Travel can be such a drag.  Layovers, unruly passengers, cavity searches and not to mention seats that are best suited for those without bones or a sense of pride.  It’s all the crap we have to deal with when it means getting from point A (your home) to point B (the in-laws).  But for $34.99 you can achieve a greater sense of relief, or at least comfort.

The Evolution Pillow takes those horrible neck pillows, to what else, the next level.  It does away with the inflatable ring and replaces it with memory foam ,the stuff NASA uses for their now defunct space missions.  A special head stabilization support prevents your head from flopping over onto the shoulder of your new single serving friend, while a duplex slide-lock locks it into place and provides additional support.  If you’re a bit timid about radio waves, the latter feature, a media pouch for your iPod, is probably gonna make you cringe a bit, but nobody says you have to use it.

They’re quick to point out that you can use it in a variety of formats, such as laying face down, sort of like a massage table.  The cover is removable and machine washable, plus they’re tossing in a pair of memory foam ear plugs.

We’ve all been there: Jammed as much stuff as we could into our carry-on bag to avoid the baggage fee only to find out it’s too large to fit in the plane’s over head compartment.

With Balanzza’s TRUCO (Travel Utility Carry On) baggage system, though, that issue should be a thing of the past.  It’s a carry-on bag that can “reshape itself” by offering 2 modular parts that can be removed or added using Balanzza’s click-on system.  The main bag is designed to hold your clothing and other larger items, while a laptop bag/brief case snaps onto the front of it.  The third piece, which clips to the top of the main bag, is designed to hold smaller, more valuable items.  In the event that you board the plane and discover that the overhead compartment is too small, you simply remove any of the two smaller bags and slip them under the seat or next to the bag in the over head compartment. Brill.

The Balanzza Truco has a Worldwide Limited 5-year Lifetime Warranty and is available now for $199.

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The Fluent Stash is a bag that keeps your accessories – headphones, cords, charges, etc – stylishly tucked away during travel.  It’s made from die-cut from wool felt and unfolds to reveal three stash pockets and a zip secured mesh pocket.  When open it can be either hung using the aluminum metal hook or folded over the back of a chair. Cost: $80.

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It’s that time again. GadgetReview has teamed up with Balanzza to give away one of their portable luggage scales. It’s small enough to fit in your carry on – heck, even your pocket – and let’s you measure your luggages’ weight on the fly. You can use it for the initial leg of your journey to insure you not over weight or on your return, after you’ve purchased family gifts.

We’re giving away one of these. To enter you must be a US resident and submit a comment below with an email address (so we can contact you). Don’t put your email address in the comment, just register it with the comment in the appropriate field. We’ll choose one winner at random.

The comments are moderated so please be patient and enter only one. If you want a double entry follow us on Twitter and tweet “@gadgetreview #balanzza”.

This contest ends 11/19/2010

Luggage is luggage, but every once and a while a company comes along and rethinks the game.  While we still prefer the Biometric protected suitcases, the Move-on by Agent line of suitcases definitely deserves some attention.  Right now they look to be very much conceptual (and expensive), but the video below all but confirms they’ll go into production.  The SURFN’s (above) front flap flips down allowing a traveler to carry additional luggage or be used as a sort of surfboard for a small passenger or yourself.

The RIDN case is more straight forward and features a cushioned seat.

Lastly, the STROLLN is a larger suitcase with a slot at the top for a small child – just make sure to remove them before checking in.

Not too sure why it’s called the Power Bullet Charger, but it actually looks like a decent product.  Effectively allowing you to eliminate a charger from your stockpile, the Power Bullet Charger has both a wall charger and a car charger in the same build.

Also housing a dual USB input, you and shorty can charge the shit out of your phones simultaneously.  On sale now from ThinkGeek for a steal at $15, provided it doesn’t break on you with the first two weeks.

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Well what do he have here?  Another take it or leave it product, this Travel Mug with Digital Picture Frame has a 1.5 Inch LCD screen and is capable of holding up to 45 digital photos.  The mug includes plug and play software and a USB cable for $25.  The photo frame detaches from the mug for passing around the fire like it ain’t no thing.

