Nashville Technology Council

Nashville Tech Story (12/9/09)

Whether you are male or female, who doesn’t get a rush of excitement when opening a new tech gadget?  Check out our picks for the top technology gifts for 2009.

• Apple Magic Mouse:  At only $69, this is the “world’s first multi-touch mouse.”  You can scroll with one finger, swipe through pictures with two, click and double-click, anywhere on its shell-like surface.  With its unique laser tracking system, you can use the mouse anywhere, with absolutely no need for a mouse pad. In addition, the mouse connects wirelessly through Bluetooth technology, and can be used with an iMac up to 33 feet away.
• CoolPix S70: This 12.1 megapixel camera comes with a high-impact 3.5 inch OLED display, encompassing the entire back side of the camera.  In addition, its touch screen technology allows you to zoom, set focus, change scene effects, adjust brightness, and scroll through pictures with the simple touch of your fingertips. You can even make yourself look better with this cameras skin softener and retouch system.  This gift comes at a hefty $349.95.
• Kindle: Reading a book has never been so easy.  With more than 360,000 books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs to choose from, you can shop wirelessly from the comfort of your own pajamas.  It’s revolutionary electronic-paper display provides a sharp, high-resolution screen that looks and reads like real paper. It holds 200 titles and weighs only 10.3 ounces, at a price of $259.00. Click Here to watch a demonstration video.
• Iosafe: Some gifts can be practical, especially for a small business owner or someone who works from a home office.  This disaster proof external hard drive has capacities from 500GB to 1.5TB.  Both fireproof and waterproof, this device has a USB 2.0 Interface, making data protection that much easier.  Prices start at only $149.
• Flip Ultra HD: An HD Video Camera you can fit in your pocket?  This Camera can hold up to 120 of record time, and simply plugs into your computers USB port for extraction. This camera even comes with an underwater case for videotaping on your summer vacation.  This device starts at $149
• Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8100 Home Theater Projector: Super Bowl Sunday has never been so much fun.  This projector comes with 4 modes: Dynamic, Living Room, Theater and Theater Black.  It features 1080p resolution and uses 3LCD technology. The PowerLite Home Cinema 8100 projector has a contrast ratio of up to 36,000 to 1, brightness up to 1,800 lumens, and 2.1x optical zoom. Starting at about $1599.99, this is a device that should not be missed if you are looking to set up your first front projection system and don’t want to spend much money doing it.
• Dell M109S DLP Micro Projector:   There’s not only an affordable projector for the home theater enthusiast, but also for the traveling businessman.  This projector, which is only $399, fits in the palm of your hand.  Using Texas Instruments’ Pico technology, this is one of the first ever Micro Projectors.
• DROID Smartphone:  The new DROID Smartphone is only $199, which comes with over 16 gigs of storage space, a 3.7” display with over 400,000 pixels, and both a touch screen and slide out full QWERTY keyboard.
• DJ Hero:  From the makers of Guitar Hero, this is the new way to experience music across a variety of genres.  You can scratch, cross-fade, and match the beat of today’s hit music.
• iPod Nano: The new iPod Nano’s larger screen now acts as a video camera.  In addition, you can also leave yourself a voice note, record a business meeting or a class lecture with its built in microphone.  For $149, with the iPod Nano, you also now have the ability to listen to FM Radio as well as your favorite MP3s.

Whether big or small, it’s hard to go wrong with a tech gift.  Find more tech gift ideas at http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/upgrade/4292834.html.