Top Must-Have Travel Gadgets 2009 - Bon Voyage!

These are your simple tourists who just want to get out of the country to relax, see and experience new things and absorb foreign culture. They just want a fuss-free holiday and therefore love tour packages because everything is arranged and catered for. The more discerning amongst them, however, might opt for free and easy packages. They love gadgets that can help them preserve memories of the trip, but nothing too fancy or complicated.

For Macheads who cannot bear to be separated from their MacBooks, even on holidays, here is the extremely handy Apple World Travel Adapter Kit. This kit allows you to swap your MacBook's adapter so that it will work with the power sockets in almost any country you may travel to. It can even be used with your iPod and iPhone chargers.

Price: S$58

Family vacations require proper planning and if you have reared a family of gadget geeks, you'll need a Belkin Mini Surge Protector to expand the limited number of power outlets in your hotel room. Besides the three AC outlets, it also comes with two charging USB ports so charging your mobile phone and other USB devices using it is a breeze. And for greater peace of mind, there's the surge protection provided.

Price: US$25

The Panasonic LUMIX FX65 is the perfect digital compact camera for the traveller on the go: small enough to comfortably carry without weighing you down, and easy enough to use with its Intelligent Auto mode. Its 25mm lens means you can shoot wider landscapes and capture more in tight corners. Its Power O.I.S. image stabilizer promises to compensate for twice the handshake compared to previous models so you can shoot in low-light without tripods and without worry. Together with high-speed auto-focus and face recognition, it'll make sure you always have the right person in focus. The FX65 even records HD 720p video so you can always revisit your vacation in high-definition.

Price: TBA; Coming Soon!

If you aren't into anything complicated, the Sony Ericsson Cyber-shot is all about simplicity. Equipped with a 5-megapixel camera and its Face Detection feature, geotag your pictures and tell a tale with the C903. Share your journeys on Facebook with the integrated app, and your journey to the lands from beyond will be complete.

Price: S$698

We know that mobile phones these days can double up as a media player as well. When you're out and about, however, you'd probably want to conserve as much of your phone's battery juice as you can. Sony's Walkman NWZ-B142F MP3 player would fit the bill if you're looking for a musical companion. Small, chic, and light, the B142 comes with Sony's new ZAPPIN function which allows you to track down songs in no time. Fitted with a 2GB capacity, the Walkman also touts Sony's QuickCharge feature and offers a FM Tuner and Voice Recording perks as well.

Price: TBA; Coming Soon!

Folks on the road will love the ease and appeal of transferring their photos painlessly to either their computers or online image hosts via the Eye-Fi SD card. Your camera easily turns into a wireless device thanks to the built-in wireless capabilities of the Eye-Fi SD card, which can automatically transfer the images when in range of a wireless network. Now you have no excuse not to share your road trip pictures immediately to your busybody friends.

US$49.99 (2GB model)

Can't decide on what to eat? Don't trust the reviews in magazines that the dodgy concierge passed you when you were checking into the hotel? Then get the Local Picks out and take your pick out of over 400,000 restaurants with over 1.5 million REAL reviews to read from people like you and me so you can be assured of a good meal.

Price: Free for iPhone and iPod Touch

Mostly likely petrolheads in disguise, these holiday-goers are willing to go the distance as long as they are the ones behind the wheels. They love driving and consider it part of the holiday, and as such no destination is too far. The only question is how to get there? As such, GPS navigation devices are critical. But while the designated driver is busy chomping down the miles, the passengers too need some form of entertainment, and this is where gadgets like portable media players come in handy. Here are some top recommendations for this troupe.

For drives up North, a personal GPS navigation device is a must, and few can match the features that the Holux GPSmile 62 provides. The Holux GPSmile 62 comes preloaded with maps of Singapore and Malaysia and has helpful features like Reality Junction View to help drivers take the correct expressway exit. It also has a powerful search function, which will help you locate that hotel of yours.

Price: S$399

With the likes of Garmin, a leading brand in GPS navigation devices providing the know-how and experience behind the nuvifone G60, it's a given that this smartphone will never be at a loss for directions. A full-touchscreen device with anti-glare makes it great when map hunting under the afternoon sun while the intuitive interface makes it easy to use as a GPS navigator. Not forgetting its smartphone features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, all built on top of a custom operating system. Together with a bundled car kit, the nuvifone G60 is a GPS navigator with the trappings of a smartphone.

