Summer Tech Gadgets

With the sunshine out and the mercury rising, Canadians are dying to get outside and enjoy the great weather while it lasts! There are some great tech gadgets that can help you get the most out of the sun and fun this year, check these out:

Waterproof Pouches and Cases

iPads, iPods, iPhones, and Kindles are great companions for beach days and camping trips but they’re not so great at surviving swims in oceans and lakes. There are several accessories you can pick up to help you keep them protected. For your iPad and Kindle, check out the Go Travel Dry Protectors for iPad and Kindle. These pouches allow you to store your device safely and keep it dry at depths up to 1 meter. The best part about the Go Travel pouches is that you can continue to use your device while it’s in the pouch.

For the iPhone, there are a couple of cases that offer protection in the event that your phone goes for a swim. The LifeProof Waterproof iPhone Case and the Incipio Atlas Ultra-Rugged Case are not only waterproof but are also very rugged, helping you protect your phone from big drops and those pesky grains of sand.

Waterproof Cameras

Cameras also often fall victim to watery deaths, especially in the hands of teenagers. If you’re picking up a new camera for your teen this summer, I recommend looking into a waterproof one like the Fujifilm FinePix XP70. This little gem offers all the great features you’d expect from a digital point and shoot camera, in addition to protection from water damage in depths up to 10 meters and drops up to 5 feet.

Portable and Outdoor Speakers

Beach days and camping trips aren’t complete without the ability to embarrass your teenagers with some oldies, so it’s important to find a great portable bluetooth speaker to play your tunes on. These speakers will pair with your phone or tablet via Bluetooth technology and play your music directly from your library or music streaming service. There is no shortage of these speakers on the market and prices range from $25 to over $300, depending on the sound and quality you’re looking for.

If you’re looking for backyard tunes, weatherproof speakers like the OSD Audio 2-Way Outdoor Speakers are a great choice. These speakers are made with aerospace-grade enclosures to withstand rain, snow, and harsh temperatures. They also look like rocks and come in a variety of rock-like colours, so they’ll match any outdoor décor.

With great summertime gadgets, you’re sure to get the most enjoyment out of the sunshine, days at the beach, and camping trips. Let us know in the comments if you have a favourite summer gadget that wasn’t mentioned.

By Mike Agerbo

July 01, 2014