Flash, Vista, Blu-ray, 3G, SMPS, 19" TFT, PCBA, IC drivers, OEM/ODM, VoIP, mixed-signal ICs... Huh?

Seriously. HUH?!

This is just some of the language I was bombarded with at this year's Consumer Electronics Show - a.k.a. the annual "Mecca" for tech-geeks. This type of verbiage is profiled in articles and press releases from there, mentioned in conversations, and thrown out to us, the average consumer, as if we understand, as if we know what such lingo MEANS! If you understand this talk, hats off to you. For me? My head began to hurt after the first few hours of tech bombardment, and, I swear, it's still spinning as I try to make sense of this new electronics age. It's so overwhelming, and moving so fast, it's enough to make you want to throw all your electronics out the window and just live in a world of silence and snail mail. Electronics are supposed to help SIMPLIFY our lives, not complicate them!

At least that's always been my philosophy, especially when it comes to gadgets you carry with you. But since these days, it seems the cosmopolitan traveller needs a lot more than just a suitcase to survive away from home, here are a few gadgets from this year's "CES" that are truly cool road life-additions—think Jack Kerouac on the road, the modern version.

DIRECTV Sat-Go

Looks like a briefcase. Open it up, inside is an LCD screen and DIRECTV receiver, so you can have satellite TV anywhere, anytime.

Cost: Lord only knows, but surely can't be cheap.

Available: Spring 2007

V Cast Mobile TV

TV on a cell phone - streamed live, not downloaded. Major networks, some cable.

Cost: Monthly fee tba, plus compatible phone through Verizon (LG VX9400 recommended).

Available: Now

Samsung K5 MP3 player

Looks like a black iPod but has a slide-out speaker that fills your hotel room with sound, plus FM transmitter, alarm clock, and programmable snooze button.

Cost: $259.99.

Available: Now

iSound Time Travel

Attaches to the MP3 Player you already have - has speakers and snooze alarm clock, like the K5, but a charger instead of FM Radio.

Cost: $59.99.

Available: Now

Sansa Connect

A Wi-Fi MP3 player that has internet radio to relieve the boredom of your own music library AND allows you to easily share tunes directly, without limits on numbers of plays - a first in both arenas.

Cost: $249.99.

Available: Now

Gorillapod

A "flexible" tripod. Allows you to use a branch, railing or just about anything to hold your camera. Comes in 3 sizes. Very lightweight. Super-cool.

Cost: $21.95 - $54.95.

Available: Now

Polaroid Media Backup Photo Edition

A portable hard drive just for photos that downloads your travel pics automatically. 40 GB = 40,000 photos not taking up space on your computer.

Cost: $120.

Available: Spring 2007

Digital Hero 3

Dick Tracy would love this: A tiny shockproof, waterproof camera for your wrist. Only 3 megapixels, but great for snowboarding, surfing, or running with the bulls in Pamplona.

Cost: $140.

Available: Now

Brando Mobile Phone Telescope

A telephoto lens for your camera phone. Kooky-looking, but great for emergency zooms. Only compatible with Nokia & Sony Ericsson phones right now, but working on making it compatible with others soon.

Cost: $19.

Available: Now

Kodak EX811 Photo Frame

A picture frame for the Jetsons - set with money to burn: Displays digital pics, slideshows, and video, with sound, all uploadable wirelessly.

Cost: $230 (8" frame).

Available: Spring 2007

Sony DCR-SR300

Hard-drive camcorders mean no tapes, no disks (the stuff stays in the camera or on Memory Stick) - something I'm still not sold on. BUT, this camera can shoot video and still photos simultaneously AND has protective shock absorbers for us hurried klutzes who just can't help dropping things.

Cost: $1000.

Available: Spring 2007

Epos Digital Pen

This is a revolutionary tool for road-weary note-takers: a real pen that can transfer your writing/sketches to your computer. You can then transform your scribble into neat type with just the click of a button.

Cost: Under $80.

Available: Spring 2007

Ultra Mobile PC's

These were the talk of the show this year: touch-screen computers that are somewhere between your laptop and PDA, size - and functionality-wise. For non-Mac users, "UMPC's" are a nice lighter-weight travel alternative to a normal laptop, although the $1600+ cost seems to make that selling point much heavier. Until prices drop, Apple's new $600 iPhone, which is somewhat similar, but smaller, seems like a steal.

Available: UMPC's: Now, iPhone: Spring 2007

Freeplay Energy Camping Products

Flashlight, weatherband radio, or lantern, all powered by solar power or quick hand-winding of a handle.

Cost: $19.99-$69.95, $39.99-$89.99, and $39.99, respectively, depending on model.

Available: Now

PumpOne Mobile

Hotel doesn't have a gym? PumpOne will send personalized workouts to your cell or iPod, 24/7, that have you use hotel furniture or luggage instead of barbells.

Cost: $2.99/one workout accessible for 24 hours; $4.99/all workouts for 7 days.

Available: Now

IRISPen Translator

Run this pen-like scanner over that menu or sign in German, and it will instantly translate the words into English.

Cost: $149

Available: Now

If you're not overwhelmed by all the above, congratulations: you are a traveler who's way ahead of your time. If, on the other hand, your head's beginning to hurt... Excedrin works real well, I've found. And you don't need a charger or buttons to use it. Sometimes simple old school products are still the best travel accessory.