No matter where you’re headed, global or local, or for business or pleasure for that matter, you can’t take a trip without your digital accoutrement. Here are some nifty items to grab before you go-go to help make for happy trails.

iPad Wi-Fi + 3G
You know you want one. So what better way to justify the expenditure than your upcoming vacation—even if it is a staycation! The WiFi + 3G model is now available at the Applestore online, giving the iPad complete wireless functionality. The iPad has a 9.7-inch, high-resolution LED-backlit IPS display and incredible Multi-Touch capability. Yet it’s thin and light enough to take anywhere. Page through websites, write an email, flick through photos, or watch a movie with just the touch of a finger. You can discover over a thousand apps on the App Store made just for iPad — with more coming every day. And if that’s not enough, you can also run almost 150,000 iPhone apps. It’s also a kick ass Ereader – just download the free iBooks app from the App Store!
$629 (16GB), $729 (32GB), $829 (64GB) *AT&T 3G data plan sold separately ($14.99 - $29.99 per month)
www.apple.com

Journey LCD SteriPen
This is a nifty, pocket portable, Ultraviolet bacteria and pathogen killing water wand you can take anywhere. The SteriPen has no dissolving tablets or plug-ins, you just stick it in a glass or bottle, turn it on and in roughly 48 seconds 16 oz. of water is rendered safe and potable. SteriPEN’s UV light technology eliminates over 99.9 percent of bacteria, viruses and protozoa that cause water-borne illness. It’s particularly good at killing Giardia and Cryptosporidium, two nasty little organisms that cause Montezuma’s revenge.
$99.95
www.REI.com

Iqua Solar Bluetooth
If you're looking for a Bluetooth headset with virtually unlimited stand-by time and ages of talk time, the Iqua 603 Sun is the one for you. It features a solar panel that basks in light from any source and converts it to usable power. The solid sound quality and easy pairing don't hurt, either. The 603 Sun is about the same size as any other Bluetooth headset and comes with several different rubber ear pieces and a hook to go over your ear and hold the headset in place. About 50% of the main exterior surface is a solar cell used to collect power from any light source, be it an incandescent bulb, candle, or the sun. It also can charge with a mini-USB cable.
$119.95
www.wirelessground.com

Victorinox Flash 8GB Ruby
Leave it to the guys at the iconic, world-renowned Victorinox Swiss Army to create the must have pocketknife for the 21st century. The Ruby has an 8 GB removable flash drive, blade, nail file w/screwdriver, scissors, retractable ballpoint pen and powerful little LED light. Couple that with their lifetime warranty and you have a must have, dare I say, butch accessory! While you’re there, check out the cool summer designs they have some for their pocketknives—my fave is the lobster, tres chic.
$79.95
www.swissarmy.com

Joby Gorillapod
We all know it’s not a vacation if you don’t bring a camera. But it can be a real pain in the ass relying on strangers when you want to be in the shot with your buddies or better half; and who wants to bring a cumbersome, ugly and limited camera tripod on the road? Problem solved! Check out the flexible Joby Gorillapod, it’s by far one of the coolest camera accessories this writer has seen in a long time. They come in a number of sizes and colors to suit your specific needs. The Gorillapod original is perfect for your compact digital and features flexible, wrappable legs that you can secure to virtually any surface thanks to the two dozen leg joints that bend and rotate 360 degrees. You can even wrap the Gorillapod around clothes rods and tree limbs! Perfect for any place you want to be.
$19.95 - $69.95 (depending on the model)
www.joby.com

Mifi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot
Don’t you hate it when you’re on the road and can’t find a Wifi hotspot
For your netbook or iPod when you need one. Well, if you’re a Verizon (or a Sprint) customer you never have to worry about this again with the Mifi 2200 Wireless Hotspot. This Intelligent Mobile Hotspot provides access to up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices, including notebooks, netbooks, MP3 players, smartphones, cameras, PDAs, portable gaming systems and more. Best of all the Mifi weighs around 2 oz and is the size of eight stacked credit cards making it über-portable. It also has some great security features to keep your sensitive info out of lurking cybervillains hands.
$269.99
www.verizonwireless.com

VinniBag
Have you ever found an amazing wine or liquor while traveling abroad and tried to return home safely with it packed in your suitcase? It’s a crapshoot at best with some of the gorilla baggage handlers employed by the airlines these days let me tell you. That’s where VinniBag steps in. VinniBag is a reusable travel bag with inflatable air chambers that protect and insulate wine bottles, other liquids, and fragile items. It’s designed to provide superior protection against impact and leakage, is easy to use, and stores flat, rolled or folded when not in use. It’s also clear, so less hassles with airport security and customs when you’re traveling—hey, every little bit helps. And the piece of mind of not having to worry about your own personal BP-like “spill” in your luggage ruining everything—priceless.
$24.95
www.vinnibag.com

Panasonic BL-C230A Wireless Internet Security Camera
We all do it while we’re vagabonding—worry about what’s going on at home when we aren’t there. So why not embrace the age of video and buy yourself a remote monitoring system? The Panasonic BL-C230 network camera offers crystal clear video easily accessed right from your PC or hand-held device. An on-screen user interface with the ability to pan, tilt, and zoom allows you to adjust camera view wherever you may be. And with Triple Sensor technology detecting changes in sound, motion, and body heat, this camera is the next best thing to being two places at once. What’s also nice is you don’t have to be a tech geek per se to set up a network in your house—it’s plug & play installation with no homebase PC required. We won’t tell the real reason you want to get it—to check up on Fido while you’re at work—right from your smart phone.
$256.97 per camera
www.amazon.com