Thursday, December 01, 2005

You’ll want to inspect these gadgets

Datebooks and diaries are old school. This holiday season, people are begging for PDAs or a new iPod - and we’ve found great gadget goodies for those gizmos with flair to spare.
Leading the pack with its decorative line of protective laptop and iPod cases is Incase, sold at Apple Stores and online at http://store.apple.com. Incase’s latest collection, called ”Suit,” is tailored in a classic pinstripe design for sophisticated safekeeping.


Check out this ”Suit” tote bag with a separate padded case, $200; the iPod wallet, $60; and Incase’s iPod journal, $75, to hold your music source, earpieces, money and credit cards. What else do you need in life?
Well, maybe you need playful iPod protection such as this Tricera Dinopod Case by Incase. These whimsical holders, $30 from the Apple Store or at http://store.apple.com, come in many colors and dinosaur combinations.
No matter how much you protect these fabulous doodads, eventually their batteries get tired. Fear not. The Solar iPod and phone charger, $99-$119 from the Red Envelope catalog or www.redenvelope.com, is small and lightweight with three sun-capturing wings. This tool utilizes Better Energy Systems’ Solio and is weatherproof and portable;it collects solar energy anywhere the sun is shining. This version includes a cable for use with iPod Mini, iPod Photo and other newer versions; an adapter kit for use with mobile phones is available separately.
The Boys Wild Planet Wired for Sound hoodie fleece, $34.50 from Target, never gets tripped up by aggravating cords - this cozy jacket has headphones built into the hood and a controller in the arm for sound on the go.
Less complicated but just as handy is the Cordster, $5 at www.cordster.com