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Another remote control for full-size iPods (3G and later), the AirClick distinguishes itself in a few ways. Unlike some of the competition, the five-button remote (Play/Pause, Forward, Rewind, Volume Up, Volume Down) can power down the iPod when you hold down the Play button. The remote also includes a hold switch, belt clip and a battery that supposedly lasts for the life of the AirClick (it's replaceable just in case). Sound quality coming through the headphone jack in the RF receiver was equal to the iPod's jack. As a nice final addition, a remote cradle with Velcro strap can fasten the remote to a steering wheel, bike handle bar or other object. An AirClick Mini is also available.
–MARKKUS ROVITO
www.griffintechnology.com | 615-399-7000 | $40 
 A grab-bag of fun, Hello Kitty Bubblegum Girlfriends features eight games with names like Tea Cup Croquet, Cup Cake Trampoline and Pie Poppin' Dance. Each game's directions are spelled out in text before starting, and will be recognized by adults (most owe a lot to old-school arcade games). The games present some educational value; tykes are asked to identify and match shapes and colors in just about every game, and some results are put into mathematical equations ("look how you did! 3x100=300!"). The music is nice and unoffensive (reminding us of a 1950's family sitcom soundtrack), so you won't go insane if Junior insists on playing all day.
–AMY R. WOOD
www.valusoft.com | 952-442-7000 | $20
 Although small and convenient, the price of the Kanguru Zipper Pro doesn't measure up too well with other portable, USB 2.0 hard drives out there. A swiveling USB connector pops out and folds away when not in use. This could be a convenient way to plug the Zipper Pro directly into a Mac, but the documentation warns than you may damage the drive if you don't use the included USB extension cord. The Zipper Pro worked just fine with no need to install a driver, and transfer speeds averaged about 10MB/sec. for both reading and writing. There's also a neck strap, but the drive is really not so small that you'd want to use it.
–MARKKUS ROVITO
www.kanguru.com | 888-526-4878 | $200 Zipper 
Organized PowerBook users will like this no-nonsense, durable and very protective shoulder case. The Pro 12/15's padded "core" was made to adjust to 12" and 15" PowerBooks (iBooks are also accommodated) and offer protection on all sides. The ballistic nylon bag also has a separate filing compartment for organizing papers, a zippered umbrella pocket and a front section with pockets for iPods, mobile phones, laptop batteries, pens, business cards and more. Although not advertised as water proof, we carried it through light rain on several occasions with no harm to the electronics within. A Pro 17 is also available ($180) for 17" PowerBooks.
–MARKKUS ROVITO
www.brenthaven.com | 888-212-5301 | $150
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but if you treat your CDs, DVDs and other optical discs poorly, the SkipDR is in. This motorized medic resurfaces scratched up discs so that they are good as new. You spray the disc with fluid, slide it into the disc holder, and when the SkipDR is finished resurfacing (it requires six AA batteries or an AC adapter, not included), dry it off and then buff the surface. All the supplies are included. Scratches were truly removed from the majority of our discs (there were a couple terminal cases) and afterward played perfectly. A $40 co-payment may seem steep, but you won't complain of malpractice.
–MARKKUS ROVITO
www.digitalinnovations.com | 847-463-9000 | $40
Turn GarageBand 2 and your MIDI keyboard into a symphony-worthy grand piano for only $55. Actually, with iPianos '05, you get five lovingly recorded, sampled grand piano instruments (also playable in Apple's Logic Express or Logic Pro): two different Bösendorfer 290s, two Steinway D Concert Grands (from 1923 and 1965) and a Yamaha C7. They all offer a much fuller body and much longer, richer sustain than any piano that comes with GarageBand 2 or its Apple JamPacks. Due to the quality of the recorded samples and their sheer size, installing the five pianos requires almost 4GB of hard drive space. Consequently, you'll want at least 1GB of RAM to play them seamlessly with both hands.
–MARKKUS ROVITO
www.postpiano.com | $55
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Turn GarageBand 2 and your MIDI keyboard into a symphony-worthy grand piano for only $55. Actually, with iPianos '05, you get five lovingly recorded, sampled grand piano instruments (also playable in Apple's Logic Express or Logic Pro): two different Bösendorfer 290s, two Steinway D Concert Grands (from 1923 and 1965) and a Yamaha C7. They all offer a much fuller body and much longer, richer sustain than any piano that comes with GarageBand 2 or its Apple JamPacks. Due to the quality of the recorded samples and their sheer size, installing the five pianos requires almost 4GB of hard drive space. Consequently, you'll want at least 1GB of RAM to play them seamlessly with both hands.
