Featured Article: How PDAs Work
PDAs give you big-time computing power on the go. Learn about PDA technology, get PDA buying tips, read PDA reviews and compare prices on popular PDA models. See more »
travel gadgets library
Travel gadgets are perfect for anyone planning on making a trip. Travel gadgets range from solar-powered backpacks to global cell phones. Check out these great travel gadgets at HowStuffWorks.
Articles 1-20 of 20
How Auto-detecting Power Converters Work
If you travel abroad with your electronic gear, then you know the challenges associated with finding the right kind of power. What's an easy solution?
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How Garmin Updates Work
When you're directionally challenged and think of north as "up," a GPS may be a lifesaver. But it's not going to be much help if your maps are all out of date.
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How Global Cell Phones Work
Maybe you have great cell phone coverage in the United States, but what happens if you need to leave the country for a business trip? Can you get a phone that will work everywhere you go?
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How GPS Photo Taggers Work
It used to be that you could have boxes full of photos and no idea where you took them. That was the 20th century. Now we have GPS photo taggers.
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How GPS Receivers Work
For less than $100, you can get a pocket-sized gadget that will tell you exactly where you are on Earth at any moment. As long as you have a GPS receiver and a clear view of the sky, you'll never be lost again. Learn more!
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How Hand-powered Generators Work
If you travel and you like gadgets, chances are you've been on the road when the batteries gave out. What if you could generate power for your gizmos yourself?
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How PDAs Work
PDAs give you big-time computing power on the go. Learn about PDA technology, get PDA buying tips, read PDA reviews and compare prices on popular PDA models.
See more »
How Satellite Internet Receivers Work
Connecting to the Internet in this day and age is pretty painless. But for really remote populations or frequent travelers, getting on the Web may take a satellite Internet receiver.
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How Solar Battery Chargers Work
A solar battery charger is very useful if you're trapped in the woods with no cell phone and no transportation -- as long as you're out on a sunny day in broad daylight.
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How Solar-powered Backpacks Work
If your backpack were solar-powered, you could charge your cell phone, PDA and laptop in the middle of the desert. You might even be able to Google your way out of the searing sun.
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How the Amazon Kindle Works
Electronic books have been out for years, though none of them met with much success -- until the Amazon Kindle. What's so special about this little device?
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How the Node Explorer Works
If museum sign-reading bores you, you're in luck. The Node Explorer is a portable media player with interactive presentations that include guided tours, images, maps, videos and sound clips. Learn all about it.
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How the SteriPEN Works
Traveling can be a lot of fun, but there's no joy in picking up a stomach bug from untreated water. What if you need to sterilize water on the go and you're traveling light?
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How the Trackstick II Works
Would you call yourself a wanderer? A rambler content to roam? Once you get back to the comforts of home, you might want a record of where you've been -- and which spot you saw that gorgeous waterfall.
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How Universal Translators Will Work
A wearable device that will translate English into a dozen languages will be introduced later this year. See how it will work!
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How Video Glasses Work
While head-mounted displays were once a novelty item for gadget freaks, video glasses offer a plausible solution for the crowd-wary traveler. Whether you want to enjoy a movie on a long flight or simply shut out the world, this technology is for you.
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How Virtual Laser Keyboards Work
If you use the computer a lot, you certainly are familiar with the feel of your fingers on the keyboard as you type. Could you type on a keyboard made only of light?
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How WiFi Detectors Work
WiFi access has become so prevalent that it's turned many people into laptop-toting, Internet hunters on the prowl for a signal everywhere they travel. What if there were a gadget that made it easier to find a signal?
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How Wind-turbine Chargers Work
Need a charge for your phone when you're on the go? Several new gadgets aim to harness the power of the wind and transform that energy into juice for your phone, camera or MP3 player.
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How Wind-up Cell Phone Chargers Work
Cell phones help us stay connected and call for help in emergencies. But what do you do when your phone's battery dies and there's no power outlet?
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