Tech journalist and frequent traveller Nafisa Akabor looks at the latest in technology for your travels and spills the beans on a recent adventure to notable Nairobi.
New year, new you with the Fitbit Versa 2 that is bound to help smash those fitness goals, or book something unforgettable on the Viator app.
We also played with the world’s smallest foldable drone, a unique pair of headphones, and printed loads of smartphone pictures on the Instax Mini Link.
Fitbit Versa 2
Track your runs or daily step count on your next adventure with the new Fitbit Versa 2 hybrid fitness tracker.
It also has smartwatch functionality, including Amazon Alexa integration, Spotify, and Fitbit Pay support. An improved battery life yields up to seven days of use, ideal for quick trips with less cables.
Price: R3 999. Contact: takealot.com
DJI Mavic Mini
A traveller’s dream is the new DJI Mavic Mini. It’s the world’s smallest and lightest foldable drone, ideal for hand luggage, and weighs 249g.
It does a bunch of automatic modes, so you don’t need skills to operate it. It shoots 2.7K videos and 12MP stills, and a single charge gives you 30 minutes of flight time.
Price: R6 999. Contact: ormsdirect.co.za
The Nuraphone
Every traveller needs a good pair of headphones, and the Nuraphone is a splurge. It measures hearing patterns to provide a unique tailored sound to your ear via the app.
These modes can be toggled, and include active noise cancelling and a social mode. Perfect to drown out loud noises on a plane.
Price: R6 999. Contact: myistore.co.za
Instax Mini Link
The Instax Mini Link smartphone printer is suited for the avid traveller, parties or any social event for instant photos. Weighing only 200g, it can tag along for your next adventure.
The result is cute, credit-card-sized printouts with the option to scribble a message. It works via Bluetooth and an app. Film sold separately.
Price: R1 999. Contact: outdoorphoto.co.za
Viator app
If you’re going on holiday or have limited free time during a business trip, download the Viator app.
It offers information on some of the best tours available in cities around the world, and you can search by type, price, time or highly rated. It has more than 200 000 activities with a 24-hour cancellation policy.
Free: Viator Contact: Play Store or App Store
Notable Nairobi
I returned to Nairobi for a workshop with the Facebook Africa team, and the thing that stood out for me from all those years back was the insane traffic. Apparently, the locals plan their day around it.
You could also stay at the nicest hotels, but when you look out the window, it’s striking to see the lack of pavements. But none of this is important.
What really matters, is that Nairobi is a thriving tech hub that forms part of what is regarded as the “backbone of Africa’s tech ecosystem”.
Kenya has a US$1-billion tech ecosystem with over 200 start-ups which sees investors flock to back their innovations that solve problems unique to Africa. Like connecting off-the-grid areas with solar-powered routers for free Wi-Fi access, or turning e-waste into 3D printers.
More of this innovation, please. As for me, I’d love to go back to Kenya and explore dreamy Mombasa.
Getting There
SAA flies directly to Nairobi. Book your tickets today!