Spot Connect
When you're (way) off the grid and need to check in with family, call for some anti-venom, or just update your Facebook status, make sure you're packing the Spot Connect ($170 + $100 year). This small, waterproof brick pairs with your smartphone to hook you into the Globalstar satellite network so you can send messages and GPS coordinates from just about anywhere on Earth. It currently only works with Android-powered phones, but support for other devices is coming later this year.