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Travel Weekly
a day ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Trade Secrets Tech Summit: Travel Pro Theory
Subscribe now using your favorite service: This season, Trade Secrets is hosting the Trade Secrets Tech Summit. Every Monday, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada will feature a different travel technology company that works with travel advisors. A representative from the featured company will begin with a 5-minute elevator pitch to tell advisors about their product, followed by a 15-minute Q-and-A with the hosts. This week's featured company is Travel Pro Theory, represented by founder Kate Thomas. Trade Secrets is using Host Agency Reviews' list of technology providers as a basis for this season. If a technology company doesn't have a profile, advisors are encouraged to send a link to the hosts to be added to the list. This episode was sponsored by Globus family of brands. Further resources Travel Pro Theory on the web and Instagram (feel free to DM) Kate Thomas' previous appearance on Trade Secrets talking about advisor-supplier relationships From TravelAge West: 10 ChatGPT prompts every travel advisor should use Get in touch! Email us: tradesecrets@ Theme song Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod License See for privacy information.
Travel Weekly
27-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Trade Secrets Tech Summit: Tique
Subscribe now using your favorite service: This season, Trade Secrets is hosting the Trade Secrets Tech Summit. Every Monday, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada will feature a different travel technology company that works with travel advisors. A representative from the featured company will begin with a five-minute elevator pitch to tell advisors about their product, followed by a 15-minute Q-and-A with the hosts. This week's featured company is Tique, represented by COO and co-founder, Jennifer Jacob. Trade Secrets is using Host Agency Reviews' list of technology providers as a basis for this season. If a technology company doesn't have a profile, advisors are encouraged to send a link to the hosts to be added to the list. This episode was sponsored by Globus family of brands. Further resources Email Tique Follow Tique on Instagram Listen to Tique's podcast, Tique Talks Jennifer Jacob's previous appearance on Trade Secrets Get in touch! Email us: tradesecrets@ Theme song Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod License See for privacy information.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
The Best Tech Travel Gadgets of 2025
There's no shortage of travel tech out there, but much of it is either unnecessary, overpriced, or takes up too much space. Here are some gadgets that we think actually deserve a spot in your bag. Best Tablet for Travel Best Power Bank for Travel Best Earbuds for Travel Best International Plug Adapter for Travel Best Bluetooth Tracker for Travel See More Best Wearable for Travel Buying yourself tech for traveling isn't about showing off. It's about getting the right gadgets that actually help when you're away from home. It doesn't matter if you're city-hopping, off-grid for days, or on an extended vacation across multiple countries; there are plenty of things you need to think about before parting with your hard-earned cash. Portability is your first consideration. If it's not lightweight or compact and isn't an essential item, forget it. There's only so much space in your luggage, and oversized tech gear that never gets used is dead weight. However, you can also buy tech gadgets to replace heavy and bulky non-tech items. For example, what's the point in cramming in piles of novels when a Kindle Paperwhite can replace all of those and takes up less space than a single magazine? You also need to consider battery life. This one is obvious, but it's one all too many people still ignore. If your gear dies halfway through a travel day or needs to be plugged in constantly, it's going to be more hassle than it's worth. Look for tech items that charge fast, have a long battery life, or can be topped up by a power bank or even the sun when they need some juice. Your travel gadgets need to be able to take the occasional bump and scrape, as well as rain, dust, sweat, and so on. If something is not built to handle the rigors it could be exposed to, leave it at home. A GoPro, for example, is so durable that it can be taken scuba diving or strapped to a motorbike, while an Olympus Tough TG-7 is a camera built to handle the extremes. Even most flagship smartphones can go snorkeling with you for a limited time these days. So, if it's fragile gear you have, better forget it and choose more rugged gadgets. In essence, there's little point in carrying something that is ultimately useless, and that goes for gadgets that look clever but will actually sit at the bottom of your bag for the whole