Top 20 Travel Gadgets of 2014: iPhone 6, Moto 360, Selfie Sticks
Tile
Tile helps you keep track of everything from your keys to your laptop. Just attach the tiny gadget to whatever you lose most, and then track its location in Tile's app. The gadget can even play a melody to help you find it in a jacket pocket or at the bottom of your suitcase.
goTenna
goTenna allows you to text and share your location with others using your smartphone, even when there’s no cell tower in sight. The device attaches to your phone and transmits messages over long-range radio waves to other goTenna’s in the area.
Kindle Voyage
The Kindle Voyage is Amazon’s thinnest Kindle to date. The high-resolution e-reader has twice as many pixels as the Kindle Paperwhite, and its new PagePress sensors allow you to turn the page without lifting a finger.
GoPro Hero 4
Now you can capture your next mountain climb or skydiving adventure in 4k (i.e. super-sharp horizontal resolution). The GoPro 4 is the most advanced version of the camera yet and can shoot not only high-resolution video, but also take 12-megapixel stills at 30fps, no matter where your adventures take you.
Moto 360
Your watch just got a lot smarter. Android Wear was huge in 2014, and one of the handsomest Android Wear watches is Motorola’s Moto 360. The watch looks like a traditional timepiece but can display your text messages, flight information, and even walking directions while you’re out sightseeing.
Fujifilm X100T
Trying to figure out what camera to buy for your next trip abroad? This year, Fujifilm updated its popular X100S camera to the X100T. The compact fixed-lens camera has a stylish, retro look and takes some of the best photos out there.
August Lock
August transforms your existing door lock into a smart lock you can control with your phone. The accompanying app can let you give the dog-sitter a virtual key, or give your buddy temporary access to stop by and pick up his golf clubs while you’re on the other side of the world.
Logitech Keys-to-Go
Nowadays you can get a lot done on your phone or tablet, but there are definitely some situations—like that epic email to your boss—where you'll benefit from a physical keyboard. Logitech's Keys-to-Go is a portable, water- and dust-resistant keyboard for your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV device—and its slender construction won't weigh down your carry-on. Since Keys-to-Go doesn't physically attach to your devices, you'll be able to use it even after that much-needed smartphone upgrade.
iPhone 6
Apple launched the iPhone 6 this year, and with it, Apple Pay. Similar to digital payment options already available to Android users, iPhone 6 owners can now pay for items at participating merchants by simply tapping their phone on the register. The best part? You can already use Apple Pay abroad, making for faster and more secure shopping.
Simplicam
Simplicam allows you to tune into a live video feed of your home from anywhere your travels take you. The Wi-Fi–connected camera has face detection, so it can tell the difference between a burglar and your favorite furball. And if anything bad does happen while you’re away, it will send you a push notification whenever it senses a problem.
Surface Pro 3
Can’t decide whether you want to travel with your tablet or laptop? Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 is a happy medium. The portable computer packs all the features of a laptop into a thin, tablet-like profile: The touchscreen allows you to use the device as a tablet, while the kickstand and detachable keyboard transforms it into a laptop.
Karma Go
In need of a virtual Internet café while abroad? Karma Go is a portable hotspot, whose data-plan never expires. In short, you only have to pay for the data you need to use. You can also earn additional free data when others connect to your hotspot (at their expense) and sign up for their own account.
LaCie Fuel
The LaCie Fuel allows you to carry your entire home movie or music collection with you wherever you go. Using the LaCie app, you can stream music, movies, or photos to up to five different devices at the same time. That means more in-air entertainment for that long transatlantic flight, and there’s no need to waste time uploading it all to your tablet or phone before you take off.
Brunton Power Knife
Brunton's Power Knife is a must-have for your next camping trip or outback safari. The device packs all the power cables you'll need to charge your favorite mobile devices into a compact design that's akin to a Swiss Army pocketknife. (Unfortunately, cell reception is not included.)
Selfie Stick
Using your arm to take a selfie is so 2013. This year brought us the selfie stick, an extendable wand that makes your selfies look almost like you asked a stranger to snap the shot for you. Just make sure you don't use one in South Korea; unregulated ones are illegal.
June’s UV-Tracking Bracelet
Vacations to global “hot” spots may mean short-sleeves and bathing suits but can also put you at higher risk of sun-related ailments. So the next time you're headed to the beach, strap on the June bracelet. The fashionable accessory monitors your exposure to the sun and lets you know when it's time to head to a shadier spot.
Mophie Space Pack
You’ll never have to fight with another airport plug-hoarder again. Mophie’s Space Pack iPhone case doubles the battery life of your phone and can add up to 64GB of extra storage for photos, videos, and files you might not have space for on your device.
Bose QuietComfort 25
A good pair of noise-canceling headphones is a must-have in any frequent traveler’s arsenal. The Bose QuietComfort 25’s blocks out crying babies and chatty neighbors, so you can have a peaceful flight. The headphones also have excellent sound quality and unlike other noise-canceling models, will continue to work even after they run out of battery power.
Divoom Voombox Travel Speaker
This rugged Bluetooth speaker is built for the road and it’s pocket-sized, so it won’t take up too much space in your luggage. Even though it’s small, it still packs a big punch sound-wise, easily filling up any hotel room. Want to kick back poolside? No problem—the Voombox is also water-resistant.
Olloclip 4-in-1 Photo Lens for iPhone 6
Ollocip’s 4-in-1 Photo Lens makes your iPhone feel a little more like your favorite Canon or Nikon. The lens adds a fisheye, wide-angle, 10x macro, or 15x macro lens to your smartphone. Olloclip’s lenses have been around for a while, but the iPhone 6 model is the first to work with both the front- and rear-facing camera.