ALT-1 Gift Guide 2010 the Hottest Gadgets
The latest gadgets are some of the most popular Christmas gifts year after year. People camp out in front of places like Best Buy for a week before Black Friday for the chance to get great deals on the year’s hottest gadgets.
So what are the hottest gadgets in 2010? What can you expect to find under Christmas trees across America? From phones to netbooks to televisions and kitchen gadgets, the choices are spectacular and varied.
- Xbox Kinect
X-box takes gaming to a new level with the Kinect Sensor for Xbox 360. Kinect turns the user into the controller by using sensors to track body movements which are mirrored in the game. It even recognizes faces and voices. This new gaming experience will get the whole family off the couch. If you currently own an Xbox 360, the Kinect Sensor package with adventure games will cost around $215. The Xbox 360 + Kinect Sensor package starts at $399.
- Verbatim Wallet Drive
This portable hard drive is stylish and will look great on the busiest executive’s desk. The Wallet Drive’s case is stitched leather. It comes with a small socket for a USB cable, Turbo USB software, and Nero BackItUp & Burn software. A 640 GB drive starts at $102.98.
- Oregon Scientific ATC9K All-Terrain Video Camera
Designed for people who love extreme outdoor sports, this camera is durable, shock and weather resistant, and offers many features that other video cameras don’t, making it perfect for surfers, cyclist, hikers, rock climbers, hang gliders, and a slew of other outdoor enthusiasts. The unit can be strapped on to a helmet, a surfboard, a bicycle handlebar and most other unsteady perches. It captures measurements for speed, hang time, angle of movement and other statistics that can be used to retrace movements. The camera takes 1080p HD video and 5 megapixel stills. It comes with a remote control, laser pointer, and GPS module that allows users to map their movements using Google Maps or Google Earth. Starting at $300.
- Acer Aspire Netbook
One of the most popular of notebooks, the Acer Aspire Netbook collection features several 10.1" computers which may be small but are incredibly powerful. The Aspire uses Windows XP SP3 for an operating system with an Intel processor. At a fraction of the cost of many notebooks and the popular Ipad, the Acer Aspire is an excellent choice of gift. From $379.
- HTC Evo 4G Phone
The world’s first 3G/4G Android phone set the bar high for future phones. It offers a huge 4.3-inch screen, simultaneous voice and data connectivity, 8 megapixel camera, 720p HD video, Wi-Fi, 1 GHz processor, micro HDMI port, and built-in mobile hotspot functionality. The Evo 4G is heavier than the iPhone but offers greater video and camera functions for showing off pictures of the kids. Available from Sprint for $199 with a 2-year contract.
- Garmin nuvi 1390T GPS
The nuvi 1300 series offers users much more than a simple GPS. The bundle includes lifetime map updates and pedestrian navigation (optional). The device has a widescreen, ultra-slim design, enhanced user interface, ecoRoute, public transport mode and text-to-speech capabilities. It is pre-loaded with City Navigator NT for North America, and is Bluetooth capable with compatible phones for hands-free talking while driving. Starts at $157.99.
- iPod Nano 16GB (6th generation)
This generation of Nano is smaller and lighter than previous versions. It can be clipped to a sleeve, jacket or running shorts. Redesigned for music and multi-touch, the Nano holds your favorite songs, includes the Genius feature, and has a built-in FM radio, pedometer, and 24-hour battery. From $169.95.
- Energizer Recharge Smart Charger
Don’t you hate it when you put your batteries to charge, pull them out, snap off five photos and the batteries die? Energizer has found a solution to that problem. Their Smart Charger features a countdown timer and battery fuel charge display that let’s you know exactly how much battery power you have available. Like other Energizer chargers, it can hold four AA or four AAA batteries, and comes with four AA batteries. On the downside, the Smart Charger takes 8 hours to fully charge batteries, but Energizer says the batteries will last longer, accepting as many as 600 charging cycles. Even with its enhanced functions, this charger is very affordable at $16.00.
- Wireless HD Transmitter
Wireless HD Transmitters eliminate all the messy AV cables and boxy home entertainment equipment. It can transmit HD quality picture from your Blue-Ray in one room to the flat-panel TV in the living room (or anywhere in the house). The Brite View transmitters support up to 1080i and 1080p picture quality, are plug and play, easy to set up, and work well with gaming systems. Starting at $315.
- Digital Recipe Reader
Key Ingredients Corporations’ recipe reader holds up to 2,500 recipes within a splash-resistant, kitchen-safe casing. The touchscreen can easily be wiped clean of spills. The recipe reader comes pre-loaded with 250 popular recipes. Others can be typed in, cut and paste, or downloaded. Other great features include three built-in timers, a conversion tool, a list of ingredient alternatives, and the ability to switch between small and large font sizes. From $199.
In 2010, the hottest gadgets run the gamut from hip electronics like phones and computers to practical gadgets that make everyday life easier like the wallet drive and smart charger to entertainment in the form of the Kinect and All-Terrain Camera. In a variety of price ranges, too, everyone will find a hot gadget they want and can afford to make for a magical holiday season.