trip. Think of that espresso machine you were considering—come on, there are cafés everywhere! If your travel gadget doesn't solve a real problem, it's not worth packing and probably not worth buying at all. Why You Should Trust Us How-To Geek's product recommendations come from the same team of experts who have helped people fix their gadgets for 15+ years. We only recommend the best products based on our research and expertise, and we never accept payment to review a product. Read More > At just 0.65 pounds in weight and 7.69 inches in height, the iPad Mini 7 is among the best tablets for travel. It's easy to slip into a daypack or carry-on bag, and you'll barely notice it's there when you do. But its size and weight are not the only things that appeal to travelers—far from it. That portability is paired with a sturdy aluminum body that can take a bit of knocking around, although it is still highly advisable to get a protective iPad Mini case. Furthermore, the vibrant 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display is ideal for those who love to read on the road. It's much better than squinting at a phone, and it's easier to hold for long stretches than a full-size tablet, even for one-handed readers. You won't get that wrist fatigue associated with heavier tablets, plus, it's versatile. You can easily switch between Kobo and Kindle apps and browser-based articles, and you can even annotate travel guides. Apple Pencil Pro support also means it doubles as a powerful note-taking device, which travelers will find handy for journaling, planning, or marking up PDFs. Additionally, the text is razor-sharp, and features like True Tone and its ultralow reflectivity make it easy on the eyes. The device runs on Apple's A17 Pro chip, the same silicon found in the iPhone 15 Pro. So, performance is snappy no matter what you do. You could be reading eBooks, sketching in Procreate, browsing maps, or editing photos, and it won't break a sweat. Battery life holds up well, too. You can expect over 10 hours when running basic tasks like reading, browsing, or watching videos, and it charges quickly when you need it most. The 128 GB base storage is generous, but larger capacities are also available, and Wi-Fi 6E keeps downloads and video calls smooth even on congested hotel networks if there is support for it. It doesn't matter if you're a package vacationer or a seasoned backpacker; most travelers now hit the road with multiple devices and gadgets in tow. And that means a constant need for power. A power bank is one of those tech gadgets frequent travelers can't do without, and the more devices you have, the more capacity you need. That's when a device like the Anker 20,000 mAh Power Bank comes into its own. It deserves a place in your carry-on bag because it gets the basics right and then goes the extra mile. You get two ports, one USB-A output and one USB-C input/output, and a built-in USB-C cable for another charging option that ensures there's always a wire on hand. It tucks away neatly and is rated to survive over 10,000 bends. This means you can take it with you on lengthy trips without worry, even if you're a gap-year traveler around the world on a big adventure. And yes, the power bank is airline-approved, so there's no drama at security. The 87 W total output (65 W max via a single USB-C) is enough to charge a 14-inch MacBook Air to over 50 percent in under 40 minutes. You can also quick-charge flagship phones to almost 70 percent in around half an hour. At 20,000 mAh, you're looking at several full phone charges or enough juice to top up your tablet, Nintendo Switch 2, and earbuds with power to spare. The bank itself recharges in about 90 minutes with a 65 W wall charger, which means you can recharge it during breakfast if you forgot to do it the night before your big day trip. So, if you're bouncing between cities, working remotely, or you just want to keep everything running without hunting for wall outlets, this is a solid option. It does its job efficiently, which is exactly what travelers need when on the move. So you want great sound and outstanding noise cancellation, but you don't want to be carrying around space-consuming headphones in your bag when you're traveling. If this is you, then the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are your perfect choice. They have excellent audio and ANC and are compact and discreet, a design that makes travel much easier, whether you're jammed on a chicken bus in Guatemala or up in the air, relaxing in business class. The XM5 earbuds are 25 percent smaller and 20 percent lighter than the previous model, making them one of the most comfortable earbuds you'll find for long-haul travel. They also don't stick out from your ears, making them comfortable for sleeping, and the redesigned polyurethane tips actually stay where they're supposed to. The case is smaller, too, and it supports both USB-C and Qi wireless charging. A