The 13 Best Staycation Tech Tips
Enjoy new experiences, explore new cultures and spend unforgettable moments without leaving home.
Whether you're planning a vacation or are forced to stay behind due to a last-minute cancellation, there are many effective ways to use technology to enhance your experience.
While unplugging is a perfectly good choice, taking a break from everyday life can help you relax, enjoy new experiences, and make the most of your free time.
Here are some tech tips to help transform your next vacation.
Watch a movie in the garden
What we love
A fun way to get out of the house.
Sunbathe and watch your favorite movies.
Great family and communication.
What we don't like
Vacations are a great opportunity to watch your favorite shows and movies, but why should you stay home? Try installing a small smart TV outside and enjoy the sunshine while watching your favorite shows. If not, you can always use your laptop, tablet or phone.
For added entertainment, consider investing in a portable projector, an outdoor projection screen, and a good Bluetooth speaker if you don't already have one.
Arrange your garden supplies, add some fairy lights and other accessories, and you'll have everything you need for a great movie night under the stars.
Travel the world in virtual reality
What we love
What we don't like
Just because you're home for the holidays doesn't mean you can't explore the world. Put on a virtual reality headset and you'll instantly be transported to the pyramids of Egypt, the peaks of Machu Picchu in Peru, the bustling streets of New York, or any other place you can imagine.
For a more immersive experience, consider purchasing the Meta Quest VR headset. It's more expensive than a headset, but is completely self-contained, requires no additional hardware, and provides a more immersive experience. Of course, you can also use it to play fun virtual reality games.
Advice:
For a cheaper option, you can simply look for a VR headset that works with your phone. Virtual reality experiences on your phone aren't as popular as they used to be, but you can still find VR apps on your phone in the App Store and Google Play Store.
Create a unique environment with music streaming
What we love
What we don't like
Visiting an interesting place abroad may not be possible right now. So why not use a music streaming service like Spotify to set the mood?
Load up your favorite streaming music on your phone or tablet, find a playlist that matches your dream song, close your eyes, and you're done. Connect your phone or tablet to your Bluetooth speaker and head outside for even more fun.
Learn another language with the app
What we love
This will help you prepare for your future vacation in a foreign country.
There is a sense of achievement.
There are many free options available.
What we don't like
Learning a language takes time, so you need to maintain it even after your stay.
Some people have a harder time learning languages than others.
Since you're using music and virtual reality to truly enjoy your travels from the comfort of your home, why not use an app to learn the language of your dream destination?
Apps like Duolingo and Rosetta won't make you a conversationalist overnight, but once you visit your dream destination, you'll get the basics down.
Try a new streaming service
What we love
Discover content you've never seen before.
Learn something new or have fun.
Free trials are usually available.
What we don't like
If you're looking for content, consider a free trial of a streaming service you've never tried before.
Enjoy a variety of Marvel and Star Wars content with Disney Plus, watch exciting documentaries, original series and reality TV with Max, or watch with great options like Curiosity Stream for informative content or AcornTV for quirky British shows.
Find a compatible streaming device
What we love
Provides access to streaming services.
Works with existing TV.
Overall easy to set up and use.
What we don't like
If you're new to streaming, why not invest in a compatible streaming device like a Fire TV Stick or Roku? These devices connect directly to your TV and work with a variety of streaming services, eliminating the need to watch content on your phone.
Combine your streaming device with a portable projector and projection screen for unlimited entertainment.
More about Kindle
What we love
Get outside with a good book, fresh air and sunshine.
The E-color screen is easier on the eyes than other screens.
Lightweight and easy to use.
What we don't like
Kindle e-readers are ideal for holiday use because they let you take a library of books with you wherever you go, but they work just as well at home as they do on the go.
If you're looking for fun in the sun, the Kindle's e-ink screen is far superior to that of any phone or tablet. Most screens fade in direct sunlight, and glossy screens suffer more from glare, but the E Ink Kindle's matte screen reads just as well in direct sunlight as any traditional paper book.
If you have a Kindle, expand your reach with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. Unlock millions of books and thousands of audiobooks with a free trial of Kindle Unlimited.
