Gadgets
Flip Mino HD ($230, all prices US): Got a Luddite friend or relative who avoids hi-tech gadgets like the swine flu? Consider getting these tech-haters the Flip Mino HD, a pocket camcorder so easy even John McCain could use it. Just press the big red button on the front to record and stop and, well, that’s it. The new MinoHD also boasts twice the memory (8 GB) as its predecessor. It has reasonable battery life — 1.75 hours of mostly continuous recording — but the Flip’s sleek body and simplicity that truly makes it a winner.
Amazon Kindle 2 ($260): For the book nerd in your life, Amazon’s ebook reader is not only cool looking but as mobile as it gets. The size of a paperback, it can hold 1,500 books and features E Ink technology so the text can be read easily in any light. Amazon claims that the Kindle lasts four to five days with the wireless on, which isn’t too shabby for serious bookworms. Especially useful is the text-to-speech function for people who want 1,500 audiobooks on one device. Highly recommended.
Toshiba Netbook NB200 ($460): Smaller than ye ol’ laptop and larger than a smartphone, netbooks live in that middle space for Netizens who want a second PC. This Toshiba beaut sports a 10-inch screen and a full-sized keyboard, ideal for mobile warriors looking for a simple netbook to surf the Web. While it’s not a great unit for hardcore tasks like photo and video editing, the NB200 can be a high-end gift for that intense Web lover who jump from Wi-Fi hotspot to hotspot. And you can’t go wrong with a built-in webcam and mic.
Powermat charger ($100, plus $40 for receiver/case): For the tech junkie with a buffet of devices, the Powermat can charge them all wirelessly. You have to plug in the Powermat but then you can place cellphones, MP3 players, digital cameras and more on its pads to charge these devices all at once. It uses magnetic induction to wirelessly shuttle power from the mat to the device, and it stops charging up to three devices once they’ve been fully topped up (now that’s eco-friendly). We recommend the Portable Mat version, which folds up neatly to the size of a cigarette pack and comes with a hard case for all your tech-heavy travels.
Games
DJ Hero ($120): Guitar Hero is so 2007. Exclusively for the Xbox 360, DJ Hero lets you try out your turntable skills with its unique platter controller resembling a pared-down DJ set. You can scratch, nail beats on time, cross-fade (in medium mode and up), and create custom playlists. It’s so much fun you’ll pretend you’re at a DMC championship. DJ Hero includes tracks from Jay-Z, 2Pac, Rihanna, Beck, Beastie Boys, Grandmaster Flash, the Jackson 5 and much more.
FIFA 10 ($60): With the World Cup set to descend on June 2010, gamers are looking to do their own bicycle kicks and headers. EA Sports’ best version of its FIFA series is incredible, displaying realistic graphics and challenging gameplay. You can’t just deke around CPU defenders with ease, but instead show patience and sports smarts. You can sit in the manager’s chair and get all executive-like if you prefer that game mode, and the penalty kick game is also fun stuff for a quick burst of soccer action.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars ($40): Available for the PSP, this GTA game shines bright on the handheld device. Of course, Rockstar had to make some concessions bringing the console game to a smaller screen, but it’s still a winning gift for a kid who can’t wait to tour Liberty City with his PSP. Viewer discretion advised, of course, but we don’t think there are any hidden prostitute scenes in this game.
