If you’re looking for a gift for a gamer that’s current and still a little out of the ordinary, we recommend the Tron game controller. The controller has a streamlined feel and is embellished with neon blue accents that light up (just like in the film). This new controller runs about $50 and is available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. There’s also a wireless version for the Wii. You’ll never want to play in the dark again without it.
You can find the Tron controller at the PDP website. The controllers are being produced in a limited edition and each one is numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Steve Greenberg, author of Gadget Nation, has chosen the WOWee One Pocket-Sized Rechargeable Speaker as the Top Gadget of 2010. The WOWee speaker is a self-contained, rechargeable speaker which provide up to 20 hours of sound for laptops, iPods, iPhones, iPads and personal gaming systems. Unique patented technology turns whatever the WOWee sits on into a dynamic subwoofer.
If you have a gadget-loving guy on your Holiday gift list, you may have a hard time coming up with a unique new gadget that he doesn’t already own. Here’s a unique gift idea – the Y-Cam wireless Internet camera. This Internet-enabled camera will allow him to access, monitor and record via the Internet whatever his Y-Cam sees. Now he can see what’ going on at home while he’s at work or vice versa.
Both indoor and outdoor Y-Cams are available. Now your gadget-loving guy can monitor home security, check on a pet or the kids and share family celebrations with distant relatives. For more information, visit the Y-Cam website.
If you find yourself getting up from watching TV to go look something up with Google on your computer, then Google TV could be your next tech must-have. Google is combining Android, Chrome and Flash with hardware from Sony and Logitech to create a new interactive television experience. According to Google, these are some of the things you’ll able to do:
Search for television shows using a Google search interface.
Access web content on your television, including videos, games and social networks sites.
Run Android apps on your television.
Use your iPhone or Anroid phone as a TV remote control.
Access thousands of movies and shows from Netflix and Amazon on Demand.
Watch TV and browse the web simultaneously.
Before you run out and buy Google TV, read a detailed review on Engadget. You can find out more about Google TV’s features on the Google TV website.
The third installment in our series on cool tech gifts is from Desk Pets International, maker of unique toys for the kid inside of every office work. Their latest offering, Trekbot, is an interactive hubless micro-robot that you can race around your desktop. A USB-powered remote control directs Trekbot to turn, flip and perform headstands. Once charged for 30 minutes via the USB, the Trekbot will provide 15 minutes of boredom-killing entertainment.
Trekbot has offered just in time for holiday gift giving. When you see it in action in this YouTube video, we think you’ll agree it just could be the perfect stocking stuffer for office workers:
The second installment in our series on cool tech gifts features Lego Minifig Clocks. Both Storm Trooper and Darth Vader clocks are available. These clocks have the same design as Lego mini figures, but are blown up to a height of 8 inches. Each figure has a lighted digital alarm clock in its stomach and has poseable arms and legs.
This is the ideal gift for any Star Wars fan. You can get it on the Lego website for $29.99.
The first post in our series on Cool Tech Gifts (for the geek that has everything) is a real game changer — the Universal Beer Remote Control. This TV remote has it all – universal controls and built-in metal bottle opener. Now you never have to leave the comfort of your couch! Control up to 9 devices (TV, DVD, satellite, cable, VCR, etc.) and pop the cap all with one cool gadget.
The Android OS has a new mascot — a real 4 foot tall walking robot. RT Corporation and Brilliant Service of Japan have created a humanoid robot named RIC, which made its debut at Google Developer Day 2010 in Tokyo. The Android droid is controlled via Wi-Fi with an Android cellphone or tablet. Besides walking, RIC can swing its arms and open the top of its head to show its brains.
RT Corporation was responsible for the robot design and implementation, while Brilliant developed the controlling software. You can see the Adroid robot on the Robot-Dreams website. This YouTube video shows a demo of the robot in action:
If you’ve ever tried to use your cell phone to locate a friend in a crowd, you know that it can be like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. Now there’s a free new iPhone app named Marco that provides real-time graphic updates on the location of 2 people. You can share your location with any phone that’s equipped with a browser, so both people don’t need to have an iPhone. You can find Marco in the Apple App Store under the name “Marco Friend Locator.”
Anyone who uses a rechargeable gadget will sooner or later find themselves with a drained battery and no power adapter at hand. Enter the Innergie mCube Pro, a lightweight universal adapter that can change a wide range of devices on the ground, in your car or in the air. Innergie’s adapter will work with most laptops, or Innergie will send out a connection for any laptop that doesn’t work. The mCube Pro also includes a USB port that will charge a variety of MP3 players, cell phones, GPS units, e-book readers and other gadgets. An added bonus is that Innergie’s mCube Pro is energy efficient and has earned an Energy Star certification.
Find out more at the Innergie website. Innergie is the consumer brand name for Delta Electronics, the producer of 80% of the world’s power adapters for laptops, netbooks and other portable electronic devices.
