Merilee Kern

I get so much joy in helping fellow travel-lovers solve annoying problems and otherwise make their travels easier and more enjoyable. Toward this end, I’m indelibly on the lookout for noteworthy innovations that can resolve common annoyances and foster fun and functionality while getting from point A to point B. Here are a few of my finds that fit the bill this fall season and beyond.

Nokia 4.2 Smartphone

The cutting-edge Nokia 4.2 has been designed to offer the latest in smartphone technological innovations at a truly accessible price. Complete with a sculpted-glass design, new display technology, an amazing dual depth-sensing rear camera and biometric face unlock system, this new device truly has it all compacted into one sleek design.Premiering the Google Assistant feature, the Nokia 4.2 will revolutionize the way you engage with your smartphone. Simply press the button once for instant access to all that Google Assistant has to offer, allowing for unfettered capability when you need it most. Whether it’s directions, making calls, listening to music or getting answers to some of life’s hardest questions, the Google Assistant can help get it done and find information faster than ever before. The Nokia 4.2 is an Android One device, meaning it just keeps getting better with time and ships with Android Pie out of the box. It is also available in two colors, Black or Pink Sand, so you can capitalize on your preference to make it your own. bestbuy.com.

Wearbuds Smartband-Housed True Wireless Earbuds 

Aipower, an innovative smart device developer, has launched a Kickstarter preorder campaign for Wearbuds—the world’s first wristband-housed true wireless earbuds designed for ultra-portability, compelling sound and with fitness tracker features. Wearbuds are the world’s first true wireless HiFi earbuds that are actually stored inside a fitness band. Both earbuds can be placed perfectly in the fitness tracking wristband which can also charge them with no need for carrying a charging case. The earbuds also feature flawless audio streaming with an advanced Qualcomm chipset and Bluetooth 5.0 technology, reproducing booming bass and crisp highs through fine-tuned, graphene-augmented drivers.

Wearbuds are lightweight and ergonomic, providing a barely-there fit for unbeatable noise isolation performance with premium silicon ear tips. The band strap is made of silicone to enhance comfort while wearing and is able to maintain all-day dryness and cleanliness throughout various activities. Most true wireless earbuds don’t allow users to call freely using only one earbud due to the limitation of the connection technology. Wearbuds support Mono Mode, a feature that comes from the latest Bluetooth 5.0 technology, allowing fast and easy, hands-free phone calls with one or both earbuds. 

The fitness band can automatically count your steps and calories burned and monitor heart rate and sleep pattern as well. A built-in touchscreen on the band allows for instant access to all fitness data and notifications (including sedentary reminder) on the wrist. All fitness reports will be saved in the Aipower app. The band features on-wrist smartphone notifications which are customizable for calls, texts, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Instagram. kickstarter.com.

Solo New York Parker Tote

When seeking a chic carrying solution, you can soirée and jet set in style all season long with The Parker Tote from Solo New York. This is a hybrid backpack and tote designed for the working woman driven by her passions. The sophisticated, sleek gold and black style of the Parker Tote is inspired by the heart and soul of New York–creating a chic look that goes with everything. 

The bag itself is embezzled with gold hardware and interlaced through the zipper with golden undertones. It includes a fully padded, 15.6” laptop sleeve compartment, interior organizer section and padded hideaway backpack straps. The back panel of the tote also slides over the luggage handle for efficient transformation and all-around easy access to whatever compartment you need at any time. solo-ny.com.

Kut from the Kloth

Embodying the spirit of California, Kut from the Kloth is a vibrant, contemporary lifestyle brand. With innovative fabrics, a flawless fit and sophisticated style, the KUT collection is designed with your busy life in mind, so you can confidently go from day to play. This month, Kut from the Kloth debuts its go-anywhere line of ultra-fashionable travel staples designed for easy packing, wearing and washing. An online boutique beloved for blending modern trends with coastal flavor, Kut from the Kloth makes couture-inspired fashion both accessible and affordable. Now, their visionary designers have put together an essential escape collection for jet-setters who want to look like a million bucks and still have plenty of cocktail cash. Vacation with on-trend pieces created to wear right out of the suitcase. Feel the vacation vibes of delicate florals in shades of pink, coral and yellow that stand out. Short-sleeved button-ups feature palm fronds and pastel pinstripes, perfect underneath a soft, quilted sweatshirt or white denim jacket for chilly evenings. kutfromthecloth.com.

As the Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee Kern is an internationally-regarded consumer trends expert and hospitality industry voice of authority—a travel, dining, leisure and lifestyle expert who spotlights noteworthy marketplace innovations, change makers, movers and shakers. She reports on exemplary travel destinations and experiences, extraordinary events and newsworthy products and services across all categories. Reach her online at www.TheLuxeList.com, on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/LuxeListEditor, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList and on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/LuxeListReviews.