Last-minute gifts: 5 high-tech toys
Ok, I'll admit it: I am a gift procrastinator. Every year, I wait too long to buy presents, and then I spend a few, panicked days right before Christmas running from store to store. If you're like me, you know the feeling.
Luckily, part of my job in 2010 was to coordinate our Coolest Gift Guide Ever, so I did my gift-buying early. But we simply didn't have the space to fit in all the awesome, high-tech toys that we found into two pages. So for all you last-minute buyers out there, I'm sharing with you a special, bonus edition. Here are five travel items you can still get for every techie on your list:
Gorillamobile for iPhone 4, $40. Joby electronics has plenty of useable, funky-looking items in their roster (including the cute Torch), but this new piece is ideal for obsessive iPhone 4 users. The flexible, wrappable legs make your phone an in-flight TV, a camera tripod, or a hands-free stand during facetime calls back home.
Lensbaby Muse, from $100. Love the dreamy effect of lomo and Diana cameras, but don't want to spring for the full model? This plastic optic camera lens fits onto digital SLR cameras from most major manufacturers, including Canon, Nikon, and Samsung. Focus in on subjects or create cool pinhole effects simply by scrunching the accordion-like lens with your hands. Best of all, it works right out of the box—how often can you say that at this time of year?
Brenthaven 5-in-1 iPad case, $60. We've praised Brenthaven's durability before, and I'll let you watch the handy one-minute video to get a full picture of all this ingenious case does. But in brief, the 5-in-1 protects your investment in a two-sided hardshell case that can also flip around to make a typing or viewing stand.
Scottevest SeV Revolution Jacket, $175. Specializing in apparel that replaces the need of a carry-on bag, Scottevest has gotten a lot of attention recently, what with the new TSA restrictions. One of the company's new models, the SeV Revolution, has 26 pockets for stashing everything from a bottle of water to your bluetooth headset, plus removable sleeves and a hood.
iHome Portable Speaker Case, $80. Perfect for camping or a beach-villa stay, this portable set of speakers packs a huge sound. An array of colors to choose from makes it a fun gift for the younger set.
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