With so many cell phones allowing for mass storage of digital photographs, I don’t understand the draw of this product but Americans are known to buy just about anything.

On sale now.

[via RedFerret]

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Looks like Hercules have expanded their line of speakers today with the announcement of the XPS 2.0 35 USB and the XPS 5.1 Slim.  The XPS 2.0 35 USB’s seem like a cool choice for traveling and come withe their own carrying case for on the go type styles.  The XPS 5.1 Slim’s pretty much add extra speakers to their XPS 2.1 Slim’s and a connecting center speaker to make a very affordable 5.1 surround system.

Both systems are set to arrive in June and are priced at $20 for the USB’s and $100 for the 5.1 system.  Having liked my experience with Hercules products in the past, I’m eager to give these a try.

NEW YORK, NY – (April 29, 2010) – Hercules, the digital audio specialist, expands its successful XPS multimedia speaker line with the new XPS 2.0 35 USB, 2.0 USB-powered speakers for on-the-go listening and the XPS 5.1 70 Slim. Created with the same slim design as their popular XPS 2.1 Slim Speaker line, the XPS 5.1 70 Slim features five ultra-slim satellite speakers and a wooden-made subwoofer for the full surround sound experience. The XPS 2.0 35 USB set will be available in June 2010 for the SRP $19.99/£19.99 and the XPS 5.1 70 Slim will also be available at the end of June 2010 for the SRP $99.99/£89.99.

In-flight Internet is awesome — I haven’t had the pleasure to use it yet, but killing time or getting work done on those long flights is now an infinitely more enjoyable prospect. GoGo is making news today with its introduction of a monthly subscription plan for their EVDO in-flight service. Fliers can pay $35 dollars a month for unlimited access on flights offering the Gogo service, instead of through a per-flight or 30-day basis.

The subscription is available from the airlines using Gogo, such as Delta, Virgin, and AirTran, and should transfer between separate airlines. If you travel a lot for business, it sounds like a great deal to me.

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As with most social applications, it takes people to make them work effectively.  The same goes for the new parking spot finder for your iPhone called iSpotSwap.  The free app lets you create and interact with a database of parking spots that you deem most valuable.

The basic jist is that you mark spots that your parked in, and when they will become available in hopes that others do the same for you.  You can also mark where you’ve parked your car so you don’t lose track of it.  The app assumes that everyone has iPhones (soon to be on BlackBerry and Android as well) so I’m not sure if this type of activity will be worth the hassle.

A great idea for sure, but it would be much better as an automated app that didn’t require the user to do all the legwork.  Available now in the App Store.

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Ahh the products in which we live with.  Here we have the GasCase.  Pretty much a luggage container that’s shaped like a JerryCan gas container on wheels, the GasCase is sure to make you a person of interest at the Airport.  Made from steel and mounted on heavy duty trolley wheels, there are two designs available with one opening up like a Zippo lighter and the other opening like a traditional suitcase.

Not knowing why you’d ever what luggage made from heavy steel, I’d rather see one of these that own one.  Only available in Europe at the moment for $137, this might be the only thing left when the plane crashes.  Created by Frankfurt-based product company Ivorilla and available in 7 different colors.  Interesting.

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Traveling with a bunch of computer gear can be a pain.  Surfacing as one of the only travel surge protectors I’ve seen, the ezSpace Surge2Go Portable Power Strip From ezGear could be just what the gear head on the go is looking for.

Featuring 3 appropriately spaced outlets and a shielded 8-inch power cord that wraps around the base of the surge protector, the ezSpace uses a LED to denote actual surge protection from other forms of electrical interference.

If interested you can get the Surge2Go PowerStrip right now for $18.

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What could be best used as an auxiliary tooth brush stashed away in your glove compartment, the OHSO Pocket Toothbrush is also cheap enough to forget about.  Priced at $20, toothpaste is stored at the tip and it is easy to refill and clean.

