(Source: McClatchy/Tribune)
Holiday shopping is in full swing, and now that all the doorbusters have been had, here's a sampling of items that may help cut down shopping time. All the prices are listed as MSRP, so do some shopping around and you're sure to find 'em a whole lot cheaper.
Kensington Mini Battery Pack and Charger for iPhone and iPod
Your iPods or iPhones might be great, but it's useless without power. This pocket-sized device solves that problem: Users can expect to extend their device's playtime for about 30 hours of music, three hours of iPhone talk time or six hours of video playing.
A battery meter on the front of the charger warns users of how much power remains before the extra battery itself must be charged. An included USB cable can be used to charge your device as it charges the battery pack.
Details: www.kensington.com, $49.99
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LapOffice from Memorex
Keeping that laptop in your lap can be a little uncomfortable hot legs aside. To the rescue: the very comfortable LapOffice. The unit acts as a lap desk, with a quilted design to promote better airflow and prevent your legs from overheating. And it's kind to more than your thighs: A wrist rest on the front end makes typing more comfortable, too.
Details: www.memorex.com, $34.99, available in mocha brown and cream
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Duracell DAYLITE Led Flashlight
Most people think of the copper-top company as just a battery maker, but Duracell makes much more than that. Its products include this flashlight, which gives users a heavy-duty unit along with brighter light. The light was designed and developed with Duracell's patented TrueBeam technology, which the company says "captures, focuses and projects more light then the typical and current LED and bulb technologies in flashlights."
With the TrueBeam technology, the unit uses a lens and a reflector to capture and project the light resulting in a brighter, white beam of light.
Details: www.duracell.com, $34.99
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Griffin Technology Inc., iTrip Universal
This is the newest addition to Griffin's never-ending lineup of iPod accessories, although this device will work with most any portable audio player.
Simply plug the iTrip into the player's common [-inch (3.5mm) headphone jack. With a quick set-up, you can find an FM frequency open in your area for broadcast on a home or car stereo. A lithium-ion battery is built into the device and can be charged with any USB port, thus eliminating the need to constantly replace batteries.
As many as three programmable presets can be saved for the best reception in different areas for quick access at any time, and are viewed on a backlit LCD screen.
Details: www.griffintechnology.com, $39.99
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IOGEAR 12-in-1 and 56-in-1 Memory Cards Reader/Writers
Digital cameras have been a big hit as gifts, but getting the images from the camera to a computer is still a challenge for many. These devices from IOGEAR should solve that problem.
The 12-in-1, which measures just 2.5 inches long and less than one inch deep, will support digital memory cards in the SD, Micro SD, Mini SD, MMC, Memory Stick and MS Duo formats. These are found in many pocket-sized digital cameras and cell phones with removable memory cards.
If the 12-in-1 does not support your card, then the 56-in-1 is for sure your solution to transfer data to and from devices including multiple digital camera memory card formats, camcorders, GPS units and PDAs. Both readers plug directly into USB ports for an easy download or transfer.
