Details on the travel gadgets 2010 as seen on World News Now! June 29, 2010

Forget the carry-on, you can have a “wear-on”!

The SCOTTEVEST Pack Windbreaker holds all your gear and stuff in its seventeen – yes 17! - pockets and compartments! They’re designed specifically for your portable electronics (iPod, cell phone, PDA), etc. You can also stow sunglasses, documents and maps without having to carry a bulky day bag. Interior channels accommodate headphone cords, keeping them tangle free. The Weight Management System evenly distributes the weight of your gear so you never feel bogged down. But wait, there’s more! There's even a hidden water-repellent hood in the event of a downpour. Exterior is 100% nylon; interior lining is polyester with mesh. Elastic cuffs and adjustable cinch at bottom hem block out wind and cold. Packed in it’s own bag, which is actually the back packet of the jacket, this is small enough to be used as a pillow, provided you take out all your stuff first! Information cards in the pockets and mini sewn-in tags indicate a possible use for each pocket. There’s even a pocket large enough for the iPad! (Scottevest sent me a Windbreaker to see how much put stuff it could hold, but they didn’t send an iPad. Darn!) It’s available in many colors and retails for $75. It’s in the Magellans Catalog for $64.50.   

 SCOTTEVEST website: www.scottevest.com

 Magellans: http://tinyurl.com/23ql4kw

Shot videos & stills underwater while you keep your hands free as you dive!

Liquid Image says this is the world's only dive mask that has an integrated waterproof digital video camera plus can shoot photographs at 5mp. I showed the Shot videos & stills underwater while you keep your hands free as you dive! I showed the Camera Mask D1 310t operates to a depth of 65ft / 20m and eliminates the need to hand carry an underwater camera. They’re ideal for snorkeling, scuba and shallow scuba diving. The goggle lenses are made of tempered glass and have integrated crosshairs that helps you to line up shots. Turn the Camera on, and choose a mode with the a button. Simply press the shutter button to record pictures or videos. An LED inside the mask tells you if you are in still image (red) or video mode (blue). Downloading images is as easy as plugging in the mask to your PCs or Macs USB port (USB cable included) and pressing the power button. The included software (PC only) allows you to edit your content. There’s a small amount of built-in memory (16MB), which can store approximately 27 pictures, or approximately 40 seconds of video. But the microSD/SDHC card slot allows you to expand memory up to 16GB for plenty of additional pictures or videos. Powered by two AAA batteries, which are also included. Under $150.00

 www.liquidimageco.com

The new Droidx has a lot of great features for the traveler.

The Droid x from Motorola Droid will be the newest smart phone when it's released on July 15th. It has a built in (720p) HD camcorder, 8 MP camera (with dual flash), Skype mobile (keep in touch with the folks back home)  GPS (don’t get lost), plays movies on a crytal clear 4.3” HD screen (use on the airplane) and HDMI output so you can watch your videos on the big screen at the hotel. (Be sure to bring your own HDMI hookup cable.) It's a lot of high tech travel gadgets in one small device.  There’s also Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and of course, GPS (with turn by turn voice navigation, but not live traffic.) The Droid x has some newer initials too: DLNA which stands for wireless Digital Living Network Alliance technology. It's a way for different formats to work on a wider variety of devices.  Droid X is shipping with Android 2.1 with an updated version of Motorola's Blur coming later in the summer. It will be an over the air update, so you don’t have to take your phone anywhere to have it upgraded. Something I’m really impressed with is the Swype typing app which is preinstalled. Swipe your fingers across the keyboard to spell words and they appear on the screen with a very high degree of accuracy. I was sure the phone couldn’t figure out exactly what keys I was dragging across, but the word I wanted appeared on the screen. It’s like typing with some amazing ESP app. But wait there’s more. This gizmo has three microphones. Two are for directional audio capture and one is to add in noise cancellation. If you're eligible for a Verizon Wireless upgrade at any point in 2010, you'll be able to pick one up for $199 (after a $100 mail-in rebate) starting on July 15. The phone comes with 8GB of internal storage and a 16GB microSD card installed. A data plan is set at $24.99. the Droid X lets you create your own WiFi 3G HotSpot that can connect up to five devices, but that will cost you an extra $20 a month. It comes with a perhaps unwelcome 2GB data cap.  

www.verizonwireless.com

As Sinatra never sang: "Come Fly With This!"

When I get on a plane I try to pack all the things I want with me for the flight at the top of my carry-on so I can quickly dump into the seat and seat pocket before I put my bag away. Well this neat travel bag from the Magellan’s catalog makes doing that a breeze. It called the In-Flight Organizer Panel. There's no more struggling to reach all your in-flight essentials because they’re all there right in from you. This cleverly designed organizer attaches to your tray table with either a hook or Velcro straps. It has a roomy pocket for a newspaper, magazine or documents. Then there are padded pockets for your cell phone, eyeglasses, MP3 player or digital camera. But wait, there’s more! There’s even a pen slot and a key fob. When not in use, it zips closed so it can be packed in your carry-on bag. Two exterior zippered pockets are just the right size for boarding passes, passports, or itineraries. It has webbed carry handles and measures 12-1/2 x 7-1/2 x 2". Made of Microfiber, it’s available in black or red. The only thing that won’t work for some travelers is the clear pocket designed to hold your video phone so you can watch your own movies in flight, For most of the new iPhones & Droid phones, the pocket is too small. Under $35.00

Audio & Video version of a Netcast I did on this product: www.twit.tv/dgw1121

An emergency radio small enough to fit in a backpack, or Scottevest Windbreaker.

It’s the Microlink FR 160 from Eton. (Some models are branded “Red Cross”.) This emergency radio can be powered by the built-in rechargeable battery pack, solar power (also built in) or an AC adapter/charger, which is not included. And of course, you can charge the battery pack with the built in cranking handle. Turn the crank for about 90 seconds will result in 30 to 40 minutes of low volume play. Outdoors, place the unit directly in sunlight and the solar panel on the top of the unit charges the internal battery automatically. About 8-10 hours in the sun will allow about 3-5 hours of radio play. A green LED glows to indicate when the internal battery is being charged. But wait, there's more!  You can also use this gizmo to charge your cell phone. (There's a the built in USB plug!) Because cell phone batteries vary in their current ratings, Eton cannot specify charging rates or usage time. But they say 10 to 15 minutes of cranking may result in 1 or more minutes of talk-time. Not the best ratio, but in an emergency, it's better than no calls. You could give your kids this radio & take away their cell phone AC charger. Having them have to "crank to call" will give them great exercise and cut down on the  minutes they use a lot!  In addition to AM and FM, there’s 7 weather band channels.  There’s also a 3 LED flashlight for emergencies at night. About $30. The Red Cross version tends to sell for more.

Eton website: http://www.etoncorp.com/product_card/?p_ProductDbId=914953

Hear or SEE a Netcast I did on this product: www.twit.tv/dgw1123