A new crop of travel-savvy tech toys is coming your way. They manage workloads, order groceries, and even - hubba, hubba - keep the love fires burnin'.
If you're always on the lookout for gadgets to make your travel-heavy life easier, you're in luck. We've done the looking for you, just in time to spotlight all the nifty stuff that's set for unveiling at this month's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. This armful of great finds won't just keep your appointments straight and your schedule organized, they can enhance your personal life, too, even when you're far away. Whether you need to get the weather in Bangkok or order groceries from the neighborhood store when you're in Buenos Aires, you'll find help here. And though we can't promise any of these devices will make your significant other love you more - they are only machines, after all - a few could help you keep in touch with that special someone while you're away. The rest is up to you.

NEXT BEST THING TO YOU
For baby boomers and Nick at Nite fans, 3Com's new Internet appliance may come across as a cyber version of Hazel, the lovable old television housekeeper. We think of this hard-working gadget, called AUDREY, as an electronic clone of your errand-running mode. Audrey will take messages, order groceries, and track your activities, all without your presence. Your milk goes bad on the 15th when you're overseas? No sweat. Audrey will have more delivered to your door, just in time for your teenage son to guzzle it out of the carton. Unfortunately, Audrey may be a better conversationalist than you; she'll keep everyone entertained and informed with the latest news, weather, sports, stock updates, and showbiz gossip. Best of all, Audrey can talk (via modem) to your PC, laptop, or handheld. If she's not needed back home, Audrey can pick up and plug into a phone line anywhere you go - hotels, convention halls, summer homes, and business retreats. Program her to order flowers along with the milk and you're on the right track.$499 (includes a three-ounce wireless keyboard and AC adapter); available now at 3Com.com.