?Summer is all about convenience — and so is tech. Whether you’re looking for a quick charge on the beach, a pocket-friendly camera to capture those impromptu moments, or a sunshine-friendly screen to read on, we’ve curated a list of essential tech gadgets to keep you powered, connected, and fully in the moment when you’re soaking up the sun.

E-BOOKS BY THE BEACH-

Nothing beats a summer afternoon by the beach with a book in hand. Truth be told, though, books are tough to pack — especially if you plan on going on a readathon. When paperbacks prove inconvenient, e-book readers are ready to save the day.

#1- Kindle: A lighter, cheaper and environmentally-friendly option for your reads by the beach is the classic Kindle — an e-reader designed and sold by Amazon. The classic Kindle is a recommended go-to if you’re looking to get through your reading list, without the burden of carrying dozens of actual books around.

PRICE- Kindle prices start at EGP 6.5k

WHERE TO BUY- You can find the classic Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite on Amazon. The classic Kindle is available in black or matcha green at 16GBs of storage, whereas the Paperwhite is available in black, with several storage options.

#2- Pocketbook InkPad: Looking for a more advanced e-reader? The Inkpad supports a wider range of text formats, and features a larger 9.7 inch display. Though it comes with just 8GBs of storage, there’s the option to add more — a feature the Kindle doesn’t have. The InkPad also lets your source books from more than one store, so your options are essentially limitless.

PRICE- The Pocketbook InkPad comes at a price tag of EGP 22k.

WHERE TO BUY- You can find the InkPad on Amazon.

MUSIC ON THE GO-

SZA by the pool is a summer essential, but carrying a giant speaker around shouldn’t be. Watching the sun go down over the horizon is an even better experience when accompanied by your favorite tunes, just don’t be too loud — your neighbors will grateful.

#1- Bluetooth Beats: There are plenty of speakers out there that get the job done, but these are our favorite easy-to-carry bluetooth speakers that pack quite the punch.

  • The JBL Clip 5 Ultra-Portable.
  • The Soundcore Select 4 Go Ultra Portable.
  • The Xiaomi Sound Outdoor 30W.

FUN FACT- Both the JBL and Soundcore speakers come with their own equalizer apps, so you can live out that summer DJ fantasy with ease.

PRICES- The JBL Clip 5 starts at EGP 3.1k, the Soundcore Select 4 comes at a price tag of EGP 1.2k, and the Xiaomi Sound Outdoor will only set you back EGP 2.2k.

WHERE TO BUY- You can find all three speakers on Amazon (JBL | Soundcore | Xiaomi).

FOR LAST-MINUTE CHARGES-

You’re at the beach and your phone is calling it quits, what do you do? We’d wager that there likely isn’t a socket anywhere nearby, and in times like that, a powerbank proves the ultimate treasure — but which ones should you get?

#1- The Oraimo Slice Link: iPhone? Check. Airpods Pro? Check. Y2K vintage cameras? Check. This pocket-sized powerbank is a life-saver for more than one reason; it’s fast-charging, has a 10k mAh battery, and comes with three built-in cables for USB-C, lightning, and micro-USB. In short: you can charge three devices in one go.

PRICE RANGE- The 3-in-1 powerbank will only set you back EGP 650-750.

WHERE TO BUY- You can find it on Amazon or on Oraimo’s website.

#2- Anker 633 Battery Pack: No cables, no problem. Compatible with all iPhone devices that support MagSafe, Anker’s battery pack is as convenient as convenience gets. Just attach it to the back of the phone and you’re good to go. Don’t let the compact size fool you, because this battery pack has a capacity of 10k mAh.

PRICE- The Anker battery pack is priced at EGP 2.5k

WHERE TO BUY- You can find it on Amazon.

SOMETHING TO CAPTURE THE MEMORIES-

Summer is all about making memories, and what better way to save them than through photos? Hear us out — smartphone camera photos aren’t cutting it anymore, and there’s an undeniable charm to vintage shots. Here's a look at our favorite photography gadgets.

#1- Fujifilm Printer: The Fujifilm Instax Mini Link smartphone printer is a perfect gadget for those amongst us that appreciate both the convenience of smartphone cameras, and the nostalgia polaroids evoke. The Instax Link allows you to print photos taken on your smartphone via bluetooth, but don’t overdo it — you don’t have an unlimited supply of film, after all.

PRICE RANGE- Prices for the Instax Mini Link printer are between EGP 5-7k depending on the seller, model, and color.

WHERE TO BUY- You can find the Instax mini — and other variations of the printer — on the Instax website. You can also find it on Amazon.

#2- Polaroid Cameras: Want to keep your smartphone out of the equation entirely? You can — once more — wager on Instax. Their polaroid camera collection never goes out of style, and if you’re looking to make a statement, the Instax Mini 12 is a definite attention-grabber that comes in a slew of colors. Pro tip: you might want to stock up on film.

PRICE- The Instax Mini 12 is available for EGP 4.5k.

WHERE TO BUY- You can find it on the Instax website, as well as Amazon.

#3- Vintage Digicams: Digital point-and-shoot cameras are making quite the comeback, and you won’t want to miss out. While you won’t get the grainy feel of old film shots, what you’ll get is a distinctly Y2K aesthetic that will get the nostalgic feels going.

PRICES- Prices for second-hand digital cameras depend on the model and its condition.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find a selection of second-hand vintage cameras at a variety of online stores across Cairo, such as EgyDigiCam, and at Cairo Analog Society.

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