What's New What's Hot is Travel Weekly's look at useful and fun travel gadgets, edited by Joe Rosen. Click on the image to open the slideshow of all of the featured products for March.
Bark n Bag Traveler Weekender. No pampered pooch or kitty on the go should be without this classy pet carrier, whose polyester-fiber fabric, which features faux travel stamps from all over the globe, is made of recycled plastic PET bottles (no pun intended). With bamboo rafters for support and a padded handle grip, the Weekender has three points of entry that will help you secure even a reluctant animal and mesh panels for ventilation. The carrier comes with a washable cotton pad, adjustable padded shoulder strap and front zippered and gadget pockets. The Weekender, which folds flat for storage, comes in small ($60), medium ($70) and large ($80); www.barknbag.com.
iTwin. This USB device enables business travelers to safely and simply access, edit and share files between any two computers without the security and privacy risks of uploading data to the cloud. The iTwin comprises two identical halves of what looks like an elongated thumb drive. Both units must be plugged into two computers for them to be instantly connected over the Internet and secured by hardware-based, AES-256 encryption. If half of the iTwin is lost or stolen, it can be easily disabled without compromising data because nothing is stored on the device itself. In short, the remote data can only be accessed if you physically possess the matching half of the iTwin. $99; www.itwin.com.
Cool-It Caddy. Waterproof, airtight and frosty without the need for separately frozen ice or gel packs, this innovative, compact cosmetic/medication/snack container keeps its cool when you need it most: at the beach, on the road, in transit. Simply freeze the fully insulated Cool-It Caddy overnight (its secret is an integrated, space-saving coolant) and, depending on the outside temperature, it will keep the contents properly chilled. Although the Caddy is small enough to fit in a handbag, sports bag or shoulder bag at 5.5 by 7.5 by 2 inches, it is roomy enough to hold lipsticks and other cosmetics as well as heat-sensitive medications. Two exterior zippered and snap pouches, a wide top opening with a zippered, leak-proof closure and a mirrored flap for cosmetic application complete the picture. $29.95; www.cool-itcaddy.com.
Pelican i1075 HardBack iPad Case. This case is designed to protect any iteration of the iPad from hard knocks and even submersion in water, all the while functioning as a mobile work station that includes an integrated easel for hands-free viewing and space for a keyboard, power cords and the like. A molded, cushioned insert liner protects the iPad from impact shock, while a waterproof gasket provides a tight seal when the case is closed (the latch is designed to remain shut under pressure or after impact) and a purge valve keeps out water and dust. The i1075 is lockable with a small padlock and comes with a removable shoulder strap. $51.19; www.pelicancases.com.
VaultPro Gateway Handbag. Ergonomically contoured for comfort and designed for ease of use and practicality while carried on the road, this bag would be an excellent addition to any traveler's luggage collection even without the value-added feature that makes it unique: stainless steel wires embedded in the straps and front, back, side and bottom panels that make it virtually slash-proof to would-be thieves and pickpockets. In addition, latch/lock zippers and flap-covered compartments with safety hooks help to keep contents safe, while anti-grab metal clips can be attached to chairs, table legs or belt loops to secure the bag in crowded venues such as restaurants, hotel lobbies and airports. The Gateway Handbag comes in five colors -- black, burgundy, olive, khaki and slate blue -- and measures 13.5 by 11 by 2 inches (expandable by two inches). It weighs 15 ounces. $72; www.magellans.com.
Got something for What's New, What's Hot? Email Joe Rosen at [email protected].