Chances are that most people on your holiday gift list drive cars and also like cool gadgets. They go together, don't they? Even if the people on your list vary from hard-core auto enthusiasts to everyday commuters, these 10 tech-oriented apps, gadgets and games make for great stocking stuffers for a good boy or girl. And since they range in cost between $8 and $100, you'll find something to fit your budget.
Enjoy Your iTunes Two Ways
A lot of us like to bring our iPods or iPhones along for the ride, but not all vehicles can play the music from the popular portables through existing audio systems. The Griffin Technology iTrip DualConnect ($59.99) solves the problem in two ways and even provides a way to charge the devices. The iTrip DualConnect has a built-in FM transmitter to wirelessly send an iPod's music to a car radio, and if you have an iPhone, you can download the free iTrip Controller app and use it to automatically search for vacant FM frequencies. The iTrip DualConnect also comes with a cable that can connect to a car's auxiliary input, if you prefer this option to wireless play. Illuminated buttons control play, pause and track skip back and skip forward. The iTrip DualConnect plugs into a car's cigarette lighter for power and has a cable that in turn charges an iPod or iPhone.
Let There Be Light
Whether checking out mechanical problems, changing a flat tire or just warning other motorists of your presence on the roadside, a trusty light source is essential when you experience a breakdown. The Joby Gorillatorch Flare ($34.95) is smaller and more versatile than most flashlights and offers a super-bright white LED, three red LEDs and six light patterns. It also features flexible legs that can wrap around almost any object, and magnetic feet to cling to metal surfaces. The water- and shock-resistant Gorillatorch is powered by three AA batteries.
Give a Ferrari for Christmas
If you've got motorhead gamers on your list, surprise them with a genuine Ferrari this year — an official Ferrari gamepad, that is. Each of the four Thrustmaster Ferrari Game Pads ($40-$50) for PlayStation 3 and PC game systems offers two progressive-action programmable triggers and an optical wheel with auto centering. They also offer independent and measureable braking. The grip of this design has a peach-skin texture to keep a gamer's hands from cramping while putting the motor on opponents for hours on end.
Bluetooth Hands-Free Phoning Made Easy
If you want to talk on a cell phone while driving, you need hands-free operation. It is just the safest way to drive, not to mention the law in many states. Hands-free cell capability can be added to any vehicle by simply plugging Scosche's MotorMouth II ($79.99) into the aux-in jack and pairing the device with a Bluetooth phone. The MotorMouth II supports voice dialing for truer hands-free operation. It comes with an aux-in relocation cable in case the plug is in the center console, and a Y-type connector in case you also want to plug in your portable music player. The MotorMouth II also handles Bluetooth audio to wirelessly transmit music between a compatible phone and the device — and in turn to a car's stereo.
Cool Tool Light
If you work on cars, you know how hard it can be to get light exactly where you need it — in the tight quarters of an engine compartment, for instance. The Bossco Tool Flash Light ($7.99) can slide onto screwdrivers of various sizes (even powered ones), and its three LEDs shine light wherever the tool is pointed. It also has three strong magnets to help hold a tool in place. Three type-LR44 alkaline batteries power this cool work light.
Tweaking Tool for Geek Gearheads
If you have a gearhead on your holiday gift list who also happens to be a tech nerd, he'll be stoked to find the PLX Devices Kiwi Bluetooth ($99.95) in a holiday stocking. The device plugs into the onboard diagnostic (OBD II) port of any vehicle manufactured since 1996, then wirelessly sends such data as fuel-efficiency and engine-sensor info to a separate smartphone app. It can also be used as a check-engine scan tool or to create custom gauges. Just be prepared to find your favorite gearhead spending the rest of the holiday tweaking his ride, not playing nice with the family.
Dock Your Mobile Device on the Dash
Despite its appearance, the Bracketron MobileDock Dash Mount ($29.95) isn't a prop from Star Trek. This mount for smartphones and other portable electronics uses a flexible stick-and-grip material to stick a device to a dash or windshield without leaving any adhesive residue. An adjustable, swiveling socket allows the MobileDock to pivot and rotate for easy access to the screen and controls. It will keep you from having to hold your phone while driving, so both you and your device can live long and prosper.
Easily Figure Your Fuel Economy
If you know a Scrooge who likes to track fuel economy but doesn't have time to fuss with calculations or smartphone apps, the Lemur Econo Driver ($79.95) makes the process simple. After plugging a wireless sensor into a vehicle's OBD II port, all that's required is for you to enter the price of fuel at each fill-up. The Econo Driver does the rest by creating detailed trip reports and calculating total fuel efficiency and costs. It will display a rating (five green leaves) for particularly fuel-efficient driving and even display fuel economy in imperial or metric configurations. And since it fits on a keychain, there's no chance of forgetting it when you drive.
Get Satellite Radio in a Snap
Adding satellite radio to a car has never been easier than with the Sirius XM Snap ($49.99). Think of it as a Sirius XM receiver on a stick — or more specifically, a flexible stalk; it plugs into a car's cigarette lighter for power, then gets the satellite signal from an antenna with a magnetic mount. It's also supplied with a cable to connect to a car's aux-in jack if one is available and has a built-in FM transmitter in case it doesn't. Sirius XM Snap features a high-contrast display for viewing programming info, a rotary knob for changing channels and preset buttons for one-touch access to favorite stations. The Sirius XM Snap comes with a 30-day access pass to the satellite radio service and — if you order soon — a blue Sirius XM ball cap.
Charge It and See
It's always a good idea to keep a flashlight in the car for emergencies. Today's micro lights can easily fit in a glovebox, but it doesn't do any good if the batteries are dead. That's not an issue with the Stone River Gear Rechargeable Light ($24.95), which plugs into a car's cigarette lighter for juice and has a red light to indicate when it's fully charged. The light has a 10-year warranty and the LED bulb lasts an average of 50,000 hours — almost as long as a fruit cake.
