Holiday Gift Guide 2015: What Techies Want
Need to show your appreciation for the techies in your life? Back away from the knockoff Bluetooth speakers and consider these can't-miss gift ideas.
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Shopping for a techie can be nerve-wracking. Who hasn't gotten "the look" and later found that digital picture frame dumped in the junk drawer?
Never again.
I asked some of InformationWeek Reports' top technologist contributors what's on their holiday wish lists. A few themes emerged: You can't go wrong with best of breed. Cool doesn't have to be expensive -- but no one will turn down a Tesla. And definitely consider the techie's spouse when deciding whether this fabulous iron throne toilet decal is acceptable.
"I would like the Kindle Fire Stick, Apple TV, and a Chromecast, plus coffee, lots of coffee, to help me figure out how to put them all together so I can screencast from multiple device types in all of my organization's conference rooms," says Jonathan Feldman, CIO of the City of Asheville, NC. "Alas, this capability doesn't exist, and the only thing I'd get would be caffeine jitters, packaging all over my conference room floor, and a well-deserved rep for OCD. Santa, won't you go give Apple and Google a lump of coal for not playing well with others and requiring an iDevice or an Android or a specific app to stream to a screen-casting device? And don't get me started about Miracast and Intel's WiDi, which requires an Intel graphics card. More lumps of coal for all!"
On my list for Jonathan: A Matchstick once the Kickstarter is done. Plus coffee.
Melanie Seekins, mobile systems architect with Altria, has her eye on the Moto 360, the Samsung Gear S, and the Halo Master Chief Edition. "And what's better than a drone?" says Seekins. "One that transforms into a bracelet." Sadly, the Nixie is still in development. Maybe next year. "For the parent of a high-tech kid, bring on Anki Drive," she says. "You can use your smartphone to drive and battle the vehicles."
I can think of a few high-tech big kids who would have fun with the Anki.
If a drone is on your radar, make sure it's hackable. Contributor Kurt Marko has classified plans (that he assures me don't involve covert surveillance) for the Iris+ model with a gimbal camera mount and GoPro Hero 3. "I'll first learn to program the thing to fly autonomously on pre-mapped routes and then figure out how to hang sensors, besides a camera, to record data," says Marko. "I wouldn't need real-time feedback, although that could be achieved with an LTE dongle." Let's hope pending FCC rules don't put a crimp in his plan.
Don't feel you need to spend big bucks. Thoughtful but inexpensive options include the $34.99 Coffee Cup Power Inverter, a power source cleverly disguised as a reusable mug that coverts a car's DC power into two 120-volt AC outlets, and stylish Elven ear clips for a mere $14.99.
OK, I added that last item.
Whatever you do, don't buy one of these eight "tech turkeys." In particular, a cheap tablet might be a gift that keeps on giving, and not in a good way. Bluebox purchased and analyzed 13 inexpensive Android tabs, stacking them up against the $399 HTC Nexus. Testers found that most of the low-end devices shipped with vulnerabilities and security misconfigurations. Four had backdoors. Only Samsung's Galaxy Tab 3 Lite ($99) got a clean bill.
Finally, you can always go retro. "Give them an actual book, it will throw everyone off," says Mike Healey, CEO of Yeoman Technologies. Healey suggests "Race Against the Machine: How the Digital Revolution is Accelerating Innovation, Driving Productivity, and Irreversibly Transforming Employment and the Economy," or "Rebels Against The Future: The Luddites And Their War On The Industrial Revolution: Lessons For The Computer Age."
Read on for other wish list items from our contributors, from least expensive to, well, slightly outrageous. There's something for everyone.
As someone who learned to drive in Boston, home of the worst drivers in the nation according to Allstate, I'm withholding judgment on the wisdom of flashing a big red "BACK OFF" message to a tailgater. For those who live in places where communication between drivers is less fraught, the Drivemotion LED sign attaches to the back window and offers 16 messages and emoticons. No word on whether it's hackable to expand that repertoire.
Cost: $29.99
Message this gift sends: Varies depending on region from "Oh how cute!" to "I am trying to get you shot."
Seven tetriminos can be assembled in any configuration. The LED lights turn on when the pieces are stacked, shut off whenever you compulsively rearrange them. Handy for entertainment while on conference calls. Downside: Only one skinny beam.
Cost: $39.99
Message this gift sends: I know that this year is Tetris's 30th birthday.
Gunnar glasses are available in a huge array of shapes and colors, with a prescription option. Gaming glasses use the same lens tech as the company's popular computer glasses, plus they're headset compatible.
Because some people can rock that look.
Cost: $79 - $99 (nonprescription)
Message this gift sends: I've accepted that you stare at a screen for 18 hours a day.
Inductive charging definitely has the cool factor, and Ohm's portable Bluetooth speaker and charging dock is Qi-compatible. Qi, the conductive spec from the Wireless Power Consortium, is supported by Asus, HTC, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, and Sony.
Cost: $169.99
Message this gift sends: The laws of physics can be used to our advantage.
Amazon's answer to Siri and Cortana, blessedly not limited to the Fire Phone. The Echo is a cloud appliance that delivers information based on voice commands and also functions as a speaker. At press time, an invitation was required to purchase, but anyone can request an invitation.
The device's app lets you, for example, add items to a shopping list or set an alarm remotely. In theory, remote operation also raises the possibility of creeping out the babysitter.
Cost: $199 ($99 with a Prime membership)
Message this gift sends: I love the sound of your voice but I am tired of you asking me if it's going to rain today.
Virtual reality headsets are still bleeding edge, best for coders interested in VR app development. This is not for the casual gamer. That said, if your techie knows an asynchronous time warp from direct warped content, giving this bundle -- which includes the full source code for Oculus Cinema, Oculus 360 Photos, and Oculus 360 Videos under an open license -- could make you a hero. Ready, Player One?
Cost: $249
Message this gift sends: I am OK with not seeing the top of your head until February.
After-market in-dash receivers that support Apple CarPlay, MirrorLink, and some Android devices reduce the temptation to glance at your smartphone. Drivers can get navigation and music apps plus voice control and Siri Eyes Free communications. It's tempting to explore the touchscreen while driving. Fortunately, that's much less likely to earn you a ticket and $100 fine than poking at a smartphone.
Cost: $600
Message this gift sends: Texting and driving don't mix. Also, sorry, you're not getting the Tesla.
Standing desks are so 2014. With the Kickstand desk, your techie can take spin class while coding. It's the ultimate multitasker. If a case of biker rash arises, the desk can be used while standing. It comes in basic wood, natural maple, or tempered glass. This is not a small item -- the desk surface is 30 inches by 60 inches, and the bike frame adds depth -- so measure twice, order once. Note: Bike not included.
Cost: $650 - $1,250
Message this gift sends: For cycling enthusiasts: "I want you to be the envy of your coworkers." For everyone else: "You need to lose 10 pounds."
With dual-motor all-wheel drive, the Tesla Model S reaches a zippy 155 mph, goes zero to 60 in 3.2 seconds, and sports a 285-mile range on the highway. Autopilot adds ultrasonic sensors that actively monitor the car's surroundings, traffic-aware cruise control, and automatic parking. The consensus among contributors requesting this item: Don't skimp on the Autopilot and Tech Package.
Cost: $105,670, less any state or federal incentives, plus $4,250 for Tech Package with Autopilot
Message this gift sends: We just got that third-stage funding.
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