-grid luxury mini-home
electrek.co/2024/eth-electric-rv-expands-off-grid-luxury-home

America's smartest highway
axios.com/2024/smart-highway-i-94-michigan

A three-mile stretch of I-94 in Michigan offers a glimpse of America's future highways, with tech-enabled lanes for connected and automated vehicles that could one day let drivers sit back and relax.

Samsung launches the Galaxy Ring
cnbc.com/2024/samsung-galaxy-ring-launch-price-specs-feature-availability

Samsung launched the Galaxy Ring, its first foray into “smart rings. The Ring has the ability to track various health metrics such as heart rate and sleep.

SOS Solar Phone Charger
- 20000mAh high capacity mobile external battery power bank.
- Super compatibility, compatible with more than 99% of mobile phones, tablet PCs.
- Dual USB ports, you can charge phones, pads, or other small electronic devices. Simultaneously.
- LED light, press the switch twice, and the LED will light up, works perfectly in darkness, especially for emergency

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Smooth Flying: Masterful Tips and Tricks for Navigating Airports and Airplanes with Gusto

2024-05-28T16:25:00.085-04:00

Tech Tips and How-Tos For Air Travel

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First, there is a major update for airline regulations: Travelers Will Now Be Fully Refunded For Any Canceled Or Severely Delayed U.S. Flights.

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Before The Takeoff

Facial Recognition in Airports: Biometrics Technology Is Expanding
nytimes.com/2024/02/18/travel/facial-recognition-airports-biometrics

Facial recognition becomes the new event ticket
futureparty.com/facial-recognition-hospitality-travel-ticket

Keeping track of your flight

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A post shared by Henry Wu • San Francisco Travel + Lifestyle (@humminglion)

Finding your way around the airport

Google Maps is a great tool for navigating. Moreover, it can also help you find your way inside an airport with its Live View. This feature is available in larger and most popular airports. Once you are inside the airport, open up Google Maps and click on the icon with a pin and words LIVE (usually appears in bottom right). This will open up AR capability of the app and it will help you navigate around. For more tips on getting to and around airport: How to Navigate the Airport

After the takeoff

Painter tape - simple tool on land and in the air

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A post shared by Nichola Knox | Canadian Photographer + Creator (@nicholaknox)

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A post shared by Lisa Flom (@ljflommom)

Stay hydrated in the airport and on the plane

While no liquids are allowed through the security that are over the TSA limit of 3.4 ounces, once at the gate you can hydrate by taking these along and filling them up

» Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Water Bottle

» Nalgene Tritan BPA-Free Water Bottle

» Contigo Steel Water Bottle

» CamelBak Chute Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Keep your gadgets charged
It might be tempting while at their airport to plug in your devices into the multitude of electrical outlets available. However, be careful, as the USB plugs in public places can be unsafe and manipulated by bad actors to install data stealing components with them. Check out Good To Know: Charging Your Phone Safely While Traveling for tips on charging safely. Same goes for charging on the aiplane, having your own charger is a lot safer and more confortable.

» Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger

» Anker Power Bank, 26,800 mAh

» Portable Charger 40000mah Power Bank

Keep clean at your seat

Bring sanitizing wipes and before fully settling into your seat wipe down the tray, screen, arm rests, headrests and such to keep yourself and your travel companion safe on the way. For more ways to stay healthy while traveling see traveltechgadgets.com/how-to-travel-safe-stay-healthy

Keep connected

» Most seats on a plane have the headphone jacks. Though if you, like most these days, have wireless earphones with you only you would be out of luck of watching and listening to movies and shows on the in-flight entertainment. You have a couple of options, get the airline provided crappy wired earphones, or get a Bluetooth Wireless Transmitter. These gadgets plug into that headphone jack, create a Bluetooth connection, and then allow your wireless earbuds to connect to the entertainment system via your phone's Bluetooth.

There is the expensive transmitter called AirFly that has a lot of marketing behind it. However, you can get a much cheaper version that does exactly same thing. That is what I did. I got this kind of Bluetooth 5.2 Transmitter Receiver and it works great. The functions are pretty basic. You have to ensure the device is fully charged. Turn it on. Make sure that Bluetooth on your phone is on. Allow the device to connect to Bluetooth and then start using your wireless earphones and enjoy.

