Personal Tech Guide 24

Dish On This
OK, you've DVR'd that show that you didn't want to miss. Now comes the tricky part: finding time to watch it. Why not transfer it to a Pocketdish AV700E from Dish Network and watch it anytime, anywhere? The $599 portable multimedia device holds up to 40 hours of Dish Network content, as well as thousands of digital music files and photos, and you can download games. Sounds like a pocketful of fun.

No Naked Nanos
No iPod nano should be without a fashionable exterior. If your nano is naked, treat it to a Fling case from Digital Lifestyle Outfitters. These $30 cushioned leather cases provide scratch protection and a flip-up cover. Some models come with wrist straps and cosmetic mirrors. Now that's stylin'.

Latest In Sound
DJs and audiophiles can look for a new import this year. Audio-Technica is bringing stateside a 15-model series of headphones, previously available only in Japan. All of the models, which run from $119 to $329, combine the latest in comfort, style, and transducer technology.

Sweet Dreams
Turn that guest room into the home theater of your dreams. Fortress Seating's Deco sofa bed with removable arm rests lets you have both. When not accommodating a sleeping guest, the $3,500 sofa provides theater-caliber seating for three, complete with ergonomic support and, oh yes, cup holders.

Juice To Go
Lithium House's iCeL devices provide portable power while simultaneously charging the battery of your iPod, laptop, cell phone, or other electronic paraphernalia. You can enjoy up to 200 hours of battery life, depending on the iCeL model; prices range from $99 to $199. Did someone say road trip?

Mini Movies
Cowon Systems' A2 portable media player is like having a home-theater system in your palm. With a built-in hard drive, stereo speaker, and 4-inch LCD screen, you can download, store, and enjoy an entire season of your favorite TV show, all for just $449.

Play It Safe
Video games just got a whole lot safer. Sony will add parental controls to its much-anticipated PlayStation 3 video-game console, slated to hit store shelves in the spring. The controls will restrict kids' access to violent and otherwise unsavory games. This is one Big Brother parents can count on.

Super Sound
The SurroundWorks 200 home-theater system from Cambridge SoundWorks gives you 225 watts of window-shaking power without having speakers wired all over the room. The $999 system uses one main speaker, a subwoofer, and a DVD/AM/FM-control unit to provide enough sound to make your neighbors want to join the party--or call 911.

Lost And Found
For the unadventurous traveler, consider Garmin's Quest 2 GPS unit. This handy little navigational aide, which is priced from $520 to $750, comes preloaded with road maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Expanded reviews at informationweek.personaltechpipeline.com