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Holiday Gift Guide: Docks
Welcome to TUAW's 2011 Holiday Gift Guide! We're here to help you choose the best gifts this holiday season, and once you've received your gifts we'll tell you what apps and accessories we think are best for your new Apple gear. Stay tuned every weekday from now until the end of the year for our picks and helpful guides and check our Gift Guide hub to see our guides as they become available. For even more holiday fun, check out sister site Engadget's gift guide. If you're an iPhone or an iPad owner, or you're looking to acquire or gift them, a good dock is a worthwhile accessory. Some docks will handle both. They're great for a dorm room, your desk at work or a nightstand so you can keep your iOS device charged while you're sleeping. Here's some suggested docks to get you started, and below we have a few usage scenarios for them. For the bedroom or dorm room A dock in the bedroom can serve as a great secondary stereo system. Several systems double as alarm clocks, so you can make sure you wake up on time and with your iPhone fully charged (all prices are USD). Sony Speaker Dock for iPod and iPhone (on sale for $79.95, normally $99.95) -- An earlier model of this system is the one I currently have in my bedroom, and it's been fantastic. The speakers are robust and the sound is rich. The alarm is loud and you can program dual settings for more than one person. The Sony remote (included) is small, but still easy to spot and I haven't lost mine yet. If you want to control the dock with your phone, use the free D-Suppli app. The one drawback is that the dock itself doesn't work well with some cases that cover the 30-pin slot, such as some of Otterbox's cases. Stem TimeCommand Audio Alarm Dock ($99.95) -- Fellow TUAW blogger Steve Sande reviewed this dock a few months ago, and he was impressed with the features. It'll charge your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and has many of the usual alarm clock features. What sets the TimeCommand apart is the extra plug on the AC adapter for plugging in a lamp. Using the free Stem:Connect app, you can control dimming your bedside lamp, get access to free Internet radio stations and control the dock's features. This clock is available only through Apple retail stores. For the office For those who want a dock at work, the best rule of thumb is to find a compact system that will deliver good sound. JBL On Stage Micro III Portable Loudspeaker Dock ($99.95) -- This compact speaker is from a line that's consistently delivered great sound, going all the way back to early generation iPods. This model is battery-operated and can easily be locked in a drawer when not in use. An included USB cable will allow sync and charging. A remote is included, and the fan-shaped speaker makes it an attractive item to have on your desk. For the iPad While Apple has a basic iPad dock for around $30, these docks are worth considering for better sound and features. Sony Speaker Dock for iPad, iPhone/iPod ($299.95) -- The RDP-X500IP came out in October and is compatible with the D-Sappli app. The speakers have a built-in subwoofer and dual passive radiators, and a magnetic fluid system that Sony says delivers higher sound pressure with less distortion. iHome iD91 ($99.95) -- For a lower-cost alternative to the Sony model, the iHome alarm clock dock for iPad offers many of the same features. It has a time-sync button, allowing you to set the clock quickly by using your iPhone. It works with both the iHome+Sleep and iHome+Radio apps, and the alarm has a gradual wake and sleep feature, increasing and decreasing the alarm as needed. iLuv WorkStation ($129.99) -- It's not pretty, but the iLuv WorkStation does its best to transform an iPad into a full-fledged desktop. It has a bracket that lets you tilt and rotate your iPad, speakers and a keyboard. Double duty Griffin PowerDock Duo ($59.95) -- The Griffin PowerDock Duo is a compact dock that holds both an iPad and iPhone, and also other small items such as change and keys. It's well-suited for a desk or dorm room and leaves both screens unrestricted.
Holiday Gift Guide: Cameras
Welcome to TUAW's 2011 Holiday Gift Guide! We're here to help you choose the best gifts this holiday season, and once you've received your gifts we'll tell you what apps and accessories we think are best for your new Apple gear. Stay tuned every weekday from now until the end of the year for our picks and helpful guides and check our Gift Guide hub to see our guides as they become available. For even more holiday fun, check out sister site Engadget's gift guide. It's camera time here at TUAW, and we're going to help you pick out the best Mac-friendly camera gear for this holiday season. We've used our own experience with digital photography and consulted a pro or two to help us out. If you have suggestions for cameras we have not covered here, please leave them in the comments! Buying Advice for Mac Owners Before we dive into all the details, there are a few Apple resources you should consult before you start your camera search. First is an Apple tech support article that lists all the digital cameras with RAW files supported by OS X Lion. RAW file support lets you pull the original, uncompressed image file off your camera. This is essential for professionals who prefer to edit the original file, instead of the compressed one which might contain artifacts. Apple regularly releases updates and adds new cameras to this list. Apple also maintains a list of still and video cameras compatible with iMovie '11. iMovie will easily import data from these compatible cameras. All you have to do is connect your camera to your Mac and iMovie does the rest. Take it from someone who regularly spends hours editing home videos, choosing a compatible camera will save you headaches in the long run. For a deep dive on iMovie's compatibility story, see our gift guide post for iMovie-compatible cameras. Now that this basic stuff is behind us, let's get started with the cameras. We're going to give you a quick run-down of our top choices in each camera category. If you need more information on specific camera models, you can check out photography review sites such as dpreview, imaging-resource and Steve's Digicams. They'll have detailed reviews, sample images and all the information you'll need to make your decision. Point and Shoot Cameras Point and shoot cameras are consumer-grade gear -- they're affordable, easy to use and portable. They also tend to produce a lower quality image than the bigger, more expensive DSLR. This is the sacrifice you make to get the advantage of being able to fire off a quick shot wherever your are. Recommended in this category is the Canon S95, a 10-megapixel shooter with Canon's DIGIC 4 image processor, a high-sensitivity sensor, image stabilization and support for RAW files. One step up is the Canon S100. It's a 12-megapixel camera with the DIGIC 5 image processor, 1080P HD video, a high-sensitivity sensor, image stabilization and support for RAW files. Another interesting offering is the Nikon COOLPIX S1200pj. It's a projector camera that'll let you display images from an iOS device onto a wall or screen. It's perfect for informal presentations and spontaneous slideshows. DSLRs DSLRs are your typical prosumer and pro-level cameras, based on the older film single-lens reflex cameras. Most have interchangeable lenses, external flash units and larger bodies. They're usually twice the price of a point and shoot and take much better pictures. They also have more bells and whistles such as manual focus rings, faster shutter speeds, and wider apertures. The top DSLR cameras are made by old favorites Canon and Nikon. The best Canon DSLRs available are the Canon EOS Rebel T3i and the EOS 60D. The two 18-megapixel cameras