The run up to Christmas has started and already the shops are sprouting trees and tinsel.

So I have been looking round the High Street stores at some of the latest technology goodies.

Plantronics, the world's largest manufacturer of communications headsets has just launched a new range of fancy, noise-cancelling headgear that should keep the PC and Mac user amused for hours.

With a multitude of uses, including the latest voice recognition-enabled computer games and broadband internet chat, one of these could be a great gift for the technically advanced user (£12.99 to £34.99).

A piece of kit I will be dropping large hints about is the new ultra-thin DS6618 Cardcam digital camera from Oregon.

This has to be the smallest, neatest camera I have ever handled and weighs just 35 grams. It is the size of a credit card and can easily sit in a shirt pocket, just waiting for the right moment to snap the action.

Although the Cardcam is not the most technically advanced camera in the world, it does have some very nifty features, including Autobrite technology that automatically enhances dynamic range and adjusts exposure to make sure your pictures are crisp and clear even when ambient lighting is horrid (£79.99).

At the lower end of the technology ladder, the Pifco Evo Multi Lantern will brighten up even the most gloomy Christmas.

This futuristic-looking hand torch is a real illumination style statement and comprises a sliding micro cold cathode fluorescent tube mounted in a funky shockproof plastic case.

The advantage of the Pifco lantern over more conventional torches is it has extremely low battery drain and there is no bulb to replace.

It comes complete with an LED spotlight mounted on the end of the case, just the job for finding house numbers or dropped car keys (£15.99).

I have saved the best until last as I absolutely can't resist the new Acer TravelMate C100, developed specifically for Microsoft's new Windows XP tablet PC edition operating system and launched last week.

This seriously cool computer accepts freehand input from an electronic pen, voice, keyboard and mouse commands and combines the power and weight of an ultra portable notebook with the convenience of pen and paper.

Like all amazing new technology, it isn't cheap and the price is not expected to drop for some time but don't let that stop you wanting one.

Specifications include:

800MHz Intel Mobile Pentium III-M processor, 256Mb SD RAM expandable to 1Gb, minimum 30Gb removable Ultra ATA/100 hard disk, 10.1inch TFT XGA screen, 56K fax/modem, network interface, a complete range of I/O ports and a lithium ion battery.

In short, the C100 is a fully functional notebook computer that runs all Windows-based applications as well as those with pen and vocal input and I want one so badly I can taste it.

The price is about £1,700 but shop around as you might pick up a real bargain.

Contact 0870 900 2237 or www.acer.com for more details.