For the Summer Gadget Series, our Mashable tech experts road-tested some of the hottest tech toys around to spice up your arsenal of vacation must-haves.
On this list is a little something for every kind of weekend warrior. Whether you're into high-velocity white water rafting, taking in the sights of exotic locales or simply hosting a swanky backyard shindig with your close friends, these tech treasures will suit your needs — with snazzy design to boot. And if you're looking to splurge for summer, you'll get plenty of bang for your buck.
Here's a roundup of the six gadgets we reviewed that will maximize your summer experience — click through the links to get a full, hands-on review of the product. Are you eying a tech must-have for your warm weather escapades? Let us know in the comments.
1. Eton Rukus Solar
Price: $150
What It's Good For: Sharing music with others anywhere by pairing wirelessly with your phone. If the sun's up, the party can keep going for hours.
Who It's Good For: Anyone who wants an easy way to add music to an outdoor gathering.
Limitations: There's no radio on board, so the Rukus is useless without a Bluetooth-enabled player.
Bottom Line: For the size, sound and price, nothing beats this sleek little number and creates an instant party wherever you are — especially without needing an outlet or batteries.
2. Jawbone Jambox
Price: $199.99 / £159.99 / €199.99
What It's Good For: Wireless, portable audio and speakerphone calls
Who It's Good For: Anyone with a Bluetooth-enabled laptop or phone
Limitations: High price.
Bottom Line: You don't have to compromise on style, sound or size with the Jambox — but it will cost you.
3. Pebble Watch
Price: From $150 (check the product website for pricing)
What It's Good For: Accessing your smartphone while on the go, from your wrist.
Who It's Good For: Smartphone owners who love to use apps for running, swimming, biking and multitasking.
Limitations: It's still in production and the first round of orders is closing soon.
Bottom Line: Pebble is the first smart watch to seamlessly work with the iPhone and Android, and there's a reason why users are clamoring to order a sleek, smart-looking Pebble.
4. WowWee Cinemin Slice Pico Projector
Price: $429.99
What It's Good For: Projecting movies, video games and photos onto your walls, ceilings or even the side of your house.
Limitations: You'll need to be in a dark place to get the best video quality, and the projector is only capable of displaying images 60 inches in size.
Bottom Line: The Cinemin Slice can spice up your traditional movie watching experience, and it lets you show videos from your smartphone, computer or tablet with several people at once in a unique way.
5. Canon PowerShot G1 X
Price: $799
What It's Good For: Shooting great photos in challenging situations (like moving targets or low light) without the hassle of a full-featured DSLR.
Who It's Good For: Budding photographers who want to level-up from everyday point-and-shoots or pros looking for a secondary camera.
Limitations: The retro design takes some getting used to, and it falls down on extreme close-ups.
Bottom Line: The camera delivers on its promise of shooting great pics, but it's the compact and cool design you're really paying for.
6. Eco Terra Rugged and Waterproof Boombox
Price: $149.99
What it's good for: Sharing tunes from your smartphone or MP3 player with others while keeping your device protected against the elements.
Limitations: The boombox's design may be too bulky to carry with you while rafting or kayaking. It's also pretty heavy, which can make it difficult to tote along for longer journeys.
Bottom Line: The Eco Terra Rugged and Waterproof Boombox can be a great option for sharing music with others by the lake, on the beach or anywhere else other music players might be damaged by the great outdoors. But, you should be ready to lug it to wherever you're headed.
Image courtesy of iStockphoto, PeskyMonkey
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