have the same DIGIC 4 processor, 1080P HD recording, and ISO6400. The EOS 60D is a slight step up from the T3i and has some additional features, such as the ability to shoot at 5.3 frames per second, compared to the 3.7 of the T3i. Nikon also makes some quality DSLRs including the D5100 and the D7000. The D5100 is a 16.2-megapixel camera with an 11-point AF system, 4 frames per second shooting and 1080P HD with continuous autofocus. One level up is the D7000. It, too, is a 16.2-megapixel shooter but captures photos at 6 frames per second, has a 37-point AF system and captures full time autofocus 1080P HD video. Video Cameras The video camera market is undergoing a transformation. Compact video cameras like those formerly made by Cisco's defunct Flip division are slowly disappearing now that we have smartphones which record at 1080P HD. Smartphone cameras can't match the quality of a dedicated video camera, but they're good enough for most people. If you need more than what your camera phone can deliver, you should take a look at the Canon Vixia HF M41. The M41 is a monster with 32GB of internal flash memory and dual SDCX slots in case you need even more storage. It shoots in 1080P HD and has a touch and track autofocus that lets you tap the screen to focus on a single subject. It's a solid performer and is compatible with iMovie '11. Panasonic also makes quality video cameras both for the consumer and the professional. In its consumer line, a favorite is the Panasonic TM90 which has the HYBRID O.I.S. (optical image stabilizer) to produce crisp, clear, shake-free video. It records 1080/60P HD and can capture in 3D when a special 3D conversion lens is attached to the camera. Shock and Waterproof Cameras Canon and Nikon go head to head again with two cameras that are waterproof, cold-proof and shockproof. Both the 16-megapixel Nikon COOLPIX AW100 and the 12-megapixel Canon PowerShot D10 are rugged cameras that'll survive almost anything you throw at them. Security Cameras For some solid advice on security cameras, you don't have to look any farther than our own Auntie TUAW. She recommends the Logitech security systems which are easy to setup and have companion iOS software. NightOwl also provides an all-in-one security package that works with iOS. Surprisingly, Panasonic, one of the top makers of security cameras, doesn't have an iOS app, but their cameras are compatible with third-party surveillance apps like Mobiscope from Shape Services. Baby Monitors with Video Cameras We've had the chance to review two remote video baby monitoring system. Both the iBaby and WiFi Baby 3G let you watch your baby while you are in the next room or away on business. The iBaby has the edge if you need a camera that can pan and tilt, while the WiFi Baby 3G is better for those who a want a monitor that deliver a bright, crisp image even at night. You can read our review of the iBaby and the WiFi Baby 3G. Camera Accessories GorillaPod is a flexible tripod for photographers on the go. It fits in a bag, and it's bendable legs means its can be mounted on almost any surface. Eye-Fi makes a series of WiFi-enable SD cards that'll let you transfer your images wirelessly from your camera to your computer. You can also transfer media to an online service like Photobucket. Rogue FlashBenders and Professor Kobre's Lightscoop are two accessories to help you manage the output from a camera flash. The FlashBenders fit a shoe mount flash and help you direct and diffuse the output of the flash. The LightScoop is a similar product except it attaches to a camera with a permanent pop-up flash. Optoma Pico PK301 Projector is a 16:9 projector small enough to fit in your pocket. The projector will display an 854 x 480 resolution image, up to 72-inches in size. It's terrific for anyone who travels to do presentations. iPhone Camera Accessories Photojojo's iPhone Lens Dial is a set of three lenses for the iPhone 4 and 4S. The lenses include a 0.33x fisheye lens, a 0.7x wide angle lens, and a 1.5x telephoto lens. All three are mounted on a rotating dial which is part of larger aircraft-grade aluminum case. The case-lens combo will both enhance your camera and protect your phone. Olloclip is another camera lens set for the iPhone 4/4S. It's a little less expensive than the Photojojo, because it's a smaller slip-on device that sits on the corner of your iPhone. It includes a fish eye lens, a wide angle lens and a macro lens. The Olloclip can hold only two lenses at a time. You need to switch one out, if you want to use the third. Glif is an elegant iPhone stand and tripod mount. It started as Kickstarter project and took off from there. I can see why; the design is simple, functional and beautiful. GorillaMobile is a smaller version of the GorillaPod for the iPhone. It's perfect for those hard-to-get shots you can't reach with a conventional tripod. RainBallet is a waterproof case with Sharpvue lenses on the front and back of the case. It takes your iPhone 4/4S and turns it a high-quality, waterproof camera.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: laptops
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. Let's get this out of the way: a laptop is an intimate gift. Even if you were to get away with paying just $400, it's a lot to spend on even your spouse (ten years is the netbook anniversary, right?). Not to mention, your lucky giftee will be spending more time with it, perhaps, than they do their friends, families and pets. At the same time, the selection is nothing if not overwhelming, and if you were to make a spreadsheet tallying prices and specs, you'd notice an uncomfortable similarity across different brands. So, we rounded up some of the best we've seen -- everything from all-purpose notebooks to Ultrabooks to high-end dream machines. If you're thinking of pulling the trigger, hop past the break for a few ideas and the (very brief) low-down on the trade-offs you'll be making.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: HDTV and home theater
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. For a crowd-pleasing holiday gift, it's hard to do better than a TV (or something that plays on or plugs into a TV), so naturally we're here to help you out once again. Of course, this is an ever-changing industry segment, but we've got you covered -- regardless of whether you need a flat panel or a projector. If you're out shopping for someone that has (or wants to) cut the cable, or someone that has every channel, there's something for you. Of course, we'd also recommend keeping a close eye on the tablet and gaming categories too, but companies like Roku, Samsung and Ceton are making sure you have all kinds of options dedicated purely to video. Give them a look after the break.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: docks
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. 'Tis the season to go shopping and slightly broke! Unless you're living off the grid, you can't escape the marketing merriment amping up the arrival of that most wonderful time of the year. You know, the one where loved ones run themselves ragged skipping from store to store in an attempt to find the perfect gift that just screams, "I care," and costs a pretty penny, too. Well, we know things can get hectic and the options overwhelming, but for the music aficionado in your family, you can't really go wrong with a speaker dock. Let's face it, even Great Aunt Eddie's rockin' a portable media player these days. So, why not help her get up off the couch, out of her mind and into a living room hoedown with a wall of MP3 sound? Lucky for you, we've whittled down the dizzying array of digital audio offerings into a handy guide fit for the frugal and lavish alike. Need a little inspiration? Then head on past the break to peruse the goods and get psyched for that onslaught of holiday cheer.
