The IT Nerd Holiday Gift Guide – Part 1
Last year, I did a Holiday Gift Guide on a whim and it worked out well as I got lots of traffic and positive feedback. So this year, I decided to do another one, but in two parts. Today, I will focus on gifts that caught my eye from my all over the place. Next Friday, I will give gift suggestions from the various items that I reviewed this year. So, without further delay, let’s get started.
- True audiophiles – those who live and breathe high-fidelity sound reproduction – are a rare breed. As a result, finding gifts for them can be challenging. Luckily, Bang & Olufsen has them covered with a few gift ideas that will undoubtedly delight even the most discerning music lover. This part year, I covered their 4K TV and their BEO line of audio gear. They’re all very must gets for anybody who has an audiophile on their list.
- I came across No Starch Press earlier this year and they have a couple of books that should make it onto your list this year if you have kids who like computers. Carlos Bueno has a lovingly illustrated new book that brings computer science to life. Bueno’s Lauren Ipsum (Available Dec 2014, 192 pp., $16.95, 4C) is a fantasy adventure in the style of Alice in Wonderland that’s designed to spark discussions about computer science. JavaScript for Kids (Available Dec 2014, 336pp, US $34.95, 4C). Like Python for Kids before it—now the best-selling introduction to programming for young people. The company has many other books that are worth looking at so you should take the time to take a look.
- If your book audience is older, consider Deadly Odds which is a new breakout suspense thriller with a “techno edge” by bestselling author Allen Wyler and published by Astor + Blue Editions. The premise can be boiled down to this: What happens when a shy and awkward young computer hacker has a run-in with terrorists? I’m currently reading the eBook and it’s very good because it’s kind of funny at times while being full of suspense and tension. Plus it’s plausible which is big for me as I hate anything that incorporates tech in it because they never get the tech parts right. Check it out.
- Coffee via your smartphone? Done. I covered this Mr. Coffee coffeemaker earlier this year which essentially is just a normal percolator, but with a companion WeMo smartphone app (iOS and Android) that lets you set up a brewing schedule, or to simply turn the machine on remotely. It’s too cool not to mention.
- The Garmin HUD+ is kind of interesting as it will project your speed, turn-by-turn GPS directions, and the current speed limit onto your car’s windshield. If you don’t mind waiting until after the holiday’s, check out Navdy which set the crowdfunding world on fire earlier this year as well. In both cases, they are way safer than glancing at your smartphone, which requires you to refocus your eyes and/or look away from the road.
- How about bling? No, seriously. How about Bling. But not the really expensive kind. How about the nerdy kind? Ringly looks like a fabulous new cocktail ring. But is also an alert that will sync with her phone and it will inform her of calls, e-mails, and other notifications with discrete vibrations and colored lights, without having to peek at her mobile device.
- Or if you want something less techie, you can try the Rebecca Minkoff collection of tech accessories. From bags to cases, there’s something stylish for every woman. Or man for that matter.
- Your phone is disgusting. No, seriously. studies have shown that it has all sorts of nasty bacteria on it. To kill all of it, you need the PhoneSoap UV Smartphone Sanitizer from ThinkGeek. It uses UV rays to kill all that nasty stuff. Seriously, you need to get one.
- I tripped over this Bluetooth Headphone Adaptor at Sharper Image a while back. It lets you control and listen to music or take calls from any Bluetooth device at all. Best of all, it uses the headphones that you own and like. Sweet!
- Nikon is serious about cameras and they have a whole list of cameras for every photographer on your list. Starting with the COOLPIX S32 and the COOLPIX P600 for those who like point and shoot cameras, all the way up to the D3300 and the D750 for those who want a DSLR, Nikon has you covered.
- Finally, there’s the Harrison black leather iTouch tech gloves which allow you to control your phone while keeping your hands warm. Win! Win!
Stay tuned for part two of this Holiday Gift Guide next week where I will offer up suggestions based on the reviews that I’ve done this year. Stay tuned!
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