A Truly High-Tech Hotel
Tired of spotty Wi-Fi and outdated lobby workstations? These days, more hotels are redefining business travel with high-tech amenities. At the forefront is the Aria Resort & Casino in the new Las Vegas City Center. Walk into your room at the Aria, and the shades automatically rise as the lights brighten. Rooms feature bedside touchscreens for controlling the shades, lighting, temperature, TV, and an electronic do-not-disturb sign. Resortwide Wi-Fi access costs $15 a day, which means you can spend your downtime computing by one of the property's three pools.
Website: http://www.arialasvegas.com
An Airline That Makes WiFi a Priority
Unlike with many airlines, there's no need to worry about staying connected in the air if you're flying on Delta. As of June, the airline has installed Gogo's inflight Internet service, which works with laptops, smartphones, and other wireless handheld devices, on more than 500 aircraft, the vast majority of its domestic fleet. The airline plans to roll out the service on its remaining 50 or so planes later this year.
Website: http://www.delta.com
A First-Class Tablet Computer
If you're a true techie, do we really need to tell you about or sell you on the iPad? Weighing in at just 1.5 pounds, Apple's new tablet is a good option for reading books, watching movies, and surfing the Web on the road. The device connects to iTunes via USB, so you can sync movies, contacts, calendars, TV shows, and apps from your desktop computer before your trip. You also can stream movies from Netflix and Amazon Video on the iPad's vibrant 9.7-inch LED-backlit display.
Website: http://www.apple.com/ipad
Stylish iPad Protection
This recently launched line of cushy sleeves will make sure your iPad is stylishly protected while you're on the go. The slip-on covers, which feature padding and plush lining, come in a variety of colors and fabrics, including X-Pac, a high performance sailcloth for ocean-going racing boats that is lightweight, abrasion resistant, and waterproof. You also can customize your own sleeve on the Rickshaw website.
Website: http://www.rickshawbags.com
Travel Itinerary Done Right
Why waste your time assembling an itinerary when you can have someone else do it for you? Forward confirmation e-mails from airlines, hotels, and online booking services to TripIt, which will generate a trip itinerary with flight, hotel, and car rental details for free. You can choose to automatically add itineraries to Google Calendar or share them with members of your TripIt network to keep your colleagues, business associates, and friends up to date on your travel plans.
Website: http://www.tripit.com
