Kit Out Your Car With Portable Tech in 2024
| Reuben Howe
The miniaturisation of tech has had some world-changing outcomes, like being able to access a powerful computer in the palm of your hand or storing the entire catalogue of the BBC on one palm-sized drive.
But, sometimes you just want to chuck on a DVD, or spin up the CD player, or tune in to something Live!
Enter retro tech, made portable! Enjoy you CD's, DVD's, Live TV and more in the easiest way with this car-focused tech:
Portable CD Player for Cars and Road Trips
If you're sporting a particularly modern car, or a particularly old one, you might well not have a CD drive on your dashboard! Losing access to high-bitrate high-quality audio, especially when many cars have multiple speakers from multiple angles, is a real loss for the consumer.
We might be used to Spotify and streaming for our driving music nowadays, but making the switch back to CD is sure to reinvigorate your ride and have you really feeling that "driving with music" vibe in your bones again.
The SE10 provides authentic CD-quality audio and can plug right into your car with the AUX out port. If your system somehow doesn't have one, you can also use the inbuilt speakers (but for a driving environment I will always recommend using an AUX device, either the car's audio system itself or an external speaker).
With skip and shock protection for up to 120 seconds, you can get off the backroads and onto the motorway then enjoy hours of your favourite CD's. No dropped audio from the internet or radio connection, just proper physical media playback.
Mini TV With DVD Player
Watching TV in the backseat of a car evokes images of in-built screens in the back of seats, like on an aeroplane!
But, there's an easier way to access TV and DVD's without changing your whole car around!
The DA383 is a 2024 portable TV with inbuilt DVD player. An instant classic, the DA383 allows you to put DVD's into the disc drive on the back of the screen, and watch them on-the-go.
With parental controls and custom playlist options, you can safely leave the TV in the back with the kids on holidays and road trips.
Being able to access the content you want, in high quality, without having to worry over signal, data limits, roaming and all that is just a simpler and easier way to enjoy a holiday (without having to sacrifice your TV habits!).
Two-Way Bluetooth Adapters
While I've been championing physical media today, sometimes it is a little too cumbersome. When you want to rely on your phone and apps, or the inbuilt car stereo, then a Bluetooth adapter is the ticket.
Using Bluetooth 5+ ensures a quick, easy connection with ~40ms of latency natively. Your car DJ can up their game!
Double-check you dash has an AUX connection and then it's simply plug and play, with an easy switch on the side for transmit or receive modes.
Keeping Cool With a Fan
Forgot to top up the air con in the car?
If you have a powered USB port inbuilt in your car, or you have a portable power bank on you, you can use a mini fan to help circulate air and stay cool.
USB power means these little guys are accessible in most vehicles, and the quiet blades are going to sound silent behind the sound of your engine.
The metal stand is also rotatable, so the unit can hang up somewhere suitable and out-the-way.
Be Prepared for Emergencies!
Finally, while not strictly entertainment (Although I personally derive a certain joy from them) an electric handheld air pump in your boot or glove compartment can be a life saver!
Saving yourself as much energy and stress as possible is going to be key in any situation you are needing to use this on the road, so the PUM300 is made to be simple. The pressure units are changeable and displayed in real time, and charging is as simple as USB.
Hold the button, and wait. That's all there is to it.
From topping up tyres to starting an impromptu balloon party, there's no reason not to have one of these tucked away in the car for that one time you need it. And trust me, that one time you will be glad you have one!
Drive Safe
With all of these portable bits of kit, please follow the rules of the road. Don't have your music on too loud, no matter how good the CD-quality audio is. Don't watch TV as the driver, no matter what's on.
These devices can make long and arduous trips just long, but make sure you're using them correctly with respect for other drivers, and any passengers you have.
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