More Travel Gadgets on Great Day Washington

Greetings, dear readers. Apologies for being AWOL, but this new luxury travel gig for Skift is keeping me going 24/7.  But I continue to squeeze in time for my Travel Tuesday gadget guru segments on Great Day Washington. Here's the most recent, which features items like A/Stand, AirHook, Face Cradle and the HydraPak collapsible water bottle. Take a look.

Holiday Gifts for Your Favorite Traveler

Looking for a holiday gift for your favorite traveler? This post offers all sorts of suggestions and includes a recent Gadget Guru segment from Great Day Washington as well.

Picture Keeper Connect 

It's happened again. You've taken so many darn pictures that you've run out of space on your phone. Back up those images so you can take new ones this holiday season. After purchasing the Picture Keeper Connect ($119.99 for 16 GB), download the app to facilitate the super-easy transfer of photos and videos from a smartphone or tablet to a computer or a portable compact USB drive.

Weego

How about a battery pack that not only charges your mobile devices, but your car as well? Weego is a pocket-size jump starter battery pack that can do it all. You can give juice to the main power pack at home or in your car (cables included), and then throw Weego in your glove compartment for those times when something in your car is in need of a charge. There's even a built-in flashlight. There are three Weego models, ranging in price from $99.99 to $289 (depending on type of engine you need to charge). Easy-to-follow-instruction are included, as are jumper cables.

HumanCharger

Sometimes, it's the traveler who needs the charge. Could it be that the quickest way to alleviate jet lag is... through the ear? That's the claim of HumanCharger's Finnish inventors, who say their device cuts typical jet lag recovery time in half by emitting light into the ear. The operating principle of the HumanCharger: The headset beams UV-free, blue-enriched white light through ear canal for 12 minutes at a time to the light sensitive regions of the brain that keep circadian rhythms in sync. The HumanCharger ($269.99) comes with a smartphone app that tells you when to take the needed 12-minute bursts of light (after you enter details of your trip). I haven’t tried it myself, but the HumanCharger has been certified to meet the EU Medical Device Directive.

Clean Wave Sanitizing Wand

Germs are everywhere when you travel. Airplanes and hotel rooms can be cesspools of microscopic bugs and bacteria. But the Verilux Clean Wave Sanitizing Wand ($69.99) can zap your these worries away. The wand uses powerful ultraviolet-C light to significantly reduce microscopic germs, mold and dust mites. Take the 10" battery-operated wand and wave it over doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures and the remote control in your hotel room. On the airplane, you might want to zap the tray table and the seat back pocket, two of the dirtiest places around. Frankly, I might be tempted to zap my seatmate as well, particularly if he's hogging the armrest. But the instructions do not sanction that usage.

Black Starry Night Arcopedico Boots

When a traveler is sightseeing, (almost) nothing is more important than footwear. Yet, for women, it can be difficult to find comfortable and good-looking shoes, particularly for winter weather. Well, these Arcopedico boots were made for walking. The knit upper, the soft textile lining, a twin arch support system and a cushioned insole provide all-day comfort. Just as important, the soles are non-slip.

Whimsical Travel Products for Your Summer Vacation

What a thrill to appear on Great Day Washington this morning with football great Darrell Green. Here's the segment.

If you don't want to watch, here's a recap of the products featured.

Smiley Cruizer Yippee Rolling Case $49.95

Tired of schlepping your kid’s luggage through the airport? Let ‘em ride it. This colorful Smiley Cruizer Yippee Rolling Case conveys both clothing and kids under 40 pounds.

www.luggagefactory.com

Along the same lines, the ZincFlyte suitcase scooter is perfect for kids on the go. Designed for ages two to eight, this hybrid is currently available only in the United Kingdom (for $78.00), but that's changing soon. Now, if only they made an adult version, we'd all be good to go.

Polaroid Snap Instant Digital Camera: $99.00

Remember Polaroid? If you do, you are likely not a millennial. But the younger crowd will certainly enjoy the instant gratification of instant photography. The Polaroid Snap is the perfect blend of an old-school Polaroid camera and modern, digital technology. Pictures can be stored on memory cards, or transferred to paper for 2 X 3 prints on the spot. While your 10-megapixel photographs won't be confused with those of Annie Leibowitz, the concept is instant fun.

www.polaroid.com

Walter + Ray Accessories

Arm Pillow $15.00

This airplane armrest cushion has a zippered compartment to store glasses, your phone, or other little odds and ends. Slip it over the arm rest, then rest your arm.

Bendy Flashlight and Tablet Stand: $10.00 Bendy may look like Gumby’s cousin, but he is actually a flexible device holder that flexes to cradle a tablet or cellphone. Flip the switch on the back of his head and he becomes a flashlight. Lay him flat and he’s a bookmark.   So versatile--our little Bendy Man.

