Top holiday gifts for techies
Garon Anders
Issue date: 11/17/09 Section: Life
The gift-giving season is fast approaching. Your parents, grandparents, and significant others are probably asking for a wish list to help them in their holiday shopping. If you are a technophile, then you are sure to love each of the items I have selected as the best tech gifts for 2009. My list is based on Internet and campus buzz.
1. Apple iPhone 3GS - You probably saw this one coming (and being prominently placed at the top of the list). The iPhone is fast, synchs seamlessly with Apple's iTunes, and gives you access to more than 100,000 apps. The iPhone is only available at AT&T. Prices ranges from $199-$299.
2. Motorola Droid - So, many of you complain that the iPhone is not available on Verizon's network. For a while, it seemed as though Verizon simply could not compete. That changed last week with the introduction of Motorola's Droid. This beautiful phone features a brilliant display, full QWERTY keyboard, and Google's powerful Android operating system. The Droid is available at Verizon Wireless for $199.99. Move over iPhone, I think you have met your match.
3. Logitech Harmony Remote - Let's say you've moved off campus. Finally, you have a TV, Wii, DVD player, and you've worked extra hours to pay for the digital cable your parents would not spring for. Why not ask for a Harmony remote for Christmas? These universal remotes are programmed using your computer. Want to watch a DVD? Instead of powering on the TV, changing the input to HDMI 1, turning on the DVD player, and grabbing the sound system remote, Harmony does everything for you. Its color screen asks you, "What would you like to do?" If you click "Watch a DVD," your Harmony remote turns everything on for you. Want to play a video game, click "Play Game" and your Harmony remote will change your TV input, shut down the DVD player, and ready you to play your gaming console. Harmony remotes are available at Best Buy or from Logitech and range in price from $99-$360.
4. Eee PC 1005HA - Running Intel's Atom processor and boasting a 160 GB hard drive, the 1005HA packs a lot of bang for the buck. I have been using this computer all semester. I have fully abandoned pen and paper for the convenience of typed notes. With UNCG's campus-wide Wi-Fi network, you will be able to take notes online, chat on Facebook, and register for classes, all at the same time. This fully equipped netbook hits the pocketbook sweet spot, coming in at $299.
5. SlotRadio and the SanDisk Sansa Clip - iPods used to be the only gig in town. It seems as though the iPod line may have reached its apex. Consider the latest version of the "Shuffle." The 2nd Generation shuffle was slightly larger than a U.S. quarter and had dedicated power, shuffle, play, pause, volume rocker, and track advance buttons. The latest Shuffle (3rd Generation) is "long" rather than "square," and the dedicated buttons are gone. Instead, you interact with the device through your headphones and by talking to it. Enter the Sansa clip. This device is slightly larger than the 2nd generation iPod Shuffle and has a color screen and dedicated buttons. The Sansa Clip pairs nicely with SlotRadio, a music service that sells 1,000 songs on a micro SD card. The Sansa clip is available for $49.99 at Best Buy. Check out SlotRadio at www.slotradio.com
1. Apple iPhone 3GS - You probably saw this one coming (and being prominently placed at the top of the list). The iPhone is fast, synchs seamlessly with Apple's iTunes, and gives you access to more than 100,000 apps. The iPhone is only available at AT&T. Prices ranges from $199-$299.
2. Motorola Droid - So, many of you complain that the iPhone is not available on Verizon's network. For a while, it seemed as though Verizon simply could not compete. That changed last week with the introduction of Motorola's Droid. This beautiful phone features a brilliant display, full QWERTY keyboard, and Google's powerful Android operating system. The Droid is available at Verizon Wireless for $199.99. Move over iPhone, I think you have met your match.
3. Logitech Harmony Remote - Let's say you've moved off campus. Finally, you have a TV, Wii, DVD player, and you've worked extra hours to pay for the digital cable your parents would not spring for. Why not ask for a Harmony remote for Christmas? These universal remotes are programmed using your computer. Want to watch a DVD? Instead of powering on the TV, changing the input to HDMI 1, turning on the DVD player, and grabbing the sound system remote, Harmony does everything for you. Its color screen asks you, "What would you like to do?" If you click "Watch a DVD," your Harmony remote turns everything on for you. Want to play a video game, click "Play Game" and your Harmony remote will change your TV input, shut down the DVD player, and ready you to play your gaming console. Harmony remotes are available at Best Buy or from Logitech and range in price from $99-$360.
4. Eee PC 1005HA - Running Intel's Atom processor and boasting a 160 GB hard drive, the 1005HA packs a lot of bang for the buck. I have been using this computer all semester. I have fully abandoned pen and paper for the convenience of typed notes. With UNCG's campus-wide Wi-Fi network, you will be able to take notes online, chat on Facebook, and register for classes, all at the same time. This fully equipped netbook hits the pocketbook sweet spot, coming in at $299.
5. SlotRadio and the SanDisk Sansa Clip - iPods used to be the only gig in town. It seems as though the iPod line may have reached its apex. Consider the latest version of the "Shuffle." The 2nd Generation shuffle was slightly larger than a U.S. quarter and had dedicated power, shuffle, play, pause, volume rocker, and track advance buttons. The latest Shuffle (3rd Generation) is "long" rather than "square," and the dedicated buttons are gone. Instead, you interact with the device through your headphones and by talking to it. Enter the Sansa clip. This device is slightly larger than the 2nd generation iPod Shuffle and has a color screen and dedicated buttons. The Sansa Clip pairs nicely with SlotRadio, a music service that sells 1,000 songs on a micro SD card. The Sansa clip is available for $49.99 at Best Buy. Check out SlotRadio at www.slotradio.com
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