Black Friday - Tonight We Dine In Walmart! Top 10 Gifts

Black Friday, separating Americans from their money that they don't have for 50 years.  In the glorious spirit of this fine tradition, Wasabi thought it would be helpful to provide this year's hottest techno gifts for that technoholic in the family.  

The choices are many, but we have boiled it down to the devices that actually do what they say they do.  In other words, they won't be waiting in lines to return your gift on the 26th.  

To ensure value in this article, we included items that could be a feature gift or a secret Santa gift at the office.  So without further adieu, here... weeee... go...

1)        Intel Ultrabooks

Who makes it: Intel

What it costs: Starts at $800-$1500

Why we like it: Ultrabooks also have "ultra-capabilities" - security features, battery power, instant-on and quick standby. They'll provide a lightweight alternative to tablet devices for people who just can't work without a full QWERTY keyboard, although we're already seeing some touch-enabled Ultrabooks blurring that line.

Early Ultrabook models shipped with Intel's Sandy Bridge chips, but newer machines use the faster and lower-powered Ivy Bridge chips.

The ultra secure, ultra sleek Ultrabook™, a new business-class device that is less than an inch thick, wakes up in a flash and runs for hours, perfect for your most seasoned travelers.1,2 And since it’s based on the Intel® Core™ vPro™ processor, you’ll get embedded security that helps keep threats out, user identities and credentials safe, and clients and data protected.

2)        iPhone 5

Who makes it: Apple

What it costs: Starts at $199

Why we like it: It's got brains and brawn in a tiny package. More evolutionary than revolutionary, the new iPhone with its slightly larger screen is still worth a look, thanks to its upgraded processor, faster LTE data network connection and improved camera. Apple gets special kudos for delivering great battery performance in an increasingly energy-sucking data world. Now if only they can improve the new maps software.

3)        Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone

Who makes it: Samsung

What it costs: Starts at $200-$300

Why we like it: A smartphone is a must have item and our pick of the bunch is the Galaxy Nexus by Samsung and Google. It's the most up-to-date handset on the Android side of the fence running Android 4.0.1 Ice Cream Sandwich.

The operating system is the most customizable out there and has something for the geek in everyone. It also brings a host of new features including the novelty face to unlock, data control, Android Beam, better multitasking and many more.

It's a good looking smartphone too and the hardware isn't too shabby either. The Galaxy Nexus packs a Texas Instruments 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage and a 5MP camera. Best of all is the 4.7in contoured screen that has a whopping 720x1280 resolution.

The phone did experience some problems after launch with a volume drop bug but this has been sorted now.

4)        Tagg GPS Pet Tracker (Pay attention parents!)

Who makes it: Snaptracs/Qualcomm

What it costs: $100, plus $8 monthly service charge

Why we like it: What's mobile-device chip giant Qualcomm doing making a consumer device? Trying to jump-start the market for wearable sensors. Besides sending you a text message if Fido strays, Tagg just introduced a new fitness-and-activity feature -- sort of a Fitbit for your pet. Now, the real reason we like it what is really cool Moms, this puppy (pardon the pun) can be attached to your kids backpacks or under a seat in a car without anyone knowing... hmmmmmm? Yes?  We know, totally evil, but today, it's an insurance policy for our own sanity.  The trick... never, never tell that you have the technology, keep it in the parent's kung fu file.

5)        Sonos Wireless Hi-Fi system

Who makes it: Sonos

What it costs: Starts at $300-$400 (3 speakers / 5 speakers)

Why we like it: We all love a bit of music at Christmas and the Sonos is a unique hi-fi system for the home that is able to stream music from your PC or various other sources from the internet. It streams the content over your WiFi network and you can have a simple one speaker setup using a wired connection or a more complex multiple speaker, multi-room system using a wireless connection and the Sonos Bridge.

The beauty is that you can start with one speaker and then expand it as and when you can afford more components. The Play:3 (pictured) is a small and compact speaker suitable for any room around the house and the Play:5 is its bigger and beefier older brother best suited to the lounge. Both offer great sound quality and can be doubled up into a stereo pair.

Once the system is set up the user can control what is playing on what speaker from a PC or a smartphone or tablet with a free app. Different music can be streamed to different rooms around the house or synchronized to all play the same track at the same time.

6)        Lytro Light-Field Camera

Who makes it: Lytro

What it costs: $400

Why we like it: What does a light-field camera do, you ask? Just this: It gives you the ability to refocus a photo -- after you've taken it. It's truly game-changing technology in an unusual but extremely simple package.

7)        Verizon Jetpack Mobile Hotspot MiFi 4620L

Who makes it: Novatel Wireless

What it costs: $50 when purchased online with two-year data contract

Why we like it: Run your Wi-Fi-only iPads, Kindle Fires and Nooks on the go. The Jetpack connects them to Verizon's wicked-fast 4G LTE networks, which has far broader coverage than either AT&T or Sprint. If you can tolerate the extra expense, this little dynamo is far more useful than it has any right to be.

8)        HiddenRadio Bluetooth Speaker

Who makes it: Hidden

What it costs: $190

Why we like it: Smaller than a coffee grinder, the wireless speaker and FM radio features a striking design and utter ease of use: Just twist it clockwise to increase the volume. It's loud and meant to be played that way; at lower volumes, some of the speaker grill is muffled. Crank it up for 15 hours of wireless playback.

9)        mMini Combo Duo Travel Charging Kit

Who makes it: Innergie

What it costs: $50

Why we like it: If only all of those gadgets we're increasingly carrying around could recharge themselves. Until they do, Innergie's mMini Combo Duo Charger helps lighten the load by eliminating the need to carry multiple charging cables. It features a combo Apple and micro USB tip to connect to iPads, iPhone 4s and older Apple products, as well as Android devices. A second port accommodates another USB charger, and Innergie includes a dual USB car-charging outlet to sweeten the deal.

10)      THE ONE™ WIRELESS ACTIVITY & SLEEP TRACKER

Who makes it:  Fitbit

What it costs: $100

Why we like it: Normally we would gravitate to Nike’s Fuelband, but with the accuracy and reliability noise on the net, Fitbit One inches Fuelband out.  For starters, it never rests. During the day, it tracks your steps, distance, calories burned, and stairs climbed. Come nightfall, it measures your sleep cycle, helps you learn how to sleep better, and wakes you in the morning. The One™ motivates you to reach your goals by bringing greater fitness into your life – seamlessly, socially, 24 hours a day.

So now that you have the skinny, you can venture forth with the confidence that you don't have to wade through the swamps looking for what is cool.  Especially, not waiting in lines outside hoping to get that $5 special toy that doesn't work.  Remember, waiting in line outside can be murder!  Happy Black Friday folks...







Source(s):

• https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_7_16gb&feature=ha-text-sem_bk-n7&utm_source=ha&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=sem_bk&utm_content=n7
• http://www.fitbit.com/product
• http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/ultrabooks-home?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn&ST=+ultrabook&dgc=ST&cid=79644&lid=2024348&acd=so4c8UijJ,30781253754,901pdb6671
• http://www.bloomberg.com/slideshow/2012-10-04/top-15-tech-gifts-for-2012.html#slide16
• http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/feature/2132660/tech-christmas/page/2
• http://www.itnews.com/configuration-maintenance/51568/qa-black-friday-watcher-amazons-one-beat-tablets-will-be-hot-sellers

So “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more

About Rick Ricker

An IT professional with over 20 years experience in Information Security, Telecommunications, wireless broadband, network and Infrastructure design, development, and support.

For more information, contact Rick at (800) 333-8394 x 689