full battery gives you eight hours of listening, while there are a further 16 hours in the case, ensuring you have more than enough for even the longest flight. The ANC is among the best in the business. It cuts out a huge chunk of low frequencies without that sucked-into-a-vacuum feeling you get with some rivals. If you switch to ANC only, you'll be able to catch some Z's even on the liveliest of flights or train journeys, and your listening pleasure will be uninterrupted when tuning out or watching a movie. The sound is best-in-class, too. It's punchy, detailed, and rich in clarity. Even better if you're listening to hi-res tracks. LDAC support allows for higher-quality audio streaming over Bluetooth, while you can also tweak the EQ in the app, as well as touch controls or even head tracking. The buds are IPX4 rated, which means they will survive sweat or light rain when hiking. You shouldn't take them swimming, and if a tropical storm hits when you're in the Caribbean, you should get them somewhere dry. However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with over-ear headphones if you prefer that style. In fact, the Sony WH-1000XM5s give a more immersive listening experience, with better battery performance to boot. The ANC is also first-rate, and they look fantastic. But for minimalists and light packers, the WF-1000XM5 earbuds do the job without the bulk. If you are integrated into the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 2 may be the better choice. They offer deep integration with Apple devices by switching between them automatically, activating Siri hands-free, and showing up in Find My if they go missing. Audio quality is excellent, battery life and ANC are similar to the XM5s, and wireless charging includes MagSafe. If you're a bit of a globetrotter, you might already carry an international adapter. You might carry the type that covers the area you usually travel to, or you might have several that cover different regions. If you don't have one already, you should consider the EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter, especially if you're a frequent traveler to multiple regions. It has all four major plug types built in, covering more than 200 countries. So, it's the ideal gadget for anyone bouncing between Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia. It's also surprisingly compact despite everything that's crammed in. You can easily keep it in your carry-on, and unlike some cheaper models, it doesn't feel flimsy or overloaded with gimmicks. There's an AC socket, four USB-A ports, and a single USB-C port, and you can use them all at the same time. You can simultaneously charge your phone, tablet, power bank, headphones, and watch, which is a serious convenience when you're in a hotel or airport with limited outlets. The USB-C output is rated at 3A. While it won't fast-charge your laptop, it's ideal for those smaller gadgets and accessories, and it charges them faster than most competing adapters. And considering its compact size and price, the total output across all ports is also pretty impressive. It has a simple, foolproof design. You just slide out the regional plug you need, lock it in with the switch, and you're good to go. Safety features include a built-in 10A fuse, safety shutters, and full CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications. There's even a spare fuse in case something blows. Just keep in mind: this is not a voltage converter, so check if your devices support 100–240V before using them. Going through security checks at airports can be a stressful experience, especially when traveling with families. Loading belongings onto trays, going through metal detectors, and repacking everything can be confusing enough just for a single traveler, especially when you throw jet lag and everything else into the mix. It's so easy to forget a wallet or a keychain while you make sure everyone else is organized. A Bluetooth tracker like the Tile by Life360 Mate will take the edge off things. It's small, light, and designed to help you find whatever you've attached it to, whether you use it as a key ring, clip it to a backpack, or slip it inside your purse. You can buy these trackers individually or in two- and four-pack sets if you're thinking about more than one and want to make some savings. It's easy to set up, and you don't need to mess around with batteries; the internal one lasts for up to three years. It has a 350-foot Bluetooth range, a louder chime than ever, and the ring works both ways; you can use your phone to ring the tracker when you misplace something or use the tracker to ring your phone if you've misplaced it, even if it's silent. The tracker is durable, too. It's IP68 rated, which makes it dustproof and waterproof to the point that you can drop it in water. Then there's the added feature of the SOS alert—if you find yourself in a precarious situation, press the button on the tracker