The scoop: BlackArmor PS 110 USB 3.0 Performance Kit, about $180, by Seagate.

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The scoop: TomTom car kit for iPhone, about $120, by TomTom. Separate application required for turn-by-turn navigation, which costs $59.99 through the iTunes Store.

What it is: This is a docking station for your iPhone that can mount to your car's windshield or dashboard for when you want to use the separate TomTom navigation app, or if you want to mount the iPhone on your windshield for hands-free calling, listening to music or to just use as a device recharger.

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The scoop: Universal Multi-Display Adapter, by Kensington, about $80

What it is: This tiny device lets you add an extra monitor to your PC system quickly and easily. Connect one end of the device to your monitor cable (DVI and VGA supported), and the other end to a USB port on the computer, and you're up and running. The system adds drivers automatically, giving you the extra monitor space.

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The scoop: Dualie, by Buffalo Technology, about $250 (available exclusively at the Apple Store).

What it is: The Dualie is a docking station for your iPhone or iPod that also contains a docking space for a 500GB portable hard drive, as well as some additional USB ports. The goal is to let users have one device that enables them connect a portable hard drive to their computer, and synchronize/recharge their iPhone or iPod at the same time. When connected to a Macintosh system, backups to the hard drive are done with Time Machine.

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The scoop: GXV3140 IP Multimedia Phone, by Grandstream Networks, about $250.

What it is: About the size of a standard office desk phone, the GXV3140 includes a tiny built-in Webcam (1.3 megapixel) and a 4.3-inch color display as well as your typical numeric keypad. Four-way navigation keys let you select menu items on the screen. Instead of connecting to a phone line, you connect through the Ethernet data port in your office (if you don't have a second port, you can use an additional Ethernet port on the phone as a passthrough to your desktop).

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The scoop: Litl Internet computer, by litl.com, about $700.

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The success of Apple's App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch has generated app stores from other smartphone makers, but the concept of downloadable applications that can be put onto a device has spread to other products. For example, Logitech's Squeezebox Radio lets users download additional "apps" that connect them to streaming media services such as Pandora and Slacker. Here are two more devices that recently announced some additional app downloads, expanding the value of the original device and allowing for flexibility in future features.

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The success of Apple's App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch has generated app stores from other smartphone makers, but the concept of downloadable applications that can be put onto a device has spread to other products. For example, Logitech's Squeezebox Radio lets users download additional "apps" that connect them to streaming media services such as Pandora and Slacker. Here are two more devices that recently announced some additional app downloads, expanding the value of the original device and allowing for flexibility in future features.

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I found some time away from producing this year's holiday gift guide to try out one of the hottest smartphones of the season.

The scoop: Motorola Droid smartphone (Verizon Wireless service), about $200 (with two-year agreement, plus $70 monthly voice/data service).

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The scoop: MPro120 Pocket Projector, by 3M, about $330 (buy.com).

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