Gadgets & Gifts 2012: Tech for the Holidays
Whether you have snow or sand outside your door, the holidays are nearly upon us. That means getting together with friends and family, enjoying some time away from the office and, of course, gift giving.
Let the Good Times Roll
Need a fun distraction from work or just a cool toy to play with in the house? Check out the Carbot, Tankbot and Trekbot, micro-robotic race cars and devices that can battle opponents, navigate mazes or just drive around. The wireless gadgets are fully-controllable with an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Android device. (www.MyDeskPets.com; From $24.99)
A Tablet for Everyone
Tablets are fun, easy for users of all ages, and you the ability to access full dynamic web, video, apps and email from anywhere. Even better, now there’s an affordable Android tablet. The eMatic EXP8 runs on Android 4.0, and offers a full-size tablet experience with a 9.7 inch high resolution screen and fast processor and GPU. The EXP is less than a half inch thick and is a great lightweight companion for those on the go. (www.ematic.us; $179.99)
Dock Your iPhone in Style
iPhones are popular partly because of their sleek style. Now, you can add to that its elegance when charging by using the MetalDock, a charger and dock for iPhone 4/4S that offers an elegant, contemporary design, combined with heavy-duty metal construction. Perfect for the home or office, it’s a simple way to stylishly display your phone. (www.bracketron.com; $34.95)
Make Your Mobile Phone Even More Mobile
Mobile phones are convenient, but not always comfortable to use as a phone. The ePure Mobile Bluetooth Station offers a handset and speaker phone that allows you to view your phone while speaking, without having to be on speaker. It also connects and recharges your mobile device, and has an extended Bluetooth range of more than 60 feet. Plus, it can reduce exposure to potential radiation from cell phones. The stylish design compliments any desktop, and can even stream your music in stereo. (www.epure.swissvoice.net; $149.99)
Sophisticated Sweets
This is not at all tech, but what the heck! For people with a passionately prurient palates, the consummate confectioners at 240 Sweet have your fix of luscious luxury. We’re talking magnificent gourmet marshmallows that come in nearly 200 unique flavors, from bacon chocolate chip and salty caramel swirl, to maple with bourbon sugar and even a spicy Thai chili. The puffs are hand-crafted in small batches, using only local, all natural real foods. These are definitely not your grandma’s marshmallows. (www.240sweet.com; from $6.00 for small packages, also available in monthly theme sets.)
Your Gadgets Should Match Your Style
Whether you prefer a classic menswear look or something to reflect your inner preppy, Preppy Princess was a wide range of iPad and iPhone cases for individuals wanting something more elegant than generic covers and cases. The covers are available in “Bespoke Suite” styles, as well as shirt and tie, and nautical flag designs. There are also designs for the anti-preppy, in their “GTH” group. All of the products can be personally monogrammed. (www.PreppyPrincess.com; From $25)
A Powerful Portable Projector
Mobile professionals often need a projector, but they always pose a challenge in airport travel and it’s just inconvenient to have to lug an extra case around. The Acer C120 USB Projector is the solution. It’s travel-friendly size is about as big as one iPhone (and the thickness of two), and the C120 instantly connects to a laptop or PC and is a great fit for travelers, providing up to 1280x800 resolution and 100 Lumens of brightness. (www.Acer.com; $259.99)
Get Your Game On… On Your Tablet
Tablet gaming is on the rise, but playing the games, especially first-person shooter and sports, using the touchscreen isn’t the best interface and hands get in the way of the display. GameStop has the solution, with its exclusive Bluetooth tablet controller, giving gamers with Android tablets a more comfortable gaming experience whether at home or on the go. It has a connectivity range of up to 30 feet, perfect for when playing tablet games when connected to an HDTV. (www.GameStop.com; $39)