Holiday Gift Guide: The all-purpose Mac setup
Welcome to TUAW's 2011 Holiday Gift Guide! We're here to help you choose the best gifts this holiday season, and once you've received your gifts we'll tell you what apps and accessories we think are best for your new Apple gear. Stay tuned every weekday from now until the end of the year for our picks and helpful guides and check our Gift Guide hub to see our guides as they become available. For even more holiday fun, check out sister site Engadget's gift guide. Holiday deals are in full swing, and now is the time to start thinking about your gift list. If you are a Mac owner or buying for one, we have a list of some must-have accessories that'll help you create the best all-around Mac work (or play) environment. External Keyboard/Mouse If you have an iMac or a MacBook Pro, your system already has a nice keyboard and mouse/trackpad combination. Mac mini or Mac Pro owners will benefit greatly from a nice keyboard and mouse. Top of the list is Apple's wireless keyboard and its Magic Trackpad (US$69) or Magic Mouse ($69). The Apple wireless keyboard ($69) is rock solid and perfect for desktop use. If you pair it with a Magic Trackpad, you can duplicate the awesome keyboard/trackpad combination of the MacBook Pro/Air. The Magic Mouse is also an excellent product for those who prefer a mouse to a trackpad. External Monitor This is another category applicable only to Mac mini and Mac Pro owners whose systems ship without a monitor. Most people connect any old monitor, which you can do if you have the right Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort to DVI or VGA cable. If you really want a treat, you should take a closer look at Apple's Thunderbolt Display ($999). At 27 inches, this display is big and beautiful. It also contains a MagSafe connector that'll charge your MacBook Pro/Air and has a Thunderbolt port that can be daisy-chained with other Thunderbolt devices. External Speakers External speakers are essential for all Mac owners, because the ones that ship on a MacBook Pro/Air and the iMac range from merely decent to mediocre. One excellent but expensive choice is the Sonos Play:3 ($299), a wireless system that lets you pipe your iTunes library all over your house. We reviewed this system earlier this year and liked it quite a lot. There are also a handful of AirPlay-compatible speakers on the market now, including the Philips Fidelio SoundAvia, SoundCurve, SoundRing and the SoundSphere, which was reviewed by our sister site, Engadget. There's also the JBL On Air Wireless ($200) and the compact iW1 from iHome ($299). You can find a full list of AirPlay speakers at the AirPlaySpeakers.com website. If you're looking for wired speakers, Bose is an excellent choice if you can afford it. Otherwise, you can't go wrong with a mid-range offering from Logitech or Creative. Printer Every computer needs a printer, and there a lot of options for Mac owners. If you have a Mac and an iOS device, you will want to grab a printer with an AirPrint option, so you can print documents wirelessly from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Pickings were sparse when AirPrint was first announced, but most major printer companies now sell AirPrint-compatible models. Apple has compiled a recent list of AirPrint compatible printers from Canon, Epson, HP and Lexmark. You can find this list in an article on Apple's support website. Backup Device Every computer owner should back up their data on a daily basis, and Mac owners are no exception. Apple has made backups easy with Time Machine, a backup utility that ships on every Mac. The best choice for a backup storage device is Apple's Time Capsule (starts at $299). It's an Airport Extreme wireless router with built-in storage for backups. It'll provide an almost zero-configuration way to start backing up your data. If you already have an AirPort Express and only need a hard drive for backup, you can purchase an external drive like the Western Digital My Book for Mac (starts at $139). If you need additional storage or RAID support, there are other options like the LaCie Network Space 2 (starts at $159) or the Netgear ReadyNAS Duo (starts at $299). Drobo and Pogoplug also sell backup solutions that offer greater capacity and additional features like cloud storage and media streaming. We've reviewed several of these products in the past, including the Drobo FS (starts at $699), the LaCie Network Space 2 and the Pogoplug ($45). Wi-Fi Router Another must-have for any home network is a wireless router, and your best choice in the Mac world is the AirPort Express ($99) or the AirPort Extreme ($179). Both have several Mac-specific features like built-in support for AirPlay and AirPrint which makes it attractive for Mac owners. The AirPort Express is the smaller of the two and is great for travel and use in apartments and smaller homes. The AirPort Extreme is its bigger brother and is great for use in a larger house with multiple machines. If you think the Airport Extreme is out of your price range, then you'll want to read our article about buying the Airport Extreme to see if its multiple features change your mind. If you still decide to go with a non-Apple product, you'll want to find a model that has gigabit ethernet, support for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and a USB port. D-Link, Netgear and Linksys make quality wireless routers. External Hard Drive Most Mac owners will want an external hard drive for file storage. You can choose from a portable, smaller drive like the Western Digital MyPassport for Mac ($199) and the LaCie Starck Mobile (starts at $109). LaCie also has a series of rugged drives (starts at $160) such as the Rugged Mini and the Rugged Safe, which includes biometrics and an encryption option. If you don't need the portability of a smaller drive, you'll want to consider a larger hard drive like the Western Digital My Book. We recently reviewed the 3 TB My Book Studio model. All these drives are formatted for the Mac and can be used for basic file storage and USB-based Time Machine backups. Those who want ultimate peace of mind in a storage device should look at the ioSafe drives. They are expensive, but they offer protection from fire and water. We recently reviewed the SoloPro model (starts at $249). iPhone owners may be interested in the GoFlex Satellite (starts at $209) from Seagate, a portable drive that lets you transfer media from your Mac and watch them on your iOS device. Wireless headset/headphones There are a variety of wireless headphones and headsets on the market, but the best ones for the Mac