Like gift vouchers, giving technology to someone other than an IT contractor at Christmas has traditionally been considered a tad impersonal.
Alongside its ubiquity in 2009, the personalisation of technology, such being able to pre-load an iPod with the recipient’s favourite tracks, has changed that irrevocably.
Add to this a bid by gadget-makers to focus on ‘ease of use’ and it is clear why, on the 25th, techies will be joined by their elders and juniors in the joyous pressing of buttons.
So, in order of pain, here’s what you might consider buying creative or IT-minded loved ones, or colleagues, this Christmas:
MechRC Robot (£399.99)
The result of what happens when a Transformers’ artists and a robot inventor are left in the same room together. The newest remotely controlled robot in the range is programmable, allowing creative types to preload actions and commands. Sound tracks, sound effects and voices can be downloaded from the owner’s PC and blasted out to the coordination desired.
sWaP Watch (£249.99)
Fancy a multi-media centre on your wrist? Essentially doubling as a mobile phone, sWap Watch wearers can talk, email, surf the Web, listen to music, take pictures or watch a movie. A micro SD card can be inserted to upgrade the 128MB memory to 2GB, ideal for a short jaunt when you need to be connected, or just entertained. This 1.5-inch-screen model accepts most SIM cards and is Bluetooth compatible, with headset supplied.
Roomba iRobot (£164.99)
Cleans your rooms so you don’t have to; well sort of. In a single cycle the device will roam in and around the corners and floor-space of three rooms, hoovering, brushing and removing dirt and dust, before it navigates back to its docking base to recharge. Ideal for Christmas and for when the cleaner is away.
Laser Cosmos (£129.99)
Whether you use it for zoning out to music, at a party or wooing an admirer, the LC is claimed to provide the most mesmirising ‘star show’ that should leave onlookers wide-eyed for hours. The three-dimensional effect and unique brightness is thanks to green laser and holographic technology. A Blue nebula effect, turned on or off, completes the sense of staring into the cosmos.
Creative Vado Pocket Camcorder (£78)
One of a growing range of pocket mini-cams – a must for sentimentalists, budding journalists and film-makers alike. Users can film personal Christmas messages and upload them onto the internet for family and relatives to watch. It’s also a thoughtful gift, as you can upload a personal message from you to the recipient.
Polaroid Pogo Instant Printer (£78)
Combining the old-school with today's technology, the Polaroid Pogo Instant Printer produces sticky backed 2 x 3 inch images in under a minute, directly from your digital camera or mobile phone. A hit for Christmas morning, as parents can print off pictures of their children opening and playing with presents bought by relatives and then include these pictures with their thank you cards.
USB Microscope (£49.95)
Plug this kit it into your desktop PC and it will bring an image up on your screen of whatever is pointing at – at 200x magnification! Fingernails, hairs, flies, possibly even your lunch leap into amazing and often alarming microscopic detail, and you can take digital stills or movies at a click.
Useful for computer engineers, aspiring model makers and jewellers. This version includes a program that gives 2GB of online space, so your close-ups can be shared and accessed on any PC.
Stylophone (£14.99)
Follow the likes of the White Stripes, Orbital and Marilyn Manson and tap out memorable melodies using a Stylophone. This one differs to the one invented in 1967 by letting users plug in their iPod/MP3 players so they can play along and ‘improve’ their favourite tunes.
Hot Aroma Bear (£11.99)
Heat this microwaveable bear’s tummy up for a few minutes, and its recipient can go to bed with something to cuddle that emits a lavender aroma, designed to calm and soothe before sleep. Sounding the death knell for the waterbottle for anyone who likes to snuggle up.
Sat-Nag (£7.99)
Clue’s in the title with this gift, which is just for the boys! Its users will get nowhere fast apart from BackSeat Drive. Press the button on its front and a patronising woman's voice will come out with one of a host of hysterical Sat Nav-type commands. Crackers include: "I know you're a man, but it's been 35 minutes now, so can you please admit you're lost and ask someone the way"; and "In 100 metres turn left. No right, err, no left. Sorry, I never can tell my left from my right." There are a few 'not in front of the children' comments, but none deemed too offensive.
(Items featured by John Lewis and I Want One of Those.com were included for being the most popular products on their respective websites in terms of sales)
Dec 10, 2008
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