January 18, 2018

6 of Our Favorite Travel Gadgets from CES 2018

Every year, the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) blows minds as the global stage for the latest in consumer tech and innovation. With so many cool, cutting-edge products showcased during last week’s show in Vegas, we picked out our faves that will make traveling in 2018 all the more fantastic (and fantastical).

1. Selfly

Take high quality photos and videos on the go with the Selfly drone smartphone case.  Image courtesy of Selfly.Take high quality photos and videos on the go with the Selfly drone smartphone case. Image courtesy of Selfly.

What if you could get the perfect shot anywhere you go? Or didn’t have to stick your arm out to take awkward group selfies? The Selfly has a detachable, universal drone living in its 9mm phone case, which allows you to take photos on its 13mp camera and even film 1080p/60fps videos. If you’re looking for that flawless hands-free travel shot, this easy-to-carry camera can help you capture your most memorable moments.

2. Insta360 Nano camera

Take photos from a different perspective with the Insta360. Image courtesy of Insta360.Take photos from a different perspective with the Insta360. Image courtesy of Insta360.

If you’re looking to gain a new perspective this year—or just spice up your Instagram—Insta360’s latest version of its Nano camera is a whole new world for video. Take 360-degree photos and videos by simply plugging the device right into your iPhone or using it as an independent camera. Regardless of how you choose to film, capturing the world around you in 4K is pretty remarkable.

3. LinkSquare

With travel comes new culinary delights—and digestive risks. Give new meaning to “test kitchen” with LinkSquare, which reduces the likelihood of food poisoning from a molecular level. The tiny scanner captures and collects data to analyze the quality of food, alcohol, or even medication. Make this your new menu mate for a safer, tastier trip.

4. Travis the Translator

Immersing yourself in a locale with an unfamiliar language can be exhilarating…and also kinda confusing. Take along Travis, a super-smart (and super-small) translator. At just the size of a flip phone (remember those?), the handheld device can interpret 80 languages (!) when it’s connected to Wi-Fi via a SIM card, and 20 languages in offline mode. Communication barriers have never been easier to overcome.

5. Wireless chargers

Don’t waste another second dealing with those messy cables. Images courtesy of iOttie and Belkin.Don’t waste another second dealing with those messy cables. Images courtesy of iOttie and Belkin.

As gadgets get smaller and smarter, so do their components. That’s why wireless chargers from companies like iOttie and Belkin caught a lot of attention at this year’s show. Although the technology itself isn’t brand new, its wider-spread implementation is. Using QI-certified pads, the energetic tech can deliver a charge to your QI-enabled smartphone (including newer models of iPhone and Samsung) by simply having the phone placed on top of the pad. Bonus: For phones with lightweight cases, there’s no need to “disrobe” to make the connection. 

6. Reliefband

No more motion sickness or nausea with Reliefband. Image courtesy of Reliefband.No more motion sickness or nausea with Reliefband. Image courtesy of Reliefband.

Sick of feeling sick? Road trip lovers, rejoice—car sickness is in the rearview, thanks to Reliefband, a unique wristband that uses electric pulses to regulate and reduce nausea and vomiting. The wearable tech isn’t just limited to those who experience motion sickness while travelling by car, plane, or sea; it can also ameliorate nausea due to pregnancy, vertigo, chemotherapy, and more. The new and improved Reliefband 2.0 was featured at CES this year, with 10 intensity adjustment modes, plus a stylish redesign with new colors that won’t make you gag on the go.