connect via Bluetooth. All Mac computers ship with Bluetooth and will easily connect to a pair of Bluetooth cans without the need for a USB dongle. I have a non-Bluetooth wireless headset from Logitech and am always losing the dongle. Plantronics makes several headphones and headsets that'll work with the Mac including the popular BackBeat 906 headphones. There's also Jabra, which makes the HALO headset and other less expensive models. We recently reviewed the NuForce BT-860, which is another inexpensive but capable wireless headset. When shopping for someone else, make sure you buy the right product -- headphones are for listening only and headsets are for listening and talking. Battery Backup If it hasn't happened to you yet, it will. One day, you will be in the middle of editing an important document and a power surge or outage will cause you to lose your work. Notebook owners can skip this advice, but desktop owners need to keep reading. To protect your precious iMac, Mac mini or Mac Pro, you should be using a battery backup. They provide surge protection as well as a backup power source, which gives you ample time to save your documents and shut down your computer in case of a power failure. The most widely available consumer models are made by APC, and they cost as low as $60. CyperPower also makes a decent battery backup, and their latest Adaptive Sinewave models (starts at $130) feature a pure sine wave electrical output. This clean source of energy is better for sensitive electronics. Accessories for the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air owner MacBook Pro and Air owners could use a few accessories specific to their portable needs. There are the protective accessories like the InCase cover for the MacBook Pro/Air, the Moshi Clearguard keyboard protector ($25), Trackguard trackpad protector ($12) and the PalmGuard palm rest protector ($20). You can also add an anti-glare film like the RadTech ClearCal (starts at $20) if you have a MacBook with a glossy screen. We've used some of their products in the past, and they make quality stuff. MacBook Pro/Air owners always on the run may want a 3G/4G portable hotspot device so they have an Internet connection everywhere they go. They probably also need an external charging source like the HyperJuice external battery (starts at $160). Of course, they will need a case, and there are a variety of cases ranging from the ultra-rugged Pelican cases (starts at $200) to the sleek WaterField Designs bags, which are great for the MacBook Air. Other devices that make having a Mac fun The iPad ($499), iPhone ($199 for 4S) and Apple TV ($99). All three devices can share content via iTunes, AirPlay and iCloud. You easily can watch the videos on your Mac using the Apple TV and share your photos seamlessly between your iPhone and iPad using iCloud. Because they are so intertwined, it's great to have all these devices in one household. If there's any must-have accessory that you use with your Mac, share it with us and others in the comments.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: digital cameras
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. With cameras popping up on tablets, smartphones and even Bluetooth headsets, there's a fairly good chance that there's already a device in your pocket capable of shooting high-res stills and HD video. But even with popular apps like Instagram on-board, mobile devices still can't match the versatility and image quality of a dedicated snapper. If you're looking to hide a new point-and-shoot under the tree this year, there are plenty of great options to consider, for any budget. So clear off the memory card and get ready to jump past the break for our top picks that will deliver -- and capture -- plenty of holiday cheer.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: accessories
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. As any technophile will tell you, accessories make the getup when it comes to complementing your favorite gadgets. Whether you're decking out a smartphone, computer, tablet, gaming system or just looking for some good old-fashioned holiday kicks, we're here to help you pick from our favorite accessories of 2011. Jump past the break to find out which ones made the "Nice" list.
Holiday Gift Guide: Accessories for all
Welcome to TUAW's 2011 Holiday Gift Guide! We're here to help you choose the best gifts this holiday season, and once you've received your gifts we'll tell you what apps and accessories we think are best for your new Apple gear. Stay tuned every weekday from now until the end of the year for our picks and helpful guides and check our Gift Guide hub to see our guides as they become available. For even more holiday fun, check out sister site Engadget's gift guide. Let's be honest -- while you might plunk down the cash for a MacBook Air or iPad for your loved ones, you're probably not going to go all out on a brand new device for your co-workers and acquaintances. But that doesn't mean you can't still support the various Macheads in your life -- no matter how many Apple devices someone might have, there are many more accessories for those various devices lining the shelves at Best Buy. Cases, plug-ins, covers, and stick-ons, oh my! Let us take you on a quick tour through the Mac accessory landscape, and help you find some really great recommendations of all different prices for all of the Apple devices in your life. Even if there isn't a Mac fanatic around you who needs some of this stuff, no worries. Just bookmark this page, and come back after the holidays, whenever you yourself have unwrapped that big package "designed in California" that's sitting underneath your tree this year. The PlugBug Perhaps the hottest Mac-cessory this year, the PlugBug turned all kinds of heads when TwelveSouth finally released it earlier this month. Yes, it's just a charger, but no, it's not just a charger -- it's a super useful and well-designed accessory that already works with those cords you got in the Apple box. You can charge both a MacBook (or Air or Pro) and a USB device like an iPhone or iPad from just one outlet, and all you need to pack in your bag is the usual cords and this little red adapter. It's a great, smart device that adds just a little bit of color to an already very Apple way of thinking. ($34.99 from TwelveSouth) The iCade There were a few arcade cabinets for the iPad out this year, but the original iCade by ThinkGeek and Ion Audio. It originally started up as an April Fool's joke, and then was made real: An actual miniature arcade cabinet, complete with buttons and a joystick, that you can plug your iPad in to play arcade games on. The list of compatible titles is long and growing, so anyone in the house who loves playing old-school games on the iPad will really enjoy this one.