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Travel
Air New Zealand upgrades and innovates in cattle class
By Darren Quick
21:59 January 26, 2010 PST
Trying to sleep in an upright position on long haul flights can prove to be a difficult proposition for most of us, and a sleepless flight only compounds the jet lag that results from traversing time zones. With just about any International flight to or from New Zealand being a long haul affair it’s not surprising that the country’s international airline, Air New Zealand, is looking to make such trips a little more comfortable for passengers through a redesign of seating in economy class. The result is the holy grail of economy travel – a flat surface for adults to lie down and sleep! Read More
The remarkable migratory patterns of the Arctic Tern
By Ben Coxworth
01:52 January 23, 2010 PST
It’s official: the Arctic tern has the longest migration of any animal in the world. The Arctic Tern Migration Project recently discovered that the tern flies over 70,000 kilometers (43,496 miles) annually, from its breeding grounds in the Arctic to its winter quarters in the Antarctic. That distance is more than twice what was previously estimated. Over the lifetime of one bird, it travels approximately 2.4 million kilometers, the equivalent of three trips to the moon and back. For a bird that weighs just over 100 grams (3.5 ounces), that’s fairly impressive. Read More
Stelton now selling world's smallest electric espresso machine
By Ben Coxworth
17:52 January 17, 2010 PST
If you frequently travel to a lot of different places, then you are doubtless familiar with one of the biggest challenges facing today’s jet-setter - finding a decent cup of coffee. Well, help is on the way. In fact, scratch that, it’s here. Danish fancy-gadget-seller Stelton is now offering the world’s smallest battery-powered espresso machine. Read More
Online Check-In voted Business Travel Innovation Of The Decade
By Gizmag Team
23:53 January 6, 2010 PST
Business travellers have voted online check-in as the ‘innovation of the decade’; followed closely by Wi-Fi, flat beds, notebooks and the Eurostar. The top five innovations, hailed for immeasurably improving business travel over the last ten years, were revealed in a survey of 2,400 business travellers in London. Read More
Virgin Galactic reveals SpaceshipTwo
By Darren Quick
22:25 December 7, 2009 PST
We’ve seen the mothership from which the world’s first manned commercial spaceship will be air launched and we’ve even seen design images of the craft itself. Now Virgin Galactic has unveiled the actual spaceship that will take private astronauts into space - SpaceshipTwo (SS2). The unveiling at Mojave Air and Spaceport today marks the first time the craft has been revealed to the public since construction began in 2007 and brings Virgin Galactic another step closer to realizing its goal of becoming the world’s first commercial space line providing private sector access to space. Read More
Air-cushioned sleeve promises greater laptop protection
By Jeff Salton
17:36 December 3, 2009 PST
The Sumdex Aircube laptop sleeve uses "air cell technology" to spread overall pressure between air channels and provide added protection for traveling laptops. Made from durable TPU (thermoplastic urethane) and neoprene, the Aircube sleeve is similar to surrounding your precious computer in bubble wrap – only better looking and not as bulky. Read More
Get mobile power with or without an outlet from the iGo Charge Anywhere
By Jeff Salton
22:47 October 1, 2009 PDT
Everyone remembers that interstate or international trip when their cell phone or GPS ran out of power and they discovered they’d brought the wrong charger with them. Or found themselves 'powerless' with no outlet in sight. Frustration, fear, panic … you name it, there are a lot of emotions that run through your mind when you find yourself in that situation. It’s a scenario you never want to repeat. But unfortunately, many of us are slow learners. A new travel-friendly charger called the iGo Charge Anywhere should help you overcome the problem of flat batteries by allowing you to charge your mobile devices in any location, with or without an outlet. Read More
New electrically-powered 2012 sports bag from Live Luggage
By Gizmag Team
18:32 September 30, 2009 PDT
We've written about the electrically-powered Live Luggage system before (here and http://www.gizmag.com/new-lightweight-electrically-powered-suitcase-from-live-luggage/10814/), and the brand's latest offering looks even more useful - it's a powered triple bag sports luggage system designed for sports men and women on the move. The new 2012 Sports Bag is a multifunctional luggage system which includes a large weekend bag for heavy-duty items like ski boots, a multi-purpose rucksack and a large main case, which all zip together to create one powered unit. Read More
