Travel gear: Making travel easier

Iridium GO Satellite Hotspot
When it comes to needing a satellite phone – you're on the summit of Everest or mid-Antarctica, or just in one of Ireland's many mobile blackspots – an Iridium handset is likely to be your first choice. Its new GO unit is a logical extension, offering satellite connectivity through your own smartphone. Ideal for trawler workers, to aid workers, to adventurers, just flip up the integrated antenna to connect with Iridium's global satellite constellation and create a mobile wifi hotspot. So you can call, email, browse, even get a social media fix.
Available soon, check iridium.com for details

Safeplug
With the recent public disquiet over mass surveillance of emails and internet activity, Safeplug from Pogoplug offers an easy way to stay anonymous on the web. Or at least to keep the IP address, your unique identifier hidden from prying eyes. Simply connect Safeplug to the network point or router, and it accesses the web via the secure Tor network, bouncing your connection around a labyrinth of global nodes to hide your identity wherever you are. Pop it in your case and you'll be off-grid even when you're on it.
$49 (€36) from pogoplug.com

In1Case Multitool
Yet another way to bring a micro toolkit on your travels: a smartphone case with nine handy tools built in. Hidden in slots are blue and red pens, Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, tweezers, nail file and toothpick, and a little stand for easy viewing of video. Only available for Samsung Galaxy and iPhone, it comes in three case colours, and you can customise the tool tip colours.
$50 (€36) from in1case.com
Tom Kelly
betweenideas.blogspot.com