($79.99 by ThinkGeek) TenOne's Fling and Fling mini for iPad and iPhone Again, there have been some very similar competitors pop up in this space, but when it comes to attaching a physical joystick to Apple's touch screens, the Fling is the original and the best. It's suprisingly simple, but feels and works great, especially on games where you'd normally use a virtual joystick, but it provides the tactile feedback that Apple's no buttons policy just can't match. Go ahead and buy a two-pack -- you'll need them both. (Two-pack is $29.95 for the iPad, $24.95 for the iPhone at TenOne Design) Keyboard covers by KB Covers Whether you're typing on a MacBook or a wireless Apple keyboard, a good keyboard cover can keep things clean and make your keyboard last longer and work better, no matter what your fingers have been touching lately. And KB Covers are the best we've seen -- not only are they made of a nice tough, stretchy plastic, but they're extremely useful, providing easy visual access to custom shortcuts for almost any app or International keyboard layout you'd ever want. No matter what Mac or keyboard model you have, or what you're doing with it (from editing in Avid to playing World of Warcraft), there's a KB Cover for you or your gift-getter. (Various prices, at KB Covers) The Peel The Peel system can be complicated, so it's not necessarily for everybody. But for just the right person on your gift list, it might be perfect. The Peel consists of both a "fruit" unit that sits on your home entertainment system and plugs into your television, and then an app that runs on your iOS device, and can be used to not only control your A/V setup, but also find various shows and things to watch according to your tastes. We didn't think the Peel would work as your usual remote, unfortunately, but for the right gadgethead interested in using an iOS device to make their TV watching experience a little better, it would be a great gift. ($99 at Peel) A case! Yes, there will undoubtedly be a lot of iPhones and iPads sold this year, and odds are that everyone who gets a new one under their tree will also need to find an excellent case for it. Many times, this tends to be a very personal choice, so you might want to think twice about getting a case for some one, or at least remember to be gracious when you find out it's not exactly what they wanted. But still, there are plenty of great cases out there, from cases that make your device look like a book, to something you can use with a little more functionality as an actual wallet. Cases can be as individual as the people who buy them, so be a little careful as to which one you pick out, but the right choice for the right person can be a terrific and memorable gift. (Various) Remote-controlled fun Sure, functionality can be important, but sometimes you just want to have a little bit of remote fun with your Mac. How about a remote-controlled USB missle launcher that can even be activated over the Internet? One of those Ar.Drone quadricopters that can be controlled with your iOS device? Or you can even be the first to nab a Sphero, a little remote-controlled ball that's arriving just in time for Christmas later on this year. There's lots of kooky fun to be had with your Apple devices -- sure, it may not be too practical, but if you've already got all of the power Apple has put into these machines, why not put a little bit of it to work in real life? (Various) A hard drive Finally, we'll leave you with a choice that's a little more practical than those toys: Even with the advent of iCloud, the one thing any Mac user will always love getting is more hard drive space. With all of the apps coming out all of the time, and lots and lots of content being made and edited, anyone with a Mac or even an iPhone or iPad could probably use a few more gigabytes (or even terabytes) in their lives. Western Digital has released a few excellent standalone hard drives meant for Mac this year, but especially during Black Friday and the holiday season afterwards, Best Buy or any of the other big box electronics stores are usually running some great deals on external hard drives, so you can easily pick one up for around $50 or even under that some times. If you want to go a little more fancy, you can check out the Iomega Mac Companion, meant specifically to work with a Mac as a high-capacity backup drive. But whatever kind of storage you choose, there's no question that the Mac fan in your life will appreciate the extra digital storage space. Happy holidays! Here's hoping you find just the right gift for the Mac lover in your life this year!
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: bags and cases
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. Santa may be able to toss a few thousand laptops in his bright red sack with nary a scratch to be seen -- but you sure can't. You'll want to keep those goods sparkly and new for as long as possible, and that's what today's gift selections are all about - getting your tech from A to B in the safest, most stylish way possible. There's plenty of choice for transporting your goodies, ranging from the bland to the bizarre, from rucksacks to courier bags, silicone to silk -- there is literally something for everyone. Finding a one-size-fits-all solution is going to be nigh-on impossible, but we're hopeful that what we've got here will be just the ticket to re-wrap what you just unboxed.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: smartphones
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. Jack Frost nipping at your phone and you need a new one? We know it can be difficult to decide on a smartphone to add to your holiday wish list, but if you're going to be hitting up all of the New Year's Eve parties, you don't want to be using something that's too embarrassing to take out of your pocket. This season offers a lot of tempting options: Ice Cream Sandwich, Windows Phone Mango and iPhone 4S are all worth drinking a lot of eggnog over. Unfortunately, there are so many tantalizing possibilities that we aren't able to include every single handset, but we've whittled it down to a mere nine devices that we think even Old Man Winter would enjoy. Join us after the break to help ring in the holiday cheer.Note: Prices are subject to change. Amazon, for instance, is holding a week-long holiday sale (from November 21st to 28th) in which almost every smartphone is a penny.
