As men, we’ll always be suckers for shiny things. There’s no point in fighting it. Particularly when they can help do things like battle our inbox(s), catch up on missed episodes of the shows we’re too busy to watch, or single-handedly sway the tide of battles using just our thumbs. This gift list is a celebration of all that, and much, much more.
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. – Arthur C. Clarke
Atomic Floyd MiniDarts Heaphones
Trash those cheap plastic buds that came free with your gadgets and upgrade to these stylish ear buds designed to be the perfect companion to today’s modern smartphones.
Normally we wouldn’t get too excited over a thumb drive, but the Lacie Fastkey’s über sleek looks and lighting fast USB 3.0 transfer speeds changed our mind.
The D7000 is Nikon’s brand new replacement for the venerable D90. Thanks to features such as a 16.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, new 39-point autofocus system, 100% viewfinder, 1080p 24fps (720p 30fps) HD video capture with continuous auto-focus, ISO 100-6400 extendable to 25600, dual SD card slots, and 6 fps burst mode, it’s an outstanding DSLR for those looking to flex their photography muscles without trashing their savings accounts.
Sure it’s a first pass at a brand new product from the genius hive mind of Google, but having a fully compatible flash web browser that’s perfectly optimized for your TV screen is nothing to scoff at. The ability to Google Carl Weathers acting laureates while simultaneously watching him arm wrestle Arnold in Predator is pretty damn special too.
It may not have the blessing of Steve Jobs or be summed up through a series of single words in small black print, but you’ll be surprised by how much the Galaxy Tab’s 7-inch form factor can cause you to rethink your stance on tablets as a passing fad. Did we mention it can also play Angry Birds too?
Microsoft is admittedly late to the party, but rest assured Windows Phone 7 is a grand entrance. We’ve been spending time reviewing the OS and will be sharing more in-depth thoughts on it shortly. For this guide though, we’ll just say its a great new approach to mobile operating systems — especially for those already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem through Xbox Live, Windows 7, or Zune. While there are plenty of Windows Phone 7 handsets to choose from already, the HTC HD7 and Dell Venue Pro stand at the top of our list in terms of cool factor and power.
Light or superlight, that’s about your only decision when it comes to the new MacBook Air, the Air we always wanted. It’s predecessor is all but a (thankful) forgotten memory.
Capture every video-worthy moment with a device that’s wearable, convenient, and no less obtrusive than a bluetooth headset. The best part is it’s point of view — whatever you’re looking at is what you’re capturing.
Ignore its seemingly Anime inspired name and focus on the beef. If your iPod or iPhone has become the primary way you listen to music, this little cord will help tunes sound better. Correction. Way better.
The Synology DS411J is the affordable 4-bay network accessible storage device we’ve been waiting on. It’s easy to set up with very little networking know how, and can support up to 4 2TB hard drives for a total of 8TB worth of storage. That’s plenty of space to back up all of your data and perfect for digital media addicts looking to create a centralized iTunes library they can share with multiple computers. Expect a full review from us in the coming weeks for deeper insights into what this bad boy can do.
Jeff Bezos’ baby only does one thing, but it does it better than everything else. Leaner, meaner, and far better looking thanks to a new black suit, the Kindle 2 is the best eReader on the market today.
While other gaming systems seem hell-bent on beating the TSA to the body scan punch, the Retron 3 Gaming system mercifully keeps things simple. It’s not much to look at, but this plastic miracle box can play old Nintendo, SEGA Genesis, and Super Nintendo cartridges until long past the point mom told you to go to bed.
While it may not be the ultimate Android smartphone phone in the specs department that many had hoped for, the Nexus S is still a cutting edge device and will be the first phone to support Android 2.3 a.k.a gingerbread.
Listen to your music anywhere you damn please and control it via your favorite Apple companion. As your home expands, just pick up another or add additional Sonos products to keep the vibe going.
Electronics manufacturers may be pushing 3D as the way of the future, but if you’re just in the market for a solid 2D TV with great picture quality, the LG Infinia 50PK950 should be on your short list. Especially since it’s selling for a good deal less than $1,500 for a 50 inch set.
Top-tier name doesn’t always equate to top-tier quality, but in this case Bowers & Wilkins has created a pair of headphones we find ourselves replacing all our others with. The fact that they fold-flat for travel is just icing.
Microsoft’s Kinect may not be the first technology in the gaming world that allows players to ditch button mashing for the motion of their body, but it is the first system that lets players go completely controller less. Buy it and give games like Kinect Adventures and Game Party a try, and you’ll get a taste of just how fun this new technology can be. Sure game titles are slim now and the technology is still in its early stages, but better to own it now before a big title releases..and you’re still stuck holding the joystick.
