Gifts & Must-Haves
8 terrific tech gift ideas
8 terrific tech gift ideas
Gifts & Must-Haves
8 terrific tech gift ideas
In a world of wireless networking, touch screens, voice controls, and body-tracking sensors, it can be difficult to decide what to buy the tech chic people on your list. We've gathered the hottest in
tech toys to help make your Christmas shopping easier. Whether your loved one is a gamer, reader, movie lover or social media savante, these eight tech gift ideas are sure to bring them joy this holiday.
iPhone 4S
Don’t let looks deceive you. The iPhone 4S may not seem different from the 4, but it's what's inside that counts. The dual-core A5 chip (the same chip in the iPad) makes the phone twice as fast, meaning apps and webpages launch faster, and graphics seven times quicker. Even the camera is more powerful. The eight megapixel camera has improved optics - adding a fifth lens, increased aperture size and a new sensor - resulting in sharper, more detailed, colourful photos. The 4S also welcomes iCloud, which automatically stores and wirelessly pushes your documents to other devices. So for people who are always on-the-go, give them the perfect sidekick that allows them to keep moving all year long. apple.ca, starting at $649.
Sonos Play:3
Want to enjoy the music without the bulk of sound systems and wires from room to room? Using three digital amplifiers, the Sonos Play:3 is a wireless music system that you can control with your Android, iPhone or iPad. Don’t have one of these devices? Install the Sonos controller software to your computer or purchase a Sonos touch screen controller. Just one controller can manage multiple speakers in your home – all done through your WiFi network. So easily change songs in your kitchen, while adjusting the volume in the bedroom. While you do need to hook up one player or Sonos Bridge into an Ethernet connection, you can unleash your favourite music from room to room wire-free and in complete control sonos.com, $349.
Kobo Vox eReader
The new, vividly colourful Kobo Vox is a whole new breed of e-reader. It combines the ease of e-reading with the functionality of a multimedia device. In fact, it’s the world’s first social e-reader! Now you can share your reading habits, favourite passages and latest reads with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. It also comes with a new feature – the Kobo Pulse. It tracks how many people are reading the same book as you and their comments, bringing the e-book community together on one device - possibly the biggest book club you've ever been a part of. Running on an android operating system, you can also enjoy browsing the web, emailing, listening to music, watching video, or playing games on the crisp, colourful 7” LCD screen. It's a whole new world of reading for the book lover on your list! indigo.ca, $199.
Microsoft Kinect
The latest in gaming technology gives you the freedom to move - complete freedom. No more wires or controllers! The Kinect sensors recognize your face and track your body movements; there's even a built-in microphone for voice control. So whether you want to kick a ball or pause a movie, you can with ease and cord-free. It's a fabulously fun gift that's entertaining for everyone! bestbuy.ca, starting from $149.99.
Beats by Dr. Dre Solo HD headphones
For a music lover who’s always on the go, the Dr. Dre Solo headphones are the perfect gift. Optimized to deliver crystal clear, club quality sound you’ll never miss a beat with these headphones. Except when you’re taking a call, of course. The ControlTalk technology allows you to answer your phone, change the volume or playback your favourite song hands-free! apple.ca, $249.95.
HP Photosmart eStation
With all the new technology for phones we can do everything all within one device – email, take photos, surf the Internet. But this means we’re constantly in need of ways to connect to our mobile devices and access all our goodies. Using HP’s ePrint technology, you can print from anywhere that can connect you to the Internet. So now you can print your photos straight from your smartphone by sending them to your printer’s unique email address. The eStation even comes with a 7-inch, full-colour touchscreen that you can detach. Use it to surf the web, Facebook, read e-books, play videos or music, and print - all without connecting to a PC. HP, $399.99.
Fuji Instax Mini 50S
Retro is back with Fuji’s new look on instant photography! Compact and chic, the Instax Mini 50S produces credit card-sized photos in a snap. Perfect for a photography aficionado or to capture fun and festive moments at the holiday party. This camera gives you instant gratification with high quality prints. indigo.ca, $103.99.
