I think they made a huge mistake here in the marketing of the terrific portable gadget. The more robust ones also work for messenger bags and backpacks, so they would be just as useful to men as to purse-tote'n women.
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Am I the one person in NYC who cannot wear ear buds? I get that feeling when I ride the subway, and see everyone where their tiny little rubber pieces stuck in their ears. I have tried every kind, even the in-the-ear Shures with no success.
And for running, forget about it! There are several kinds that stay on, but all have their drawbacks: the back-of-the-head style works well with hats, but often rub against the ear in an uncomfortable way, plus, they are not good on a plane, where you lean your head back against the seat; the headphones that clip on your ear don't play well with sunglasses, and often make your ears sore; the lightweight, foldable, over the head style are the ones I end up with most of the time, because they stay in the vicinity of the ear best, and work with sunglasses, but they don't fit so well in the winter when I am wearing a hat.
Enter the Sennheiser MX75 Twist-To-Fit In-Ear Stereo Sport Headphones - these things work!
(Amazon.com Product Description)
"The Sennheiser MX75 Sport Line Stereo Headphones with Twist-to-Fit System combines a flashy neon green profile with a convenient twist-to-fit design that ensures stability while you're out jogging. The two earpieces contain rubber stoppers that press against the outer ear to further enhance stability, and a cable clip is included to hold the headphones to your clothes when they're not in use. Then, you can put them in the included vinyl carrying case for storage. The headphones themselves deliver low-end bass and drum clarity together with crispness in mid-range frequencies, and the overall sound quality is comparable with Sennheiser's studio headphones."
[via Geeky Traveller]
This dual-light flashlight emits a forward-facing, narrow-angle beam (uses a high output Luxeon one watt LED bulb) to light the path ahead of you. It also emits a downward-facing wide-angle beam (uses two ultra bright 5mm white LEDs) to light the ground. Using both of these light sources simultaneously enables you to feel safer while walking in the dark. No more constantly rotating the light near and far to see everything in the dark. There are also multiple lighting options available with the flashlights three-way switch: the front light on alone, both front and lower lights on, and lower lights only.
Portable washcloths for the Portable Life. These work great for events like the Hood-To-Coast Relay, hiking or camping, and motels with little or no shower pressure.
Wet Ones Outdoors Antibacterial Portable Washcloths
Product Description From Amazon:"Wet Ones Outdoors Wipes make cleaning up in the great outdoors fast and easy because they're big, thick and strong - they're portable washcloths! The mild antibacterial cleansing solution kills germs and bacteria while soothing aloe moisturizes your skin. Great for: Camping Fishing Boating Hiking Cooking Out Picnics & BBQ's 35 - 7.5" X 8.6" (19.0cm X 21.8cm) Big Moist Wipes per package"
. Its more compact (smaller, thinner wipes), and doesn't have any fragrance to bother fellow passengers sitting next you. Keep some in your car or carry on bag.
"Black Microfleece Pullover from SCOTTEVEST/SeV® - Gear Management Clothing™: "The versatile Microfleece Pullover ($59) is a wardrobe necessity—at least according to everyone at SeV headquarters, where this has become a voluntary uniform! The lightweight, breathable and wicking fabric is a great Gear Management Solution™ for hiking, biking, travel, everything! The pullover has 5 pockets, including a specially designed chest pocket with a ZIP-PIP™ for sunglasses and 'back-up,' patent-pending magnetic closures. The Weight Management System™ for this pocket was an R&D
coup...you can't imagine how much testing went into this design. The pullover also features the patented Personal Area Network (PAN), a detachable key chain, an epaulet to attach devices, like cell phones, ventilation eyelets and an adjustable waist cord."
Also available at Amazon.com
A couple more sleek Hide and Seek versions, one with fewer pockeys, one with more: the hoody ($69), and the high-bred Fleece 4.0 Jacket ($139),
which has zip-off sleeves and 12 pockets, one for every gadget you carry on the plane/train/automobile.
Though I used it a few times, I never developed a liking for the taste or consistency of GU, the syrupy stuff in a pouch made to speedily infuse sugar into your bloodstream during an endurance performance. Seems to me this oughta' work just as good, and taste a heck of a lot better. Do I have any volunteers for a trial? Mmmmmmm . . . chocolate . . . slurp.
