Published: November 01. 2009 2:00AM

By Dan Byers
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It’s that time of year again, the time when our thoughts turn from raking leaves to making lists. The names on your list may be naughty or nice, but all are special. So as we start looking for the perfect gift this year, here are a few suggestions to help your loved ones find the safest and easiest way to go over the mountains and through the woods.

Garmin nüvi 1690

Garmin’s latest addition to its popular lineup of portable navigation devices is the nüvi 1690. The nüvi 1690 has a built-in wireless module and comes with two years of free access to Garmin’s nüLink! service, an online wireless service that gives users access to Google local search, real-time fuel prices and traffic updates, movie and local entertainment listings and more.

Finding a point of interest or directions to a destination is simple. Once entered, the nüvi uses turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions and realistic views of road signs and junctions, including arrows to show which lane you need to be in. Real-time traffic information ensures you know about traffic jams well before you reach them.

Google’s local search allows users to search for destinations by name or key words just as they would on a personal computer. And Garmin’s “quick search” feature makes looking for food, fuel or lodging a snap.

The nüvi 1690 also uses Garmin’s location-based social networking system, giving users the ability to share their location with friends, or find a friend’s location on a map.

TomTom application for iPhone

Apple revolutionized the smart-phone market with its ubiquitous iPhone, giving cell-phone users one device for all their portable communications, computing and entertainment needs. Now, iPhone users can make their smart phones even smarter, with the addition of a full-featured navigation application from industry giant TomTom. The new application and separately available car kit bring TomTom’s intuitive interface and turn-by-turn visual and spoken navigation to the iPhone’s advanced multitouch technology, letting you tap your way to your destination.

Whether finding a great new restaurant or meeting up with friends, TomTom IQ Routes will show you the best way to get there, saving you time and money.

The TomTom for iPhone navigation application can be purchased for $99.99 in the Apple iTunes App Store.

Ford’s MyKey

For some parents, a new car is at the top of their teenager’s wish list, and some of the hottest new cars on the market are coming from Ford. But parents are more concerned than ever for their young driver’s safety, and worry that speeding is endangering their teen driver.

For these parents, Ford now offers MyKey. MyKey is a standard new technology designed to give parents peace of mind while encouraging teenagers to drive safely and more fuel efficiently, and increase seat-belt usage.

With MyKey, parents can program their teen’s ignition key to limit the vehicle’s top speed to 80 mph and sound special chimes at 45, 55 and 65 miles per hour. Audio volume can be limited to less than half of the maximum, and teenagers can expect earlier low-fuel warnings.

MyKey also encourages seat-belt usage by automatically muting the vehicle’s audio system until the seat belts are fastened. A message center display “Buckle Up to Unmute Radio” appears on the instrument cluster, and a reminder chimes every minute until the belt is buckled.

MyKey is available in many Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles including the Focus, Escape and Taurus.