The Grablet: A comfortable and versatile iPad accessory (Updated)
Are you fed up with uncomfortable and stiff cases that are designed to let you hold your iPad with one hand while you do work? Would you like to have a way to hold that iPad securely but still use your Smart Cover? How about being able to hang your iPad from the back of a car seat, or use it as a kneeboard? Normally you'd buy a number of iPad cases to do all of these things, but the Grablet (US$39.99) can do just about everything on its own. Design You'll notice that in the headline for this post, I didn't call the Grablet an iPad case. That's because it's really not a case; instead, it's an accessory for holding the iPad in a number of ways. If you're looking for a protective case, then this is not the product for you. If, on the other hand, you want a versatile way to hold, strap, or hang your iPad to something, you're going to love the Grablet. The Grablet securely snaps onto your iPad, but is easy to take off as well. It comes in a dozen colors, so regardless of what your personal favorite hue is, you're probably going to find something that's close to what you want. %Gallery-140010% I won't go into all of the details of how to the Grablet can be used, as there's a video at the end of this post that does a much better job of that. Let it suffice to say that it is as versatile and easy to set up as the video indicates. [We've covered one-handed cases from TKO and Sleeve360 before, for comparison's sake.] Functionality For $40, this is probably one of the most functional iPad accessories I've tested to date. Want to hang your iPad on the wall? Don't spend a hundred bucks or more on one of the mounting kits out there. Just put a hook on the wall, slap the Grablet on the back of your iPad, add the hand wrap with the metal ring, and slip it onto the hook. Done. Likewise, you could spend a lot more for an in-car mount that has a single use. Here, you just loosen the straps a bit, slip the Grablet and iPad over your car headrest, and then cinch the straps again. The Grablet is also the most comfortable way I've found to hold an iPad with one hand. As I mentioned in the intro to this review, I've had it with full cases that put stiff plastic and Velcro together to make a really uncomfortable hand strap. The Grablet, at least for me, was adjustable enough to let me Conclusion I'm giving the Grablet a double thumbs-up! This is a great idea for a holiday gift as well, so if you know an iPad owner who has whined about not being able to comfortably hold onto their tablet, you've got the perfect answer. Update: The wonderful folks at Grablet have offered TUAW readers a 10% discount on the accessory. Use coupon code GRABLET14 at checkout to get your discount.
CanvasPop's Instagram prints: Art from your iPhone
See those nice art prints on the wall in the image above? They were all taken using Instagram on an iPhone, and then printed on canvas by CanvasPop. The canvas prints are a wonderful personalized gift idea, and come ready for hanging on your wall. The introductory pricing for the Instagram prints is pretty nice, too -- a 12" x 12" print sells for US$29.95, while the 20" x 20" is a big bargain at $59.95. If you have an Instagram photo or three that you're particularly proud of, then CanvasPop turns them into works of art that are the ultimate in personalized gift-giving. %Gallery-140028% I have one of their prints, which is an Instagram photo of the Blue Yeti microphone that I use for TUAW TV Live and the Daily Update. As you can see from the photos in the gallery, these prints are high quality, featuring a canvas wrap over a wood frame. There's a braided hanging wire on the back, and it works well for hanging the print over a few nails or a picture hook. Canvaspop even puts little clear silicone bumpers on the bottom back of the print to complete the professional touches. By the way, if you don't use Instagram, the folks at CanvasPop can take any of your other digital photos -- iPhone or not -- and do the same nice treatment for your other images. If your budget (or your display space) isn't right-sized for large prints, on the other hand, you can get a lovely micro-magnetic version of your Instagram photos via Stickygram. $14.99 gets you a pack of nine magnets for your fridge or other metal surface. The company is running a 'Print My Feed' contest this month, where one winner will get his or her entire Instagram feed made into magnets. Time to get a bigger refrigerator!
Booq Folio for iPad 2: Leather luxury, Smart Cover functionality
Booq makes incredibly nice accessories for Apple products -- we've reviewed some like the Booq Boa Push bag and talked about others like the Booqpad Agenda before. Now the new Booq Folio for iPad 2 (US$39.95) has arrived, and it appears to be a real value. Read on for a review of this new leather iPad 2 folio. Design Most folio cases have a similar design -- they look like a leather notebook and have a way of holding the iPad or iPad 2 in the right side. You open the cover of the notebook, and there's your nicely protected iPad. The Booq Folio is no exception to this design meme, except it's a bit more stylish than some of the folios I've reviewed. The Folio cradles your iPad 2 in leather in one of four finishes: Arctic Ice (white), Blue Storm (dark blue), Lava Rock (black), and Red Tide (red). The front of the case is emblazoned with a silver button embossed with the Booq logo, and there's horizontal stitching across the front that provides a nice visual counterpoint. %Gallery-140023% That cover is also useful, as it has magnets in all the right places to act as a Smart Cover surrogate. The Booq Folio offers much more protection than Apple's leather Smart Covers, which sell for much, much more -- $69.95. Functionality The Booq Folio works very well. It's quite easy to slide an iPad 2 into and out of the case, and the magnets function as advertised for turning your device on and off. The leather that holds the iPad 2 in place is nicely done -- some folio cases I've reviewed before have had crooked or bulging leather straps, while the Booq Folio has flat and precise leather pieces to cradle the iPad 2. Since this is an iPad 2 case, there is a hole in the back for the camera to peek out of. The straps give plenty of access to all of the buttons and ports on the iPad 2, but without sacrificing protection of your device. One other feature that I like is that the case has two long rubber strips on the "open" side of the case that allow you to flip the case over and use it as a stand for watching movies on your iPad 2. Conclusion Booq makes very nice products, and the Folio for iPad 2 is no exception. If you're thinking about buying an Apple Smart Cover, think again -- for less than a dollar more than the Apple cover, you can get a nice leather folio instead. This would make a perfect Christmas present for the iPad 2 owner on your list, so keep it in mind while you're doing your holiday shopping.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: e-readers
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. The e-reader space is really -- if you'll pardon the expression -- heating up just in time for the holiday season. Industry leader Amazon dropped the gauntlet yet again, with the introduction of three new devices, including the entry-level fourth generation Kindle (which starts at an enticing $79 for the ad-supported version) and the Kindle Fire, which is helping to further blur the lines between the e-reader and tablet worlds. Not to be outdone, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and Sony are also offering up impressive new devices for the holiday season. All in all, there's never been a more exciting time to give the gift of reading.