Lava Bar: The World's First Liquid Chocolate Bar
The Lava Bar™ is the world's first PRE-MELTED chocolate bar.The Lava Bar™ is a flexible film, foil-lined squeezable pouch containing 2.5 oz. (approx. 70 grams) of gourmet, molten Lava Chocolate™. A perforation at the top of the pouch enables chocolate lovers to easily tear open the Lava Bar™ and squeeze the molten Lava Chocolate™ right into their mouths.
This is not chocolate syrup! The Lava Bar™ is thick and rich, with a consistency similar to a chocolate ganache or frosting at room temperatures.
The Lava Bar™ is the take anywhere, no mess gourmet chocolate sensation. It's ideal for picnics, the beach, boating, camping (for s'mores), hunting trips, skiing, sporting events, movie theatres, school lunches, and just eating on-the-go. And, the Lava Bar™ virtually self-seals, so it doesn't spill.
The Lava Bar™ tastes delicious over ice cream or fresh fruit, and it makes great coffee mocha, milk shakes, chocolate milk and hot chocolate too.
This week I will be focusing on the best gear to take along on a long distance relay, specifically, the Hood-To-Coast Relay in Oregon, held the third weekend in August. Included will be the best fleece pullover, the best flashlight, the best sports drink, and the best combination bug spray/sunscreen. Stay tuned!
Most every year about this time I head to Oregon for a 197 -mile, 12 person team running event called The Hood-To-Coast Relay. Every year I make up a new list of things to bring (since you spend part of the time even miles away from a country store), and every year I forget something, or think of a new thing I think would have made my race more "enjoyable".
Since this is a traveling event, and there are many other long-distance relay races across the United States, I figured I may as well post the list for others. Add your brilliant additions in the comment section. This post will continue to evolve.
H-T-C Packing List
In addition to 11 very fast friends ad two vans, you should bring:
I just found the perfect traveling companion for the Callpod Charger (CG) when it and you are headed out of the country. Plug everything into the CG, then the CG into this, and voila, one less suitcase full of electronic charging crap!
Universal AC Travel Adapter Taps Juice All Over the World - Gizmodo
Travel season has arrived, my friends, and those of you lucky enough to head overseas might be wondering how to power all those electronic geegaws you can't do without. Coming to the rescue is this universal AC travel adapter, letting you connect a variety of plugs to one side, and then by turning its knob selector, lots of different style plug blades come popping out of its other side. Just a twist of your wrist lets you tap into the juice in 150 countries.
Although it looks a little hefty to play nicely with other things you might want to plug in next to it, it's still a fairly compact size for the crowded suitcase, and its $17 price is not too burdensome, either. Just be careful what other juice you tap into while you're over there. – Charlie White
This piece would eliminate about 3-4 adapters that I normally take with me to be able to charge several things at one time.
This has been on a few different blogs, but it it fits the niche of The Portable Life so well, I felt it must be posted here. I believe the idea is that if you live in one of the traditional 500 square foot New York City apartments, its hard to find a place to stow your luggage. Problem solved, and this means one less chair you have to look for on the curb on recycling day. How great would a set of these be for someone who moved a lot?
(Follow the link to more explanatory photos)
. . .Virgin America's planes are a techie's and gadget lover's dream, with such frills as full USB and electrical power connections at every seat, both in first class and economy. Using the ports, you'll be able to charge portable gaming devices, MP3 players, laptops, cameras, and cell phones. You won't be able to make calls of course, even with Virgin Mobile handsets, but your phone will be fully powered up for your yammering needs once you arrive. And later on, the airline will activate ethernet ports at every seat, so you can surf the Web from 35,000 feet.
The seat-back video screens will offer a wealth of programming beyond the normal in-flight safety video. Not only will you find satellite TV from the Dish network, but also you'll get live TV (a first for an airline), streaming satellite radio, audio books, an MP3 library with 3,000 tracks, and 25 pay-per-view movies. You'll be able to manipulate the screen through a remote control set into your seat's armrest. And for your messaging needs, (yes, you can text message the other passengers who sign up) the aforementioned remote control includes a full QWERTY keyboard.
Mood lighting in the cabin.
(Credit: Virgin America)
You'll also be able to use the screens to order food or drinks from the minibar.
From www.TravelGearBlog.com
Quick Tips for Traveling with Electronics
1. Turn off and unplug devices from constant power. TV's, computers, even a not-in-use cell phone charger has a power draw. If you cut back on these, it'll help you reduce your monthly bill, and it really doesn't have a drawback. The easiest way to do this is by using power strips. Plus everything into them that you can, then when you leave, just turn off the power switch or unplug the power strip itself from the outlet. Check out this NYTimes link for more on this.
