March 28, 2024

BY SPENCER BEEBEGarminHUD

’Tis the season for giving; the holidays are fast approaching, and it’s time to start purchasing gifts for your friends and loved ones.

Most people have a few tech savvy friends on their list, and finding the perfect gift for them isn’t always easy. What sort of gift should you buy for a gadget-lover or a tech savant? A new phone? A smart watch? A GPS system for their car? Well, look no further – your friendly neighbourhood SPOKE newspaper is here to save the day with this list of popular tech gifts for the 2013 holiday season.

Roku 3

The Roku 3 is a streaming video box which connects to your television and allows you to stream over 750 different channels and services directly to your home – including Netflix, Hulu Plus and HBO. The Roku 3’s easy to use interface and fast processor make it the quickest and easiest to use streaming box on the market.

“Not every TV is equipped with smart features – this sort of device creates those capabilities without replacing your TV,” said Danny Santana, assistant manager of Best Buy in Cambridge.

This device would make an excellent gift for someone who wants to improve their television. The Roku 3 costs $109.99.

iPhone 5S

Apple’s newest addition to the iPhone family is an elegant and powerful smartphone that improves on the previous model by polishing older features and adding new ones. An improved camera, fingerprint censor, a motion tracking chip and a next-gen CPU are just a few of the new additions.

The iPhone 5S comes pre-loaded with iOS7, the newest operating system for Apple smartphones and devices. It costs $229.99 with a two-year service plan.

Fitbit

The Fitbit is a wonderful gadget for anyone interested in staying healthy. It is a wristband with sensors and a display that tracks your fitness throughout the day, recording your steps taken and connecting your information directly to your phone or computer so you can track your daily activity.

“The Fitbit is another exciting addition. I’m seeing a lot of interest from students all the way to seniors – easy to use and practical technology can really make a difference in someone’s lifestyle,” Santana said.

This wristband costs $129.95.

Playstation 4 and Xbox One

The two newest video game consoles on the market will make fantastic gifts for gamers. Both systems have a strong lineup of games available (such as Call of Duty: Ghosts and Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag) with more being released every day.

Both systems are shipped with dozens of bonus features, including the PS4’s Blu-ray player and Netflix support, and the Xbox One’s voice-controlled interface and live TV integration.

Keep in mind that neither system supports the games of the previous generation –  the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Sony’s PS4 costs $399.99 while Microsoft’s Xbox One costs $499.99.

Sony Smartwatch 2

This is an interesting gadget that would make a perfect stocking stuffer for any Android phone user. The watch connects to your mobile phone and screens phone alerts, email and call information in real time directly to your wrist.

Note that this device is not yet compatible with iOS products – so anyone with an iPhone should check other smartwatch selections. It costs an affordable $22.99.

Plantronics Backbeat Go2

This small and light wireless Bluetooth stereo headset is a step up from the previous model, with improved sound quality and battery life. The in-ear buds keep outer noise to a minimum, and they include a protective travel case with a built-in battery charger.

These high quality headphones would make a great gift for any music lover or Bluetooth user. They cost $74.98.

Garmin HUD Navigation Display

Here’s a great gift for someone who loves their car – a transparent GPS heads-up display that attaches to their car’s dashboard. It gives turn-by-turn directions to drivers and allows them to keep their eyes on the road and off their phone’s GPS.

It requires the Garmin HUD smartphone application to connect and function. The device projects GPS information onto your car’s windshield and is easy to read and follow. It costs $136.84.

All of these gifts can be found at electronics retailers across Canada or can be ordered online through Amazon or other online stores.

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