SALTZMAN: Tech tools to remain productive this summer

Cottaging? Traveling? Stay on your game with this mobile gear

Published Jun 27, 2026  •  Last updated 5 minutes ago  •  5 minute read

ExpertBook Ultra from ASUS. Photo by Supplied /ASUS

Summer is officially here, so for many Canadian businesses, it’s a time to take their foot off the gas – cue the flood of out-of-office replies, the (welcome) decline in Zoom meetings, and a noticeably slower pace.

Article content

But while the temptation to completely disconnect is tough to resist, fully unplugging isn’t always an option for executives, driven professionals, and self-employed entrepreneurs (myself included).

Article content

Article content

The good news? In between some fun, you can remain productive during patio season, at the cottage, on a family road trip or while soaring though the friendly skies.

With the right technology, you can stay on top of your game whenever – and wherever – summer takes you.

Montreal-based technology journalist, podcaster and digital media analyst Bruno Guglielminetti. Photo by Supplied

Lightweight laptop is key

For many (nay, most) mobile workers, a laptop remains the most essential tool to stay productive on the go.

“My laptop remains the centre of everything,” says Bruno Guglielminetti, a Montreal-based technology journalist, podcaster and digital media analyst. “For me, the key is having the same working environment on the road as I do in my office – and so I rely on the laptop for writing, editing audio, managing my publishing workflow, recording interviews when needed, and accessing cloud-based tools.”

Article content

Article content

Country manager for the System Business Group at ASUS Canada Vernon Coutinho. Photo by Supplied

Vernon Coutinho, country manager for the System Business Group at ASUS Canada, mirrors Guglielminetti’s sentiment: “Productivity on the go really starts with planning around flexibility – so whether you’re working from a coffee shop, an airport, a hotel room or between events, the goal is to remove as much friction as possible.”

“That means having your files synced, key apps ready offline when needed, and a device that is light enough to carry around but powerful enough, with enough battery life, that you don’t feel like you’re compromising,” Coutinho adds. “A good mobile setup should let you open your laptop, get into your work quickly, join a call, review a document or send a few updates without feeling slowed down by the device.”

ExpertBook Ultra from ASUS. Photo by Supplied /ASUS

Security and durability are also critical for a mobile professional’s laptop. The highly rated ExpertBook Ultra from ASUS is a good example of where business laptops are going, as it’s lightweight, has a premium matte display, fast performance, multiple ports, and business-focused security features. Battery life is up to 24 hours (of video playback).

Article content

Phone it in

Guglielminetti, who hosts the weekly French-language podcast Mon Carnet and the daily tech news briefing 120 secondes de Tech, says his phone “is just as important” as his laptop.

“My phone is also my camera, scanner, recorder, hotspot, authentication device and backup workstation,” he explains.

Speaking of hotspots, Guglielminetti says using your phone or a dedicated hotspot device is “essential” as public Wi-Fi can be slow, unstable or insecure, especially in hotels, trains, airports or cottage country.

“Having my own connection makes it easier to upload files, join video calls and keep working without depending on the location,” he says.

Leaving Canada? Also consider buying an eSIM while traveling to another country, rather than roaming on your existing wireless provider, as it will be considerably cheaper.

For example, a NOMAD Mobile eSIM for the UK costs just over $6 for 1 gigabyte of data over seven days – perfect for calls over WhatsApp, reading email, web browsing, or getting directions in your favourite map app.

Article content

By comparison, Bell, Rogers and TELUS charge between $16-$18, per day, to use your phone in the UK.

NOMAD Mobile eSIM. Photo by Supplied

Cloud and AI, too

As someone on the road a lot, Guglielminetti says he also relies heavily on cloud storage and synced notes.

“That way, my scripts, interview notes, audio files and article drafts are available across multiple devices, and if my laptop stays in the bag, I can still review or edit something from my phone,” he says.

AI also lets you do more in less time, reminds Coutinho.

“AI can help people save time, especially with practical tasks like summarizing meeting notes, drafting or cleaning up written content, organizing information, translating conversations, or finding what you need faster,” he explains.

“What’s becoming more important is on-device AI, or edge AI, where more of that work can happen directly on the laptop instead of relying entirely on the cloud,” asserts Coutinho. “For mobile professionals, that can mean faster responses, better privacy, and a more reliable experience when working from places like a coffee shop, hotel, airport, or anywhere the network connection may not be perfect.”

Article content

Read More

1. 

   SALTZMAN: Kicking back to enjoy the big game

2. 

   SALTZMAN: High-tech toys for digital dads this Father's Day

3. 

   SALTZMAN: Portable PC gaming redefined at computer expo in Taiwan

Additional considerations for mobile workers:

– Keep a small kit with chargers, cables, a compact power bank (back-up battery) and adapters for those who travel overseas (so you can plug your gear into a local AC outlet, naturally).

– Laptop users who need additional screen real estate may invest in a portable monitor (like those by ViewSonic) for a dual-display set up in coffee shops or hotel rooms.

– A good pair of noise-cancelling earbuds is another “must-have,” adds Guglielminetti. “They help me focus in noisy places, take calls, record cleaner voice notes and listen back to audio while travelling.”

– Wearable tech, like smartwatches, can be useful to stay connected while on the go, as you simply need to glance at your wrist to review a calendar appointment or ask your virtual assistant, like Siri or Google Assistant, for quick language translation, train schedules, currency exchange questions, and more.

Article content

Recently released Meta Glasses are available in three frame styles and various colour options. Photo by Supplied /Meta

NEW META GLASSES TAKE CENTRE STAGE, TOO

One more consideration to stay on your game: smart glasses.

In partnership with EssilorLuxottica, Meta last week introduced new Meta Glasses (from $409) in three frame styles and colour options.

Not only do they look cool as eyeglasses or sunglasses (also compatible with prescription lenses), there are several fun applications, of course (like taking photos and videos, and streaming music and podcasts), and you can access an all-day Meta AI assistant to stay on top of your workload.

Whether you use your voice or tap a dedicated button to quickly invoke Meta AI, simply ask questions or give commands, to stay in the zone.

Recently released Meta Glasses are available in three frame styles and various colour options. Photo by Supplied /Meta

In fact, with the recent introduction of the “superintelligent” Muse Spark, the first AI model out of Meta Superintelligence Labs, Meta Glasses can deliver smarter answers on anything you ask, better manage your schedule, and even understand what you’re seeing through the glasses (like text or images).

Meta is adding support for 14 new languages to live translation – including Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, and Korean – so you can have real-time conversations anywhere.

Battery life tops eight hours between charges.

– Marc Saltzman is the host of the Tech It Out podcast and is the author of the book, Apple Watch For Dummies (Wiley)

Article content