Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Gadget Guru
Your techie pal is always on top of the latest trends in gadgets and gizmos–we’re one step ahead of the game.
—Liz Doyle, Amanda Hoffstrom, Jason Oliver Nixon and Mackenzie Waddick
Home & Office Mat by Powermat
A perfect gift for “gageteers” on the go, the Powermat system wirelessly charges up to three gadgets simultaneously (sans wires). Either charge with the included Powercube receiver or simply drop and charge with device-specific receivers (sold separately). Compatible devices include iPhone, BlackBerry, Nintendo DS, MP3 players, cell phones, headsets, digital cameras and GPS units.
Home & Office Mat by Powermat, $99.99.
Photo courtesy of Powermat
Portable Blu-ray Disc Player by Panasonic
Don’t leave the high-def experience at home come your next trip. Take your Blu-ray discs on the road with Panasonic’s DMP-B15K—the world’s first portable Blu-ray player. It features an 8.9-inch LCD screen, a memory card slot and Internet accessibility. Who knows—it could be the key to surviving long flights to see the family this holiday season.
Portable Blu-ray Disc Player by Panasonic, $799.95.
Photo courtesy of Panasonic
Bold by BlackBerry
A smart phone with a chic new look, the BlackBerry Bold features a leather back, making this smart phone look as luxurious as it feels. It is also complete with voice-guided GPS, wireless e-mail access and 3G speed. Available exclusively at AT&T, a two-year contract and mail-in rebate provide a $250 discount.
Bold by BlackBerry, $199.99 after two-year contract and rebate.
Photo courtesy of BlackBerry
Windows 7 Ultimate by Microsoft
PC owners are all geeked up over this one! After all the problems with Vista, the newest Microsoft operating system was designed with customer feedback in mind; upgraded features such as Snap and Pin seem incredibly user-friendly. All problems solved or not, the little girl from the commercials make us want to give it a try. Either upgrade your current operating system or purchase the full Home, Professional or Ultimate versions.
Windows 7 Ultimate by Microsoft, $319.99 (for full version).
Photo courtesy of Microsoft
DualView TL220 Digital Camera by Samsung
Self-portrait takers are in narcissistic heaven! The Samsung DualView features a 1.5-inch LCD screen on the front of the camera that reflects what the lens sees, letting the photographer be in the picture every time. Now if only they could do something about the awkward extended arm pose . . .
Camera also features include a 3-inch back LCD touchscreen, 27-millimeter wide-angle lens and 4.6-times optical zoom.
DualView TL220 Digital Camera by Samsung, $299.99.
Photo courtesy of Samsung
MinoHD Camcorder by Flip Video
With double the recording space of the previous model, the new MinoHD camcorder lets you quickly capture anything—from your kids’ dance recital to your best friend’s rendition of “Blame it on the Rain”—without missing a beat. The slim design and flip-out USB arm for uploading and recharging make it perfect for travel. Choose to personalize the camera with your own image, or pick one of the cheeky designs from the gallery . . . making it all your own.
MinoHD Camcorder by Flip Video, $229.99.
Photo courtesy of Flip Video
Cinemin Swivel Multimedia Projector by WowWee
Gone is the need for the high-priced projector to get a movie theater experience at home. Connect your iPhone and flip camcorder or digital camera, and watch as movies (or slideshows) are projected onto any surface, whether it be your wall or ceiling.
Cinemin Swivel Multimedia Projector by WowWee, $349.99.
Photo courtesy of WowWee
Party-shot Automatic Photographer by Sony
Forget about playing photog at your next get-together; rather, let your camera do the work. With the Party-shot from Sony, just attach your camera to the panning base and “forgetta ‘bout it.” The base pans 360 degrees, automatically capture anyone who is smiling. Your Facebook albums have never looked so good! Compatible with Sony’s TX1 or WX1 Cyber-shot digital cameras. Camera and dock sold separately.
Party-shot Automatic Photographer by Sony, $149.99.
Photo courtesy of Sony
iPod nano with Video by Apple
Part iPod, part video camera and part radio—the new nano is better than ever. The built-in video camera allows for those spontaneous moments to be documented, wherever they may happen. Plus, the nano’s Live Pause function and tagging feature make listening to the radio nothing like listening to the radio.
iPod nano with Video by Apple, 8G $149, 16G $179.
Photo courtesy of Apple
XL 340S LIVE by TomTom
No longer just a sexy (yet slightly mechanical) voice, this updated GPS features programmed “must-sees” along with Google Local Search, allowing users to search for nearby shops and businesses and navigate directly to them. The extra-wide 4.3-inch screen puts fuel prices, weather forecasts and traffic information an arm-length away.
XL 340S LIVE by TomTom, $299.95.
Photo courtesy of TomTom