North Face E-Tip Gloves

Long story short: They let you use your iPod or iPhone when it's chilly outside.

Willa Plank reviewed them as follows in yesterday's Wall Street Journal:  "At first blush, these gloves' futuristic design [top] looks more suited for a gamer. The tip of the index finger and thumb are covered with so-called X-static fabric, which contains a layer of silver. Though the action was slightly more awkward than a human touch for the screen and slide wheel, we found these gloves the easiest to use among the ones we tested that still left our hands covered."

$39.95  (iPhone not included).