December 3, 2010
Interesting Gadget Gifts that Won’t Break the Bank
Looking for something high tech this holiday season, but don’t want to spend $500 on a new iPad? Here are five affordable gifts for the technology lovers in your life (or yourself) that are easy to use, experience-enhancing, and cutting edge.
1. Glide TV Navigator
Who it’s for: Someone who loves watching online movies and television episodes.
What it does: Glide TV Navigator is “the easiest way to watch internet TV from your couch.” Many people enjoy watching free online content on their higher quality HD televisions, but using a mouse and keyboard in the living room isn’t ideal. The Glide TV Navigator is a handheld, wireless touch pad remote, that lets you navigate the internet on your TV. Its predictive search technology helps you find your favorite web shows faster, and you can also use it to multi-task and surf the web while you watch.
Where to get it: Holiday special for $49, http://glidetv.com/
2. Glove Tips
Who it’s for: Touch phone owners living in colder climates.
What it does: Want to use your touch phone outside without taking off your gloves? Attach these small metal disks to the tips of any gloves you own and you’re all set. These tips do the same job as $200 specialty gloves and they let you show off your own personal style. Compatible with most touch screen devices including iPod and iPad, as well as all Android and Windows 7 Phones
Where to get it: $19.99 (use promo code “25intro” to get 25% off and free shipping by 11:59 pm 12/5/10), http://www.glovetips.com/Order.aspx
3. Polaroid Instant Camera
Who it’s for: Retro-tech lovers.
What it does: It’s not new, but it’s sleeker than ever. Instant cameras are back with the new Polaroid 300, which has four lighting settings and autoflash. Its business card sized photos are great for guest books, and for people who just missed shaking their developing pictures.
Where to get it: $79.95 plus $9.99 for a film pack of 10 photos, http://www.amazon.com
4. Logitech C510 HD Webcam
Who it’s for: Skype users who want a webcam upgrade, or need one for old desktops.
What it does: The Logitech C510 Webcam has a a 2-megapixel image sensor that is capable of capturing 720p video, and it works well with Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, Windows Live Messenger and Google Chat. Its technology corrects for poorly lit settings, eliminates ambient noise, and keeps the camera centered on your face as you move around. It also lets you upload video and still images to Facebook and Youtube with one click
Where to get it: $54.92, http://www.amazon.com/
5. Eye-Fi Wireless Memory Card
Who it’s for: People who love to take photos but never get around to sharing them.
What it does: The Eye-Fi Wireless Memory Card lets you spend more time enjoying your photos and less time transferring them. It automatically uploads photos to your computer, into back up folders, and onto favorite sharing websites such as Flickr, Facebook, and Picasa via Wi-Fi within minutes. It works like a regular memory card in all compatible cameras (see website for details, many major brands are included) with up to 2,000 photos or 90mn of video.
Where to get it: $44.88 for a 4G card, http://www.amazon.com