The River Gym - harnessing renewable energy from burnt-off calories
By Paul Lester
18:00 September 30, 2009 PDT
It seems clear that our ability to more efficiently harness forms of renewable energy is vital to the future of our planet, but aside from the archetypal 'hamster in a wheel', few models have effectively relied on energy generated from living creatures. The River Gym is one of the more innovative concepts to break water in recent times and looks to cash in on our desire to exercise to stay fit and healthy by capturing the energy we expend when burning calories. Read More
Audiovox entertains backseat passengers with PS2 games and video
By Jeff Salton
00:45 September 25, 2009 PDT
When I was growing up, entertainment in the backseat of a car had a whole different meaning to what it does today. Presently, backseat entertainment is geared at a much younger audience. Audiovox’s in-car VOD10PS2 Mobile Video PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system would appear to have heaps of appeal to both bored backseat youngsters and drivers who appreciate peace and quiet from passengers. This mobile video system is an all-in-one, overhead, drop-down that combines the Audiovox's overhead unit with one of the gaming industry's best-selling systems, the PlayStation 2. Read More
OpenRide mobile service organizes carpooling on-the-fly
16:47 September 14, 2009 PDT
Despite energy costs rising steadily, it's still very common to see people driving their cars alone, particularly in big cities. The OpenRide mobile service recently presented at the IFA exhibit in Berlin is a simple but effective idea that aims to save money while reducing our carbon footprint by providing an open infrastructure for organizing carpooling in a quick and convenient way. Read More
The Carcamp - caravan car integration
By Darren Quick
05:58 September 12, 2009 PDT
Anyone who has towed a caravan and encountered a ‘snaking’ situation, where the caravan swings from side to side, knows just how scary such an experience can be. There are some ways to lessen the risk of such scenarios, such as not loading heavy items towards the rear of the caravan, but motor home manufacturer Heku has come up with an interesting design called the Carcamp that's designed to enhance stability even at high speeds. Read More
Another global broadband offering from Verizon: the UMW190
By Paul Ridden
17:31 September 3, 2009 PDT
Not even a month has passed since Verizon announced that it had partnered with the USA arm of China's ZTE to release of the AD3700 USB modem which offered users worldwide coverage from a single device. And now the company is at it again, declaring the forthcoming availability of the UMW190 USB modem, which does essentially the same job in a slightly smaller and cheaper form. Read More
Top 10 pet-safe vehicles
By Jeff Salton
17:07 August 20, 2009 PDT
Ever thought how dangerous an unrestrained pet is in a moving vehicle? Did you know that a 35lb dog can become a 2700lb projectile in a 35mph crash? It’s alarming to think of the damage that poor animal could do to itself and other passengers within the vehicle. As increasing numbers of pet-owners take to the roads with animals in tow, safe pet travel advisers Bark Buckle Up and web-based automotive information company, Edmunds, have joined forces to release their Top Ten Pet Safe Vehicles in the hopes that their advice may avert some tragedies. Read More
Monster introduces 'Outlets To Go: USB Worldwide' adapter
By Mick Webb
07:13 August 13, 2009 PDT
Designed to ease the confusion and frustration encountered by travelers looking for a power source to charge multiple devices, the new “Outlets To Go: USB Worldwide” from Monster offers not only three universal power outlets but a handy USB port to boot. Read More
Solar blimp: Projet Sol'r to take on the English Channel
By Paul Ridden
17:02 August 6, 2009 PDT
A group of French students are getting ready to fly across the English Channel in the world's first solar powered airship. One hundred years after Louis Blériot won the coveted Daily Mail prize of £1000 by being the first to traverse the watery expanse in his 3-cylinder, 25 horse-power XI monoplane, the Projet Sol'r team will take to the skies in Néphélios, a 22 meter long airship capable of cruising at 30-35kph. Gizmag recently talked to one of the project's founders, Arnaud Vaillant. Read More