Get free library e-books
What we love
Open new books without leaving home.
Great variety, allowing you to discover completely new things.
Access is free, so there is no additional cost.
What we don't like
Another great way to expand your literary horizons on your next trip is to check out free e-books at your local library. To do this you will need a library card. So make sure you have it ready before you start your stay to avoid wasting valuable time traveling to and from the library.
Most libraries support the ability to borrow e-books through the Libby app. However, check with your local library to see what they use. If your library doesn't lend e-books, there are other sites where you can download free books.
Listen to audiobooks
What we love
You probably have a compatible device.
Listen wherever you want, indoors or outdoors.
Ideal for day trips if you want to explore the area.
What we don't like
If reading in the sun is too tiring for you or you feel like it's straining your eyes, why not end the party with some audiobooks?
In some cases, you can buy a book on your Kindle and switch between reading and listening at any time.
Plan interesting local events with ChatGPT
What we love
A free way to discover local attractions and activities.
Customize your itinerary to accommodate additional constraints such as budget and needs.
Available by phone so you can look for interesting ideas if necessary.
What we don't like
ChatGPT may not always be correct, so you should double check.
ChatGPT may be working with older data, so points of interest may have changed or are no longer available.
There is no law requiring you to stay at home during your stay. So why not play the role of a tourist using chatpt?
You don't even need to be an expert in AI suggestions. Just go to chat.openai.com and enter this message, replacing (your city) with the name of your city or your location, and set the time for your stay.
Plan a two-week itinerary with interesting, unique places and activities within driving distance so you can drive home every night. »
ChatGPT provides an itinerary for each day, including a walk to a specific place with fun and interesting things to do and see.
Use the app to explore your area
What we love
Find unusual goals and activities.
Learn new things about your region.
Get out of your comfort zone.
What we don't like
Another way to explore the area during your stay is to use an app that highlights local hidden gems you should know about, such as Hidden Place, Atlas Obscura, or a route planning app.
These apps are useful for general vacations and travel, but the idea is to see and do things you wouldn't otherwise see around you.
Whether it's a local destination you haven't visited since childhood or an exciting new activity outside of your usual comfort zone, your area could be full of new and exciting experiences to explore without leaving home. as a home port.
Recommended Link: Outside: Find the hidden room.
Recommended link: External: Get Atlas Obscura
Play outside with a portable gaming system
What we love
This frees you from being tied to the TV.
Play outdoors or from the comfort of your couch.
Lots of interesting experiences, including multiplayer.
What we don't like
If you don't usually have a lot of free time to play, a stopover can be a great opportunity to try out all the great games you've missed. But why tie yourself to a table or sofa when you can get up and move?
Portable gaming systems like the Nintendo Switch and Valve's Steam Deck are ideal for this, allowing you to play your favorite games anywhere. The Switch also supports two-player multiplayer with the included Joy-Cons, and you can connect an external controller to the Steam Deck for PC multiplayer.
Whether you're relaxing in the sun, working through your Steam backlog over a cup of coffee, or moving from room to room, take the fun with you wherever you go. Changing the landscape.
Use your printer for fun with kids
What we love
Have fun and creative activities.
Knows how to spend quality time with family.
A great alternative to wasting time on screens and devices.
What we don't like
Keeping kids entertained during the holidays can be challenging, especially if you don't want them spending their days in front of multiple screens. For a little fun, you can use your printer to create a variety of fun activities.
Advice:
If you don't already have a printer, consider purchasing a printer with an ink tank so you can print at a lower cost than other types of printers.
Here are some fun activities that use a printer.
Coloring book : download and print coloring pages.
Paper Crafts : Download printable paper crafts that your kids can cut, assemble, and glue together.
Games. If your kids are tired of the games they already have, you can download everything from printable crossword puzzles to bingo sheets and challenging board games.
T-shirts. Have the kids create T-shirts to commemorate your trip and then print them using iron-on transfers.
Magnets : Printable magnet sheets allow your kids to create and print magnets.
Other professions : Your imagination is not limited; Find printables and choose ones that are appropriate for your children's ages and abilities.
Read the original article on Lifewire.
