Holiday Tech Toys
Late November, time to hit the malls looking for the perfect tech toys for all the good people in your life. This year getting it on sale should be no problem so let’s jump in Santa’s sleigh and go through his big red bag of goodies.
Flash Drives
These little hard drives have tumbled in price and soared through the roof in capacity. It’s no problem to find 1 or 2 GB models from Kingston, VGI, SanDisk, and others for less than $20. I have seen 4 GB and 8GB models for $40 and 16 GB’s for under $100. 16 GB is larger than the hard drive in my first apple laptop back in the 1990’s. They attach using a USB port and are the perfect little transport or storage devices.
USB hubs
If you use a laptop you know how frustrating it can be when you have more toys to plug in than you have USB ports available. The Source caries the Nexxtech 7 port powered hub that will give you all the space to plug in your gadgets you’ll ever need for around $30.
Computer Games
Are you worried the grandkids will become couch potatoes if you buy then a game for their gaming console? Fear not, your grand-daughter will love “Dance Dance Revolution” with a special light-up mat to dance on it will keep her jumping, squirming and smiling. For boys “Guitar Hero” is the ticket or “Rockband”. Both let you play along with your favourite bands as the guitarist (both) drummer or singer (Rockband). You can get a version for the Nintendo Wii, Microsoft’s Xbox 360, or Sony Playstation.
Digital Picture Frame
High definition LCD screens set into a beautiful photo frame connect to a computer through its USB port or can make use of a memory card from your digital camera. The ever-changing images will be a hit with Grandma’s this Christmas. $90 at Future Shop.
DVD’s
Kids will love the newly released “Wall-E” while adults will howl watching Tom Cruise in a fat suit in “Tropic Thunder” or weep through the coming of age movie “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2”. $23 at Best Buy.
Don’t forget to pick-up a copy of “Miracle on 34th Street” or “It’s a Wonderful Life” for Christmas morning over breakfast.
Hi Tech Clock Radio
Boston Acoustics Solo Clock is a fantastic deal at $120 at Best Buy. This charmer has two alarms, fantastic sound, and wakes you up with a slowly increasing volume of alarm or music. It can also be horizontally or vertically orientated thanks to its ingenious rotating face.
Headphones
If you bought iPods last year get ‘em new headphones to replace those stupid little white buds. Grado has been making award winning headphones for decades but recently built a wonderful set made for the iPod called iGrado… what else? They are about $75 at Advance and come in white or black.
Wireless Mouse & Keyboards
Getting rid of cables is always fun and everyone is making wireless mice and keyboards just make sure your computer is Bluetooth compatible and has lots of processing power.
Software
Apple folks will love the new iWork suite with a word processor (Pages), Spreadsheet (Numbers) and Presentation (Keynote) software. PC users will want to try “Dragon Naturally Speaking” a voice recognition software package. Better Homes and Gardens has a whole pile of programs for interior design, landscape design and home design.
Have a safe and happy Christmas season.
Flash Drives
These little hard drives have tumbled in price and soared through the roof in capacity. It’s no problem to find 1 or 2 GB models from Kingston, VGI, SanDisk, and others for less than $20. I have seen 4 GB and 8GB models for $40 and 16 GB’s for under $100. 16 GB is larger than the hard drive in my first apple laptop back in the 1990’s. They attach using a USB port and are the perfect little transport or storage devices.
USB hubs
If you use a laptop you know how frustrating it can be when you have more toys to plug in than you have USB ports available. The Source caries the Nexxtech 7 port powered hub that will give you all the space to plug in your gadgets you’ll ever need for around $30.
Computer Games
Are you worried the grandkids will become couch potatoes if you buy then a game for their gaming console? Fear not, your grand-daughter will love “Dance Dance Revolution” with a special light-up mat to dance on it will keep her jumping, squirming and smiling. For boys “Guitar Hero” is the ticket or “Rockband”. Both let you play along with your favourite bands as the guitarist (both) drummer or singer (Rockband). You can get a version for the Nintendo Wii, Microsoft’s Xbox 360, or Sony Playstation.
Digital Picture Frame
High definition LCD screens set into a beautiful photo frame connect to a computer through its USB port or can make use of a memory card from your digital camera. The ever-changing images will be a hit with Grandma’s this Christmas. $90 at Future Shop.
DVD’s
Kids will love the newly released “Wall-E” while adults will howl watching Tom Cruise in a fat suit in “Tropic Thunder” or weep through the coming of age movie “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2”. $23 at Best Buy.
Don’t forget to pick-up a copy of “Miracle on 34th Street” or “It’s a Wonderful Life” for Christmas morning over breakfast.
Hi Tech Clock Radio
Boston Acoustics Solo Clock is a fantastic deal at $120 at Best Buy. This charmer has two alarms, fantastic sound, and wakes you up with a slowly increasing volume of alarm or music. It can also be horizontally or vertically orientated thanks to its ingenious rotating face.
Headphones
If you bought iPods last year get ‘em new headphones to replace those stupid little white buds. Grado has been making award winning headphones for decades but recently built a wonderful set made for the iPod called iGrado… what else? They are about $75 at Advance and come in white or black.
Wireless Mouse & Keyboards
Getting rid of cables is always fun and everyone is making wireless mice and keyboards just make sure your computer is Bluetooth compatible and has lots of processing power.
Software
Apple folks will love the new iWork suite with a word processor (Pages), Spreadsheet (Numbers) and Presentation (Keynote) software. PC users will want to try “Dragon Naturally Speaking” a voice recognition software package. Better Homes and Gardens has a whole pile of programs for interior design, landscape design and home design.
Have a safe and happy Christmas season.
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