Courtesy Scosche

The freeKEY wireless keyboard from Scosche sells for $60, is made of flexible silicone, is water-resistant and can fit in a tech-savvy traveler's pocket.

Someday, say the evangelists at Apple and elsewhere, your smartphone will be so intelligent, it will be the only technology you need to carry when you travel.

That day is not here. But that’s OK because for those seeking better sound, hoping to shoot photos (not snapshots) or frustrated by virtual keyboards (Damn you, autocorrect!), this season offers up a slew of cool products that pack form and function into compact, travel-friendly packages:

Power up
Use your phone to make calls, watch videos and stream music and, sure enough, it’ll die when you need it most. Introduced in September, Smart Geek Products’ MyBlueBoost ($40–$50) is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack that provides up to 16 hours of on-the-go backup power for a variety of phones, mp3 players and other handheld devices. Fully charged, the unit itself will hold power for up to six months.

Courtesy XtremeMac

Dock and rock
There are plenty of portable speakers out there but most require batteries or an AC outlet. The new Soma Travel ($50) from XtremeMac needs neither as it’s powered by your docked iPhone, iPod or iPad. Introduced in November, it will work with devices when they’re in their cases, features a push-in/pull-out dock connector for protection during transport and was recently named a Design and Engineering Showcase honoree for CES 2012.

Compact keyboard
Virtual keyboard on your phone or tablet making a mockery of your typing skills? The freeKEY wireless keyboard ($60) from Scosche is a near-full-sized Bluetooth keyboard that provides a practical, tactile alternative. Made of flexible silicone, it’s water-resistant, works with a wide variety of devices and, best of all, rolls up to fit in a pocket or purse.

No more tangles
Multiple devices + multiple cables + multiple adapters = one big rat’s nest in your bag. AViiQ’s Portable Charging Station ($80) resolves the problem by creating a central hub that can charge three USB devices at once, plus sync a fourth, off a single AC plug. Weighing less than a pound, it provides up to 15W of power — more than enough to charge an iPad — and comes in a flat zippered bag for easy organization.

Courtesy Jaybird

No strings attached
Tangled earbud wires tying you in knots? That’s not a problem with the Freedom Bluetooth Headphones ($99) from Jaybird. With their tangle-free, ear-to-ear cord and push-button controls, the work- and workout-friendly buds let you wirelessly control volume, answer or reject calls and manage your music without touching your phone or mp3 player. A carrying case and three sets of secure-fit ear cushions are included.

Tyke-sized tablet
Not quite ready to drop $500­–$700 on an iPad 2 for the little techie on your gift list? The hottest tech gift for kids this season is the LeapPad Explorer, a five-inch, touch-screen device that works as a camera, e-reader and app library. Originally priced at $99, the device is proving so popular that retailers are charging whatever they can get away with; check NowInStock.net to see who currently has it in stock.

Courtesy Magellan's

Good Joe to go
Friends don’t let friends drink bad coffee, which is why caffeinated travelers will appreciate the Handpresso Wild portable espresso maker ($129) from Magellan’s. To use it, you simply pump the handle to create the right pressure, add an Easy Serve Espresso (ESE) pod or your own personal grind and fill the reservoir with 1.5 ounces of hot water. Push the start button and, voilà, you’ve got a tasty alternative to that dreck in the Mr. Coffee machine in your hotel room.

The big picture
With its 16-megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom and Carl Zeiss lens, Sony's Cyber-shot WX9 packs a lot of power in a small space. Add Intelligent Sweep Panorama, which lets you stitch multiple images into extra-wide vistas, and full HD 1080p video and it would be a great gift at $200. Order now, though, and they’ll throw in a carrying case and 4 GB memory card, all for $150.

Courtesy Olympus

And ... action!
Even amateur videographers can elevate their vacation videos with Olympus’ LS-20M HD video recorder ($299). Weighing less than six ounces, the smartphone-sized unit shoots 1080p HD video, features a 4x digital zoom and records with better-than-CD sound. Four Magic Movie modes let you add special effects — think groovy ‘80s rock videos from a-ha and Golden Earring — while HD video compression makes it easy to upload the result to Facebook or YouTube.

Time for style
Oh sure, your phone automatically adjusts when you move between time zones but for stylish travelers, a good wristwatch is still required gear. Citizen’s Perpetual Chrono A-T ($575) is radio-controlled in five time zones — Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, New York and London — and is solar-powered so it never needs a battery. Available in titanium and stainless steel, it’s also water-resistant to 200 meters. Go ahead, try that with your iPhone.

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Rob Lovitt is a longtime travel writer who still believes the journey is as important as the destination. Follow him at Twitter.

