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Tuesday 20 December

Stop the arguments in the backseat with cool car travel tech

Cool car tech: Belkin headphone splitterAs the holidays fast approach, I give thanks for having family nearby, especially when I feel myself nodding sympathetically to those endure the many hours-long car rides to get to relatives' houses.  

For them and for all Cool Mom Tech readers who are gearing up for a holiday travel adventure (calling it that makes it more fun, right?), here are a few gadgets that I can be a huge help during the long trip--er, adventure: 





 

With earphones in, the car is nice and quiet. That is, until the youngest who has just woken up, wants to partake in the entertainment portion of the ride. When you have the Belkin Rockstar multi headphone splitter, there are no fights over who gets to use the headphones and listen to Cars 2 that's playing on the iPad. Equal opportunity listening at its best. ($10.97 from our affiliate Amazon)

Energizer Dual USB car charger 

You and your co-pilot's iPhones are both running out of power an hour into the drive. Is there an epic battle for whose phone reigns over the car charger? Not with the Energizer dual car charger. Both phones will be powered harmoniously together during the trip. ($11.63 at Amazon) 

Logitech kids' earphones

Logitech Ultimate Ears Headphones for Kids 
While headphones can give you (and everyone else in the car) a much more pleasant travel experience, you also want to make sure that kids' ears aren't getting damaged in the process. These Ultimate Ears headphones are designed specifically for kids and reduce maximum volume by up to 30% of regular earbuds. Plus they come in cool colors. ($14.95 at Amazon )

OnStar

If travel is your M.O. for most holidays, you may want to consider getting OnStar installed in your car. It's so awesome, we just had to include it on our 10 hot tech holiday gift list this year. It's a rear view mirror device plus subscription service that allows you to magically speak to through your mirror and in return, get everything from driving directions, to local rest stops for those inevitable "I have to pee, NOW!" moments.  Plus all that roadside assistance and emergency help--from actual real people, not a computer.  (The service is about $19-$29 per month, after installation)


CoolVue iPad car headrest mount

We've checked out a lot of tablet mounts for the car, bu CoulVue iPad Mount seems to be the best peacemaker for multiple backseat passengers. Mount it on the back of your headrest, and the flexible arm ensures that everyone can see the screen. Just plug those earphones in using that Belkin splitter, and you're all set for that 9 hour drive to the cousins' house this year. ($79.99 at TouCoul) -Jeana 


Find More: Doodads and Random Bits of Coolness, For the Car, MP3 and Audio, Media, Parents' Lifesavers, Travel essentials

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