Don't know what to buy for the person who seems to have everything? A gadget of course. Ciara O'Brien rounds up the most desirable technology for under the Christmas tree
1 APPLE IPAD
From €499
Unveiled earlier this year, the iPad has been yet another success story for Apple. The 9.7-inch touchscreen makes it ideal for web browsing, watching movies and even as a work tool. Most iPhone apps will work on the iPad and there is a growing number of programmes to buy that will take advantage of the larger high-definition screen.
The number of apps available for the device means you can use it for anything. Well, almost anything. It doesn’t do Adobe Flash, for example, which will mean that some websites – or at least part of them – will be inaccessible. Watching web-based catch-up services such as RTÉ Player is out, while some of TV3’s programmes can be viewed through an iPhone app.
Also: the Samsung Galaxy Tab and Toshiba Folio, both of which run Google's Android operating system.
2 KINECT FOR XBOX
€149.99
Where Nintendo led, others have followed. The Kinect takes motion-sensitive gaming one step further and eliminates the controller completely. Instead of a handheld device, Kinect uses cameras to track your body movement and translate it on screen. The launch line-up includes most of what you’d expect: sports-themed games like Kinect Sports and Motion Sports; fitness titles such as EA Sports Active 2 and Your Shape Fitness Evolved; and child-friendly titles such as Kinectimals. This is only the tip of the iceberg, however, and more titles are on the way. The Kinect will also allow you to browse through your video files stored on the Xbox, and control them through voice commands.
Also: Sony PS Move, Nintendo Wii Remote Plus.
3 LG HFB-510 SOLAR CAR KIT
€75
The LG HFB-510 is a convenient alternative to a fixed in-car handsfree kit. The loudspeaker fits to your windscreen, so there is no drilling through your dashboard, you can install it yourself and you can take it with you when you change car.
You get about 16 hours of talk-time from the device, but the solar panel on one side will charge it as you drive in daylight. You also have the option to charge it through an in-car charger if you run low on power.
It doesn’t have an LCD screen to show you who is calling, but instead it uses your phonebook and identifies your caller by name.
The LG device also connects two mobiles at once, so it’s perfect for cars where more than one person drives regularly.
Also: Kensington AssistOne for iPhone, Seecode Vision.
4 IROBOT ROOMBA 500 SERIES
From €330
No one likes vacuuming, so the temptation to invest in an automatic vacuum cleaner that will do the job for you is overwhelming, even if the idea of a robot cleaning your livingroom is a little unsettling.
The Roomba series from iRobot covers everything from a standard cleaner that will give your carpet or wooden floor the once-over to the more heavy-duty cleaners aimed at those with pets.
Depending on the model you choose, you can get one that can be set to a schedule – when you’re out of the house, for example – or one that will do a couple of rooms one after the other. The Roomba has sensors that will “see” an obstacle and move around it, neatly avoiding your furniture.
However, these sensors also appear to cause a problem with darker surfaces, because it views it as an area it cannot clean.
The Roomba works off a rechargeable battery that powers up when it is docked and a full charge is enough to do four rooms.
If there are from which areas you would rather keep the Roomba away, you can set up invisible barriers that it won’t cross.
5 SONY NEX 5
€639
Digital SLR cameras are great for those who want more control over their images and know their ISO from the f-stop. Sometimes though, you can’t beat the convenience of a compact camera. The Sony NEX-5 is a good compromise between the two.
The camera has interchangeable lenses, allowing you to swap them over depending on the shooting conditions, but is compact enough to slip in your pocket. At 14.2 megapixels and with HD movie recording, image quality for both still and movie footage is impressive.
The LCD screen flips out, so you can easily get photographs from low or high angles, and the sweep panorama function means you can press a button and swing the camera from side to side to get a sweeping cityscape or rolling landscape into the frame.
Also: Nikon S5100, Canon IXUS 300 HS.
6 HTC DESIRE HD
€479.99
While a lot of the buzz earlier this year was about the iPhone 4, there are other mobile phones out there. Google’s Android system, for one, is snapping at Apple’s heels. With more than 100,000 apps in the Android market and a range of handsets that cover everyone from budget phone users to high-end smartphones, Google has most of the angles covered.
The HTC Desire HD makes a couple of your gadgets redundant. It has a large 4.3-inch screen for watching movie clips, and also includes a high-definition video camera, an 8 megapixel still camera and GPS.
If Google doesn’t appeal either, you can try Microsoft’s new Windows Phone 7 operating system, or stick with Nokia and its Symbian devices.
Also: Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro, Nokia N8, Samsung Galaxy S, LG Optimus 7.
7 MACBOOK AIR
From €999
The new MacBook Air is probably as close to a netbook as you’ll ever get from Apple. Thinner than before and incredibly light, the device now comes in two sizes – 11-inch and 13-inch – and with solid-state hard drives in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB capacities.
Not only does the new hard drive eliminate moving parts, it also makes it quicker to start up.
The LED screen is as impressive as you’d expect, with crisp text and vibrant colours. Battery life is also decent, at between five and seven hours.
The new notebook also has a multitouch trackpad, a built-in camera for Facetime and stereo speakers that project sound through the keyboard.
Also: HP Pavilion DV7 for a larger screen, ASUS G53 3D Notebook for gamers.
8 PANASONIC VIERA VT20 3D TV
€2,599
It may be more expensive than your average Christmas gift, but 3D TVs are the current hot topic, whether it’s gaming, movies or sports. If you’re going to go for a 3D TV, go big. And the 50-inch 3D Viera from Panasonic certainly fits that bill. The TX-P50VT20 is perfect for viewing 3D DVDs or sports channels, if you’re lucky enough to have access to them, that is. The plasma screen offers full HD 3D images, and great picture for regular 2D images too, with Infinite Black Panel Pro technology to ensure deep blacks and better textures. Of course, regardless of which manufacturer you opt for, buying a 3D TV is quite an investment. The average 3D TV costs more than €1,000, although this will probably reduce over time. You also have to factor in the cost of a compatible DVD player, DVDs and glasses.
Also: Sony Bravia KDL-55NX813, Samsung 7 series 3D TV.
9 GARMIN NUVI 1200 SAT NAV
€139.99
When it comes to getting around, Garmin has it nailed. And the Nuvi 1200 sat nav offers a lot in a small package.
The device includes British and Irish maps, photo navigation that allows you to navigate to a location by selecting and saving photographs that are tagged with locations through Google Panoramic pictures.
As a more budget-friendly sat nav, it works well.
It includes text to speech – but no voice recognition – and will pinpoint your location to show local services around you.
The Nuvi 1200 has free EcoRoute software that’s designed to help you adopt better driving habits, giving you fuel reports, mileage and help find the most fuel efficient route.
As an optional extra on some maps, you can download pedestrian routes.
Also: Tom Tom Start Sat Nav
10 EVOKE MIO
€189
Pure Digital’s Evoke Mio may look retro on the surface, but underneath, it’s all modern technology. The portable radio works with both digital and FM, and can also be hooked up to your iPod or other digital music player. he Mio is packed with other useful features: it has a removable rechargeable pack that lets you bring the radio on the move, a kitchen timer, an alarm and even a USB connector that allows it to be upgraded and new features added.
The display is OLED, so it’s easily read and a light sensor that adjusts the brightness of the display.
The latest addition to the range is the Orla Kiely version, which features Kiely’s signature stem print.
Also: Roberts RD60
