Tech journalist and frequent traveller Nafisa Akabor gives us the low down on new tech you can use on your travels and unpacks magical Mozambique.
This month, we have something rugged that you can take underwater from new player Crosscall; DJI’s latest hand-held stabiliser, the Osmo Mobile 3; and ultracool Bose audio sunglasses. We also check out a travel budgeting app and a new tech podcast.
Podcast: Waveform
Get up to speed with all things tech on your next trip with Waveform. The world’s top–tech YouTuber, Marques Brownlee aka MKBHD, has released his own tech podcast that will cover reviews, interviews, tech–tips and unfiltered takes that don’t appear on his YouTube channel.
Free: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts.
Crosscall Action X3
The rugged Crosscall Action X3 smartphone is aimed at adventure junkies who want to take their phones underwater.
It is dust– and shock–resistant, and has anti-noise filters to deliver the best sound in noisy spaces. The 5-inch device boasts a 12MP camera, a dual SIM, waterproof earphones, and 24–days’ standby time.
Price: R8 999. Contact: Cellucity
DJI Osmo Mobile 3
The new DJI Osmo Mobile 3 appeals to travellers who love documenting their journey. The portable, handheld stabiliser is now foldable, has an impressive 15–hour battery life, and supports various modes (story, sport, gesture, and panorama). It comes with a storage pouch, so you can pop it into your hand luggage.
Price: R1 895. Contact: OrmsDirect.co.za
Bose Frames Alto
The Bose Frames Alto is suited for the minimalist traveller. These open-ear audio sunglasses bring the best sound quality from Bose, with protected lenses, so you can listen to music discreetly while interacting with others. It provides up to 3,5 hours of continuous playback, and pairs with an app.
Price: R4 499. Contact: MyiStore.co.za
App: Travel Spend
Keep your finances in check while traveling by logging all expenses with the Travel Spend app. The basic free version lets you create a trip, add a budget, and log spend by category with everything displayed in a neat graph. The option to add location tags, images or export it to CSV is available via subscription.
Free: Apple App Store; Google Play Store.
Magical Mozambique
There’s something special about travelling within the African continent. My experience has shown me how appreciative locals are when anyone visits.
They go out of their way to make you feel welcome. This is how I felt when I visited Mozambique on a few occasions where I got to see bits of Maputo, Inhaca Island, Portuguese Island and Bilene.
Aside from the five–star treatment, my major highlights included the beautiful beaches, cheap seafood, and affordable data. Yes, you read that correctly. I won’t forget paying roughly R23 for 1GB of data on prepaid.
The irony is that you will be too busy enjoying the beautiful surrounds to worry about cheap data. That said, if you find yourself on that side of the world, eat all the shellfish you can, because you won’t find those prices back in South Africa either.
Top tip: book into a self-catering unit, head out to the market and buy fresh prawns for a braai or whip up your own peri-peri prawns.
