Summer break is fast approaching. For most, the season is the savory few months in which you have little to no responsibility, aside from managing tan lines, successfully getting on the right Eurail and truly getting to know yourself. Meditate, roam through nature alone, get lost in a new city. Or simply have a classic Gainesville Summer C.
And while it sounds glamorous to go off the grid during this time, today’s tech allows us to document, share and experience adventures in amazing ways.
Whether you want to “do it for the Insta,” make sure your playlist is on fleek or just need to call someone in case you get mauled by a wild bison in Paynes Prairie, having a few trusty gadgets around is always a good idea.
Here’s our guide to the must-have tech for your summer.
Twelve South PlugBug
If you’re a hip coolster who likes to park at one of Gainesville’s top-notch coffee shops to work on your hustle, you know outlets are a rare commodity. The PlugBug is your savior. This little red tchachki simply attaches to your MacBook Power Adapter and provides you with a little USB port so you can charge your phone, tablet, blowdryer, vibrator, toaster oven and whatever else you need to get your work done.
Why you need it
The obvious objection to the PlugBug is that your computer already has a USB port, duh! Well, yes, but not really. Your MacBook Air only has two lonely ports, and some of the new MacBooks have exactly zero. If you need to plug anything else in, your phone (and toaster oven) are crap out of luck without another outlet handy. PlugBug also makes an international version, turning any MacBook Power Adapter into a dual charger that works in any major country. What’s the point of studying abroad if you can’t get on your computer to brag about your bitchin’ summer?
Tech Armor Batteries
Don’t you love it when your phone goes from 17 percent to dead in five seconds? Nothing is more useful for those trendy music festival instas than a portable battery pack. Tech Armor Batteries let you charge your phone, iPad, Bluetooth speakers or GPS on the fly. The ActivePower 12000 is about the size of a hockey puck and holds enough power to bring most mobile phones from empty to full 4 times.
Why you need it
Music festivals, secluded locations and foreign destinations in which we’ll have to rely on a foreign carrier for communication are notorious battery suckers. Can you think of anything worse than witnessing something uber photo worthy and not being able to capture it, simply because your phone is dead? Tech Armor Batteries make your phone approximately 10 times more reliable, give or take.
GoPro Hero4
Ah, yes, the gadget for adventurists and wannabes alike. The Hero4 is GoPro’s most advanced camera yet with frame rates, video and photo quality that will rival “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”
Why you need it
You’re either 1) an adventurous dude or dudette who needs to capture all of life’s thrilling moments or 2) you have extreme jealousy over your adventurous dude and dudette friends who post way better Instagrams than you. Regardless of which of those you identify with, the GoPro is the perfect way to capture your summer madness. We won’t judge if you break out the selfie stick at 101 Downtown. (Okay, maybe just a little).
Sonos
A wireless audio system for your home, Sonos allows you to seamlessly play your music at home over speakers with one of the highest quality sounds you can find. If you’re an audio file or have ever wondered what it would be like if your ears could experience the best sex you’ve ever had and the best pizza you’ve ever had at the same time, that’s what Sonos sounds like.
Why you need it
If you’ve ever hosted a pre at your place, you’ve realized, “Whoops. My speakers suck.” But beyond just having people over, Sonos can provide the playlist for your life the way you never knew you needed. Study music, chilling with friends or leisurely eating your hung-over avocado toast are all experiences that feel more satisfying with good music playing on great speakers.
LifeProof
The case that protects your phone from, well, life. (Now I get the name!)
Why you need it
One time my phone fried because I was walking under an awning after it had rained and one single drop of water landed right into the handset speaker. Yes, that tiny sliver of an oval on top of the screen. Don’t let that happen to you. You’re bound to drop your phone, no matter how careful you are or how capable you think might be while wasted. LifeProof cases also allow you to keep Snapchatting, Yik-Yakking and swiping right in the rain, in the shower and in the pool! ¡Qué cool! Even if you are no-case-on-my-iPhone-rich, you still don’t want to go through the hassle of re-downloading all your apps and losing half your photos.
All these products that’ll make the honeys wanna flock to you can all be found at GatorTec, (that store with the big G on Archer). Before you navigate over to Amazon, keep in mind that the staff can help you find the version of each product that will really fit your needs (maybe you’re only adventurous enough for the Hero3+ GoPro). And you can be sure that your brand new tech will be in mint condition. (I’ve had a disgruntled mailman break more than a few products on his daily route).
Plus, it goes way beyond what you’d expect from a local electronics store. (It’s not like those “camera stores” in Manhattan that are clearly fronts for the Moroccan mafia) And it’s not as pretentious as the real Apple store.
Head there before summer starts or be stuck in the Dark Ages.
Featured photo courtesy of: Abduzeedo
