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PDAStreet.com > Features > Holiday Gift Guide: Part 1 - Accessories & Software Holiday Gift Guide: Part 1 - Accessories & Software
By Troy Dreier
Many of the friends, family and associates on your gift list own a PDA, smartphone or feature phone. Although these devices are small, there are an enormous number of accessories and applications at every conceivable price point from which to choose an excellent present this holiday season.
In Part 1 of this year's Holiday Gift Guide, we recommend a number of these items and point you in the right direction to obtain them. With Part II - next week - we'll recommend full-fledged PDAs and smartphones, some of which won't break the bank and others for those where cost is no object. Pocket PCs/Windows Mobile
Memory cards: It might not be the most imaginative gift, but an extra Compact Flash or Secure Digital (SD)card is sure to be appreciated. Give someone a memory card and you're actually letting them carry more files, songs, or games than they could before, and that can be a lifesaver. Cards are easy to find at any computer or electronics store and come in a wide range of storage amounts and prices.
Screen Protectors: Inexpensive and always useful, packs of screen protectors make handy token gifts for when you need to buy a coworker a little something. Check out the packs from VSPS.com, which cost only $4.00 for a pack of 10. Pen or Stylus: A pen or a stylus is a great gift, since most PDA users stick with the plastic stylus that comes with their devices. They come in a range of prices, so you can pick either a bargain model or a luxury executive version.
Some of our favorites include the Infiniter XP-works as a pen, stylus, laser pointer, and flashlight-and also the PenAgain-an ideal ergonomic choice for people who have difficulty holding a stylus. It comes in either pen or stylus versions. If you really want to make an impression, go with the Rotring Initial Data, a elegant, classic fountain pen that includes a stylus.
Cases: Don't let your favorite handheld user stick with the lousy case that came with his or her device: help them upgrade to a better one. E&B Cases has a variety of great styles for every device. You can select from simple cases with belt clips all the way to executive leather models that have room for notes and business cards.
Electrical Converters: Frequent flyers will appreciate a nice kit of electrical converters, so they'll know that wherever they roam, they'll be able to power up their PDA (and laptop and cell phone). Look to the kits at Le Travel Store for a nice variety with something for any budget.
Palm Platform Devices
Veo SD Photo Traveler: Palm organizers can do a lot, but few of them have a built-in camera. With the Photo Traveler ($129), your recipient can take photos with certian Palm handheld models with an SD slot. All he or she needs to do is pop the camera into the SD slot and start shooting. The attachment is so small, that's its easy to keep on hand in a purse or briefcase. (Veo is also available for Pocket PCs.)
 Veo
Cases: Do you know a Palm user who's risking scratches by carrying their Palm without a case? Then you've got the opportunity to give them a gift they'll use every day. We like the elegance and simplicity of the
leather Book Case , but if your recipient is a true organization freak, then they'll appreciate the comprehensiveness of the
T5 Folio which has room for pads of paper, pens, business cards, and more.
Keyboard: Turn a Palm into a notebook in one simple, affordable step: plug in a keyboard. Then you can type documents on planes, quickly answer e-mail from hotel rooms, and give that stylus a rest for a while.
Palm.com sells them for most models for around $70.
GPS Navigator: A Palm becomes a perfect driving companion with the GPS Navigator , which provides full-color maps for the US and Canada, letting your frequent traveler know how to get where they're going every step of the way. The system also gives you voice-guided directions, so that your recipient doesn't need to keep looking away from the road.
Noise-canceling headphones: This is an ideal gift of someone who owns a Palm LifeDrive and travels frequently. A pair of noise-canceling headphones will let him or her enjoy songs as they were meant to sound, without any disturbing airplane engine noise. Look to our recent round up to find a good pair. We uncovered winners at every price level.
Software: You can give the gift of software in two ways. Either go to Palm's site and select an expansion card program that you can wrap up and give, or go to the popular site Handango and buy a gift certificate . Buying an expansion card program means you know exactly what you're getting, but a gift certificate lets the recipient decide.
SmartphonesCases: We're crazy about Marware's iPod cases, and we were happy to discover they make two cell phone cases, as well. Check out the product page here. One model is specifically meant for Palm Treos ($25), while the other, the C.E.O. Elite ($20, comes in three sizes and can fit a wide range of smartphones or standard cell phones.
Treo TripKit: Nothing could be better for the traveling Treo 650 user than this TripKit, which provides everything the frequent business flyer could ask for and bundles it in a handsome leather package. It includes a lambskin case with magnetic closure, a Bluetooth headset, a car charger, an extra battery, a stylus pen, and an international travel charger.
BlackBerries
Cases: That BlackBerry doesn't have to be black. The official BlackBerry store carries cases in a rainbow of
pastel shades , to help your wireless companion show its softer side.
Software:That BlackBerry is good for more than just e-mail. Give your favorite CrackBerry addict a gift certificate to Handango, which carries a huge assortment of downloads for the BlackBerry.
N-Gages
Games, Games, Games: The N-Gage QD is really a portable game machine with a phone attached, so there's only one thing to get dedicated N-Gage users: more games. They can be hard to find in stores, so look to this official site to get your fill. The site is currently offering three-game bundles for a discounted price. A three pack of sports games, including FIFA 2004, NCAA 2004, and Tiger Woods 2004 costs only $39.99.
Other Devices A case, extra memory, a gift certificate for new software, etc. would surely bring a smile to the faces of owners of these devices as well. For additional gift ideas, check out our extremely popular forums. At the PDAStreet and SmartPhoneToday message boards, handheld users of all levels discuss the latest gadgets, software and accessories. Related Links:
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