Stay connected with new travel gadgets
2010-06-11
One of the hurdles of travelling is leaving your routines and normal life at home. However, a slew of new travel gadgets are harnessing the power of the Internet to keep travelers connected even when they're miles away.
Worried about leaving the kids with a sitter, or your cat clawing up the couch? The Vue personal video system comes with two lightweight cameras that can be set up anywhere. Travelers then subscribe to a service that allows them to view the live feed remotely, allowing them to keep an eye on whatever is going on back home.
Those who like TV-on-the-go will love the Slingbox. Vacationers install this box on their home TV, then can view it via the Internet from anywhere in the world. The Slingbox program allows them to change the channel and volume. Handy for watching sports teams when travel takes you away from the local market.
Some of these devices might drain the laptop battery, and travelers surely have an iPod or smartphone that they'll want to keep running as well. For those times when you need a little extra juice, there's the iGo Charge Anywhere. Plug this device in at home, while away internationally, or even in the car to charge it. Then, the device can transfer its power to any device. The company sells over 3,000 converters, making it compatible with nearly any device.