2. If you have a PDA or electronic organizer, use it. How many times have you found a great idea about something, or got some intel on a favorite local spot only to forget it later? If you store it in your planner, you'll have quick access to it. Maybe get some directions as well.
3. Carry devices in a front pocket, or a pocket on your person with a zipper. We've all heard about people getting pick-pocketed in other countries, let's not make it you. If you've got a closed pocket that is close to your person, the chance of you getting pick-pocketed and losing your iPhone (or Nokia E90) are going to be reduced. Never keep expensive gadgets in your backpack's outward pockets. These can be grabbed so easily without you ever knowing it. Just ask any NYC subway rider.
4. Keep your devices charged. If you've got a camera, and you see a great photo op, only to find out your battery is almost dead, it's going to be annoying. If you charge them when you're not using them, and make sure everything is ready to go, when an opportunity comes up you'll be able to take advantage. A good way is with the Callpod Chargepod, which enables you to charge everything at once, overnight. I also carry a couple AA and AAA batteries, because there are still certain things that are not rechargeable, such as flashlights, the hotel room t.v. remote.
5. Know where your local tech stores are. It's hard to find what you need when you already need it. If you have an idea of where to go to get things that are near where you are, when it comes time to get something you may have forgotten, you'll already have an idea where to start looking. Who knows, you may find it at the first store, and save yourself a lot of hassle.
6. Have a separate bag/pouch to carry all your electronic accessories. I use the
Eagle Creek Pack-It Cube, which comes in varying sizes. The same can be said for ziplock bags, which also work well, are much cheaper, offer protection from spills during transit in luggage, and are less likely to be opened by security inspectors. On the downside, they have to be replaced more frequently. Wait, why is it again that I use the EC "cube" instead of a ziplock bag? Oh ya, it matches my Eagle Creek luggage . . .
7. Check all outlets in your room before leaving to return home. This is not a time saver, but definitely a money saver. I can't tell you how many times I have found a mobile phone charger still plugged into an outlet on my last sweep through a hotel room. I don't WANT to tell you how many times I didn't do this, because I was in a hurry, and left things behind.
So are others struggling with this comparison as well? For the last week, while waiting for the price of the Nokia E90 Communicator to drop, I came across the 5" screened HTC Advantage x7501. www.AllAboutSymbian.com had a good comparison of the two. It is a good pairing, since they are both available now in the US for between $800-900. I included the first box of a great comparison table of the two devices. The side-by-side photos were equally helpful.
AAS Feature: Flagship head to head: Nokia E90 versus HTC Advantage"Finding valid comparisons for devices from the competing Symbian OS and Windows Mobile world isn't always trivial and this is one of the hardest pairs to match up. Yet both communicators sit right at the top of each product line and, despite the form factor differences, match well in terms of overall specification. Can either of them really replace a laptop?
(photo courtesy of All-About-Symbian.com)
It's safe to say that, at well over £600, SIM-free, the pretensions of both devices are fairly high - after all, you can buy a capable notebook PC these days for far less. So how do the Nokia E90 and HTC Advantage X7500 measure up and how well do they perform the basics of work on the road?"
| Nokia E90 | HTC Advantage X7500 | |
| Form factor | 'Classic' communicator clamshell, smaller than the 9500 but still weighing 210g. Dual displays and very phone-like when closed. Score 9 | A 360g tablet with touch-screen and detachable qwerty keyboard, superb as PDA or Internet tablet but almost unusable as day-to-day phone. Score 8 |
More real-world experience with the Nokia E90. A reporter is trying to give up his mobile phone AND laptop (brave soul), while covering the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland this month. This is a link to the first installment of his adventure, with more to follow over the next 3 weeks.
AAS Feature: The Nokia E90 at the Edinburgh Fringe: "The Nokia E90 at the Edinburgh Fringe
Ewan's got himself a loan of my Nokia E90 - and he's hitting the Edinburgh Festival Fringe....
To set the scene for the month of August, Edinburgh turns from being the Scottish Capital to the largest Arts Festival in the world, with over 19,000 performers, putting on over 2,000 productions on a mostly daily basis for three and a half weeks. And I do a lot of reporting from it, and generally testing out technology ‘in the field’.
So, to make this clear, this is not going to be a normal review – partly because of the number of shows and real life stuff I have to do that I can’t go through every icon and application in every real world circumstance, partly because Steve's already done a lot on the E90's functions and features, and partly because I think that an ‘only real life’ view of the device is a jolly good idea."
