GPS devices on the move

Making a splash as honing gadgets in spy movies, GPS (Global Positioning System) devices are now practical and make for pretty cool gifts. Axion’s Geo-320 GPS navigation system — when plopped on a car’s dashboard — barks out directions to drivers, while TeleNav’s GPS Navigator service for smartphones voices directions to pedestrians.

Despite the rise of GPS, atlases will remain, and it’s good to have Brookstone’s affordable Map Light to view paper maps at night. An über cool gift could be Hammacher Schlemmer and Co.’s LP-to-MP3 Converter, which converts songs from LPs to digitized MP3 files. But, first find people who own LPs.

GPS for drivers

For people who love to take wrong turns, a GPS system is a no-brainer as a gift idea. Axion has added the compact Geo-632 GPS system to its nifty array of in-car entertainment devices. The GPS system is real eye candy, and offers 2D and 3D viewing of preloaded maps on its 3.5-inch touch screen, voicing out directions. Like most GPS devices, it also has a listing of restaurants, hotels, gas stations, banks, and other tourist destinations. A lithium-ion battery operates the GPS unit for eight to 10 hours.

It also has a Secure Digital flash memory card slot to load map updates. Map updates will be provided free at their Web site , said Jesse Lee, product engineer at Axion. As an add-on, the portable GPS unit can play MP3 files and view JPEG image files, allowing users to share music and images, said Joanna Zhang, an Axion spokeswoman. The $349.99 unit became available in the U.S. in November.

GPS for pedestrians

GPS systems can also be used by lost pedestrians. TeleNav’s GPS Navigator software loads on to a smartphone and gives a 3D view of maps, with voice and on-screen directions. It provides directions to more than 10 million business listings in the U.S., including Wi-Fi hotspots and tourist destinations.

The system can also be used in cars, and as an added bonus, its “fuel finder” locates spots with the lowest gas prices. However, maps on a smartphone’s LCD (liquid crystal display) screen may be too tiny for a driver’s comfort.

The service works on smartphones with most U.S. mobile service providers . Alltel recently launched the TeleNav GPS wireless service in the U.S. for $9.99 a month, and it works on Research In Motion’s BlackBerry 8703e and Samsung Electronics’ u520 smartphones. For $2.99, a one-time use service is vailable, which works only on Samsung u520 phones.

The beat goes on

After an LP to CD recorder, Hammacher Schlemmer has introduced the LP to MP3 Converter right in time for the holiday season. The turntable plugs to a computer via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, where it digitizes LP audio files. It helps save out-of-print music and spoken-word recordings on LPs to a more reliable digital format, according to the company. The software included removes scratches, hisses, and pops usually heard from LPs. The $169.95 systems also works as a stand-alone LP player, connecting to a stereo system via an RCA output.

Change your wireless TV headset

Sharper Image Inc. is offering Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Headphones , which allows users to wirelessly listen to a TV, iPod, stereo — anything with a headphone jack — from up to 30 feet away. It comes with two pieces — a wireless headset and a receiver. The Bluetooth receiver plugs into the headphone jack and the headset connects to the receiver, getting the sound wirelessly. This $99.95 Bluetooth headset could be an excellent alternative to traditional RF wireless headsets, known to be unreliable in coverage and performance.