Gadgets: making travel easier

Access for iPad
One of the chief jibes made at the iPad in the early days was that it would be a passive portal for consuming media and it wasn't a tool for being creative or getting work done. Thanks to apps, it has become incredibly productive, and this new one from Parallels lets you remotely control and access your desktop PC or Mac (with internet) on an iPad. You can see open and use all your applications and files, even if you don't have the applications (eg Word) on your iPad. The app is free but has an annual subscription. Other apps with similar functionality are available but none are as simple to use. Subscription $80; see iTunes or parallels.com

GSI Outdoors
Destination Kitchen Set
This kitchen set includes just about everything needed by a camp-fire gourmand. With four sets of cutlery and enough cooking utensils to put a student kitchen to shame, you'll just need your Bear Grylls fire-starting skills to get prepping. Oh, and a pan or two. $35 from amazon.com

Garmin Astro Dog
Tracking System
Given this comes with a Rottweiller of a price tag, you'd either have to love your mutt an awful lot, or it's only for the professional dog user or serious handler.

The four-legged bit is Garmin’s DC50 collar, with built-in GPS, a 13km radius VHF antenna and long life battery. Your part is the Astro 320 which shows where your best friend is, with accurate tracking and location data. Makes simple walkies seem so quaint – and cheap. $599.99; see garmin.com

Tom Kelly
betweenideas.blogspot.com