three times, and it will send a discreet alert to selected contacts via the Life360 app. This latest version of the Tile by Life360 Mate is compatible with both Android and iOS. And now that it's under the Life360 umbrella, it's tied into one of the largest tracking networks outside of Apple and Samsung, giving you even better odds of locating missing belongings. However, iPhone users should know that Tile trackers don't work with Apple's Find My network. This means you don't get the ultra-precise location data or deep system integration you would with an AirTag. If you're an iOS user and deep into the Apple ecosystem, AirTags are still the better tracking choice for you. If you're the type of traveler to spend more time on the trails than in taxis, the Garmin fēnix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar is the kind of GPS watch you'll want on your wrist. It's built for anyone with a love for the Great Outdoors, and no matter the activities you pursue, there's something in this watch for everyone. It's tough, accurate, and packed with the sort of features that really matter when you're in the middle of nowhere. The Pro Sapphire Solar model gives you a scratch-resistant Power Sapphire lens and solar charging that keeps the watch going for up to 22 days in smartwatch mode or 73 hours in GPS—ideal if you're off-grid for long stretches. The built-in flashlight could be mistaken for a gimmick, but it is actually useful. Campers can use it to light their tent or find gear in the dark, while hikers can avoid rolling an ankle during an after-dusk descent. It comes preloaded with full-color maps, and the multi-band GPS gets your location spot on, even when you're deep in a forest or hiking through a steep valley. You can easily navigate the menus and maps either by touchscreen or physical buttons, and there's also real-time stamina tracking to manage your exertions. ClimbPro is there to pace your ascents, and the UpAhead feature helps you find trail markers and points of interest, while weather alerts are built in to keep you informed. If all that seems like overkill to you, there are several watches in the fēnix 7 range in numerous sizes and weights and with different features. It can get complex choosing the best one for your needs, but it is absolutely worth comparing them all to get the right one, which you can do on the Garmin website here. The Garmin fēnix 8 Sapphire Solar is also available now for travelers who want dive-rated durability, a more powerful built-in flashlight, voice calls, and up to 28 days of solar-boosted battery life. However, this option can be considerably more expensive.
WIRED
23-05-2025
- WIRED
The WIRED Travel Tech Guide to Family Vacation Harmony
Prepare for your next family trip and keep everyone online and fully charged with these WIRED travel tech tips. Courtesy of Acer; Netgear; Simon Hill All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Ah, the joys of a vacation. A little time to unwind and put your feet up. Or if you have kids, a chance to get moaned at in a new time zone. The nagging kicked off before my family left the airport on our last holiday and didn't let up. 'Dad, my internet isn't working.' 'Dad, where can I charge this?' 'Dad, what's the Wi-Fi password?' 'Dad, are we there yet?' Luckily, this year I planned ahead, and you can too with our best travel tech guide to a harmonious family vacation. Disclaimer: I'll show you how to keep everyone online and fully charged, but I can't accept responsibility for non-tech-related family arguments. The Internet In theory, it would be great to leave your phones and tablets behind and immerse yourself in the vacation experience to 'live, laugh, love' your way around the world. In reality, travel has dull moments and downtime, and teenagers cannot be separated from the internet for long. You can save yourself a lot of trouble by ensuring that everyone can get online. My top tip is to set up a travel router before you go. Plug it into your existing router and then connect all the devices you are taking on vacation, but most importantly, you, your partner, and your kids' phones. Now, when you arrive at your apartment or hotel, you can plug in, connect the travel router to public Wi-Fi, or even connect your phone to the router and use it as a hot spot, so everyone is securely connected without needing any login details. Here's the one I recommend in our Best Wi-Fi Routers guide. You should check your roaming options based on where you are going, but it's a safe bet that roaming charges will be a hefty unwelcome extra expense when you get home, especially if you allow your kids to connect to foreign networks. You have a few options to avoid this issue. Use your phone as a hot spot : I have certain roaming travel allowances on my phone contract that my wife and kids don't have, so it made sense to use my phone as a hot spot for them to connect to when we were out and about. Check your