Tech the Halls

Steve Greenberg, author of Gadget Nation: A Journey Through the Eccentric World of Invention, he has checked out electronic stores and websites to find gifts that your family and friends will love. You might just decide to buy something for yourself too. Steve notes that he found a website called www.buzzillions.com helpful in evaluating high-tech gifts. This site www.buzzillions.com ranks products based on the actual feedback of consumers who own the products; but the site does NOT sell products. "It's a terrific resource and I think it gives added information you need in deciding if the product is a gimmick or really a gadget they can use," Steve says.

iPod CONTROLLING SKI GLOVES--these gloves have a built in wireless control to your iPod; $150 at Hammacher

7" DIGITAL PHOTO FRAME with Built In Stereo Speakers, Alarm, Clock, Radios (under $100) great way to show photos, built in stereo speakers; $100 at CompUSA

MOTOZINE ZN5-- Kodak and Motorola have come together to make a camera-phone 5.0mp REAL camera and ability to upload pictures to EasyShare websites with any WiFi, plus Crystal Talk $100

GARMIN STREETPILOT c530 Automotive GPS vs. SONY NV-U73T 4.3'' Portable Navigation System. Both are around $250 and are sold at Best Buy, Sears, Kmart and other stores..

BLUEANT BLUETOOTH SPEAKERPHONE– Turn your visor into wireless speakerphone for your cell phone $100 at Best Buy, RadioShack, Kmart, Sears

PURE DIGITAL FLIP VIDEO 60-minute Camcorder--super easy to use; $110

EASY-BLOOM--stick in dirt for 24hours, then stick USB into computer and it tells you what plants grow best in that environment; $60 from www.lawnandgardenwv.com

ROLL-UP KEYBOARD--make your own music with this roll up keyboard; $80 at Hammacher

ELMO LIVE--Elmo is always a hot item--this one is no exception; $65 at ToysRUs, KB Toys and other stores

For more information, visit Steve's Blog at www.gadgetnation.net