Germanmade handmade wood and leather g.2 iPad-Case for iPad 2
Most premium iPad cases are pretty similar. Some are bags, some flips cases, some sleeves -- Germanmade has done something a bit different with their book-style case. Construction and design Made from leather stretched over veneer, the case has a uniquely organic feel. From the outside it looks just like a leather-bound book. The sides resemble mottled pages, with the hardback cover completing the look. Both the wood veneer and surface cover material are exquisitely finished, giving a genuinely luxury feel. The inside of the case is finished in natural wood and an inlay color of your choice, in this case white. It's put together really well too, feeling pretty solid all round, yet reasonably light for the size and amount of material used. While I wouldn't want to drop the iPad in the case, it's likely to be held pretty well; although the case itself is likely to come off pretty knackered from a fall of any decent height. Use The case fits the iPad 2 very well, holding it securely in place with small rubber friction pads in the corners. The front flap is held in place by a thin strip of black elastic that reminds me of those gorgeous moleskine notebooks. In the lid are the required magnets to shut off the iPad 2 upon closing -- a nice touch. The wood of the case is shaped to give you access to all that the iPad does without taking it out of the case. Cut outs allow access to the side switch and volume rocker, dock connector port, headphones and power button; there's even a shaped cut out for the speaker on the back of the iPad 2, which projects the sound forward. There's no access to the back camera, but taking the iPad in and out of the case is a breeze thanks to thumb-sized cutouts for leverage The case also has two tricks up its sleeve. The first is that the front flap can be folded around the back to create a landscape support for typing. It provides just enough of an angle to make using the keyboard just that little bit easier on your wrists like Apple's Smart Cover does. The second trick is a vertical stand. Cut into the wood at the bottom left edge of the case are two grooves that you can place the naked iPad in, propping it up vertically in either landscape or portrait orientation. It's extremely stable and makes a nice desktop stand as long as you've got enough room for it. The case comes in two space variants. One of them just takes the iPad; the other is a little thicker and takes the iPad as well as an iPhone, a pen and a pad of paper, which are hidden behind the iPad in the case. It makes an excellent alternative to a small briefcase for light office duties and keeps everything nice and secure. %Gallery-139917% Verdict If you're looking for something a bit different, something sophisticated that doesn't look out of place on a desk full of books, then the Germanmade series of iPad and iPad 2 cases are just the ticket. They're not the most portable of protection for your tablet, but looking like a book you can just carry them on their own, without fear of them being pinched. They're available in both iPad and iPad 2 flavors, with and without the spaces for the iPhone and bits. They're well finished, hand made, and available in a plethora of different finishes and colors. They command a price that's well above average for iPad cases, but the unique styling and quality handmade fit and finish certainly set it apart from the rest. Be sure to check out the gallery above for some close-ups of the individual features. Germanmade cases can be had for between US$100 and $160 plus shipping depending on model and cover material.
Holiday Gift Guide: Buying an iPad
Whether it's a gift for yourself, a friend, or a loved one, buying your first iPad can be cause for some trepidation. After all, there are a number of combinations of three variables -- network type, carrier, and storage on the device -- that add up to puzzlement for some folks. In this Holiday Gift Guide, I'll give you some advice on how to pick the best iPad model for the lucky recipient on your gift list. The big questions are whether or not you need 3G wireless capabilities, whether or not your 3G iPad should run on a GSM (AT&T in US) or CDMA (Verizon in US) network, how much storage to get, and whether or not to consider purchasing a used iPad. Wi-Fi Only versus Wi-Fi + 3G To really make the best use of your iPad, you're going to need an Internet connection. With the iPad, you have two choices: Wi-Fi (wireless network connectivity) models and Wi-Fi + 3G (adding 3G mobile data connectivity) models. If you ever need Internet connectivity away from Wi-Fi hotspots, buy the Wi-Fi + 3G version of the iPad. You can't add the functionality to the iPad later. In the US, the Wi-Fi + 3G models are about $130 more expensive than their Wi-Fi only counterparts. Some other things to think about -- will you be using your iPad in places where there are no Wi-Fi hotspots? If so, the addition of 3G connectivity is a must. You can also use a tethering solution (Personal Hotspot) or a 3G router like the Sierra Wireless Overdrive or Novatel MiFi to connect an iPad to the Internet, so if you already have an iPhone that is capable of running Personal Hotspot or a 3G/4G router, then maybe a Wi-Fi only device will do the trick for you. Remember that 3G connectivity isn't free, so you will have to purchase a data plan. Be sure to check with your carrier (AT&T or Verizon in the US) on the various plans available, and remember that most iPad data plans are month-to-month and can be turned off during those months you don't need the service. One other thing to consider -- if you have a need to run apps that are location aware, note that the Wi-Fi + 3G iPads contain full Assisted GPS (A-GPS), while the Wi-Fi versions can only determine their position while connected to a Wi-Fi network with a router that has been scanned by a a geolocation service. GSM versus CDMA If you've decided to go with a Wi-Fi iPad, then you can skip this section. With a Wi-Fi + 3G device, you'll need to determine whether you wish to go with a GSM or CDMA network. What this means in the US is AT&T (GSM) versus Verizon (CDMA). For potential iPad owners in the rest of the world, the answer is much more simple, as the GSM cellular network standard is found in most other countries. American iPad owners might want to consider which carrier works best in the locations where they'll be using the iPad most often. For example, in most of the city where I live (Denver, Colorado), AT&T service is pretty good. However, it's atrociously bad in the downtown Denver area, and if I was going to spend a lot of time using the device there, I'd jump on a Verizon CDMA iPad. Storage The next big question -- how much storage capacity do you need? You have three choices at this point in time: 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB. The difference between the 16 GB and 32 GB models is only $100, while the 64 GB model is another $100 over the price of 32 GB model. But how do you figure out which model to get? Here are some questions to ask yourself: How big is your media library? If your library is small and manageable, you may be OK with the 16 GB model. If you already own a music device like an iPod touch, perhaps you'll want to continue using it for listening to music, since iPods are much more portable than your iPad. Also consider using iTunes in the Cloud to reduce your storage requirements. This service, part of iOS 5, makes it simple to listen to your music library by streaming tunes to your device. If you like to watch a lot of video, remember that movies can be from 500 MB to 1 GB in size, so plan accordingly if you wish to carry a lot of them with you. Do you plan on carrying a lot of photos? Digital photos are usually fairly small, but if you carry around a few thousand pictures, you can chew up storage very quickly. I use my iPad to back up photos from my digital camera when I'm on trips, so I find that the 32 GB of storage I have gets filled up rather quickly. Are you going to use your iPad to hold a lot of documents? Some people I know use their iPads as data storage and transfer devices, taking huge amounts of documents with them on the road. If this is a situation you're familiar with, think about getting more storage. How long do you think you'll keep your iPad? Those who think that they'll keep their iPad for a longer period of time may want to pay more for more storage so that they can "grow into" the iPad. For those of us who turn over our iPads every time a new model appears, saving $100-200 in the hopes that a cheaper and more capable version shows up within a year may be a better idea. Used versus New If the iPad is for yourself or a child, you might not care if it's a brand new unit or a used one. Since the iPad has now been out for almost two years, some owners like to move up to newer models and you can get a heck of a deal on used devices. Apple's the best vendor for used iPads. They often make refurbished units available at less than the suggested retail price of new equipment, and the the iPad comes with the original factory warranty. Visit the online Apple Store to find the latest refurb iPad deals. eBay is also a great place to look for used iPads. Be sure to check that the dealer has photos of the exact unit you're bidding on, has a return policy, and has a flawless approval rating. If you buy an iPad from someone local, think about having an Authorized Apple Service Provider check the unit over before you device to buy.