Courtest NYCAviation.com

Don’t have the budget for a $450 carry-on bag this holiday season? That’s OK; with the right stocking stuffer, you can give the gift of travel without breaking the bank. At $30 or less, the following are so affordable, you may even want to pick one up for yourself:

Santa’s sanitizers
Tis the season to be, not just jolly, but germ-free, which can be a tough task when airports are packed, people are sick and planes don’t always get the cleaning they need. Toss a TSA-compliant PocketBac Hand Sanitizing Bundle ($4) in your favorite traveler’s stocking and when it’s time to sanitize, they can choose from four holiday-inspired scents, including Pear Tree, Peppermint Stick and Christmas Candy.

Security with style
A luggage lock only needs to do one thing well — keep your valuables safe — but that doesn’t mean it can’t do so with style. For sports fans, the new Olympic Collection from Safe Skies includes locks in the shape of basketballs, soccer balls and other sports paraphernalia ($9–$21). Like the company’s original products, each one features a patented design that lets TSA open them, conduct inspections and relock them instead of cutting them off.

Courtesy SafeSkies

Clean screens
The proliferation of touch screen devices has had one unintended consequence: millions of screens that end up smudged, smeared and, ewww, even sneezed on. If that sounds familiar, Toddy Cloths from Toddy Gear can help. Available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, these 5” x 7” cloths combine a plush microfiber side for cleaning, a silk microfiber side for buffing and an antimicrobial coating to keep mold, mildew and bacteria at bay. Prices start at $10 for one, $20 for three.

Courtesy Magellan

Tag and bag
If you’ve ever experienced that sinking feeling of leaving a phone, jewelry or other small item back at security, you’ll appreciate the clever thinking behind Quick Pass Luggage Tags ($14.50) from Magellan’s. Resembling a typical, if slightly bulky, tag when closed, the 3” x 4.5” unit opens up to reveal a zippered pocket large enough to hold a cell phone, watch, keys and whatever else might set off those pesky screening machines.  

Geek chic
Airplane geek, that is. If there’s an aviation buff on your list, consider a plane-spotting T-shirt ($15-$18) from NYCAviation.com. Among the options: the basic-but-to-the-point “Plane Geek,” the “Ride a Widebody,” which features an image of a Boeing 777 and the phrase “Ride a widebody without being teased,” and the “Package Unattended,” which displays an official-looking sign saying, “Security Notice: Do not leave this package unattended” complete with downward-pointing arrow.

Courtesy Griffin

Kid-proof your phone
Part stuffed animal, part protective case, the Woogie 2 ($20) is the clever answer to the potentially costly question more and more parents are hearing these days: “Mom (or Dad), can I play with your iPhone?” Once you slide your iPhone or iPod touch into the protective, but touch-friendly, pocket, your little ones can play games, watch videos and otherwise entertain themselves while you relax, free from the fear that your pricey device will end up in pieces on the floor.

Little explorers
New from Lonely Planet, the “Not for Parents” series of guidebooks ($15) is designed to introduce young travelers to the great cities of the world through the odd and offbeat stories that make them unique. The first four books in the series cover New York (think alligators in the sewers), London, Paris and Rome and are clearly not your grandfather’s guidebooks. For those who want to range farther afield, “Not for Parents: The Travel Book” ($20) takes a similarly kid-friendly approach to the rest of the planet.

Courtesy Contigo

Winter warmer
Don’t let winter’s chill take its toll on your morning coffee or tea. The 20-oz. West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug ($25) from Contigo is double-walled and vacuum-insulated to keep beverages hot for six hours (or cold for 20). Patented technology and push-button operation — push to sip, release to close — eliminates leaks, spills and the likelihood that you’ll take your eyes off the road.

Squeeze in a workout
No gym? No problem. In-room workouts are a breeze with the FitKit Travel pack ($30), which fits a jump rope, exercise band, pedometer with safety alarm and other exercise gear into a one-pound, nine-inch case that’ll fit in a purse or carry-on bag. The price includes access to the company’s online library, which provides workout schedules, cardio and stretching advice and tips on nutrition, fitness and workout safety.

Getaway gift card
What do you get the traveler who already has all the travel gear he or she needs? If they’re on myTab.co, you can gift them cash that they can use to fund their adventures. Launched in May, the site lets users post their travel plans to Facebook and Twitter, invite others to contribute to the cause and redeem the results for travel they can book on the site (via Expedia). Rest assured, it’s one “gift card” that won’t end up in a drawer somewhere.

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Rob Lovitt is a longtime travel writer who still believes the journey is as important as the destination. Follow him at Twitter.

Courtesy TrendyKids

TrendyKids offers two-piece, kid-friendly luggage sets that are perfect for young travelers.

Unless you’re a member of the 1 percent, you’re probably not buying that special someone a trip to Tahiti or round-the-world cruise.

