Black Friday: 2015 Best Technology Gifts
A GUIDE TO TECH GIFTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
It seems like there are always too many choices for holiday tech gifts and every year the list of new gadgets grows even bigger! These products promise to help you with time-saving advantages that will make your life easier at home or in the office (after you’re done reading the manual). Long ago Tech used to mean mostly computers, but now Tech categories can include Audio, Video, Car Gadgets, Gaming, Home Theatre, Smartphones, plus more. Here are some Tech products you might find useful …
WHAT’S On TV? WHAT IS TV?
Apple TV (3rd Generation) ‑ 1080p ‑ Wi‑Fi ($149-$199)
The 3rd gen Apple TV adds voice remote, a new operating system called tvOS, the ability to play games, and it has apps like HBO NOW, WatchESPN, Netflix, Hulu, and iTunes (of course). The previous generation Apple TV has been reduced from $99 to $69. Apple TV is a better choice than the Roku for those who have an iPhone, iPad or Mac, or if you own movies, TV shows, and music on iTunes.
Amazon Fire TV ($99)
Amazon’s Fire TV has excellent parental controls, great support and the ability to work with tricky Wi-Fi systems. It also delivers 4K video although most 4K TVs have built-in apps that can do the same thing. The new Fire TV Voice Remote, Alexa, will check sports scores or the weather, play music, and create a to-do list.
Google Chromecast ($35)
Chromecast is a thumb-sized media streaming device that turns your HDTV into a Web-enabled smart TV and accepts content from your iPhone, iPad, Android device or laptop. The tiny, minimalist dongle connects to your set via HDMI and lets you stream Web content via your Wi-Fi network. “Cast” from your existing apps like YouTube, HBO, Hulu, Spotify, or Netflix to your regular TV set.
Roku 3/Roku 4 ($99-$129)
Roku makes it easy to watch a wide range of free channels, subscribe to popular streaming services—like Netflix and Hulu—rent the latest TV episode, or own a major blockbuster. Innovative features make it simple to stream, and the new Roku 4 has the same features as the Roku 3 plus voice search.
WHAT’S THAT SOUND?
Bose Quiet Comfort Headphones ($300)
You may have seen the Bose sound cancelling headphones that fit over your ears on airplane flights, but there’s now a new, smaller option for those who want to travel lighter. The new QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones (which are listed under earphones) are available to work with either Apple or Android devices. You can adjust them for both active noise-cancelling and regular play, and their special tips won’t come out of your ear.
Bose SoundLink Color ($130)
The Bose SoundLink Color is an attractive little Bluetooth speaker that delivers big sound for its size, is easy to tote around and recharges with a standard Micro-USB cable.
JBL Flip 3 ($100)
JBL’s Flip wireless speaker is streamlined, splashproof and has a battery life of 10 hours. It plays any audio content from a Bluetooth-enabled source that is nearby.
STEP BACK AND LOOK AT YOURSELF!
Newisland Selfie Stick ($29.99)
This selfie stick lets you share those award-winning selfies without those awkward poses that feature too much of your arm. Just don’t let anyone take a picture of you using it.
Joby GripTight Micro Stand ($30)
This micro stand is both a sturdy tripod and a smartphone holder. Use this stainless-steel stand to stabilize your smartphone on location shoots and for watching movies.
CAMERAS
And speaking of cameras, there are still a few people out there that don’t have a camera on their smartphone and they might be interested in one of these three categories: compact cameras, sports and action cameras, and DSLR cameras. Canon, Nikon and Sony are popular brands for both compact and DSLR cameras. The most popular sports and action camera seems to be the GoPro Hero, which sells a “Black” model that shoots up to 4K (Ultra High Definition) resolution. Most cameras have included both still pictures and video for the last several years.
NOT EXACTLY TECH, BUT IT’S A HOOT!
Keyboard Waffle Iron ($85)
This stovetop waffle iron is for the tech chef with a sense of humor! It makes big waffles that look like a keyboard. The cordless construction works on the stovetop or even the grill. It’s the right kind of keyboard to use on the weekend!
CHECK OUT THESE ONLINE RESOURCES FOR MORE INFO:
Compare Roku 4 – Apple TV (New) – Amazon Fire TV (4K) – Roku 2 – Apple TV (Old)
Top 3 Tech Gifts for Small Business Owners
DON’T LIKE TECH?
You can still shop for seasonal boutique holiday items at our Red Barn Holiday Boutique. The boutique will be open from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm at the historic Adolfo Camarillo Ranch barn on Sunday, December 13th.
