SXSW is fast approaching, and all true geeks are already prepping to survive the full flights, cramped sleeping quarters, late-night parties, packed Ubers and other forms of interactive fun. Here are some items no “bug out bag” should be without.
Shoo, Nerd Flu!
Hand-shaking, cheek-kissing and who knows what else make it easy for bacteria to spread. PhoneSoap 2.0 sanitizes your smartphone using UV-C rays, the same as hospitals. The XL is big enough for tablets and even your room’s TV remote — because God only knows where that’s been. Keep the protection going with the GermGuard case, killing microbes using ionic silver.
Stay Thirsty, My Friend
With the dry Austin air, you need to stay hydrated. But, you hate contributing to landfills with every plastic bottle. The Hydaway Bottle holds over 20 ounces of precious water but folds down to just over an inch thick, making it easy to stow in your bag. It features a flip-up straw and carabiner-friendly handle, and is BPA-free and dishwasher safe.
Repurpose Your Lanyard
You’re going to be having that thing hanging around your neck anyhow so why not put it to a better use than just getting past security? The Strap Caddy is an ingeniously simple device, invented by a Navy veteran, that lets you clip just about any smartphone onto a lanyard or seatbelt. Perfect if you were lucky enough to get a rental car (and crazy enough to try and drive anywhere). Best of all, proceeds from sales go to promote STEM education. https://mystrapcaddy.com.
Keep Humming to a Minimum
There’s nothing worse than ruining a first impression with terrible breath. Or, any impression, for that matter. Shark Tank-famous Ice Chips Candy are all-natural sweets made with xylitol, shown to inhibit the plaque growth which leads to bad breath. Safe for diabetics, it comes in 20 flavors, from traditional wintergreen to margarita, and the tin case keeps them safe from being crushed.
Four Ears are Better Than Two
Sharing the latest viral video or indie track from your smartphone is easier than ever with loveBuds couple’s earbuds. They work on any device that takes a regular jack and feature individual volume control, natural noise-cancellation, and are ultra lightweight. They even work great if you and your co-founder need to take an on-the-go conference call with a major angel.
Charge of the Flower Brigade
Tired of dreary looking black or gray battery packs? Brighten the mood while keeping your smartphone alive with Cheero Flowers portable batteries. With two port outputs, you can charge two devices at the same time, and the tech optimizes the power best suited for each gadget. Best of all, they come in brown, blue, pink, green, white and purple. Available at select Nordstrom stores and Amazon.