SAFEGO

 $39.95

It’s the eternal question--what to do with your valuables when you want to take a dip in the ocean or the pool. Well, the SAFEGO is an answer. The lightweight, portable safe can attach to most secured fixtures, thanks to its flexible steel cable. The heavy-duty lock can be opened with a combination or a key.  Lock away your phone, keys, cash, shades, jewelry, and other belongings and then...go jump in the water.

More Cool New Products from This Year's Travel Goods Show

For those of you who saw me on Let's Talk Live today, here's more information about the products discussed.  For this of you who didn't watch, here's the clip. 

Trying to get in an in-flight snooze, but there’s ambient light seeping into your eye mask? Occles keep the light out. And, if you use them with sunbathing, they’ll keep the UV rays out as well. Light, durable, strong and bridgeless (to avoid a tan line across the schnoz), the eye cover is padded with soft rubber, and the fit is adjustable to match your head size. Available in a variety of vibrant colors, a pair of Occles retails for $31.

4 A Clean Getaway provides the germ-phobic traveler with a washable, reusable, and fashionable seat covers for just $36. Simply slip the elastic end over the top of the seat and unroll. Voila, a clean seat. What's more, a zippered pocket lines the inside of the bottom of the cover, so you can stow books, bottles and devices germ-free.

Ever find yourself in one of those tiny hotel bathrooms where the only place to stash your toiletries is...the lid of the toilet? Yuck. Everything ORGO to the rescue. The ORGO Lite is an expandable, portable case that creates its own counter space. Unzipped, it spans across most sinks to create space, while closed and zipped up, it fits right into a small suitcase. Interior compartments are designed to hold everything in place. The suggested retail price is $40.

Cool Suitcases from the Travel Goods Show

Looking for a new suitcase? Here are a few unique items coming to market this spring. They were showcased at the Travel Goods Show held in Las Vegas, Nevada in March.

Trunkster

Prior to its release to the general public this year, Trunkster had been getting a ton of buzz. First, the inventors raised nearly 1.4 million dollars on Kickstarter. They received another 1.4 million from Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner on Shark Tank. What's the ado all about? Trunkster is rocking the world of luggage design by dispensing with zippers. Instead, the suitcase opens via a roll-top sliding door. There’s also an integrated digital scale, a removable battery, optional global tracking and a super-sturdy handle. At nine pounds, the suitcase is a bit heavy for a carry-on. But seductive design doesn’t always come light....or cheap. A current website deal is running at $355.

Genius Pack Carry-On Spinner

Hauling around dirty laundry is the bane of the traveler who doesn’t want to get soaked by hotel dry cleaning prices. The Genius Pack 22-inch Carry-On Spinner can’t wash dirty clothing, but it can compress it to take up less room in your suitcase.

Laundry Compression Technology works by expelling unwanted air through a valve integrated into one compartment of the luggage. When you get home, take out the dirty laundry bag and throw contents directly in the wash. Other novelties are a built-in slot for umbrella storage and a strap designed to secure a jacket onto the suitcase handle. The case weighs in at less than eight pounds and retails for $258.  

Flyte

Tired of toting your kid's carry-on through the airport? Let him/her ride it, instead. Flyte is a safe and sturdy scooter, a swift pull-along trolley, and a compact piece of cabin sized luggage all in one. Perfect for children between the ages of four and eight, Flyte’s best feature is an easy-to-fold footplate, which fits snugly in the back of the case. The suggested retail price is $100. Now, if they only had one of these for adults.

Travel Gadgets and Gizmos for Winter Travel

Taking a trip this winter? In previous posts and on Let's Talk Live this week (click link for video), I address the specific challenges of winter travel. Here are some products to help you stay safe, warm and moisturized during this cold, dry season. 

Do you suffer from the heartbreak of dry skin during the winter? Even if you normally don't, anyone who heads to the mountains is likely to notice that an otherwise peachy complexion goes to the pits on the ski slope. The fact is, when traveling, you should not only NOT forego the normal hydrating routine, but you should actually beef it up. Especially when going to high altitudes in the middle of winter, extra tools of the trade are useful.

Crane USA is royalty among the humidifier set. The company has several products perfect for the global nomad.  The Small and Mighty ($49.99) is a personal ultrasonic cool mist humidifier that increases air moisture. The 1.8 quart water tank runs quietly for up to eight hours.  If you are traveling by car, or if you are carrying a large suitcase, pop it in the trunk.

Small and Mighty

Crane Travel Humidifier

For carry-on types, The Travel Humidifier ($29.99) fits the bill. It consists of a portable tank, a misting probe, and a power adapter that works with both outlets and USB ports.  














