6 Tech Product Recommendations for a Better Summer

I was drawn to this article, entitled "6 ways to improve your spring and summer with technology," as I was sifting through articles because it seemed like an outlier amongst all of the tech news article titles that included much more specific details.  Normally, this is the type of article title you would see surface on Facebook, but I figured that since it was on a tech website (that doesn't normally just serve as a tool to promote products) and nothing else jumped out at me, I would check it out.  So, for those interested, I've recapped the 6 ways that you can improve your warm-weather months, as per this article (and my own commentary):

1)   fitness trackers

I was a bit discouraged to see that the first item on the list was almost certain to be followed by a very specific product recommendation (which is was), but wearables are definitely a hot topic, so it's not a surprising or unwarranted part of the list.  It also makes sense for him to open with an item that can appeal to a varied audience, and seeing as the article is essentially a list of items to have a better summer, I'm not surprised that there was some type of fitness/get-into-shape item on the list.  

2)  nanotech sunscreen

Companies are using nanotechnology, which includes using titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide to help break down sunscreen particles to a very small degree on the skin so that the sunscreen spreads out more evenly (less runny and clumpy) and protects better.  And, of course, there is a product recommendation at the bottom of #2, but there's also a link for a list all sunscreens that use this technology with a more thorough breakdown of the materials used (copied below).  I found the website that hosts this list to also be quite interesting, as it focused on emerging nanotechnologies and includes way more information than that of sunscreen.

http://www.nanotechproject.org/cpi/browse/categories/health-and-fitness/sunscreen/?sort=-datestamp

3)  waterproofing

The author recommends investing in waterproof cases for any devices coming close to the beach/pool for summer months.  Although it's not exactly a scientific breakthrough, he does have a point.  I'm sure that it's much more effective than the classic plastic Ziploc approach.  

4)  USB battery packs

Here, he recommends a USB battery pack in order to ensure that your smartphone isn't going to die during any vacation activities.  Again, there isn't much more than common sense to this suggestion, and it seems like a year-round suggestion as opposed to a summer-only suggestion, 

5)  portable solar panels

I was happy to see this item on the list, as a friend brought one on a camping trip a few years back, and it was definitely one of the most useful tech items that we had with us.  Although it does take some time for the panel to charge devices, it gets the job done and is particularly useful when you have your phone along just in case you need a phone in an emergency, not as a messaging/internet/social media/creeping device.  For those looking to serve the latter causes, the solar panel charging device is going to get frustrating because you actually have to wait by the device (which obviously has to be in direct sunlight for the duration of the charge) to use your phone.  

6)  mobile hotspots

Probably the most frivolous (and expensive) expensive 'way' on the list, #6 suggests an external device for mobile hotspot creation.  My opinion is that if you're in an area where it's more acceptable to have and be using a phone (hotel, beach, etc etc) then there's probably service and Wi-Fi, and if you're in an area where you should probably actually be enjoying summer and nature (hiking trail, woods, etc etc), then you should be able to survive without Wi-Fi.  However, I understand where the author is coming from, especially since the article is gadget-based.  

Overall, this article was mediocre and pretty much what I expected in terms of something that has one of 'those' titles ("x amount of ways to make y better"), but I did appreciate the author's sign-off message, which is that the 'gadgets should never run your life or take over your vacation.'  Although probably not reading unless you're looking for specific product recommendations for any of the 6 items listed above, the nanotechnology website reference in #2 has some interesting information on how the technology is being used, which could serve as an interesting read or a potential future blog.  

http://www.extremetech.com/electronics/202491-7-ways-to-improve-your-spring-and-summer-with-technology