Here's an assortment of stocking stuffers and other cool gifts for techies:

USB BEVERAGE CHILLER from CoolIT Systems

CoolIT Systems USB Beverage Chiller

What it is: Pretty much exactly what it sounds like — it keeps your drink cold.

Why it's a good gift: Cold drinks are nice. This little device — kind of a reverse hot plate — plugs into any powered USB port to keep your canned and bottled drinks cool, if not cold. No software required.

Who would like it: Everyone likes a cold drink. Coders, gamers and college students (basically anyone who spends a lot of time in front of a PC) are your best bets.

Price: $29

Pros: Easy installation. Surprisingly chilly.

Cons: Only cools the bottom of your container. A cylinder would probably be more efficient.

Bottom line: The next best thing to a USB refrigerator.

— Victor Godinez / The Dallas Morning News

INSTANT FM MUSIC from ADS Tech

ADS Tech USB Instant FM Music recorder

What it is: Records music from FM and Web-based radio stations, stores them as MP3 files and lets you transfer them to portable players or listen to them on your PC. Plug the USB FM radio into your PC or laptop, set it to record Web-based or regular radio stations, and you can listen to the audio recordings right away and fast-forward through commercials. Or wait a few days, and the software starts to recognize songs and store them individually, including info such as artist, song title and even a link to buy the CD on Amazon. Or you can right-click on the song and send it straight to iTunes and copy it to your iPod.

Why it's a good gift: A lot of people will be getting digital music players (OK, iPods) this Christmas. This is a great way to get tons of free music onto those players.

Who would like it: Anyone who likes music but doesn't like to pay for it. This is a legal service. Record labels and music retailers can't be happy, though.

Price: $39

Pros: Once your computer starts recognizing individual songs, it's easy to transfer them to iTunes and start jamming on your iPod.

Cons: It can take several days for individual songs to show up on your list. Otherwise, you're stuck with massive blocks of radio recordings that you can listen to but can't see what songs have been recorded. Sound quality depends on the radio reception where your PC is, although the bundled antenna does help.

Bottom line: Does for radio what TiVo did for television.

— Victor Godinez / The Dallas Morning News

RETRACTABLE COMPUTER CABLES

USB Retractable computer cables

Why it's a good gift: They remove much of the mess and clutter of connecting computers to routers, telephones, other computers, digital cameras and other devices.

Who would like it: Anyone whose desk drawer or computer case looks like the mosh pit at a snake concert.

Price: American Power Conversion Corp. (APC), Ethernet and telephone cables, $9.99; Kensington Computer Products Group, switchable Ethernet and RJ45 cables, $19.99; Zip-Link, USB A to mini five-pin cables, $7.99; Belkin Corp., USB A to mini four-pin cables, $17.99.

Pros: Compact, inexpensive, lots of choices

Cons: Regular cables are more rugged

Bottom line: A tidy way to a lot of connectivity.

— Terry Maxon / The Dallas Morning News

USB FLASH DRIVES with caps that can't be lost.

USB Flash Drives

Why it's a good gift: The caps on most USB flash drives have the average longevity of a mouse at a cat convention.

Who would like it: Users who can't seem to keep the protective cap on their Flash drives but would like to.

Price: PNY Technologies, 1-gigabyte drive with swiveling protective cap, $29.99; Lexar Media Inc., 512-megabyte drive with rubber cap, $24.99; SanDisk Corp., 512-megabyte drive with retractable connector, $34.99.

Pros: Caps can't come off, at least not easily.

Cons: Maybe you like losing caps?

Bottom line: A neat answer to keep the lid on.

— Terry Maxon / The Dallas Morning News

BLACKBERRY PEARL

Research In Motion Blackberry Pearl

What it is: Like its larger, bulkier Blackberry cousins, the Pearl can handle e-mail from work in addition to phone calls. But it's the most phonelike Blackberry to date — slim, petite and feature-packed compared to its kin.

Why it's a good gift: Blackberry devices are great for e-mail, but their owners have to give up a lot of the niceties of a typical cellphone. Most Blackberry devices don't have a built-in digital camera or play music and video clips, for instance. This one does all of that.

Who would like it: The Crackberry addict in your family.

Price: $200 with a two-year wireless subscription to T-Mobile

Pros: Small device with lots of features packed in. This phone can fit in a pocket instead of a belt-clip holster.

Cons: Transfers data on T-Mobile's network, which is significantly slower than those of other wireless providers.

Bottom line: This shiny Pearl will dazzle its recipient.

— Crayton Harrison / The Dallas Morning News

THE TORNADO

Data Drive Thru The Tornado data transfer device

What it is: A small gadget that transfers files from one personal computer to another. The Tornado, which plugs into the USB ports of the two PCs, allows users to view the contents of both PCs, and drag and drop files between the two, just as if they were dragging files between folders.

Why it's a good gift: Sending files between PCs sounds simple, but it can be a pain unless you have a fast wireless network and know how to use it. The Tornado's manufacturer, Data Drive Thru Inc., says the file will transfer at speeds of up to 25 megabits per second, so transferring large volumes will take a while.

Who would like it: If you're getting your loved one a new computer for the holidays, this will help transfer all the files from the old one. A sophisticated user probably won't need it, but average users will thank you for making it easy.

Price: $60

Pros: The software runs from the device, so there's nothing to install.

Cons: Doesn't yet work with Mac or Linux computers, though a Mac version is in development.

Bottom line: One little way to eliminate some of the frustration that comes with setting up a new computer.

— Crayton Harrison / The Dallas Morning News

CRUMPLER 2 MILLION DOLLAR HOME camera bag

Crumpler Crumpler 2 Million Dollar Home camera bag

Why it's a good gift: Just the right size for a digital SLR with a small lens and related accessories. Sturdy nylon exterior with extra pockets give room for batteries and a cellphone or iPod.

Who would like it: Anyone who travels with a camera.

Price: $35

Pros: Top-quality construction

Cons: Abundant Velcro inside almost makes it too secure.

Bottom line: Crumpler bags are the best. This one is the right combination of size and price.

—  Jim Rossman / The Dallas Morning News

DURACELL POWER GAUGE battery charger

Duracell Duracell Power Gauge Battery Charger

Why it's a good gift: Everyone needs AA or AAA batteries. Rechargeable batteries have come a long way, and Duracell makes some good ones. The four-space charger has a really handy gauge to show each battery's current charge. It comes with four AA batteries.

Who would like it: Anyone whose digital camera runs on AA batteries — plus everyone else on the planet.

Price: $26.99

Pros: You get to use the batteries over and over. It makes the Earth happy.

Cons: Four-hour charge time is pokey.

Bottom Line: Saves money, saves the environment, everyone loves a good set of rechargeable batteries.

—  Jim Rossman / The Dallas Morning News