OHSO was engineered to be the ultimate travel toothbrush. Besides looking good the OHSO is useful and durable. Toothpaste is stored in the handle for safekeeping and the window shows you how much paste is in the chamber. Turn the knob clockwise and paste is dispensed though the rubber nozzle on the bristle head. Tilt down and paste is delivered directly to the bristles.

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I know the above picture heavily resembles a Maybelline ad, but that’ll be something you’ll have to deal with for the convenience of being able to brush your teeth at a moment’s notice.  Capable of banging out 16,000 brushstrokes a minute, the Sonic Pocket ToothBrush from Panasonic will last up to 180 brushes on one AAA battery.  That’s pretty tight.

Slated for shipping by April 23rd, you can pre-order yours now for $71.

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Air New Zealand will begin offering a ‘cuddle seat’ option as soon as this November. Cuddle what you ask?  Instead of putting up with the cramped not-so reclining economy seat, passengers on Air New Zealand can now opt for a row of seats that fold out and offer a first class like accommodation, a bed.  The airline is currently marketing the seats to families and couples since they’ll have to purchase the third, or middle seat as well, though it will come at half price.  And just for a little icing on the cake, they’ve added power outlets and USB plugs to their seats. KFC may have claimed to ‘unthink the wing’, but Air New Zealand (or Boeing) has officially unthought economy airline travel.

Video after the ‘leap’

Anyone know where are the seat belts are?

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For those that just demand the freshet of brews on the go is this new French Press Travel Cup.  The dual wall design keeps your beverage warm and is made from a durable BPA-free plastic.  The container itself holds 16 ounces of liquid and fits in the standard size cup holder.

Beyond coffee, this French Press also works well with loose tea leaves and has a leak-resistant lid and rubber grip for off-roading.  On sale now for $20.

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What will surely make you a person of suspicion at the airport, this scooter suitcase by Samsonite and MicroScooter should not be given to children.  Pretty much just two items combined, this scooter/suitcase could make for some fun and dubious scenarios.

No official price or availability is listed as of now, but speculators are guessing it will cost around $120.  I can’t see ever looking cool riding one of these anywhere but Chuck-E-Cheese’s.  How about you?

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For those of us who spend countless hours staring at a screen it’s often easy for our necks to get thrown out of whack.  With adjustable levels of vibration to improve circulation, this USB massage scarf could be a great tension reliever in a multitude of scenarios.

From long rides on an airplane to just relaxing couch side, this gadget is easily worth the $12 asking price.  Throw in multiple massage settings and you’ve got yourself a great bargain and go to gift idea.  Available now while supplies last.

[via thanks Frank]

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What’s portable, cute and loves to listen to your every command?  If you said Moshi’s Voice Control Travel Alarm Clock, then you’re spot on.

I have yet to try out any of Moshi’s voice activated alarm clocks, but according to their press release with the push of button you can activate up to 9 settings simply by speaking a command(no programming required), which includes setting the time, alarm, snooze, and asking for the temperature.

The palm sized Moshi Travel Alarm Clock is available in pink, blue, white, and black at their website and will be available at select Bed Bath & Beyond stores come mid to late November. Price: $25.

Video demo after the ‘leap’

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Way back in the depths of 2005, we talked about a kind of ultra portable scanner called the Docupen.  Well, the company that makes these has just released a brand new kind that they’re hoping will be so extreme you’ll likely ignore the mostly pointlessness of the device and buy several.  It’s the Docupen X-Series, and the X is almost certainly for X-treeeeeeme.

The Docupen is essentially a scanner the size of a standard ballpoint pen, and allows you to scan a document or a photo into JPEG format by rolling the scanner part along the surface of the thing you want scanned.  It has 64 gigs of internal memory, microSD card compatibility, and can scan to 600 dpi, which is no mean feat for a pen-sized scanner.

If you do a lot of photo manipulation or deal with a lot of actual paper documents–like, say, business cards at trade shows–then you might feel pretty good about the Docupen X-Series.  But you likely won’t feel good about its price, a whopping $369.

Chances are you’ll almost never need to use this, and chances are even greater that you’ll lose it in short order anyway, so it’s probably not what you’d call a good investment.

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