5 apps for Thanksgiving
Whether you're ready for it or not, the holiday season is upon us. One week from today, many of us in the US will be pushing ourselves away from the Thanksgiving dinner table, sated and ready to do some serious shopping on our iPads. To get you ready for the holiday of turkey, football, and giving thanks for what you've got, here are five apps that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. iCookbook 2.0 Part of the Thanksgiving tradition is cooking up an amazing feast for family and friends. iCookbook (on sale for US$4.99) has recently been updated to version 2.0 and it's now the app to have in the kitchen. This universal app has always had thousands of recipes for you to try out, but it's going to be your cooking buddy from now on. The developers at Publications International recently added voice commands to the iPhone version -- you can now avoid touching your iPad or iPhone screen with those greasy hands by speaking commands to move to the next step of a recipe, start or stop a timer, and more. The app is also awesome for those who may be tired of squinting at recipes, since it now has a "Prepare mode" that provides an enhanced display of a recipe for easy viewing. Have a TV in or near the kitchen? Great, since the app now has AirPlay support as well. If you're not thrilled about having your iOS toy in the messy kitchen while you cook, you can print your recipes to any AirPrint-compatible printer. iCookbook 2.0 provides free updates monthly as well as special recipe packs that are available through in-app purchase. Cocktails HD Sometimes the holidays can be a bit stressful with all of the family dynamics, and you want nothing more at the end (or beginning) of the big get-together than a good stiff drink. That's where Cocktails HD (sale priced at $0.99) comes in handy. It comes loaded with over 600 drink, wine and food recipes, a complete guide to bar tending, and new drinks are added on a regular basis in free updates. The app can also be handy for drinking games (please drink responsibly, though!), with a "random shake" mode that displays random drink recipes with a shake. If you do over-imbibe, do not drive. Instead, use this bonus app -- Taxi Magic (Free) -- to get a ride home or call a taxi for Uncle Bob, who just started dancing the lambada with the Christmas tree. College Football Scoreboard Plus It may be considered a little rude to be eating your Thanksgiving feast in front of the TV, so here's a way that you can keep up on the latest college football scores without committing a social faux pas. College Football Scoreboard Plus ($0.99) gives you up to the minute scores of all the games, schedules of what's coming up next, news about your favorite teams, and even a scrolling ticker of scores. It's perfect for sneaking a peek at what's happening -- just put the iPhone in your lap and keep looking pensive, and they'll just think you're reflecting on the meaning of Thanksgiving. Black Friday by BradsDeals While the guys may be in their tryptophan-induced daze after chowing down on a pound of turkey, the ladies are probably scheming for the Black Friday shopping on November 25. One way to plan on getting the best deals is to use an app like Black Friday (free) by BradsDeals. The app (2010 version shown above) lets you plan out your shopping itinerary by store and product, and includes a ton of Black Friday ads for most major retail chains. Get those deals all lined up for Black Friday, and you'll be ready to get up at 3 AM to start your annual shopping assault. Gratitude Journal The oft-forgotten part of Thanksgiving is the "giving thanks" piece. Regardless of your religion or lack thereof, it's a good time to think about being grateful for what you have and helping those who aren't as fortunate. A few years ago, I did a review of an app called Gratitude Journal Your Positive Thoughts ($0.99). The idea is that each and every day, you just write a short note about what you're grateful for. It doesn't have to be anything incredibly earthshaking -- maybe you're grateful that a friend called you, that you're healthy, or that you ate a really good meal last night. By looking over the good parts of your day, this app can really provide a way to focus on the positives in your life and make you happier. Gratitude Journal also includes nice quotes that will help to keep feeling positive about life in general.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: printers
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. Yeah, yeah... we know -- paper is so 20th century. But truth be told, there are still a lot of us that have use for the old-fashioned printed page. Whether you're a student who needs to output seven copies of that term paper, or an aspiring photog looking to cut down on professional printing costs, we have some thoughts on what to look for this holiday season. Perhaps you're ready to take those homemade Christmas cards to the next level? Print them yourself! Who doesn't love an early present? Read on past the break to see just what caught our eye this year.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: fun stuff!
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. For some, it's easy to forget about having fun -- fretting over buying the "right" tablet, e-reader or DSLR can strip the joy of unbridled silliness that Christmas allows you. This is your handy guide to stuff you can kick back and enjoy some crazy fun with. There's no ecosystem wars here, no desire to have the loudest or fastest plug-in gadget; just things you'd prefer to give and receive instead of a Sharper Image motorized tie rack... or back-hair shaver. So join us past the break, if you will, for a look at this year's collection of fun stuff!
