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Gadgets that make travel a little easier

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Special to the Los Angeles Times

From roadside emergency beacons to cameras or devices that improve your snapshots, some gadgets are worthy road companions. Here are some that stood out last month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

GADGET

OnStar “Blue Button” rearview mirror, which offers navigation, emergency assistance and automatic crash response.

Available for non-GM and older GM vehicles in spring 2011. OnStar service is activated when a customer subscribes. OnStar mirror is certified for 99% of the top 20 selling non-GM vehicles since 2001 (including many Hondas, Fords, Dodges, Chryslers and Toyotas)

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FEATURES

Stolen vehicle location assistance, emergency and roadside services, hands-free calling with Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation (for $9.99 a month)

PRICE

$300 plus installation. Service plans will start at $18.95 a month or $200 a year

INFO, AVAILABILITY

https://www.onstar.com, for non-GM and older GM vehicles in spring

GADGET

Etón TurboDyne Road Torq, a self-powered emergency beacon and roadside spotlight

FEATURES

Crank-powered LED spotlight on a folding tripod with a flashing beacon

PRICE

About $40

INFO, AVAILABILITY

https://www.etoncorp.com, second quarter 2011

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GADGET

Wilson Electronics MobilePro Cellular Signal Booster, a cellular and data reception booster

FEATURES

Powered by a vehicle cigarette lighter, AC outlet or USB port. Requires no installation

PRICE

$200

INFO, AVAILABILITY

https://www.wilsonelectronics.com, now

GADGET

Canon PowerShot A3300 IS digital camera

FEATURES

32 predefined shooting situations, such as portrait, action and low light. Also 720p high-def video

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PRICE

$180

INFO, AVAILABILITY

https://www.usa.canon.com, early March

GADGET

Eye-Fi Explore X2 Wireless Memory Card, a camera Wi-Fi memory card

FEATURES

8GB memory card wirelessly uploads photos and videos to a computer or a photo-sharing site (such as Facebook) whenever the card is in Wi-Fi range. Compatible with PCs and Macs.

PRICE

$100

INFO, AVAILABILITY

https://www.eye.fi, now

GADGET

Pocket Xshot, a telescoping camera extender similar to a monopod

FEATURES

Extends your reach up to 301/2 inches; works with all point-and-shoot digital cameras weighing less than 11/4 pounds

PRICE

$25

INFO, AVAILABILITY

https://www.xshotpix.com, now

GADGET

Speakal Cool iPig, an iPhone/iPod dock and sound system

FEATURES

Sensors adjust volume or change tunes with a wave of the hand

COST

$150 (intro price)

INFO, AVAILABILITY

https://www.speakal.com, now

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GADGET

Griffin Technology Woogie, a speaker and stuffed animal

FEATURES

Speaker with a protective pouch for iPhone and iPod Touch

PRICE

$20

Info, availability

https://www.griffintechnology.com, now

GADGET

Philips ChargeOn Battery Pack Kit, backup battery

FEATURES

Doubles battery capacity of many devices; includes charger, base, USB and wall charger

PRICE

$80

INFO, AVAILABILITY

https://www.usaphilips.com, now

GADGET

Breffo Spiderpodium gadget holder

FEATURES

Podium, holster and grip has eight flexible, spider-like arms to stand gadgets up or suspend them from an airplane or car seat back

PRICE

$20

Info, availability

https://www.breffo.com, now

GADGET

Loksak aLoksak, waterproof gadget protector

FEATURES

Various size plastic bags protect an array of electronic gadgets and valuables

PRICE

$6.49-$17.98 (for two or three sacks, depending on size)

INFO, AVAILABILITY

https://www.loksak.com, now

GADGET

Dexim iBlueK Bluetooth keyboard, protective leather case and keyboard for iPad

FEATURES

Almost full-size magnetic Bluetooth keyboard with as much as 90 hours of typing time

PRICE

$99

INFO, AVAILABILITY

https://www.dexim.net, now

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