Price: TBA

Waterproof, shockproof and freeze-proof, the Olympus Mju TOUGH 6010 is the digital compact camera for the rugged traveller who needs something to keep up. Waterproof up to 3 metres, you can use this camera to safely take pictures of yourself beside the pool, river and sea. Being shockproof up to 1.5 metres means it can stand up to the rough and tumble life, whether you're camping in the great outdoors or taking a bumpy ride through the mountains. And since it can stand temperatures up to -10 degrees Celsius, you won't have to worry about it freezing in snow cold weather.

Price: S$498

When you're taking a break from the driver's seat, it's time to indulge in some movie moments with the iRiver P7 portable media player. The iRiver P7 is well-suited for those who wish to enjoy some movie time on the road with its 4.3-inch screen. Strap on more with its expandable microSD memory to store all the movies and music, and you're all set for the long road trip that awaits.

Price: S$299 (8GB), S$399 (16GB)

Ruggedized phones aren't very pretty in most cases. Well, Nokia is looking to flip that perception with the 3720 Classic if you're looking for a stylish piece for the road. Besides its sleek looks, this mobile talk-piece is water, dust and shock resistant as well. Fashioned with durable materials in a range of colors, you need not worry about drops and tumbles anymore while you're on the move. Expect to find a 2.2-inch screen, Bluetooth and a 1GB microSD card.

Price: US$175

If you have the cash, and the need for a decent, rugged and reliable notebook for those rough journeys, look no further than the Panasonic ToughBook CF-F8. With its unique handle design and lightweight appeal of just 1.67kg, the CF-F8 is a notebook to behold with its elegant design. Lastly, if it so happens you're one of the clumsier folks around, well, this notebook will survive most drops without even blinking. After all, it's not called a "ToughBook" for naught, aye?

Price: S$3644

Instead of asking "Are We There Yet?" and bugging the hell out of your folks and friends, kill the time by playing games that have been made especially for road trips. For example in the game "Name That Tune", you have to hum/sing/whistle while your mates try to guess the name. Points are then awarded and it continues till a winner emerges.

Price: US$0.99 for iPhone and iPod Touch

For these travelers, it's all about the bottom line - how much they spend, and what can they save. They have a tight budget and are always finding ways to optimize costs. Therefore, high megapixel count cameras are unnecessary as are HD camcorders and ultra-light aluminum, carbon fiber notebooks. Their mantra to traveling is best represented by the song "The Bare Necessities" as sung by Baloo the bear from the Jungle Book.

For folks heading to the Japanese megapolis that is Tokyo, this iPhone app will come in handy. The app is a database of all free WiFi zones in and around Central Tokyo. With this, you can now find free WiFi zones to quickly check your email, update your Facebook status or even consult Google Maps to find out how to get to your next destination. The app also allows you to report undocumented free WiFi spots to share with other app users or for future use.

Price: US$2.99 for iPhone & iPod Touch

When you're on a budget, Creative's handy pocket video camera, the Vado, should be on the shortlist. Weighing less than 100 grams, this device is suitable for video bloggers looking to put their latest travel escapades online at minimum cost. The interface is basic but simple to use with all the buttons within convenient reach when snugly fitted in our hand. The video quality is nothing to shout about, though it's great for low-resolution work. Besides, you won't feel the pain if by chance it gets thrashed or lost on your next backpacking trip.

Price: S$169 - 2GB version

Combining price and quality, the Canon PowerShot A480 is the perfect camera companion for the budget backpacker who needs to get the most bang for his buck. With a 10MP sensor, 3x optical zoom and face detection technology, the PowerShot A480 delivers quality performance with ease of use in a compact body. Super Macro helps you get the super close-ups of all the exotic and delicious food you'll be eating on your travels, and running on dual AA batteries means you won't ever have to worry about finding a charger in that backpacker's hostel.

