Familiar with checkpoint-friendly laptop bags? They’re bags designed in a way that allows them go through airport security while your laptop remains inside—no more removing the computer and placing it in a separate bin. We can all appreciate reduced airport hassle, right? Options for this style of bag started out pretty business-oriented, and then along came this pretty thing. Pretty, but hard-working, with built-in helpers including interior pockets, key holder and an attached clear quart-sized bag for your similarly checkpoint-friendly mini toiletries.

See that little oval thing attached to the backpack strap? That’s a four-ounce speaker, which connects wirelessly to your iPod within a range of 30 feet. The speaker comes with mounts that help attach it to places like your backpack, stroller or bike (in some cities, it’s illegal to use headphones on bikes). You can control the track, volume and playlist directly from the speaker, too.

Who else was crushed when they quit making instant film for those big old clunky Polaroid cameras? Well, this 5 megapixel digital with zoom, timer and red-eye removal prints 2-inch by 3-inch photo stickers with its integrated inkless printer. Clearly an upgrade. Likely absent: That kachunk-whir sound and anticipation-building processing time your grandkids will never experience.

Yum—new compact candy-colored hard-sided luggage from my number one favorite luggage designer. The perks on this one include a built-in TSA-friendly lock, four 360-degree-swivel wheels and a clam-shell interior, half of which can be zipped off with a mesh panel. I love my similarly wee Hideo. It’s perfectly long-weekend-sized.

Bonus: Type in the coupon code “trustypony” upon checkout at Flight001 and get 15% off the Jelly Bean.

The idea behind this new piece of luggage: Roll through the airport with your one allowable suitcase, then zip the duffel off on the plane to store, within easy reach, under the seat in front of you. The leather-meets-canvas design nicely differentiates it from your standard black bag.

TrustyPony’s going on break until the new year—woo-hoo! I’m leaving you with my final reminder about the very worthy Passports with Purpose fundraiser, wherein you donate money to a fantastic world cause (Heifer International) in the form of $10 raffle tickets that could win you some crazy-awesome travel prizes—hotel stays, cooking lessons, camera gear, books and much, much more. All prizes were arranged by travel bloggers, and TrustyPony’s offering is this Solio magnesium, a solar charger you can hook to the back of your pack, or stick to your hostel window, or prop outside your tent to soak up the sun’s rays, which it stores to charge your phone, camera, GPS unit or similar electronic. That’s a $170 value for just a $10 raffle ticket, and not many people have signed up for the Solio, so your chances, right now, are very, very good. We’re just a couple hundred dollars short of our $5,000 dollar goal. Help us meet it! (Instructions on entering below.)

Enjoy these last few days of 2008, and check back for the scoop on great new gear in the new year. Happy holidays & travels!

To win:

1. Go to the Passports with Purpose website. Write down the code(s) for the prize(s) you want to win.
2. Head to the First Giving page before midnight on December 29th. (You can also get there directly from the PWP prizes page.) For each $10 donation you make, you’ll be entered into the raffle for the prize of your choice. Remember to enter the prize code in the “comments” field on the form. (The Solio is G02.) Also, don’t hide your email. We need it to tell you if you’ve won.
3. Pat yourself on the back for helping support Heifer International’s goal of ending world hunger.
4. Enjoy the holidays while you patiently wait. Winners chosen on December 30th.

Plugs into a car or regular outlet to make wet snowboard or ski boots warm and dry for the next day’s runs.

(Via the NYTimes’ Shedding the Mud-Puddle Look).

Here it is, folks. The first solar laptop bag that can fully power a laptop. According to Voltaic, give the 15-Watt solar panel about five hours of full sunshine and the internal battery is fully charged and ready to do the same for your computer. One hour will give you 20 to 45 minutes, depending on your laptop, or could fully charge a smaller electronic, such as your iPod, phone or camera. You could plug into a wall to generate a charge as well. The bag itself is made from recycled plastic soda bottles, making it waterproof and UV-resistant. My experience with Voltaic and other solar products has taught me that when they say “full sunshine,” they mean “full sunshine.” If you need the charge, get serious about your panel placement.

It’s hard to describe exactly what this squishy, beanbag-like little touchscreen unit is, in part because it depends on what you make it. Though the unit itself stays plugged in, Chumby wirelessly streams your choice of 1,000 free widgets, with possibilities including stocks, sports, email, games, weather and social networking. Helpful travel uses include alarm clock, digital photo display, music player and cheap gas finder.

So a bunch of travel bloggers, including yours truly, pulled together to offer loads of fantastic travel goodies for a fundraiser called Passports with Purpose, to help Heifer International with its goal of ending world hunger. Just $10 a ticket enters you to win prizes including hotel stays, merino wool long underwear, a Flip video camera and this palm-sized Solio Magnesium Edition, “the world’s most advanced hybrid charger,” which uses the sun’s power to keep your electronics charged anywhere. A full charge would likely juice up your phone twice, for example, or give you over 20 hours of MP3 music. Stores power for up to a year.

To enter:
1. Check out all of the prizes here. Write down the code(s) for the prize(s) you want to win.
2. Go to the Passports with Purpose First Giving page. (You can also get there directly from the prizes page.) For each $10 donation you make, you’ll be entered into the raffle for the prize of your choice. Be sure to enter the prize code in the “comments” field on the form. And please, don’t hide your email. We won’t share it, but do need it to tell you if you’ve won. Oh, and yes, First Giving will give you a receipt for your donation. If you work somewhere with gift matching, please provide that information when you make your donation.
3. Tell all your friends so they, too, can enter to win cool prizes while basking in the spirit of the season.
4. Cross your fingers and wait. Winners pulled on December 30th.