HOMBRE Gift Guide: TECH TOYS
08 Dec 2014 by HOMBRE in Celebrities, DVD, Ego, Fame, Fitness, General, Gift Guide, Health, Home, Pleasure, Sports, Technology, Television, TOYS
In choosing the right gift for that someone special, technology is always at the top of the list. Here we bring you a round-up of some of our favorite items. The price point varies, but you can be sure that whoever tops your list will be beyond grateful with any of these choices.
All these selections are available online… or head to your nearest RadioShack for some of our highlighted items including the Kodak PIXPRO SL10 16MP Smart Lens Camera, the Toshiba Canvio 1TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive and Plantronics BackBeat FIT Wireless Earbuds
THE LATEST FROM GOOGLE/ ANDROID
With the launch of the latest and most advanced mobile platform, Android 5.0 Lollipop, all your devices can now work seamlessly; from tablets, to smartphones, to televisions to gaming. Meaning that you can start by watching a film on your TV, switch to your tablet and finish on your smartphone. Having had an advance preview of their newly unveiled devices we highly recommend them for their quality, practicality and styling.
NEXUS 9 Tablet
The latest tablet built in partnership with HTC. With a soft grip back, subtle curves, brushed metal sides and 8.9-inch screen, it’s small enough to easily carry around in one hand, yet big enough to work on. Sleek and sturdy, light and comfortable for work or play.
When it comes to audio, the sound is more immersive, layered and distortion-free with front-facing HTC BoomSound speakers. It has a 64-bit processor, easily move between tabs to check email, watch videos, and tweak docs — all at once. 1.6MP Front Camera; 8MP Rear Camera. Available in 16 GB Flash Memory or 32 GB
For an easier experience there’s a keyboard folio that magnetically attaches to the Nexus 9, folds into two different angles and rests securely on your lap like a laptop.
www.google.com/nexus/9/ MSRP. $399. (16 GB) $479. (32 GB)
Developed with Motorola, this new phone has a contoured aluminum frame, a 6-inch Quad HD display and a 13 megapixel camera. The large screen is complemented by dual front-facing stereo speakers that deliver high-fidelity sound, making it as great for movies and gaming as it is for doing work. It also comes with a Turbo Charger, so you can get up to six hours of use with only 15 minutes of charge. Nexus 6 has options for an unlocked version though Play store, or a monthly contract or installment plan through carriers, including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon.
www.google.com/nexus/6/ MSRP $649. (32GB) $699. (64GB)
Nexus Player is the first device running Android TV: a collaboration with Asus. This streaming media player is designed for streaming movies, music and videos. It’s also a first-of-its-kind Android gaming device. With Nexus Player you can play Android games on your HDTV with a gamepad, then keep playing on your phone while you’re on the road. Nexus Player is Google Cast Ready so you can cast your favorite entertainment from almost any Chromebook or Android or iOS phone or tablet to your TV.
Nexus_Player MSRP $99. (Player) $39. (Gamepad)
MOTO 360 SmartWatch
Welcome to the future. Powered by Android Wear, Moto 360, is comfortable, familiar, and crafted with the finest materials. Check heart rate, steps, control your music, glance at your wrist to see appointments, messages, updates or just speak to get the info you need.
www.moto360.motorola.com/ MSRP $249.
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CAMERAS
RE from HTC: Live The Moment, Capture the Image
HTC has created one of most exciting cameras on the market today. Think GoPro for everyday situation, but smaller, simpler design and easier to handle. RE does away with the viewfinder. Sounds revolutionary, but you get used to it. Jus point and shoot. To watch the video or images just down load the app to your smartphone and press play. Forget about missing real life experiences while you spend all the time concentrated on the viewfinder to get the image just right. With RE you step out from behind the camera and live life.
The cylindrical shape fits perfectly in your hand and the built-in grip sensor instantly activates the camera when picked up, eliminating the need for a power button. Its single shutter button allows one tap to capture photos and a longer press for video recording.
You get high-resolution, 16MP CMOS sensor, full HD (1080p) video recording, 146 degree wide-angle lens and slow-motion and time-lapse recording. Small and light, take it everywhere and never miss a shot, oh, and it’s waterproof!
If you want a viewfinder the RE app features a remote live viewfinder on the screen of your mobile device. The app also backs everything up to your phone or the cloud automatically so you have unlimited storage space. Available on both Android and iOS.
www.htc.com MSRP $199.