Price: S$199

The good things in life can be free, such as Nokia Maps 3.0. With it, you can download maps for any countries, for free, onto your Nokia device. This means you'll never find yourself feeling lost, thanks to the 3D landmarks that you can identify with. Make full use of the Walk mode, and get to your destination without making the wrong turns. Plan your route on http://maps.ovi.com, synchronize it to your Nokia device and Nokia Maps 3.0 over-the-air, and you're all set for your hike into a brave new country.

Price: Free

Active noise-cancelling headphones may be a godsend when you're travelling, but having to deal with their batteries and bulk isn't ideal in every instance. If you want to travel light and free, Altec Lansing has just about the next best alternative for you. The Muzx MHP-136 In-ears contains a pair of powerful 9mm neodymium speakers packed within a natural and stylish hardwood casement. With its comfortable SnugFit buds, you can be assured to keep a good deal of noise out while bobbing to your favourite beat.

Price: S$49

What's not to like about the X-mini II Capsule Speaker? It's small, it's light and by all that's holy, it delivers impressive sound that's more than enough to blow you away. Once properly deployed with its resonator extended, the tiny speaker delivers rich audio ouput with a nice warm tone. Most impressive however, is the amount of bass this unit delivers despite its small size. The built-in rechargeable battery makes for easy traveling - as all you need is just one mini-usb cable and you can be assured of constant solid party music no matter where you lug that heavy backpack around.

Price: S$49

Any self-respecting backpacker knows that he needs to have a checklist in order to prepare himself for the trip that is in his horizons. With this app, you get to mark down what you're going to bring, what's already packed and so much more. Like the saying goes, it's better to be prepared than not prepared at all, or something like that.

Price: US$0.99 for iPhone and iPod Touch

Looking for a dependable netbook to accompany on your trips? Look no further than the trustworthy MSI Wind U120. The Wind U120 has a 10-inch screen and is equipped with 1.6Ghz Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB of memory and a sizable 160GB hard disk, which is perfect for storing photos. What's more, at a mere 1.1kg, the Wind U120 is so light you'd hardly notice carrying it.

Price: US$379

Like budget backpackers, business travelers are concerned with the bottom line too, but in a different way - how much money they can make. And as the old saying goes, time is money, and these travelers have no time for fancy-smancy gadgets. However, they are ever-ready to focus upon gadgets that enhance their business travel needs which are direct, plain and simple to use. Along the way, they don't mind splashing the cash for a little of life's pleasures to make the trip more bearable.

Corporate bigwigs who find the incessant droning of a plane's engines a nuisance will be delighted at the Bose QuietComfort 3. The QuietComfort 3 boasts Acoustic Noise Canceling technology that identifies and reduces ambient noise while retaining the top notch audio quality that we've come to expect from Bose products. What's more, you can also choose to use it to help you sleep by simply turning on the noise cancelation feature and not play any music.

Price: S$699

Last minute changes in travel plans may necessitate having to locate hotels upon reaching your destination city. That's when the Simultravel GPS Lite comes in handy. It is an iPhone application that lists the nearest hotels around your location including their rates and directions. Users can then contact an agent directly through the application to book the desired accommodations immediately. Best of all, it's free!

Price: Free

With power performance in an exquisite body, the Canon PowerShot SX200 IS digital compact camera radiates executive sophistication. Smart Auto intelligently selects the best settings for each scene ensuring you'll always get the perfect shot. The wide-angle lens gets you wider landscapes while the 12x optical zoom in this amazingly compact body gets you shooting further than anyone around you. Featuring power-packed video capture as well, the PowerShot SX200 IS shoots high-definition 720p video.

Price: S$649

Work is important, but so is getting yourself to that next conference in the next continent. So do yourself a favor and be prepared with the HTC Touch Cruise. Armed with a Qualcomm 528Mhz processor and a modest 2.8-inch QVGA screen, the Touch Cruise is ready for the business executive with its suite of office software. Updated with the new HTC Footprints that geotags images and integrates itself into the bundled Papago navigation software, this Windows Mobile device will work as hard as its master when you're on the move.

Price: S$858

Looking for a sleek yet functional business notebook? Your timing's just right for Samsung has something sexy for you. The 14.1-inch X460 measures a mere 32mm at its thickest point, and is by no means an average go-getter with an Intel Core 2 Duo P7450 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce Go 9200M GPU. Other than its enduring 6-cell battery, the X460 also comes with Samsung's Pebble keyboard designed with a low profile and well spaced-out keys to ease your typing woes.

