Tim's Stocking Stuffer Suggestions

The nice thing about handheld computing is that it doesn’t take up a lot of room nor do the associated accessories and peripherals. Accordingly, you can get a lot of cool gadgets in a Christmas stocking. Here are some suggestions for stocking stuffers for the handheld enthusiast. If you happen to be the enthusiast, then you can consider this a hint list for Santa Claus. And the TreoCentral Store is the perfect one-stop-shop with toys galore to please any pocket pal packer.

Slingbox

$179, for 700w|wx and 750v

It will barely fit, and you will have to take it out of the box, but at the top of my list is a Slingbox that will allow you to watch your home TV output over the Internet on your desktop/laptop/Tablet PC/Pocket PC/Smartphone. You can even watch programs recorded on your DVR and control it from afar. It will only work on Windows Mobile 5 Treos. When you download the software, which costs an additional $29, be certain to download the Pocket PC version, not the Smartphone version because Treos are Pocket PCs, not Smartphones.

Cases

Prices vary, for all Treos

You have a considerable investment in your pocket pal, and you should protect it with a case. The TreoCentral Store has more cases than the Supreme Court, and they come in more flavors than Baskin Robbins. You can get cases made of leather, aluminum, titanium, plastic, nylon, and silicone. You can get them in wallet, flip, belt clip, full body styles. You can get pouches, organizers, and holsters. They come in an array of colors to satisfy the fashion conscious. Now you wouldn’t want to wear the same suit every day would you? So, why not equip your faithful companion with some new armor? Dress him up for special occasions.

As long as we’re armoring our Treos, don’t forget to put screen protectors on your list to preserve that touch sensitive screen from scratches and abrasions. You don’t want to have to ask for a new screen; they’re pricey. It’s far cheaper to buy a little insurance.

Battery Cover with Reset Hole

$9.95, for 650s and 700-series Treos

I’ll never understand why Treo battery covers don’t come with a reset hole, but for ten bucks you can buy one with a hole at the TreoCentral Store.

Memory Cards

Prices vary, for all Treos

We could all probably use some additional memory and so can your Treo, especially if you like to listen to music and watch videos or cache a lot of data. Memory keeps getting cheaper and the media to store it keep getting smaller. You can get expansion cards from 34 MB to 16 GB costing from $25 to over $1000.

There are many styles to choose from as well. Check out the SD/USB combo cards that slip into your Treo, fold in the middle, and fit into any USB slot. There are combo SD cards that act as caddies to accommodate either mini-SD cards or micro-SD cards.

If your mother ship computer doesn’t have a card slot and you decide against the combo card, consider asking Santa for a USB external card reader. They're much faster at moving data than doing it through the Treo's sync.

Cradles

$19.95 - $39.95, for all Treos

If you don’t already have a cradle, you will appreciate the convenience of using a cradle for syncing, charging a spare battery (with the Palm Cradle Kit), and acting as a stand for easy viewing of your Treo.

...And as long as you're setting a Treo up for desktop use, a nice set of speakers isn't a bad idea either. As you know, you can use your multi-functional Treo to listen to music and audiobooks, watch TV, and talk on the phone. There are many solutions for enhancing the sound of your mobile device. If you want to project the sound, I highly recommend the new NXT flat panel technology speaker system from Logitech for about $69 available at most big-box stores.

Retractable Charge/Sync Cable

$12.95, for 650, 680, 700-series, and the 750v.

For the really mobile road warriors out there, check out the retractable sync and charge cable that plugs into a USB port. You can leave a lot of wires and weight behind with one of these in your pocket.

Bluetooth Headset: Motorola H500

$44, for 650, 680, 700-series, and 750v

You will be a safer driver with a wireless Bluetooth headset. Consider the tiny Motorola H500 Bluetooth headset that fits snugly over your ear and allows hands free cell phone conversations.

Bluetooth Stereo Headset: Plantronics 590A

$129.95, for Treo 750v (or PalmOS Treos utilizing Softtick Audio Gateway). Will also work with all Treos when using bundled adapter.

The only problem with a headset is that you cannot use it to listen to recorded sounds. How about a nice set of wireless Bluetooth headphones that give you great stereo sound and let you talk on the phone too? There are many brands available. Just make sure they will work with your particular device. Actually, the set that I have found to work best with Treos is the Plantronics Pulsar 590A, which comes with an adapter that will allow you to connect to any Bluetooth enabled device. When the phone rings, the music stops automatically and continues when you have finished your phone conversation. Just imagine eliminating those pesky, tangling, dangling earplug wires.

Motorola T305 Car Kit

$79.95, for 650, 680, 700-series, and 750v

A good car kit will make you a safer driver too. A car kit is an external speaker that connects wirelessly via Bluetooth to your cell phone and turns on and off automatically when you send or receive a call. Motorola is the king of car kits, but the TreoCentral Store has a whole host of choices for you.

FM Modulator

$39.95, for all Treos

Another way to project your recorded tunes is with an FM MP3 modulator available in the TreoCentral store. You tune it to an unused FM station on our car radio, connect it to your Treo, and you can broadcast music over your car speaker system. You can do the same thing with your home stereo system.

Thinkoutside iGo Bluetooth Keyboard

$99.95. for 650, 680, 700-series, and 750v

If you are serious about increasing your mobility, dumping your laptop, and losing 25 pounds or so, you will want a portable Bluetooth keyboard. The best one in my opinion is from iGo and costs $129. Consider an iGo Bluetooth mouse as well. Another possibility is the amazing, new rollup fabric Bluetooth keyboard from JustMobile for $149 available from Expansys and MobilePlanet online.

Co-Pilot Live

$299.95, for Windows Mobile Treos, 700w|wx and 750v

I can’t imagine life without GPS and would certainly welcome a GPS setup in my stocking. The one I recommend is Co-Pilot Live that comes with an SD/mini-SD adapter card pre-loaded with maps of U.S. and Canada that will fit into Pocket PCs and Smartphones. It's $299, including the GPS satellite receiver. You’ll have to take this one out of the box and stuff all the components in a stocking and you'd be well-guided to do so (excuse the pun). Through an online connection, this program will alert you to traffic hazards ahead and reroute you. It will also allow others to track your progress online, if you wish.

Socket Wi-Fi Card

$99.95, for 700w|wx

Unfortunately Treos do not come with built-in Wi-Fi, but that way you are not limited to a slower technology and can take advantage of faster new configurations when they become available. Accordingly, you should put a new 802.11g card on your list that’s ever so much faster than its 802.11b precursor.

Styli

I think a stylus should be tethered to its master so it doesn’t get lost. It never hurts to have a spare and a backup. Take a look at the various stylus packs available in the TreoCentral Store. Check out the dual function pen styli if you still use paper and need a handy pen.

Happy Holidays and keep connected.

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