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Did Your Know - National and World Tourism Days

2024-05-07T15:53:00.067-04:00

Celebrate Travel Around The County & Around The Globe

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National Tourism Day

National Tourism Day is May 7. It is observed during National Travel and Tourism Week in the United States every first full week of May. National Travel and Tourism Week was first celebrated in May 1983 when President Ronald Reagan signed a Proclamation urging all citizens to observe the week.

What Is World Tourism Day?

World Tourism Day is commemorated each year on 27 September. Its purpose is to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value. The event seeks to address global challenges outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to highlight the contribution the tourism industry can make in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals - www.un.org

What to do during Tourism Day:

» Go outside

» Plan the next trip

» Explore new locations
» Chat with strangers/locals
» Create travel videos
» Seek out examples of tourism that inspire you
» Give the gift of travel: Book a weekend getaway, buy airline tickets, or give a friend a plane ticket.

» Send a souvenir: Pick a souvenir from your city or state and mail it to a friend

» Visit a museum in your own town

» Take advantage of discounts: Many businesses and municipalities might offer discounts, coupons, and deals in honor of the day.

How to Celebrate National Tourism Day: A Tech-Savvy Guide

Virtual Exploration:
Tech Tip: Use virtual reality (VR) headsets or 360-degree cameras to explore iconic destinations from the comfort of your home. Wander through the Louvre in Paris, dive into the Great Barrier Reef, or stroll along the streets of Kyoto.
Gadget Recommendation: Oculus Quest 2 VR Headset.

Travel Planning Made Easy:
Tech Tip: Download travel apps that offer real-time flight deals, hotel bookings, and local recommendations. Stay organized with itinerary apps that sync seamlessly across devices.
Gadget Recommendation: TripIt (for organizing travel plans) and Skyscanner (for finding the best flight deals).

Capture the Moment:
Tech Tip: Invest in a high-quality smartphone with an excellent or compact mirrorless camera for stunning travel photos. Don’t forget extra memory cards!

Gadget Recommendation: Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera.

Stay Connected:
Tech Tip: Portable Wi-Fi hotspots ensure you’re always connected, even in remote locations. Share your adventures instantly on social media.
Gadget Recommendation: Skyroam Solis X Mobile Hotspot.

Language Learning:

Tech Tip: Language apps help you communicate with locals. Learn essential phrases and immerse yourself in the culture.
Gadget Recommendation: Duolingo or Babbel language apps.

Health and Safety:

Tech Tip: Carry a portable UV sanitizer for your gadgets and face masks. Stay informed about travel advisories using reliable news apps.
Gadget Recommendation: PhoneSoap UV Sanitizer.

Travel Entertainment:

Tech Tip: Load up your e-reader with travel guides, novels, and audiobooks. Create personalized playlists for road trips.
Gadget Recommendation: Kindle Paperwhite or Spotify Premium.

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The Phenomenon Travel Gadget - The Stanley Cup

2024-01-23T08:00:00.018-05:00

Stanley Cup - Old Reliable Travel Accessory In The Spotlight

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There is a Stanley Cup craze going on. And it's different than the one I usually follow, and in the middle of the chase for the NHL title and The Stanley Cup trophy. This one is about the Stanley Cup travel mug that is the craze rolling through the U. S., with people collecting different variations of this cup. They are using it on a daily basis to hydrate either by drinking coffee, tea, or other kinds of different drinks.

This post may contain affiliate links; please read my disclosure here.

This cup has become a social icon and an essential part of workdays, road trips, and outdoor adventures. It is taken along for short runs to long trips.

Stanley Cup's features:

» At 40 oz, it gives you all-day hydration with fewer refills
» Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps water ice cold for 48 hours and cool for 8 hours
» Slim base fits right in your cupholder
» The lid rotates through three positions: a straw opening to hold the reusable straw in place, a drink opening, and a full-cover top
» Reusable straw
» 18/8 recycled stainless steel
» BPA-free
» Comfort-grip handle
» Dishwasher safe

It comes in several varieties. Two of the most popular are Adventure Quencher Travel Tumbler and Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState.

