Nearly
one in three American adults have never left the country. Many are concerned that conveniences like their phone and internet won’t work abroad. Some think it’s too cost prohibitive to jet-set across the world. While valid concerns, technology has broken many of the barriers traditionally preventing people from traveling overseas.
From
handy apps to clever gadgets, the right technology can make traveling smoother, smarter and cheaper. Check out some of the most cutting edge apps and tech for your next adventure.
Create a custom packing checklist based on your destination
Depending on how adventurous or exotic your trip, packing can be more complicated than you’d think. From plug adaptors to first aid kits, you want to be sure you’ve got all your bases covered when going to a non-English-speaking country. Apps like
Triplist can help you create a customized packing list based on information including your destination, the weather forecast, your length of stay, and your planned activities.
Pack better with a smart suitcase
Say goodbye to lost luggage, overweight bag fees and foreign airport electricity outlets. With global tracking devices, built-in scales and rechargeable USB ports, three of the biggest headaches in travel have been alleviated.
Trunkster stands out with its sliding rolltop door that eliminates the need for aggravating zippers, while
Bluesmart integrates with a smartphone app.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM6a0jIYAyo
Organize your trip with a live itinerary
Travel-organizing apps like
TripIt can help you combine tons of information into a single, streamlined itinerary. The app scans your email for reservation information, flight times and event confirmations and puts them in chronological order. You can also use the app to receive real-time updates, so you’ll know right away if something on your itinerary changes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtMxyAt3TBU
Track your baggage with a mobile device
Lost luggage can ruin an otherwise great vacation. Get some peace of mind with TrakDot’s luggage tracker. Simply turn on the Trakdot device, place it in your bag, check your bag at the airport, and board. You’ll receive a text message, email or app notification if your checked luggage arrived with you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb5OV0YFmdI
Beat jet lag with apps and wearables
Jet lag can take days off a trip. But with the help of apps like
Jet Lag Rooster, you can wake up feeling refreshed no matter what time zone you’re in. This app helps you adapt your sleep patterns over time with personalized alarm clocks.
To take it a step further, LumosTech and Stamford University are developing a sleep mask that use pulses of light to shift your circadian rhythm while you sleep on the plane so your mind arrives at destination at the same time as your body.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFAFO1xfIN4
Communicate in another language with real-time translation
Forget your English-Spanish dictionary. With the right technology, every language in the world can fit in your pocket — or on your body — for translating on the spot.
Waverly Lab’s smart earpiece and the
ili necklace are wearable technologies in development which will translate multiple languages in real time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOWepmOHJ7Y
For the present day, Google’s translator app now offers Tap to Translate within any app on Android Phones. You can even hold your camera over foreign text and get a direct translation into your mother tongue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xtEp55MKRE
For non Android users, Google translate also works offline in over 50 languages for iOS. Just remember to download the language pack you need before you lose internet.
Protect your belongings with smart lock technology
Stressing over your belongings and keeping track of tiny keys and lock codes detracts from the mental break you sign up for on vacation. Smart locks like the
AirBolt or
EgeeTouch only unlock after making contact with your cell phone. Keeping your belongings safe has never been easier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJRNrPe8Ekw
Spend smart with currency exchange apps
Changing your currency and paying foreign exchange rates can add up. There are a few apps, like
XE Currency, that let you check on exchange rates around the world, and even store the latest rates offline so you can find out if you’re getting a good deal when you don’t have phone service.
Another way to be a financially savvy traveler is to use
our money transfer app. It’s an easy way to send money ahead of time to your destination, so the local currency is ready to pick up. You can save contact info for repeat sending and even use the app to pay bills that you may have forgotten about before leaving home.
Navigate a new place without using data
Exploring a new city without the help of your familiar WiFi-based navigation apps can get you lost in a hurry.
Citymapper works offline in 32 cities, allowing you to navigate streets and public transportation systems without draining your data plan. You can also
save Google Maps offline ahead of time to save street names and save important destinations.
https://twitter.com/googlemaps/status/664110362032148481
Live in the moment with clip on cameras
The GoPro revolutionized how we document our travels, but the next wave is here. The smaller, more versatile
Narrative Clip is a clip-on camera that can be worn anywhere a clip can fit. To save you hours of time mining through footage, the Narrative Clip uses machine learning to filter and showcase the best photos and videos on your app.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBMQ0lBLQMM
In addition to the travel tech above, some destinations have custom apps, like the
Spain Travel Guide app or
the Hong Kong tourism board app. With the right tech at your disposal, you’re ready to tackle any challenge thrown your way on your trip abroad.