Nevertheless, you can help make even their less-extravagant travels more pleasurable by giving them a bag or accessory that helps them pack lighter, organize their gear better or just smile when they’re getting ready to go.

Here are 10 for the road:

Rebecca Bonbon
Got a junior jetsetter on your gift list? If she’s a girl between six and 12, a rolling carry-on bag from Rebecca Bonbon ($20) may be just the ticket. The kid-sized rolling carry-ons feature telescoping handles, 1,056-cubic-inch capacities and a sparkly image of Rebecca Bonbon, the fashionista French bulldog created by Yuko Shimizu, whose previous claim to designer fame was as the creator of a little feline called Hello Kitty.

Courtesy Skooba Designs

Cable Stable Mini
Earbuds, USB cables, adapters for your phone, camera or music player — if you’ve ever reached into your carry-on bag and pulled out a tangle of cords and wires, you’re a candidate for the Cable Stable Mini ($25), the Mini-Me version of Skooba Designs’ Cable Stable DLX. Inside, 11 elastic hold-downs and pockets separate and protect essential tech accessories; outside, a zippered pocket offers easy access to boarding passes, hotel key cards and other flat items.

Courtesy Kiva Designs

Aircraft Toiletry Bag
Someday (we hope), we can all say goodbye to TSA’s 3-1-1 rule on liquids. Until then, there’s the Aircraft Toiletry Bag ($30) from Kiva Designs. Part of the company’s new Packing Genius line, the pouch features a wide opening for easy access, an integrated TSA-compliant bag for liquids and a swivel hook for hanging when open. Rezip the liquids bag to the bottom of the main bag, hang the combo on a door hook or shower rod and you’ve got a smart solution to the dilemma of diminutive lavatories.

Phil Keoghan NOW Collection
As host of the adventure-travel reality show, “The Amazing Race,” Phil Keoghan is no stranger to the concept of packing fast and traveling light so perhaps it’s not surprising that he’s come out with a line of luggage. Now being sold on HSN, the Phil Keoghan NOW Collection ($80–$180) consists of four items: a backpack with a removable laptop organizer, 20- and 28-inch spinner bags and a set of five accessory bags for clothes and other necessities.

Travel Buddies 
What do you get when you let a six-year-old boy help design luggage? At TrendyKids, you get Archie Alien ($90), the latest addition to the company’s line of Travel Buddy two-piece luggage sets. Each set consists of a 12-inch backpack and an 18-inch wheeled case with multiple compartments, compression straps and telescoping handle. Made of sturdy, neon-green ABS, both cases feature a grinning, three-eyed alien that’s bound to make an impression.

Courtesy Magellan

Getaway Wheeled Under-Seat Tote
Tired of battling for space in the overhead bin? Pursue peace in the cabin with Magellan’s Getaway Wheeled Under-Seat Tote ($149), a box-like tote that fits under the seat in front of you. Individual pockets are designed to hold a water bottle, iPad and your 3-1-1 liquids; the main pocket will hold a weekend’s worth of clothes, and the wheels and telescoping handle make it easy to maneuver up and down the aisle.

Motil Kit
It’s a laptop bag, it’s a lunchbox, it’s two bags in one. The Motil Kit ($180) from Nau is a limited-edition messenger-style bag that comes with a 14-inch laptop sleeve, titanium mug, collapsible chopsticks and even a spork. The bag itself is made from recycled polyester; the mug and cutlery cut down on plastic waste, and the company will donate 2 percent of the sale price to the social, environmental or humanitarian group of your choice.

Foldable Carry-on
If you’ve ever stayed in a shoebox of a European hotel room, you’ll understand the logic behind foldable luggage from Lipault of Paris, which is now making its debut in the U.S. The company’s 20-inch, two-wheeled folding carry-on ($189), for example, features 2,929 cubic inches of space when packed but folds to a flat four inches when empty so it’ll slide under a bed or into a closet until you need it again.

WT Convertible
Befitting its Victorinox heritage, the WT Convertible ($200) is the luggage equivalent of a multi-tool. When fully zipped, it’s a 3,060-cubic-inch duffel bag with a large U-shaped opening and twin zippered end pockets. Unzipped, it transforms into a 41-inch garment bag complete with compression straps and foam bolsters to keep clothes secure and wrinkle-free.

MOVE Mobile Closet
New from Max Mirani, the MOVE Mobile Closet ($450) proves that big things can indeed come in small packages. Closed, it’s a wheeled, hardsided carry-on case; opened, it’s a hanging wardrobe with cantilevered shelves that keep clothes, shoes and accessories neat and accessible. Just the thing for small cruise ship cabins, it also features a zip-out lining that can be used as a second, soft-sided tote, doubling your storage space when it’s time to head home.

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Rob Lovitt is a longtime travel writer who still believes the journey is as important as the destination. Follow him at Twitter.