Did you know:

Stanley brand is actually 110 years old. In 1913, William Stanley invented the all-steel, double-wall vacuum bottle and stuck his name on it. Since then, Stanley has produced ultra-durable and reliable products such as bottles, mugs, lunchboxes, cook sets, flasks, growlers, and coolers.

And while the names are identical, the companies and their logos differ. Stanley Black & Decker makes hand tools and vacuums. Stanley, with a bearing with wings and wearing a crown, is a bottle maker/container maker.

People are finding new ways of using these cups:

If everything freezes and you don’t have a spigot cover.

Try one of these cups your wife has bought 20 of and stuff it full of rags.

Day 5. No issues. pic.twitter.com/XOWbx3syeW
— BlueCollarInvestments (@BlueCollarInvr) January 21, 2024

This one is my favorite so far:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by HowDoesSheSave (@howdoesshesave)

@dailymail Is the Stanley OVERRATED? The cup was the top-searched product on Amazon over the holiday season, according to Amazon search data #stanleycup #newyorkcity #yetti #stanley #trending #hockey #hockeyboys #manonthestreet ♬ original sound - Daily Mail

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New Most Valuable Travel Item - SeQR Codes

2024-01-09T08:00:00.009-05:00

SeQR Stickers For Travel - Get Your Stuff Back

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I received the scan codes free of charge from SeQR for the purpose of the review. All experiences and opinions are my own.
This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure here

One of our favorite travel accessories as of late has been the AirTags. These trackers are a must-have for travel as they can track your luggage, your personal bags, and much more.

There are quite a few accessories for AirTags that let you attach them to different items. However, the AirTags cannot be attached to everything. And that is where the code stickers from SeQR come in.

While the concept behind the stickers is not new, it was easy to get started with them and attach them to many items. More below

In our rapidly advancing digital age, QR codes have become an integral part of our daily lives, simplifying processes and enhancing convenience. SeQR's innovative platform leverages the power of QR codes to reunite you with your lost travel items.

SeQR provides QR code stickers designed to be applied to various devices and personal items. Each sticker hosts a unique QR code, enabling anyone who finds the item to effortlessly connect with the owner through a simple scan using their smartphone.

Get help with lost items and keep your personal info private when you place SeQR Contact codes on your daily and travel essentials

SeQR contact codes are more secure than your phone number or email because they do not reveal personal info. Additionally, they cannot be used by stalkers to track your location, unlike GPS trackers like Airtag or Tile.

We have placed them on many different items:

The AirPods (adds likelihood of being found & returned)

Our Anker portable charger that we don't leave home without.

Eyeglasses case - this is a great idea as this is an item that can certainly be misplaced.

My second phone is not on the iCloud account, ie, Android, and cannot be easily tracked.

QR codes are universally recognizable, making it easy for people from all walks of life to use the service. The technology is user-friendly, requiring only a smartphone with a camera and a QR code scanning app

How to set up the account and stickers:

» Once you place the order for SeQr stickers, you will receive in the mail sheet with the QR stickers on it

» Scan any one of them and click to open the browser link that shows up.

» Once opened, it will ask you to activate your codes.

» When you activate, you will receive a one-time use code in the email. This will act as your password and verification to get into the account.

» You can copy and paste the code from the email into the account field.

» Once in, you will see a dashboard that shows how many stickers you have active and if you have received any messages.

» This is what the screen looks like once your stickers are activated and are scanned again. It will also be a screen that someone who finds the item and scans will see as well.

SeQR tracking stickers for travel

SeQR's QR code stickers are about facilitating connections and simplifying the process of reclaiming your belongings. Embrace the future of lost and found with SeQR.

Lighting X - Plasma Waterproof Rechargeable Lighter
- This Electric Lighter uses dual arc plasma to create a flame-less, wind-proof and weather-proof spark.
- It can last up to 2 weeks with occasional use or up to 200 lights between charges.
- Unlike traditional lighters that quickly run out of fuel, this electric lighter features rechargeable technology using USB connection

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New Cool Up-and-Coming In Travel Tech Gadgets - December

2023-12-26T08:00:00.006-05:00

Roads that charge, Big EV plane lighter than air, electric jet engines...

