Christmas hi-tech wish list

Without my having to tap the services of ACNielsen, I can proclaim right off the bat that a hi-tech gadget will be on top of everybody’s wish list this Christmas. If you have a little more to spend for a loved one this year, a gadget may be the perfect Christmas present. Whether it’s a new smartphone or an MP3 player, the lucky recipient will know that you have gone out of your way to get him or her a great present. Gadgets can be expensive so utilize honest consumer reviews to help you steer clear of any items not worth your hard-earned money. Yup, it’s time to allocate that 13th month pay to fill your loved one’s Christmas with joy!

I have listed five items below that you may consider as a gift. I, too, have included my personal comments on them, first-hand or otherwise. Happy shopping!

1. iPod nano. This 4GB mini jukebox by Apple has just been released and it’s turning out to be a global hit. The iPod nano weighs in at an amazing 42 grams, is 7-mm thick (width of a pencil) and yet can still hold over 1,000 songs and play for up to 14 hours on a single charge. Just some feedback though: I hear the sound quality on the iPod nano is not as good as its predecessors; it has crappy battery life, is easily scratched, some units have a faulty screen, and worse, you can only recharge it via your computer and not via a main power plug. But, hey, let us be forgiving; the iPod nano is all about style, class and being able to transport tons of songs easily. Price: P18,000.

2. Logitech wireless headphones for iPod. Finally they’ve created the product that I have been longing to have for the last three years! I utilize my iPod mostly in the gym, and as such I despise wires. I have probably ruined two earbuds this year alone. Logitech’s wireless headphones use advanced Bluetooth technology for interference-free and crystal-clear audio. The range is over 30 feet and rechargeable batteries can play up to eight hours per charge. These headphones include a wireless adapter that snaps onto your iPod or iPod mini, plus integrated controls on the headset so you can adjust the volume, play, pause, or select tracks without touching your iPod. I have been using mine for nine months now and I love it. They sound better than stock iPod earbuds and not to mention, are light and comfortable. The only downside I see is that the rechargeable batteries are not removable. Price: $120. 

3. Canon IXUS i Zoom. The IXUS i Zoom is a five-megapixel digital camera with a 2.4 times optical zoom lens. There is also a 4x digital zoom. For composing photos, there is a 1.8" LCD screen and you can adjust the brightness. For close-up photography, there is a macro mode that lets you get in as close as 10 cms to your subject. I have seen photos taken from this pocket-sized digicam and it produced an impressive set of images. Its camera body comes in four fashionable colors and it’s likely to appeal to someone who is looking for a simple point-and-shoot digicam. In fact, if I get to sell my current Canon S50, I am buying this little powerhouse. The only thing I don’t like about it is that it has no viewfinder and as such your battery life may be depleted while arranging shots. Price: P24,000.

4. Nokia Nseries line.

• N70 – A slide-and-shoot-designed phone identical to the 6680 which I use. It’s a savvy-looking smartphone with a mini photo lab built into it. Immortalize moments with bright and clear images from its two-megapixel lens, built-in flash and up to 20x zoom. It has dual cameras for videoconferencing, too. Call this your digital diary where you may create a slideshow with music, e-mail your pictures as they’re happening and record your mobile life with Nokia Lifeblog. Multi-tasking is made simple. Access contacts while you’re working, listen to FM radio or your MP3 files while you’re walking, or play 3D games when you don’t feel like talking. Price: P32,000.

• N90. A clamshell-designed phone with a twist-and-shoot face. It brandishes Carl Zeiss optics for crisp, bright images you can view, edit, print and share. It’s a pro-photo taker with two megapixels, flash and loads of other features. Be rest assured, go on and leave your other cameras at home. Price: P50,000.

• N91. It’s the groove-on-the-go mobile phone for music lovers. This mobile jukebox has room for up to 3,000 of your hottest tunes in its 4GB on-board storage. You may just drag and drop your ripped CDs onto the device via USB 2.0, a WLAN wireless connection and Microsoft Media Player 10. Likewise, it snaps two-megapixel photos and has smartphone features, too. Price: P60,000 (not yet available)

5. Sony Ericsson Walkman phones.

• W550i. It is branded as the Walkman phone that’s full of diversity. Its designed shell is swivel action, and you can use the phone open, closed or angled. Take your favorite music to go with the W550i’s digital music player. Simply drag and drop music files using a supplied PC software and pump up the volume. The W550i also has exciting 3D games in crystal-clear color with dedicated gaming action buttons and horizontal two-handed playing that give you a true game-console experience. And when you want to play multi-player games with friends, use Bluetooth. Imaging and video is provided by a built-in, 1.3-megapixel camera. Price: P20,000.

• W800i. The W800i is the ultimate music in your phone. Simply press the music button to start your in-phone music player, select your favorite tune or playlist and crank it. Keep on listening but never miss a call. Your music will automatically stop when a call comes in. The W800i has plenty of memory inside for storing your favorite songs, images and video. And when you need to store more, use a Memory Stick PRO Duo, which you can have up to 1GB. A quality headset also comes with the phone kit. The W800i is also a two-megapixel digital camera with video recording capability. Save your images in the W800i image gallery or move them to a PC via its Fast port connector or go wireless with Bluetooth. Price: P29,000.

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Patrick R. Garcia is the managing director of Bidshot Wireless Services. For comments or suggestions, e-mail [email protected].