How to Use Technology to Get Outdoors

Most people peg techies for indoor types. But in actuality, much of the latest technology is meant to improve user experience in the great outdoors. Read on for the newest gizmos and services to use when Mother Nature beckons.

Google Maps

Google Maps is a great way to map a route for a walk or run. The Web-based service recently launched its biking edition. Now, cyclists can get directions in 150 US cities, and the site even takes hills, bike lanes and busy intersections into account when mapping a route. Plus, biking gets folks outside and where they need to be sans carbon emissions!

Bring the Internet Outdoors

Working in a cubicle on a beautiful day is total drag. Instead, take your laptop to a park, meadow or other green space and use an EVDO USB Data Card. The EVDO, or Evolution Data Optimized, basically acts as a mobile Internet, using 3G mobile broadband technology to get online. You can even bring some coworkers with you-the card can be shared with multiple computers by using a 3G router.

Outlet-Free Chargers

Keeping devices like iPods, cell phones and GPS units charged while in the wilderness used to be impossible. Luckily, a ton of chargers that rely completely on renewable energy recently hit the market. Suntrica makes the SolarBadge and SolarStrap, pocket-sized chargers covered in flexible solar panels. The Hymini portable charger uses sun and wind power to juice up devices. And soon, folks can rely on their own movement to charge electronics. The nPower PEG (personal energy generator) harvests the kinetic energy from walking, running or kayaking to power small electronic devices.

iPhone Apps for Biking

Cycling gets even easier and more enjoyable with a few of the latest iPhone apps for bikers. The Every Trail app uses a phone's GPS to to draw riders' routes on a virtual map. The app also tracks stats like distance, speed and elevation. The BrakeLights app acts as a makeshift safety light. Strap the phone to your bag or back with the screen pointing behind you. The app uses the accelerometer to detect when the bike slows down, flashing a bright red light to warn drivers, pedestrians and other bikers. The Cychosis app acts as a cycling journal, keeping a running log of how much a cyclist rides.

Stargazer Apps

Gazing at the stars is a great way to spend time outdoors, but unless you're bringing textbooks and charts, you might not know exactly what you're looking at. SoLuna provides information on the moon's set time, rise time and phases for every date and location. Use it to know when you can go out to spot a full moon! The Starmap app can help gazers identify what constellations they're viewing, and it even boasts a flashlight feature.

GPS Units

Brave the rugged wilderness without fear of getting lost with handheld GPS units. DeLorme makes a variety of portable units, and its PN-40 made it up Mount Everest! Garmin also make several handheld GPS devices, some of which are specifically geared towards hikers. For news and reviews on the latest GPS units, check out GPSManiac.com.

The weather is warming, and pretty soon the desire to get outside will be irresistible. What tech will you use to help you get there?

=========================================================================
By Sarah Parsons of Inhabitat, an online magazine devoted to the future of design, tracking the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and design towards a smarter and more sustainable future. Written by a young tech-savvy team designers and design journalists, Inhabitat delivers fresh content daily, showcasing emerging work from the cutting-edge of the global design community.