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Travel devices for spring break to keep you safe while away
You won't get in trouble with TSA over these gadgets when at the airport.
You won't get in trouble with TSA over these gadgets when at the airport.
Spring break is a time to let loose and decompress for a few days before returning to the grind. Traveling can sometimes bring a bit of the unknown into our lives, which can be wonderful and sometimes unnerving. Since it's never a bad idea to be prepared in the case of an emergency, these seven smart devices can help keep you safe while traveling and even at home, plus have the added bonus of getting through airport security.
You can trigger an alert with Katana three different ways
Katana
Katana looks just like a cardholder, except this handy safety device has three ways to trigger an alert and notify the authorities. Attached to the back of your phone, you can either pull the red tab on the device or wear the $149 Katana from your wrist with your phone attached and drop the entire device to trigger an audible alarm and notify the police. The third option is to push a silent alert button three times or hold it down for three seconds to notify a 24/7 response center discreetly. We reviewed Katana and tested the multiple ways the device alerts your contacts.
Available in ten colors, Katana will blend in with your phone and not draw too much attention.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless Headphones are the perfect travel companion for Spring Break, blending the iconic sound quality of the ATH-M50x studio headphones with the convenience needed for an active lifestyle. Featuring proprietary 45 mm drivers and a dedicated amplifier, they deliver an unrivaled audio experience with deep bass and crystal-clear highs. Low latency mode ensures seamless audio-visual sync for gaming and streaming, while dual mics and beamforming technology offer impeccable call clarity. With multipoint pairing, voice assistant support, and a robust 50-hour battery life, these headphones are designed for continuous, high-quality sound on the move. Their durable, comfortable design and quick charge capability make them ideal for long journeys and varied Spring Break activities, ensuring you're never without your favorite tracks.
The MSRP price for audio-technica ATH-M50xBT2 wireless headphones is $199 and is available on the company sites Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart.
The Apple Watch 9 may be a staple in your everyday life, but did you know the gadget also has emergency services? With an accelerometer and a gyroscope, the Apple Watch, which starts at $399, can detect a fall and ask whether you need emergency services. If you're unresponsive after a minute, the call will be automatically placed, and your emergency contacts will be notified.
Similarly, the Emergency SOS can also be triggered on the Apple Watch — 911 will be called, emergency contacts notified, and your Medical ID badge will be displayed on the screen.
A new feature added to the Apple Watch 9 is Car Crash Detection, which can detect when there is an accident in the car. Once detected, within 10 seconds, your watch will contact emergency services to notify them of the crash and provide your location. This feature is only available on Apple Watches with watchOS 9 operating systems and works only when driving. Which Apple watches can get watchOS 9? Apple Watch 5 and later can upgrade to watchOS 9.
Tuck one of Tile's Slim device into luggage, wallets or anything you want to track while traveling
Tile
Tile is a must-have for me, and the $35 Slim model, which GearBrain reviewed, is a thinner, more discrete version of the original look — perfect for sticking in thin wallets or sleek laptops. With the Tile app, one tap of your smartphone will let you know the location of your expensive devices, so you can keep them safer whether in a hotel or even in an Airbnb abroad.
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When traveling this Spring, you should also bring an airplane Bluetooth headphone adapter. This little device will allow you to connect your wireless Bluetooth headphones or earbuds to the airline's in-flight entertainment system. This small device plugs into the socket of the seat-back entertainment (or sockets if the plane has one for each left and right channel) and then broadcasts the sound over Bluetooth. They are a must-have if you want a quality sound experience while in the air.
These Bluetooth adapters cost from as low as $16 to over $50 per device. You can learn more about these smart travel devices by visiting our review of five top airplane Bluetooth headphone adapters.
She's Birdie Bluetooth personal safety alarm.
Amazon
How about a wearable alarm to bring with you this spring break? Check out Birdie+, a Bluetooth-enabled personal safety alarm. Connecting to the Birdie+ app lets you click a button on the device to activate several powerful features, including instant, 24/7 Access to a Live Support Rep, receive a Fake "Excuse-to-Leave" Call, and share Your Location with Emergency Contacts. All you have to do is pull the pin and activate its loud siren to deter an attacker and get the attention of everyone around you.
Birdie+ comes in four colors and has an MSRP of $39.95, but the company's website is currently offering a 20% discount. It does require a subscription plan ($89.99 per year), but you get a 30-day free trial.
Life360 works over Wi-Fi, so you can track someone through the app even out of the U.S.
Life360
Letting your family know you're safe is never a bad move. Life360 is an iOS and Android smartphone app that allows families to keep track of each other in case of emergencies — and it works overseas, tapping into any Wi-Fi connections and pinging the last known location. Your parents can see your location with the Life360 app instead of texting you every hour, and they can even instantly message you or have a group chat to ensure you're okay. There's a free version, which allows you to input two known locations, so you know if someone has arrived home, and a Gold Membership for $14.99 a month or $99.99 a year, which lets you set up unlimited places in the app.
Nest Aware is a service which lets you access video footage of your home for up to 60 days
Google Nest
Finally, never forget to consider security at home while you're traveling. Nest Aware records from your Nest cameras 24/7 for up to 30 days, so you won't miss what's happening at home. Get alerts for familiar or unfamiliar faces and be able to scan through your entire history rather than just a few short clips. You can even highlight important areas to get notifications if something goes wrong immediately. Nest Aware is a subscription service that starts at $6 a month for 30 days of video history and up to $12 a month to access a full 60 days of video.
Having a plan if something goes wrong can help bring peace of mind while traveling — for you and your loved ones. After all, spring break is about unwinding and not worrying about a billion things simultaneously.
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