Virtual co-drivers will make trucks of the future safer
By Jeff Salton
06:55 August 4, 2009 PDT
Trucks of the future could be equipped with an on-board digital co-driver to help the human behind the wheel, or even take over if the driver loses control. The HAVEit project (short for Highly Automated Vehicles for Intelligent Transport) has 28 million euros (USD$40 million) at its disposal and is aiming to develop an intelligent driver assist system that responds to both traffic conditions and drivers' needs. Read More
Nissan's 'smarter' navigation system assists with safer, greener driving
By Jeff Salton
19:24 July 23, 2009 PDT
Nissan's new enhanced on-board navigation system will provide drivers with more information to make safer and greener driving decisions. The company is launching an automotive navigation system that uses intelligent transportation system (ITS) infrastructure and other advanced technology to warn drivers of low-visibility intersections, school zones, and navigation-linked speed control. The navigation system can also recommend faster route calculations, which can lead to fuel savings. Read More
Caravan overhaul: Rob Millington's retro take on trailer design
By Paul Ridden
22:10 July 15, 2009 PDT
If the mere mention of the word caravan gives you terrifying visions of formica fold-out tables, thermos flasks full of weak tea or being forced to play bridge with a bunch of sensible beige trouser-wearing accountants then fear not, there are those who are trying to leave such stale, cliched images behind and inject some modern thinking into the world of mobile holidaying. One person trying to bring some much needed cool to the world of the caravan is Rob Millington, who sought to create "something that had quality to rival that of a luxury yacht" with this gorgeous concept design. Read More
Portable, disposable all-in-one EZ Grill
By Gizmag Team
21:45 July 13, 2009 PDT
The all-in-one disposable BBQ in a box has become popular in Europe recently and is now available in the United States too. While we don't really like the idea of disposable anything, the EZ Grill is actually recyclable and can be stored safely until needed, offering impromptu grilling anywhere and anytime. Read More
Using math to combat jet lag
By Darren Quick
00:14 June 24, 2009 PDT
Research has established that exposure to light is the key to resetting the body’s internal clock to overcome the effects of jetlag. We’ve seen a number of devices that utilize this knowledge such as the Litebook and LED light glasses. Now researchers have developed a software program that could increase the effectiveness of such devices by prescribing a regimen for timed light exposure. Read More
Garmin's handy GPS navigators
By Paul Ridden
21:50 June 22, 2009 PDT
Whether you're just out for a leisurely stroll, out on the piste or on patrol in some remote tundra, Garmin's new personal navigation systems promise to make sure you know everything you need to know to get where you want to be. The Foretrex 401 and Foretrex 301 GPS navigators don't get lost thanks to new technology that allows them to lock on and keep track of positioning satellites even in the most testing of conditions, making these go-anywhere, do-anything, tough, waterproof personal travel gadgets much more than just big wristwatches. Read More
Riversimple hydrogen-powered urban car provides fuel for thought
00:16 June 19, 2009 PDT
The Riversimple Urban Car, a hydrogen-powered two-seater capable of speeds up to 50mph and of traveling more than 200 miles without refueling, was unveiled in London this week. While the prototype car is itself a welcome development in sustainable travel, the aim of the company behind it is even more ambitious: to completely eliminate the environmental impact of personal transport. Read More
National Geographic dual SIM phone makes great travel companion
22:47 June 18, 2009 PDT
National Geographic’s new Duet Travel Phone is the ideal traveling companion: a dual SIM card mobile that lets you have two numbers in a single phone. So, no matter where you go in the world, you can always keep your own number while also having a low-cost one available for local use. Read More
Painless mobility: Goldtouch Go! Travel keyboard
By Paul Ridden
06:37 June 15, 2009 PDT
Laptops are an absolute necessity for the many road warriors who regularly key on the go, but as any portable computer enthusiast will attest, the integrated keyboard often gives rise to comfort and productivity concerns. Can a solution be found in the Goldtouch Go! Travel keyboard? Read More
Rod
- February 9, 2010 @ 23:30 UTC