Another vital winter weather need--staying warm. This AlphaHeat Battery-Operated Scarf ($29.95) runs on three AA batteries, heating up to nearly 120 degrees. The heating element is on the back of the neck. There are also pockets on the scarf to keep your hands toasty.



Heat Holders claims its thermal socks ($15.99) are "7x warmer than regular cotton socks and 3x warmer than ordinary thermal socks." I can't prove those stats, but I can tell you these socks have kept my tootsies warm during this frigid winter. The company also sells hats, tights and thermal underwear perfect for layering up and keeping in the heat.

Finally, no winter traveler, or any traveler for that matter, should hit the road without travel insurance. Not only does it cover you for unexpected travel and medical expenses, but some policies even reimburse for things like lost or damaged skis. Check out this article from Allianz Travel Insurance for the scoop.

The Gadget Guru: More Nifty Product for Travelers on the Go

Hope everyone caught my recent appearance on Great Day Washington. If not, here's the link. 

These are some of the innovative travel gadgets and gizmos we discussed. For more, see this post.

The AquaVault

It's happened to all of us. You're at the beach and you want to take a dip. But you have your car keys, and your iPhone, and other valuables to boot. What's a flip flop-clad gal/guy to do? Well, if she/he has an AquaVault, stuff can be safely stored in a lockbox while you hit the waves.

The AquaVault is basically a safe that attaches to a beach chair, a beach umbrella or other fixed objects. If it sounds familiar,  that's because it guest-starred on Shark Tank earlier this year. Sharp Shark Daymond John invested. If you want to invest in one, it's available on Amazon.com for $49.99. 

Knirp's Travel Umbrella

Umbrellas of a different sort are sold by Knirps. This X1 Pod is an umbrella that fits inside a sunglass case, making it easy to throw into a carry-on bag or even a purse. 

Where to Buy: For a store locator, go to www.knirps-usa.com.  List price is $49.95 

NapAnywhere

NapAnywhere is a new twist on the old neck rest.  In fact, it was a winner of the 2014 Product Innovation Award at the International Travel Goods Show. If you literally feel like nodding off, this flexible wedge can be molded to fit between the side of your head and your shoulder. It's held in place while you nod off with a strap that adjusts across your body. 

Where to Buy: www.napanywhere.net for $59.99. Colors include hot pink, lime, cobalt, crimson and black.

The Travel Gadget Guru on TV

Interested in finding out about the most innovative travel accessories around? Check out my appearance on Great Day Washington this week.

http://www.wusa9.com/videos/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-washington/2015/10/13/top-travel-gadgets-for-travel-tuesday/73860182/

For more, see this post and this one, too.

The Gadget Guru: Nifty Travel Products for Those on the Go

Looking for cool, new travel accessories? The travel gadget guru is here to share discoveries. Let's start with some that help you stay healthy and get charged up.

Watch for more on Great Day Washington on WUSA-TV and upcoming blog posts.

Weego

How about a battery pack that not only charges your mobile devices, but your car as well? Weego is a pocket-size jump starter battery pack that can do it all. You can give juice to the main power pack at home or in your car (cables included), and then throw Weego in your glove compartment for those times when something in your car is in need of a charge. There's even a built-in flashlight. There are three Weego models, ranging in price from $99.99 to $289 (depending on type of engine you need to charge). Easy-to-follow-instruction are included, as are jumper cables. For the holidays, Weego is including an extra compact rechargeable battery pack with all purchases, a $19.99 value.

Where to Buy: www.myweego.com for a store locator.

HumanCharger

The quickest way to alleviate jet lag is... through the ear. That's the claim of HumanCharger's Finnish inventors, who say their device cuts typical jet lag recovery time in half by emitting light into the ear. The operating principle of the HumanCharger: The headset beams UV-free, blue-enriched white light through ear canal for 12 minutes at a time to the light sensitive regions of the brain that keep circadian rhythms in sync.

 

The HumanCharger comes with a smartphone app that tells you when to take the needed 12-minute bursts of light (after you enter details of your trip). I haven’t tried it myself, but the HumanCharger has been certified to meet the EU Medical Device Directive.

Where to Buy: Amazon $269.00

Clean Wave Sanitizing Wand

Germs are everywhere when you travel. Airplanes and hotel rooms can be cesspools of microscopic bugs and bacteria. But the Verilux Clean Wave Sanitizing Wand can zap your these worries away. The wand uses powerful ultraviolet-C light to significantly reduce microscopic germs, mold and dust mites. Take the 10" battery-operated wand and wave it over doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures and the remote control in your hotel room. On the airplane, you might want to zap the tray table and the seat back pocket, two of the dirtiest places around. Frankly, I might be tempted to zap my seatmate as well, particularly if he's hogging the armrest. But the instructions do not sanction that usage.

Where to Buy: Sharper Image   $69.99

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