by Claire Edwards

Created on: October 28, 2009

The in-car entertainment industry is booming as more and more people use their cars for more than just a means of travelling around.

Whether your car becomes your 'office on the move' and you need the latest hands free phone kit, or whether you simply enjoy sticking on the latest tunes and want the most up to date music connectivity device there are hundreds of gadgets to suits your needs.

And, with Christmas on the way we've scoured the globe for this year's best new car electronics.

First on the shopping list should be the ultimate in car electronic device, the Sat Nav. With a raft of great systems to choose from it can get a bit confusing but we reckon the best one on sale this year is this; the Tom Tom Go! 940 LIVE Satellite Navigation System.

Tipped as potentially one of the best over the counter satellite navigation systems ever, the Go! 940 uses LIVE to bring you the most up to date traffic and roadwork information and direct you around any incidents. It will even tell you about any incidents that lie ahead and giving you a potential delay time and our favourite feature it even will tell you the cheapest place to buy fuel on route. The clear touch-screen also makes it dead easy to use for even the biggest gadget-phobes. It's a touch on the pricey side at 350 and a subscription to LIVE will cost 8 a month. That said if you're doing big miles we think its well worth it for one of the most complete navigation systems available on the market.

For those who like a few tunes whilst in the car, why not invest in the new iPod Nano. It might not be specific to cars, but what better way to take your music everywhere with you. Available in loads of different colours and in 8GB and 16GB versions or depending on how many albums you want to squeeze onto it the Nano is the most compact iPod available. Not only that but it also now has video and movie player options - although obviously we'd advise against these features while driving - and a new FM radio function.

Our final car electronic must-buy gift this Christmas has to be an in-car DVD system. Especially useful if you're off to visit the family this Yuletide and have kids to entertain on the long trip in the car. Stick on a DVD and enjoy the peace and quiet as you drive perfect. There's a range of them to choose from; Halfords has a good selection too. Plus, if you want something fitted permanently to the car ask your local dealer about aftermarket options as many MPV and 4x4 car manufacturers offer them as an extra.

But whatever you choose for your techie petrol head this Christmas, make it a good one.

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