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Engineers Are Creating Concrete Pavement That Wirelessly Charges Electric Cars

interestingengineering.com/innovation/engineers-are-creating-concrete-pavement-that-wirelessly-charges-electric-cars

It's the stuff of science fiction. Imagine driving down the road, and your electric car automatically charges. You don't have to stop. You don't have to get out of the car. Nothing. Well, this dream could soon be a reality.

Tesla confirms wireless inductive electric car home charger is coming.

electrek.co/tesla-confirms-wireless-inductive-electric-car-home-charger/

The world’s largest aircraft breaks cover in Silicon Valley.

techcrunch.com/the-worlds-largest-aircraft-breaks-cover-in-silicon-valley/

Sergey Brin-backed airship startup LTA Research began test flights this month. This behemoth of a plane is actually lighter than air. It has twelve electric motors that line the sides and tail of the airship. In addition to providing efficient, reliable power, the motors rotate from +180° to -180° for effective directional control.

Image via LTA Research

World’s first rim-driven jet propulsion motor test successful in Canada

interestingengineering.com/transportation/worlds-first-rim-driven-jet-propulsion-motor-test-successful-in-canada

Duxion Motors has successfully completed the ground test of its electric jet engine, which, according to it, is "poised to make high-speed electric aviation a reality."

Generating Electricity From Oncoming Traffic

The breeze produced from passing cars might not seem like much, but ENLIL’s long, unobtrusive, upright blades are powerful enough to produce one kilowatt of energy an hour.
A single turbine fitted with an additional solar panel on top can seamlessly produce enough electricity to power two households for a day.

euronews.com/green//turning-traffic-into-clean-energy-how-this-startup-plans-to-power-the-streets-of-istanbul

High-Fat Flight Is First Jetliner to Make Fossil Fuel-Free Trans-Atlantic Crossing From London to NY

Sustainable aviation fuel, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions by about 70%, is the best near-term way for the international aviation industry to achieve its net zero target by 2050

Tesla to offer a package that turns Cybertruck into an actual boat.

electrek.co/tesla-package-turns-cybertruck-into-boat/

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Newest Travel Gadget in Our Travel Bag: Bluetooth Wireless Transmitter

2023-12-19T07:30:00.023-05:00

Bluetooth Signal Sender to Create Wireless Connection
Where There Is None

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When traveling by plane, no matter how long the flight is, you would want to be entertained. You can listen to or view the programming on the back of the seat, if available, or on your device. In either case, you will need to connect your earphones to listen to the audio.

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure here

To connect to the inflight entertainment systems, you have to plug your headphones into the 35mm jack hole in the armrest. To do so, the earphones must be the old-school type with a wire. That could be quite inconvenient. Especially if you are sitting on the aisle seat with others and have to get up from time to time. How many people have had the unpleasant feeling of being yanked by your ears when you forget to disconnect? I definitely have.

Also, if you do not have your own wired earphones, the earphones provided by the airlines are terrible and uncomfortable.

That is why a Bluetooth transmitter device is the newest valuable travel gadget. This compact audio device plugs into the seatback entertainment center and connects to your headphones via Bluetooth. No more sore ears or crackling audio.

Anker Soundsync Bluetooth Receiver:
» Bluetooth 5.0 connection
» Stream music to non-Bluetooth headphones and speakers.
» Hands-Free Calls: Plug into your car and answer calls while you drive.
» 12-Hour Battery Life
» Dual-Pairing: Connect two Bluetooth devices at once

Quite a few people/bloggers are talking about the AirFly transmitter. I have to admit, they have a great marketing team.
While it does look nice and likely does the transmitting, I find it quite overpriced at almost $60. Most of those dollars you are paying for is the marketing, not the technology

There are quite a few of these Bluetooth adapter on the market. Below are the ones we have used or have reviewed.

The Bluetooth transmitter is small. It is the size of a rubber band eraser or one and a half quarters. It can easily fit in with your earphones and other small things you pack for in-flight access.