Apple TV
Entertainment is in the palm of your hand. Turn your TV into a seamless portal for watching movies, sharing photos, surfing the Internet, and listening to podcasts – all through Wi-Fi. Apple TV uses iCloud to automatically connect files on any Apple device, making it easy to share your latest photos in HD. Or use AirPlay to wirelessly stream what you have on your iPad or iPhone 4S onto your TV screen. It’s an all-in-one entertainment hub that you control - who wouldn’t love that? apple.ca, $119;
iPhone 4S
Don’t let looks deceive you. The iPhone 4S may not seem different from the 4, but it's what's inside that counts. The dual-core A5 chip (the same chip in the iPad) makes the phone twice as fast, meaning apps and webpages launch faster, and graphics seven times quicker. Even the camera is more powerful. The eight megapixel camera has improved optics - adding a fifth lens, increased aperture size and a new sensor - resulting in sharper, more detailed, colourful photos. The 4S also welcomes iCloud, which automatically stores and wirelessly pushes your documents to other devices. So for people who are always on-the-go, give them the perfect sidekick that allows them to keep moving all year long. apple.ca, starting at $649.
Sonos Play:3
Want to enjoy the music without the bulk of sound systems and wires from room to room? Using three digital amplifiers, the Sonos Play:3 is a wireless music system that you can control with your Android, iPhone or iPad. Don’t have one of these devices? Install the Sonos controller software to your computer or purchase a Sonos touch screen controller. Just one controller can manage multiple speakers in your home – all done through your WiFi network. So easily change songs in your kitchen, while adjusting the volume in the bedroom. While you do need to hook up one player or Sonos Bridge into an Ethernet connection, you can unleash your favourite music from room to room wire-free and in complete control sonos.com, $349.
Kobo Vox eReader
The new, vividly colourful Kobo Vox is a whole new breed of e-reader. It combines the ease of e-reading with the functionality of a multimedia device. In fact, it’s the world’s first social e-reader! Now you can share your reading habits, favourite passages and latest reads with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. It also comes with a new feature – the Kobo Pulse. It tracks how many people are reading the same book as you and their comments, bringing the e-book community together on one device - possibly the biggest book club you've ever been a part of. Running on an android operating system, you can also enjoy browsing the web, emailing, listening to music, watching video, or playing games on the crisp, colourful 7” LCD screen. It's a whole new world of reading for the book lover on your list! indigo.ca, $199.
Microsoft Kinect
The latest in gaming technology gives you the freedom to move - complete freedom. No more wires or controllers! The Kinect sensors recognize your face and track your body movements; there's even a built-in microphone for voice control. So whether you want to kick a ball or pause a movie, you can with ease and cord-free. It's a fabulously fun gift that's entertaining for everyone! bestbuy.ca, starting from $149.99.
Beats by Dr. Dre Solo HD headphones
For a music lover who’s always on the go, the Dr. Dre Solo headphones are the perfect gift. Optimized to deliver crystal clear, club quality sound you’ll never miss a beat with these headphones. Except when you’re taking a call, of course. The ControlTalk technology allows you to answer your phone, change the volume or playback your favourite song hands-free! apple.ca, $249.95.
HP Photosmart eStation
With all the new technology for phones we can do everything all within one device – email, take photos, surf the Internet. But this means we’re constantly in need of ways to connect to our mobile devices and access all our goodies. Using HP’s ePrint technology, you can print from anywhere that can connect you to the Internet. So now you can print your photos straight from your smartphone by sending them to your printer’s unique email address. The eStation even comes with a 7-inch, full-colour touchscreen that you can detach. Use it to surf the web, Facebook, read e-books, play videos or music, and print - all without connecting to a PC. HP, $399.99.
Fuji Instax Mini 50S
Retro is back with Fuji’s new look on instant photography! Compact and chic, the Instax Mini 50S produces credit card-sized photos in a snap. Perfect for a photography aficionado or to capture fun and festive moments at the holiday party. This camera gives you instant gratification with high quality prints. indigo.ca, $103.99.
Apple TV
Entertainment is in the palm of your hand. Turn your TV into a seamless portal for watching movies, sharing photos, surfing the Internet, and listening to podcasts – all through Wi-Fi. Apple TV uses iCloud to automatically connect files on any Apple device, making it easy to share your latest photos in HD. Or use AirPlay to wirelessly stream what you have on your iPad or iPhone 4S onto your TV screen. It’s an all-in-one entertainment hub that you control - who wouldn’t love that? apple.ca, $119;
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