The Top Tech Gadgets And Apps Every Traveller Should Consider
Your vacation essentials.
If you've been influenced by the countless #summervacay posts on Instagram and are planning a holiday of your own, the right tech gadgets can be invaluable companions, helping to both plan and preserve the magic of any adventure.
From powerful cameras freezing moments in time to versatile iPads streamlining your journey, and innovative apps simplifying every step, our article is your go-to guide for enhancing and capturing your vacation memories.
Insta360 Go 3
The Insta360 Go 3 is priced from $559. Photo: Insta360
The Insta360 Go 3 is an action camera, with a twist. This thumb-sized wonder is in its third iteration and retains many of the well-loved advantages like its small form factor, magnetic back and waterproofing (just the camera and not the charging case though). However, it also comes with massive upgrades — the biggest one being the screen that now comes with the Action Pod. It's now equipped with a 2.2-inch flip touchscreen which makes capturing memories a breeze. Previously, you'd have to do some guesswork when it comes to the framing, but now you can ensure that everything is properly framed. But that's what all action cameras can do right? Not this one.
Attach the camera module of the Insta360 Go 3 on the magnet pendent to capture POV shots. Photo: Insta360
The biggest advantage is the ability to remove the camera module from the Action Pod, allowing you to attach it anywhere magnetically. Stick it on a random streetlamp to capture your OOTD or below a metal shelf to capture a top-down image — all without skipping a beat because the Action Pod is still connected to the camera, so you check your framing and start/stop recording. There are also a host of accessories that come with the Insta360 Go 3, including a magnet pendent that lets you capture POV shots.
Goodnotes 6
Photo: Apple
An unlikely candidate for vacation essentials but hear us out — Goodnotes just released their newest version last week and it comes with massive upgrades including AI handwriting abilities and spellcheck. It also includes the Scribble to Erase feature built into iPad OS which makes it easy to plan (and pivot those plans) your vacation.
Photo: Goodnotes
You can customise folders, allowing you to file each vacation according to its destination so you can refer to it quickly and easily. There's also a new Marketplace built within Goodnotes 6, allowing you to browse and purchase templates made specifically for travel planning. It doesn't stop there, convert your travels into memories with journals which allows you to quickly add snapshots from your vacation, sticks and handwritten notes to make it that much more personalised. You'll be able to look back on them or send it to your travel companion as a memento.
Apple AirTags
Photo: Apple
This one is a no-brainer. If you took away anything from summer 2022 aka the "Summer of Post-COVID Revenge Travel", it's to always have an AirTag in your check-in luggage. This nifty gadget taps onto the Find My ecosystem that helps you locate your items easily. If you're using an iPhone 11 or later, you can use precision finding to locate the item. The AirTag also has a built-in speaker which plays a sound so that you can locate it, even if it's not immediately visible.
Anker 633 Magnetic Magnetic Battery
Photo: Anker
We rely so much on our phones to capture images and videos, or to check directions on Google maps when we travel and it would be a real bummer if your phone runs out of battery. Keep your iPhone juiced up and ready for action with the Anker PowerCore 633 Magnetic Battery. It wirelessly charge your device, but it also doubles as a convenient foldable stand for hands-free viewing. The 10,000mAh battery capable of charging an iPhone 13 Pro up to 1.8 times. If you need juice fast, there is a rapid charging feature via its 20W USB-C Power Delivery port and compatible USB-C charging cable, allowing you to charge your iPhone three times faster.
JOBY GripTight ONE Micro Stand
Photo: Joby
We have all at some point, found ourselves attempting to prop our phones against ledges, park benches, or even coffee cups in search of a suitable viewing angle for an Instagram Reel or to capture a group photo while on vacation. No one wants to bring a heavy tripod out but this is the smallest smartphone tripod we've seen. It folds down to a mere 1.8 x 3.4 x 8.5 cm; small enough to attach it on a keyring. It comes in two parts— the tripod base and the phone holder — which means you can use the tripod for smaller cameras like the Insta360 Go 3, point-and-shoot cameras, or even plastic film cameras.