contract before you do this, but even if you don't have specific benefits, you'll find it cheaper to get data for one device than more. Here's how to use your phone as a hot spot. It will drain your battery faster, but I have a tip for that below in the charging section. Remember to turn off cell service or mobile data on the rest of your family's phones. : I have certain roaming travel allowances on my phone contract that my wife and kids don't have, so it made sense to use my phone as a hot spot for them to connect to when we were out and about. Check your contract before you do this, but even if you don't have specific benefits, you'll find it cheaper to get data for one device than more. Here's how to use your phone as a hot spot. It will drain your battery faster, but I have a tip for that below in the charging section. Remember to turn off cell service or mobile data on the rest of your family's phones. Buy a Travel SIM or eSIM : You can snag international SIM cards to switch into your phone when you land abroad. This can be a cost-effective way to make sure you have plenty of data and can connect to foreign networks, although it does mean using a different number for the duration of your stay. We have a guide on how to use an eSIM for international travel. : You can snag international SIM cards to switch into your phone when you land abroad. This can be a cost-effective way to make sure you have plenty of data and can connect to foreign networks, although it does mean using a different number for the duration of your stay. We have a guide on how to use an eSIM for international travel. Buy a hot spot: Instead of using your phone as a hot spot, you could always snag a purpose-built one for everyone to connect to. These portable devices need a SIM or eSIM and enable you to connect multiple gadgets via Wi-Fi. Some portable hot spots even come with service included. I recently tested the excellent but pricey Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro ($800) and the cheaper but inferior Acer Connect Enduro M3 5G ($356). To prepare for the journey, you should download maps in advance and plot your routes. If you use Google Maps, you can tap your profile icon at the top right (bottom right if you use Apple Maps) and choose Offline maps to get started. Downloading a map of the area you are visiting is a good way to save data and serves as a backup in case there are connection issues when you arrive. If you're looking for directions in Google Maps, say for public transport from the airport to the hotel, remember you can tap the Leave drop-down box (Now in Apple Maps) and select a day and time to get the correct directions for your arrival. It's also a great idea to ensure you and your kids have some entertainment on your phones before you go. Pick a few movies or episodes of a favorite show and download them the night before. Here's how to download videos to watch offline. Some of the best mobile games can also be played offline (I recommend Mini Metro ). Entertainment Speaking of entertainment, you should take some with you. At the end of a busy day sightseeing or roller coaster riding, you might want to unwind with an hour of TV, and the novelty of Spanish soap operas or French debate shows will wear off quickly if you don't speak the language. I always pack our Chromecast, but any of the picks in our Best Streaming Devices guide will do. This Roku stick is our favorite and plugs easily into any available HDMI port. Just make sure that you are logged into all your streaming services and that you connect them to your travel router before you go. That way, you have all your favorite shows and the correct next episode lined up. If you get blocked by those annoying login screens for hotel Wi-Fi, you can always connect to Wi-Fi on your phone and log in, then use it as a hot spot for your streaming stick to connect to. Travel Charging It's crucial to pack charging gear when you travel. You'll want travel adapters, charging cables, and power banks. Make sure you have the right adapters for the country you are visiting, make sure you have a charging cable for every device you are taking, and test them all out before you leave home. Don't forget about your smartwatch, fitness tracker, or smart ring. I also recommend taking at least one spare travel charger just in case. I run through various options in my Best Travel Adapters guide, but the top pick is ideal for family trips. The top pick in our Best USB-C Cables guide will charge any device with a USB-C port, but this Nomad cable is a handy option for folks with an Apple Watch. You can also find several options for different devices in our Best Portable Chargers guide, but this is the one I recommend for travel. Security One of our favorite password managers, 1Password, features Travel Mode, enabling you to delete any sensitive data from devices before you travel and restore it with a click after you've crossed a border. This