VIVITAR’s DVR787 HD Action Camera Captures Exciting Adventures
Here’s one of the most versatile, rugged, ready-for-action HD camcorders on the market – at a very affordable price. Going shutter to shutter with better known and higher priced action cameras, Vivitar’s entry into the market holds its own at a third the price.
Designed with the extreme sports enthusiast in mind. If you are our typical HOMBRE reader who’s into biking, rafting, snowboarding, surfing, skydiving or other adrenaline filled adventures, the DVR 787 makes it easy to capture every second in full 1080p high definition at 30 frames per second.
Easy-to-use remote control and bike/ATV and helmet mounts are included, providing hands-free recording, in first-person point of view. The remote lets you capture only the footage and still shots you want with the touch of a button, without having to stop or fumble with the camera. Waterproof enclosure to protect against splashes and submersion up to 30-foot depth. The 2.4” touch screen display provides instant-rewind viewing.
www.Kohls.com and www.Amazon.com MSRP $119.
www.vivitar.com
Kodak PIXPRO SL10 16MP Smart Lens Camera
Transform your Smartphone into an SLR Camera
In a picture ready world most of us are doing away with cameras and relying on our smartphones. True, the quality is constantly evolving and improving, but if you want to be sure to upgrade your photography skills level this smart lens camera from Kodak can do the trick. It turns your mobile device into a powerful camera, with a 16MP sensor and 10x optical zoom, allowing you to capture up-close photos and HD video.
Kodak PIXPRO SL10 16MP Smart Lens Camera MSRP. $199.99
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AUDIO
HEOS by Denon State-of-the-Art Wireless Audio System
Looking for a superior wireless multi-room sound system? You’ve found it with the new HEOS by Denon. Just connect to an existing Wi-Fi network to bring Denon-quality audio to any—or all—rooms with a state-of-the-art smart device application available for both iOS and Android.
The elegantly designed, compact wireless speakers come in three sizes with sound big enough to fill any rom. (MSRP range from $299-$599). You must have a Wi-Fi setup and then you can access audio from multiple sources, including Pandora and the the library currently stored on your smart device. The single app, available for iPhone and Android devices, allows you to control audio anywhere in the home. And with a USB, the system allows users to also stream music collections stored on a hard drive and thumb drive. Play content to your local HEOS speaker or to another Denon wireless speaker in your home or to all Denon wireless speakers with playback times that don’t miss a beat when it comes to responsiveness.
An optional access point range extender is available to improve or expand the users existing home wireless network (sold separately).
The system delivers brilliant sound quality and top of the line performance for a rich optimized listening experience.
www.
HEADPHONES
Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless Headphones
These new headphones are a great complement to any anyone with an active lifestyle. They include a built-in heart rate monitor, Dolby Digital sound, voice coaching, and a built-in ‘Jabra Sport Life’ app that plans, tracks and evaluates workouts. Superior sound, excellent fit. Play/pause music, skip tracks, control volume, and take calls by using the inline controls.
The included Jabra Sound app is a music player that gives you full Dolby sound and much more. Create and browse playlists, share music, and optimize the graphic equalizer so you can listen to your tracks the way you want to. And the precision biometric in-ear heart rate monitor and the Jabra Sport Life app ensure you always train in the correct workout zone, helping you plan, track, and evaluate your routines. Personalized audio coaching provides feedback on your workout every step of the way. Apps are compatible with iOS and Android devices.
Sophisticated yet simple to use, the Jabra Sport Life app can give you an insight into your aerobic level with VO2 Max, resting heart rate, and help you balance the risk of overtraining with an Orthostatic heart rate test
Jabra Sport Pulse Wireless MSRP $199.
BackBeat PRO Wireless Headphones
If traveling on long flights, are just want to tune out the world these wireless, noise-cancellation stereo headphones offer uncompromising audio performance in any environment. The long battery life provides 24 hours of listening time on a single charge and an included 3.5mm cable serves as a backup, allowing you to plug in and keep enjoying the music when the battery eventually runs out.
BackBeat PRO, wireless active noise-cancelling headphones with battery power to outlast your playlist. the over-the-ear BackBeat PRO headphones offer brilliant audio and advanced active noise-cancellation technology. Bluetooth wireless freedom cuts the cord, and advanced active noise-cancellation (ANC) technology minimizes background sounds so you can fully immerse yourself in your music. Using a unique dual-mic solution, the headphones draw in background noise and eliminate it, tuning out external sounds and resulting in clear, life-like audio. Alternatively, if you want to hear what is going on around you, with a touch of a button the adjustable OpenMic feature pushes the music to the background and amplifies environmental sounds; have a conversation with a coworker, listen for your boarding call, or answer a fellow commuter without having to remove your headphones.