This wireless audio sending device allows you to transmit audio from in-flight entertainment, gym equipment, gaming devices, TV, or any device using a 3.5 audio jack. Use your AirPods, earbuds, or wireless headphones anywhere with no more cords in the way. Now, you don't have to sacrifice audio quality and your comfort during the flight.

We have one that is similar to this one. Paid around 20 dollars for it. So far, I have used it to listen to music and videos on a flight, on an old laptop that does not have Bluetooth, and on the Casio keyboard that also has no wireless connection of any kind.

Bluetooth Transmitter Receiver 2 in 1

UGREEN Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter and Receiver

Great uses for this gadget beyond travel:

» Older laptops that don't have Bluetooth connection

» Musical devices that did not come with Bluetooth. Such as our Casio electric piano, which has a large headphone jack but no wireless connectivity of any sort. I got an adapter to fit in a 35mm jack from the Bluetooth transmitter, and now we can use any of our earphones, either Airpods or the Soundcore earbuds, to play and listen to music.

» Radios that could use the upgrade to a Bluetooth connection

» TVs that can now be listened to on your personal headphones

SOS Solar Phone Charger
- 20000mAh high capacity mobile external battery power bank.
- Super compatibility, compatible with more than 99% of mobile phones, tablet PCs.
- Dual USB ports, you can charge phones, pads, or other small electronic devices. Simultaneously.
- LED light, press the switch twice, and the LED will light up, works perfectly in darkness, especially for emergency

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New Cool Up-and-Coming In Travel Tech Gadgets

2023-11-07T07:30:00.039-05:00

New Airplane Wifi, Turbulence-Free Flights, BP Superchargers, Bendable Phone...

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Starlink to Be Available on Most Aircraft Soon
driveteslacanada.ca/news/starlink-to-be-available-on-most-aircraft-soon-says-elon-musk

The problem with most in-flight internet offerings is speed and connectivity.

The antennas on the plane need to connect to signals from the ground. This causes latency and interference with the connection. A satellite internet would improve on that with a more stable connection.

Turbulence free flights are coming soon!

Turbulence free flights are coming soon! pic.twitter.com/Tun339FXfo
— Yves Remmler (@YvesRemmler) October 14, 2023

No more bumpy rides: New tech reduces flight turbulence by 80%

25 Tips That Will Change the Way You Travel

thediscoverer.com/blog/20-incredible-travel-tips-according-to-reddit
We do or have most of these. Not all of these are new, but they may be for other travelers.

Tesla is selling $100 million worth of Superchargers to BP in first of its kind deal

Tesla has the best fast-charging network for electric cars in North America by far. That, along with its better connector design, is the reason why most automakers have now adopted its connector as the new standard.

Motorola's Bendable Phone Display Concept Can Wrap Around Your Wrist

cnet.com/tech/mobile/motorolas-bendable-phone-display-concept-can-wrap-around-your-wrist

Scientists Have Created A Star Trek-Like Plane That Flies Using "Ion Thrusters" And No Fuel

iflscience.com/scientists-have-created-a-star-treklike-plane-that-flies-using-ion-thrusters-and-no-fuel

Humane reveals the name of the first device, the Humane Ai Pin

hu.ma.ne/media/humane-names-first-device-humane-ai-pin

The Ai Pin is a new wearable gadget from startup Humane. It is the size of a cracker and can be pinned on your shirt while it displays the information in the palm of your hand.

The personalized AI assistant can be activated through voice commands or finger taps. Pin AI only turns on when pressed and, as per Humane, does not have an always-on feature. Also, for security, there is an indicator light that illuminates when the camera is on. It’ll be able to do all this without smartphone connectivity thanks to its state-of-the-art Qualcomm chip

Southwest Airlines Partners with USA BioEnergy

breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/southwest-airlines-partners-with-usa-bioenergy-for-680-million-gallons

Over the term of the 20-year agreement, once blended with conventional jet fuel, the SAF could produce the equivalent of 2.59 billion gallons of net-zero1 fuel and avoid 30 million metric tons of CO2.

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