Price: S$2,099

Business users with an eye for elegance and a need for a constant companion will appreciate the Lenovo ThinkPad T400s. The sleek, slim and sexy form factor does wonders for your business image while never worrying about not being able to stay connected thanks to the built-in 3G modem. Lenovo has also included a suite of ThinkVantage software to safeguard your data while the notebook itself is rugged enough to survive constant handling. What's not to like about this notebook?

Price: From US$1500

Nicknamed the 'Swiss Army Knife of Apps for the business traveler', World Mate has finally made its long-awaited appearance on the iPhone platform. This app pushes the boundaries in how much an app can do for the user with features such as an itinerary manager, real-time flight status, tip calculator, currency converter, weather forecasts, world clock and more.

Price: US$9.99

These travelers are the most hardcore of them all. They go all-out to make sure their holiday is a truly memorable one. Think exotic locations like Namibia, Madagascar or the Bahamas and over-the-top hotels like the Burj Al-Arab in Dubai or The Plaza Hotel in New York City. To complement their unique and usually extravagant holidays, these travelers demand the absolute best gadgets, no expenses spared.

Photography enthusiasts wishing to capture their memories in stunning detail and clarity will be happy to know that they have the Nikon D3x to turn to. The full-frame DSLR boasts a 24.5-megapixel shooting resolution and shoots with pleasing tonality and amazing contrasts that rivals that of medium-format cameras. If you have the money to splash, the Nikon D3x will certainly not disappoint.

Price: S$13,888 (body only)

As seasoned photographers will tell you, having a tripod can make the difference between a decent and a great shot. However, there are also those times when the typical tripod can't cut it. When the terrain is uneven and difficult for example. That's when you need the Gorillapod, with its flexible, wrappable legs that can secure itself and the camera to almost any surface. The jointed legs can be bent and manipulated to grip onto uneven terrain. For those sticky situations, you can trust the Gorillapod.

Price: US$21.95

For the traveller who spares no expense should capture all his/her exotic travels in glorious high-definition, and the Sony Handycam HDR-XR520 camcorder is the best companion to do just that. With its massive in-built 240GB hard drive, there's no fear that you'll ever run out of recording space. Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization gets you the smoothest picture so you can concentrate on the scene, not on holding your camera steady, and the large 3.2-inch LCD screen makes shooting a real pleasure.

Price: S$2899

If you need to travel in style with a small PC companion, you can't go wrong with the latest Sony Vaio W. Running on the latest Intel Atom Processor and 1GB of DDR2 RAM, the Sony Vaio W will be perfect as a traveling companion thanks to its light 1.19kg weight and compact nature. And if it's movies you want, it's a wide-screen experience you'll get with its 16:9 aspect ratio on a 10.1-inch screen.

Price: S$899

Looking for an exotic sound? Altec Lansing's UHP326 Titanium in-ears is the premium model from their Backbeat series and does feature the very best of its class. Notably, the UHP326 has the widest frequency range of 10Hz to 20kHz out of the three Backbeat in-ears, and also comes with 10mm Titanium-enhanced speakers to enhance your music experience. You need not worry about a loose fit either, since it comes with four different types of neoprene ear-tips to cater to different ears and style.

Price: S$129

Heading out for that once in a lifetime holiday with no budget restrictions? Then make sure you grab one of these interactive travel guides for the iPhone/iPod Touch to make sure you don't miss out anything. After all, you won't want to tell your friends that you went to London only to have missed eating at that awesome French restaurant located at Mayfair eh? Packed chock full with search functions, annotated offline maps, suggested itineraries and much, much more, this App is the only one you'll need for that awesome, no expense spared holiday.

Price: US$9.99 for iPhone and iPod Touch

Discerning men who seek the closest, cleanest possible shave should definitely check out Philips latest Arcitec RQ-1095 electric shaver. Combining Philips' revolutionary Triple-Track shaving heads with a flex and pivot motion, the RQ-1095 is capable of shaving the shortest stubble, giving users a perfectly close shave. It even has its own cleaning pod with Jet Clean system, so you can be assured of a clean shave every time.

Price: S$499