BackBeat PRO is always ready for action, with up to 21 days of standby power, and up to 6 months in DeepSleep hibernation. Advanced Bluetooth technology lets you stream music from up to 330 ft/100m1 away from your smartphone or tablet, well beyond the usual 33 ft/10m. Sensors on BackBeat PRO automatically pause your music when the headphones are removed and resumes when you put them back on, and will unobtrusively whisper updates on connection status, battery life, incoming calls and more. The exceptional ergonomic design and portability (with fold-flat earcups and durable nylon travel sleeve) makes BackBeat PRO ideal for all-day use wherever life takes you.
www.plantronics.com. MSRP$249.99
Plantronics BackBeat FIT Wireless Earbuds
Listen to music while you work out and talk on your mobile device with no wires. The powerful audio lets you clearly hear your music while their safety-oriented design let you hear your surroundings and be seen at night. Whatever your workout, the flexible, sweatproof reversible armband secures your smartphone while you’re moving and stores your headphones when you’re done.
The flexible design fits comfortably and stays put for all levels of exercise and the on-ear controls and built-in mic make it easy to manage calls and music.
The headphones are rugged, have a sweatproof design and allow up to 8 hours of listening time, 6 hours of talk time, 14 days of standby time.
Plantronics BackBeat FIT Wireless Earbuds MSRP $129.99
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MUST HAVES!
ESSENTIAL DRIVE: Toshiba Canvio 1TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive
With thousands of images, hundreds of videos and countless songs there’s no way to possibly store it all on your smartphone or computer, luckily Toshiba has the solution.
The Toshiba Canvio 1TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive is small and unobtrusive, but powerful. Store a vast ibrary on the device and further back it up on its cloud storage. The best way to protect your most important and cherished digital content.
Toshiba Canvio 1TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive MSRP $79.99
Logitech Harmony Ultimate Home
The Logitech Harmony Ultimate Home remote features a bright 2.4-inch color touch-screen and allows you to integrate and control all of your compatible home automation devices and up to 15 home entertainment devices. You can swipe and tap the touch screen to access all your Harmony Activities, see a device’s status and modify its settings, change channels, adjust volume, and fast-forward or rewind. Harmony library contains more than 270,000 compatible devices.
www.myharmony.com MSRP $349.99.
XBOX ONE
If there is a gamer in your life, and they’re still missing the Xbox One, you can be sure they will love you forever.
Here is a great value gift for anyone who enjoys games, TV, movies, music, sports and fitness, all in one place. In addition, there are a few special edition Xbox One bundles that include the console plus a top blockbuster game and more special features for an even greater value this holiday.
“Sunset Overdrive” Xbox One Bundle
Explode the rules with the Xbox One Special Edition “Sunset Overdrive” Bundle.
Includes White Console and Controller, full game download and Day One Edition ingame content.
Includes:
Special edition White Xbox One console and wireless controller – the first
ever made available to the public
Full game download for “Sunset Overdrive”
Day One Edition downloadable content including Nothin’ but the Hits gun, Fizzie outfit and Hardcore! Hammer
Standard Xbox One chat headset
Special edition “Sunset Overdrive” packaging
www.xbox.com MSRP All for $399
Available in limited quantities at select retailers, while supplies last.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare” Xbox One Bundle
The Xbox One Limited Edition “Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare” Bundle delivers everything gamers need to prevail in a new era of “Call of Duty.”
Includes:
Custom Xbox One console with 1 terabyte hard drive and in-game sound effects
Custom Wireless Controller
Digital full-game download of the “Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare” Day Zero Edition, plus two in-game custom weapons: the AK-12 G Assault Rifle and Crossbow-B2
Additional in-game bonus content:
o Limited edition bundle exoskeleton
o Advanced Arsenal which features an EM1 Quantum directed-energy weapon and a bullet brass exoskeleton
o Digital Personalization Pack
1 Chat headset, HDMI cable, and power supply
www.xbox.com MSRP All for $499
Available in in limited quantities at select retailers, while supplies last
Xbox One Special Edition Armed Forces Wireless Controller and Stereo Headset
The first set of custom accessories for Xbox One, this controller and headset feature a modern camouflage pattern and military look that will take your gaming to the next level this holiday season.
www.xbox.com
Xbox One Wireless Controller – $64.99
Xbox One Stereo Headset – $89.99