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Gadgets
& Gizmos
How
to shop for those folks who spend more time on their computers
than you do at work and asleep combined
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of running in
a fairly tech-savvy social circle, it’s that finding decent
gifts for the hard-core gadget geek can be an intimidating
quest. Even if you consider yourself fairly literate when
it comes to current technology, there’s a good chance that
by the time you finish asking, “What will they come up with
next?” the typical gadget-head has already used—and become
bored with—whatever it is they actually did “come up with
next.” That’s why this year’s gadget guide is, with a few
exceptions, full of gifts that gadget geeks will not only
find useful, but probably haven’t bought for themselves already.
Oh, and if your gift-giving choices end up making recipients
think you’re a bit more tech-savvy than you really are, well,
that can be our little secret.
First on the list are flash drives—possibly one of the most
handy little tools around for anyone who uses more than one
computer on a regular basis. Like the floppy discs of days
gone by, these portable storage devices allow you to move
files from one computer to another. Flash drives come in a
variety of sizes and shapes, but are rarely any bigger than
a house key (making them great key-ring additions). The Memorex
U3 smart Mini TravelDrive comes in various models, ranging
from a $40 drive with 256MB of total memory to a $180 version
with 2GB of storage. Not only is it useful for moving files
around, but it also comes with programs installed that allow
you to bring some of your favorite applications on the road,
too. For example, this drive comes with e-mail and antivirus
software that allows you to check messages or scan files for
viruses simply by plugging the drive into any computer with
an Internet connection.
Since many of the gift suggestions on this list assume that
your gadget geeks already own the latest basic technology
(i.e., computers, entertainment systems, etc.), why not get
them something that can pull the whole set-up together? The
Logitech Harmony 676 ($100-125) is a great universal
remote that will keep its owners from having to track down
the remotes for the TV, DVD, DVR, stereo and various other
devices every time they want to geek out. It’s relatively
easy to set up and use, with some great programming features
available once you’re comfortable with it—such as the ability
to make one button turn on multiple devices and set the appropriate
channel for movie watching or album listening.
 Of
course, if you’re looking to get your gadget geek out of the
living room or office, a GPS navigator might provide just
the sort of encouragement you’re looking for. Magellan’s series
of handheld Explorist units are all fine buys, ranging
anywhere from $100 to more than $500 in price, depending on
the unit’s accuracy, style of presentation (bigger screens
or buttons, for example) and ability to store or download
maps and other information. If you do end up buying a GPS
unit for someone, be sure to point them in the direction of
www.geocaching.com, too—it’s the perfect hobby for people
trying to find the happy medium between a love for nature
and love for technology.
If your gearhead is the mischievous sort, the TV-B-Gone
is available for around $20. This little gadget shuts off
any televisions in a 20- to 50-foot radius with the push of
a button. Spend too long in a noisy waiting room or bar, and
you’ll understand why this sucker might quickly become one
of your gearhead’s favorite toys.
Of course, with all of these gadgets, there’s always the danger
of losing the various chargers and plugs they rely upon. The
Multiple Unit Recharging Station offered by Hammacher
Schlemmer ($25) provides one of the most inexpensive solutions
to this problem, allowing you to stow away the cords for up
to three devices (a cell phone, digital camera and GPS unit,
for instance) while also protecting the devices from power
surges.
Last on the list are a variety of devices for any iPod owners
on your gift-giving radar. Why the special attention to Apple’s
most popular product? Well, since these portable media players
are selling out in many stores this season and are becoming
more affordable as each new model is released, the odds are
pretty high that a few of the people on your shopping list
own (or will soon own) one of these trendy little gizmos.
However, if you’re looking to make someone a new iPod owner
(or want to give them the best model on the market), the Apple
iPod with Video Playback is currently the cream of the
crop. Available in 30GB ($300) or 60GB ($400) models, this
iPod is essentially a handheld home-entertainment system,
giving users the ability to put thousands of songs, photos
and even television shows and feature-length movies, in the
palms of their hands.
If your gadget geek is already iPod-enabled, there’s a cornucopia
of add-ons available that are bound to make recipients happy
no matter which model they own. The Griffin Road Trip
($50-80) will allow your iPod to broadcast audio to your car
stereo via an FM transmitter and can also charge the iPod
using your cigarette lighter. While the quality isn’t exactly
up to par with dedicated voice-recorder devices, the Griffin
iTalk ($20-30) makes a nice little gift for the person
on your list who likes to do the “note to self” thing. If
that’s still not enough ways to make use of your iPod, there’s
always the Griffin iBeam flashlight and laser
pointer set ($10-15) that turns your media player into a searchlight
or presentation tool.
Last, but certainly not least, if you’re feeling a little
risqué, there’s the adult-oriented iBuzz, an iPod-powered,
bullet-sized vibrator that pulses along with the tempo and
volume of songs. It’s only available online, however, and
only from www.lovehoney.co.uk. It sells for a little more
than $40, but that’s pennies compared to all the joy it will
bring to that someone special, right?
Well, that’s about it, folks. Here’s hoping the gadget geek
on your list appreciates all the time you’ve spent wallowing
in their pixilated world, and that this list helps you fill
their holidays with the warm glow of an LCD display, the twinkle
of LED lights and the soft, comforting sound of a spinning
disc drive.
—Rick
Marshall
2005
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