Technology is essential for travel. It’s become so integrated into our lives that it’s hard to imagine going without it. When traveling with technology, being selective about what you bring is important. Only bring the tech that you will actually need to make your trip enjoyable. Here, let’s look at the tech tools necessary for a more immersive journey.
Find the Right Online Booking Tool
An OBT enables travelers to search for, book, and manage their business travel needs in one convenient online platform. This allows you to efficiently search for flights, accommodations, and ground transportation if needed.
These days, the most used OBTs are powered by AI, which means during the booking process, the AI enables your OBT to give a highly personalized user experience and guarantees you’re only getting the best prices.
An OBT also makes it simple to handle itinerary modifications and any air credits placed on hold. Finally, an OBT helps to combine all of your company’s travel reservations onto a single platform, making it easier to use your data for other purposes.
Keeping Your Tech Tools Secure
While traveling within or outside the United States, your tech tools must be protected from malware and cybercriminals. Popular electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops can easily fall victim to automated attack tools used by cybercriminals. This is true even for those tech tools that are kept updated with all the latest security features.
Furthermore, countries like Russia and China have strict policies when bringing along or using encryption tools. Under these rules, any cryptography tools can be confiscated at the border, so loaner devices are recommended.
Budgeting for a Trip
Cost management capability assists business travelers, and your finance department automates travel cost submission. Ideally, your cost management solution will be able to interface with your OBT so that all key travel expenses, such as flight, hotel, and vehicle rental prices, can be simply accounted for.
In general, an expense management system, also known as an EMS, can help travelers transmit receipts, as well as record or retrieve expenditure data from other platforms like airlines, hotels, restaurants, and vehicle companies.
With simple processes for filing and reviewing expense reports and reimbursing travelers, a digital expense solution for business travel allows you to save time. They also ensure that all your travel spending data is kept in one place.
Pick a Reliable Tablet
While there is a lot of competition, Apple still is at the top of the list of most reliable tablets. Its new iPad Air weighs just 16 ounces and is only a quarter-inch thick, making it simple to hold while viewing movies or making calls. Because of its M1 chip and 10.9-inch screen, it’s a good option, especially if you want to use this as your primary travel computer, along with the Magic Keyboard.
Garment Steamer
We bet you never knew you needed one of these bad boys. No matter how carefully you pack your clothing, they always arrive crumpled and like you slept in them last night. You can address that problem on the fly with a portable handheld clothing steamer.
Because the compact electrical gadget weighs just under a few pounds, it won’t add to the weight of your carry-on. The steamer heats up in 35 seconds and contains a portable, easy-to-fill water tank and an adjustable steam head to remove wrinkles no matter how your clothing is hanging up. While the compact garment steamer is a nifty device, if you’re going on a cruise, leave this at home since portable steamers are not permitted on any cruise line.
A Decent Gimbal
Having a decent gimbal goes a long way, and you’ll thank yourself for taking one with the clear video you will be able to capture that’s simply not possible with jittery hands. Gimbal stabilizers are available in a range of sizes and pricing points. If you’re just getting started, try one under-$50. A one-axis stabilizer will help you record smooth footage and beautiful photographs of your trips without worrying about keeping your hands absolutely steady.
One advantage of a stabilizer is that it does not require a related app to function, so you can simply place the phone or camera on the handle and go. With a length of 7.5 inches and a weight of less than half a pound, it will easily fit into a day bag without weighing it down.
Google Chromecast
Sometimes, the most important tech tools are already in the house. After a long day of sightseeing, a Google Chromecast is the ideal method to replenish your mental batteries so you can do it all again the next day. Simply attach it to an HDMI port to transform any TV into a travel tech device.
You may utilize applications on your phone to transmit entertainment to the TV, making your hotel or Airbnb feel more like home. Furthermore, you can cast your full laptop screen, which is great for viewing photographs from the day’s excursions, video conferencing with family, or you like a larger screen to plan the next day’s itinerary.
The gadget supports 2.4 and 5 GHz connections, connecting you to virtually any WiFi network globally. Despite its versatility, it is tiny enough to fit in your pocket, takes up less space than most other electronic devices on this list, and packs a lot of punch for its size.
Choose the Best Tech Tools for an Enjoyable Travel Experience
The best tech tools for travel are the ones that make your trip easier, more convenient, and more enjoyable. Choose the tools that will help you stay connected, stay safe, and stay organized.
These were some of the best tech tools that you can use for a more immersive and enjoyable journey through the United States and beyond.
