Now that we are down to the last month of the year (where did the year go?), are you wondering what to get your favorite Geek for Christmas? If you are "technically challenged", you may have no idea what he or she may want or need. Well, being of Geek mind, I have a list of things you might consider.
Some of the newest and neatest digital point and shoot cameras on the market are the cameras just released by Sony. Three Sony Cyber-shot 8.1 megapixel digital cameras have features called Face Detection and Smile Shutter. What Face Detection does is automatically detects and focuses on up to eight faces in the photo. Gone are the days of out of focus faces because the camera was focusing on some in front of the person you wanted. Smile Shutter takes it even one more step further by automatically snapping the photo when it detects the person smiling! I tested this out at the Sony Expo last month and it worked well.
Myself with Sony Hawaii President Naobumi Nomura
There are three models at this time: The T70- $299.99; theT200 - $399.99; and the T2 - $349.99. They have a LCD screen ranging from 2.7" to 3.5" so you can see what you are taking. You can get these at a number of places but for the best selection and assistance you might want to try Shirokiya or Sears. You also may find a limited selection of these at CompUSA, Costco or Sams Club.
For more information go to the Sony Style website: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=16201
Everyone has heard of the Apple iPod MP3 music players. If you are having a hard time finding them or think they are a bit pricey, you should take a look at the Sony Walkman Video MP3. The first of the two models is the A810 Series which will play 8 hours of video or 33 hours of music. The A810s have a 2" LCD screen, 2 to 8GB of memory and cost between $109.95 and $199.95. The A610 Series has a 1.8" LCD screen, 2-4 GB of memory and cost between $89.95 and $129.95. You can these at the same places I mentioned above for the Sony Cyber-Shot cameras.
For more information go to the Sony Style website:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=16178
Some consider the new product of the year to be the Apple iPhone. However, in my humble opinion, what makes the iPhone a big hit is not that it's a great cell phone. It's because of it's innovative multi-touch user interface (or in plain language, it has a great new way for the user to tell it what to do). After the launch of the iPhone, Apple quietly launched the iTouch (iPhone without the cell phone). This multi-media player has the same great interface as the iPhone. It has a 3.5" LCD Multi-touch LCD screen, 8 or 16 GB memory and WiFi capabilities. It is priced at $299 and $399. They are available at the CompUSA and the Apple Stores.
For more info got to:
http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/ The best "new" gaming system is the Nintendo Wii. The neat thing about this system is the controllers are motion sensitive. You don't only use your fingers to control the play but you use your whole arm and even your body. Gone are the days of couch potato gaming. It is priced at $249.99 for console, which includes one set of controllers and Wii-Sports game. You need to spend another $60 for a second set of controllers. These are still fairly hard to get so if you see one buy it quickly. CompUSA and most other toy stores carry this game but you may need to check if they are in stock or when the next shipment is coming in.
For more info go to: http://wii.nintendo.com.
http://www.compusa.com/products/products.asp?in_dim_search=1&N=%2D4494
If you are looking for something in particular or looking for something for your Geek with everything, the best site on-line for ideas is: http://www.thinkgeek.com.
What do they have?
Electronic candles are better than real ones. They are safe and still provides the same atmosphere. The unique things about these are you turn them on and off by blowing at them. They cost $11.99 or 14.99 plus postage and They last about 300 hours on a set of batteries. http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/lights/94ce/
Another neat item is a WiFi E-mail enable 7" or 8" Digital Phone Frame. All you have to do to get new photos on the frame is to send it an e-mail with the photo attached. The prices ranges from $149.99 to $249.99. http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/cameras/94a5/.
There are many versions of digital photo frames out on the market. According to Ken Elton, General Manager of CompUSA Ala Moana, this will be the most popular techie gift this Christmas. They have a large selection of frames at a whole range of prices.
Pandigital 8-inch Digital Photo Frame with 128MB on-Board Memory - $179.99/
Does your Geek have a lot of old vinyl records? Then he or she may want an USB Turntable. From only $69.99, this device will plug directly into a computer and you can convert all those vintage songs to digital media that will last forever. Or at least longer than we will. You can find this model at Costco but Sharper Image has them as well.
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11226428&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US
Does your Geek carry portable devices that always seem to be running out of power? Then he or she needs a mobile charger. The iGo universal charger (http://www.igo.com/default.asp) is priced from $129.95 for the base and then $9.95 for special adapters. The iGo is able to get it's power from the wall outlet, car or the air planes. It converts that powers to the required voltages for a laptop and one other device at the same time. Those devices can be a cell phone, PDA, portable game any a few other devices. It saves you from carrying chargers for each one of your portable devices. These are available on-line or at Radio Shack.
Another power product is this multiple device charger. The ChargePod cost $49.95 + $9.95 per device adapter and $19.95 for a car adapter. It can powers up to 6 devices at the same time: Phones, headsets, PDA, portable games. It is available on-line. http://www.callpod.com.
Well, I have one last suggestion if all the above didn't seem to interest you. Some Geeks don't enjoy cleaning their cars from time to time. After a while their car window gets a little hard to see through and it needs a good cleaning both outside and inside. Well, you can treat them to a car wash from McKinley Car Wash. For less than $15 you get one of the best car washes in town.
Happy shopping and have a Merry Christmas!
