I have many sets of headphones and earbuds because I use them each for different things.  I keep one pair in the radio studio for my show, another pair in my convertible car to drown out the wind noise, and another pair for running and working out at the gym.  Most all of these headsets are Bluetooth capable which means no wires and much less hassle than having a 6-foot cord hanging from my ear.

My latest fave pair is from Jaybird, a company who has been making cutting-edge headphones and earbuds for a few years.  Their latest invention is called Freedom and the company describes them as “shakeproof.”  And as of yet I have not been able to shake them out of my ears.

The Jaybird Freedom JF3 wireless earbuds are small and sleek but produce a huge sound when listening to music.  The shakeproof thing comes about due to unique, secure fit ear cushions.  Each pair comes with three sizes of cushions that fit inside your earlobe and three sizes of soft, silicon ear “nubs” to ensure a good fit in different ear sizes.

Pairing the buds to a smartphone or car is very simple.  They utilize the A2DP profile for streaming audio and quickly switches to telephone mode when an incoming call comes in.

The included carrying case is handy to store the earbuds when not in use.  I have been using these specifically while running and working as they seem to built a bit more for the athletic and sweat-prone set.

They run $99 and can be found online and at select electronic stores.

I’ve got a family of five and it seems one of the kids is always getting lost.  They each have cell phones but if we happen to be on vacation in the mountains, on the sea or somewhere out of cell service we have been relying on a new Midland Radio two-way radio to keep us all in touch.   Think of these babies like a high-tech walkie-talkie.  How high-tech?  How about waterproof and a range of 36 miles.

The Midland GXT-1000-VP4 packs a whopping 5 watts of power allowing for a range of up to 36 miles in optimal conditions, though typically much shorter in urban conditions.   These are full featured radios that includes rechargeable batteries, a desktop charger with AC wall and DC vehicle adapters, and a pair of headsets with microphones.   This is Midland’s only waterproof two-radio and it has proven to be durable – even after dropped in the snow for a few hours, thanks to my youngest son.

An advanced feature is “group mode” which comes in handy if you several people have a device.  Place the radios in “group mode” and assign a code to each radio.   You are then able to make direct calls from one radio to another. No need to have everyone hear a message that is intended for just one person.

This model is also a weather radio, supporting both the NOAA weather channels and NOAA weather alerts.  If severe weather is entering your area, the GXT-1000-VP4 can proactively alert you.  The hands-free operation comes in handy when your hands are occupied with things like skis or water bottles and the hands-free feature is made simpler by the included headsets.  Other features include a vibrating alert, selectable power modes, dual channel watch, and channel scan.

It supports a total of 50 channels – 22 standard GMRS/FRS channels and 28 extra channels – which means you have very little chance of other tapping in to your family’s conversations.

The value pack includes two headsets with boom microphones, a two pocket desktop charger, two rechargeable batteries, two belt clips, and both home and vehicle charging adapters.  Not a bad deal for $89.99.  If you actually want to keep in touch with your friends and family.

As we continue my annual gift recommendation list each day in December, today’s spotlight product could be classified more as a stocking stuffer.  I would be more than happy to find this little baby in my stocking.  Though since I wear a size 11 shoe I would hope find a few more things in there.

For all the iPhone users on your list this year give them a little extra assistance with their built-in camera in low light situations with the iFlash LED Camera Flash attachment.  This small add-on plugs into your iPhone’s dock connector and provides a bright LED flash to help illuminate the situation.

It’s small enough to carry all the time and even has a 3.5 mm jack attachment to keep the flash at-hand at all times.  The attachment also  fits under most regular-size cases, making it even more appealing. It could come in handy as a regular old flashlight, too.

It runs $24.95 and will shed a lot of light on your holiday season.

It’s all about the juice.  Not the sugary orange stuff or the arsenic-laced apple stuff (thanks for the heads up, Dr. Oz), but the juice our gadgets seem to drink so quickly.  In the ten years I have been doing my High-Tech Texan shows and reviews, I have found the one thing that has not kept pace with the rest of tech advancements – batteries.  We use smartphones that are as powerful as computers; laptops almost as thin as paper; but why can’t someone create a battery that lasts the entire flight from Houston to Hawaii??

I know, I know…  I have all the extended battery packs for my individual phones, cameras and laptops but that just makes more things to schlep around.  So instead of loading up my backpack with more gear I simply changed backpacks to the Powerbag.  Powerbag has a line of backpacks, messenger bags, and slings that charge mobile devices right in the bag.  Pretty much a charging system disguised in a cool-looking bag.

Each bag comes with a built-in, lightweight, rechargeable and removable battery (available with a 3000 mAh or 6000 mAh battery based on model).  You can connect up to four mobile devices at a time using the included pre-routed connectors (1 micro, 1 mini, 1 Apple) and one USB port.  The Powerbag charging system automatically detects the connected devices in the bag and sends the right amount of power to charge each one.  The bag itself recharges by plugging into any standard wall outlet with the included AC Adapter.

The battery inside the bag is powerful enough to charge a smartphone up to six times and can even top off most eReaders and tablets.

Though geeky on the inside, each of the Powerbag models are stylish on the outside.  Messenger bags are hot right now and this one is padded to hold up to a 15” laptop.  The Messenger, Backpack, Tablet Backpack and Sling models are $139.99 each and a Wheeled Briefcase is $249.99.  You can find the bags at Best Buy, Officemax and online at MyPowerbag.com.

I can now travel with knowing that my gadgets will have enough juice to get me to my next destination.  And I’m the only one that knows about the geeky technology packed inside the bag (though the charging-level, flashing LED lights on the outside of the bag is a giveaway that something odd is happening).

Let’s get things started with the first of 31 products I have to recommend during the festive month of December 2011.  Like Baskin Robbins, these products each will be a cool, sweet treat that most everyone will want.  And they are fat free.

Travel Vest by Scottevest

We all know what a pain it is to travel nowadays especially when you get to the airport security check in.  It generally takes me about five minutes to get all of my tech gear out of my backpack, carry on bag and my pockets.  Things have gotten a bit easier lately after wearing the hip, new Travel Vest from Scottevest.  I simply take off the vest and send it through the x-ray machine.  Bam!

With different designs for men and women, the Travel Vest is very lightweight while making sure you always look fresh due to its wrinkle and water resistance.  But there is much more than looks to this vest…starting with its 24 mostly-stealth pockets.  You name it and your device will probably fit in the vest.  iPad – check.  Water bottle – check.  Sunglasses – check.

Scottevest has a large line of similar clothing including jackets, hoodies, shirts and pants all designed to hold your gear when traveling across the globe or across the street.  The company’s patented Personal Area Network (PAN) system provides a network of hidden conduits to connect wires to devices while they are in your pockets.   One of the most useful are the Collar Loops – specially positioned loops that hold your earbuds in place while making sure they don’t get tangled around or chaffe your neck.

I have worn other Scottevest items over the past few years like their microfleece pullovers and hidden cargo pants.  The Travel Vest is by far the lightest piece of gear from the company I have tried and it truly holds more gadgets than I actually have.  The sunglasses pocket ensures my glasses don’t get crushed when I sit down and the attached cleaning cloth is a smart idea.  And I still can’t believe the large internal pouch holds a device the size of an iPad or Kindle.  I like putting a magazine (yes, low-tech) or two in there so I don’t have to carry them.

The Travel Vest for Men comes in three colors – navy, black and khaki and costs $125.  Women have their own Travel Vest that has 17 pockets and comes in red, black and gray, also for $125.