THE true Gadgetman (or woman) simply couldn't do without a personal digital assistant (PDA). Sales of these nifty little gadgets have really taken off in the last couple of years.

The biggest seller of all is the Palm - a tablet-sized computer that's perfect for taking notes, storing contacts and, with the right attachment, surfing the web. One reason why they are so popular is the relatively cheap price point Palm machines are now selling at. The cost of joining the Palm family is now less than £100.

Of course, the cheaper models make do without a few of the nice extras you can expect of a PDA costing hundreds more. Some of the bargain basement models don't come with a sturdy case and that can be fatal. Because they are so thin, it's hideously easy to leave a PDA in your back pocket only to discover, too late, that your mistake has fatal consequences when you sit down.

Palm has already brought out a range of snap-on protective covers in colours to match your mood. Now it has gone one step further and teamed up with Japanese fashion designers to create a range of clothing accessories to go with its machines.

Fed up with that old anorak? Then why not splash out on the Palm raincoat that comes with specially-lined pockets to protect your electronic pal from static electricity. These go-anywhere garments aren't cheap (they range from £130 and the best costs a wallet-shrinking £500) but they promise to protect your favourite gadget like nothing else. Palm reckons it should have a catalogue available by Christmas.

ONLY the Japanese could invent a toothbrush that does away with toothpaste in favour of an electrical current. A new gadget that's just gone on sale in the Far East sends a 1.8 volt current through your mouth, setting up vibrations that are supposed to loosen plaque. Quite what it does to fillings (which are metal based) is all rather unclear.

You follow up this shock therapy with a scrub from a specially-designed brush which leaves your mouth feeling cool and refreshed. Not surprisingly, there are no plans to sell these electric toothbrushes over here.

JVC's new digital video cameras can record top-class video and snap high resolution stills, thanks to some innovative new technology. The flagship of the JVC digi-cam range, the GR-V2000 is aimed at semi-professional users who demand absolute perfection from their equipment. There's an analogue manual focus ring and a hot shoe for optional extras such as lights, a flash or a stereo microphone. You can even save your pictures on a memory card for easy downloading to a PC. Perfect for creative-types who love to manipulate their shots for extra effect.