Technological thingamajigs great for giving

Gadgets and gizmos -- what your grandmother/mother/younger sister, depending on how many times you've rocked around the Christmas tree, might refer to as "those newfangled whatchamacallits."

But whether you're so hip you may as well have your own personal computer chip, or slightly behind the times, there's no denying that tech toys are still hot for the holidays.

Here are a few to ponder.

* TomTom GO 740 Live

The word "tomtom" used to refer to a snareless drum. Now it means Dutch GPS manufacturer. Both CNET and PCWorld.com give the 740 Live a high rating. Featuring voice control, this TomTom keeps abreast of current traffic and weather conditions and will adjust accordingly. The first three months of access are free. After that, it's $10 a month. For frequent travelers and the directionally challenged, a TomTom might be a bang-up choice.

Cost: About $349

* Amazon Kindle, iPod Touch, similar book-on-screen devices

Sure, reading "Anna Karenina" on a handheld screen is nowhere near as charming as curling up with the book under a blanket, but portability and backlighting have their benefits. CNET.com recommends both the Amazon Kindle and the 32 gigabyte iPod Touch, which has a Kindle app and can serve the same purpose. The Kindle itself is signficantly wider and slightly cheaper, but for those who like a multipurpose gadget, the iTouch may be the way to go.

Cost: Average $250

* Klipsch Image S4i earbuds with mic

The silicon (4 per set for all eardrum types) earbuds provide outside noise blocking music listening for all MP3 players, but the device is really made for the newer line of Apple Products (those ones that start with i). The three-button microphone allows voice control on the iPod Shuffle and easy calling on the iPhone 3GS. Non-Apple users may not find the price worthwhile.

Cost: About $99

* The Autofetch Motion Ball

Listed on gizmodo.com under the category "gifts for pets owned by geeks who treat them like spoiled children," might make Rover sulk a bit, but it will help keep pet obesity at bay. Basically, it's a ball with a hole, you stick in a treat, turn on the internal gyro-drive and let Spot chase the liver snap. The catch? The ball doesn't stop moving until it's been left alone for at least a minute.

Cost: $30-$40

* Zhu Zhu Pets

Apparently the king of Christmas this year is the robotic hampster. Reuters reported Toys R Us Chief Executive Officer Jerry Storch said the Zhu-Zhu Pet is the hottest toy of the season. Made by St. Louis-based Cepia Inc., these virtual rodents were reportedly snatched off shelves on Black Friday.

The good news? At about $8 a pop, Zhu Zhu Pets lets kids have the season's hot toy, even on a budget. The bad? They may have to wait for spring. WalMart, Target and Toys R Us all report being completely out of stock on all Zhu Zhu pets and accessories. Keep an eye out.

Cost: $8