prevents anyone, including law enforcement at international borders, from accessing your complete password vault. You may also be interested in how to protect yourself from phone searches at the US border. If you are staying at campsites or rented accommodations and have concerns about anyone rummaging through your stuff, or you feel there's a risk of theft, it might be worth packing a portable security camera. For Airbnbs and places with Wi-Fi, try a camera from our Best Indoor Security Cameras guide. Our top pick is compact and affordable. If you need something that can go outdoors or connect to a mobile network because there's no Wi-Fi, I recommend this Arlo camera in my Best Outdoor Security Cameras guide. But it is expensive and requires a cell service plan when Wi-Fi isn't available. Bonus Travel Tips Here are a few bonus tips that might help your family trip go a little more smoothly. Bon voyage! While it's always a good idea to carry a little cash just in case you run into a store or service that doesn't accept cards, you can also get plastic that's widely accepted and enables you to change money with a couple of taps. I love the Wise card and use it on all my trips because it offers instant electronic currency exchange in the app with decent rates for many major currencies. You also get a contactless Visa debit card you can use on your travels. Remember, it's usually best (cheaper) to pay in the local currency whenever you get a choice. Photos and videos can help you preserve the highlights of your vacation to bore your extended family and friends with, but they're also nice to have and look back on in future years. The best camera is the one you have with you, so probably your phone, but if you want to up your game, consider our Best Compact Cameras, Best 360 Cameras, and Best Action Cameras guides. We always travel light because it means no waiting for bags at the airport and makes it much easier to hop on and off buses and trains. Check out our Best Carry-On Luggage guide for recommendations, but always check the airline's rules for bag size before you go. On our last trip, I used the Ekster TravelPack Vacuum Kit ($129) to compress my clothes and squeeze more in. If you're staying at an Airbnb or rented apartment, you can always wash clothes, so you don't need to pack as much.
Skift
22-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Google's Smart Glasses, Newark's Flight Cuts and Wyndham's Live Tourism Perks
On today's pod we discuss Google's four-eyed tools for travelers, flight cuts at Newark airport, and Wyndham's new live tourism benefits for its loyalty members. Skift Daily Briefing Podcast Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Skift Travel Podcasts Good morning from Skift. It's Thursday, May 22. Here's what you need to know about the business of travel today. Google is providing travelers another choice for a wearable live translator and personal travel guide. The company revealed more information about its upcoming smart glasses, writes Travel Technology Reporter Justin Dawes. Dawes notes the glasses will be equipped with a camera, microphone, and speakers. Google's demos of the glasses featured AI answering questions about a coffee shop, giving directions, and translating speech in Hindi and Farsi to English Google's smart glasses will be a direct competitor to the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which also have a feature for live voice translation as well as the ability to act as a tour guide. Listen to This Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS Next, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has ordered airlines to reduce flights out of Newark International Airport, the site of several disruptions in recent weeks, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi. Newark will initially be able to accommodate only 28 arrivals and 28 departures an hour. The changes at Newark after the FAA recently met with several airlines to discuss reducing capacity at the airport. Multiple tech outages and staffing shortages have led to a series of disruptions out of Newark. The FAA also said it would increase air traffic controller staffing in Philadelphia, which oversees airspace around Newark. Currently, there are 22 certified air traffic controllers and five fully certified supervisors based in Philadelphia, short of the 38 the FAA believes are needed for smooth operations. Finally, Wyndham is enabling members of its loyalty program to redeem points to attend concerts and major sporting events, writes Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O'Neill. The company launched Wyndham Rewards Experiences, which included more than 100 activities at the time of its launch on Tuesday. O'Neill notes many of the experiences are offered as dynamic auctions, where members bid for the chance to get tickets to events. Those events include the Vans Warped Tour in California and the Country Jam in Colorado.
