5 Must-Have Electronics of 2010


apple ipad 2011
The holiday rush is in full swing, and 2010 has provided some exceptional electronics for those hard-to-shop-for friends or family members. With so many other holiday hassles, the following list may help you check that last bit of holiday shopping off your list with a little more ease.

1) Smart Phones
The smart phone market has exploded this year, so most wireless providers now carry a large variety of models. Topping the list is the Apple iPhone 4, but Apple’s contract with AT&T eliminates that option for many consumers. HTC also offers some great phones such as the Droid Incredible and EVO 4G. Check with your cellular provider to see what options are available.

2) 3D Televisions
With the popularity of 3D movies rising in recent years, it is no surprise that the technology is now available for your living room. Sony, LG, and Samsung are among the manufacturers that now offer HDTVs with 3D capabilities. As is the case with any new wave of technology, prices for these TVs can be steep but vary from brand to brand and according to size. The Samsung UN55C8000 55-Inch 1080p 240 Hz 3D LED HDTV is among the most highly rated.

3) The iPad
Although the iPad is not the only ìtablet computer,î it sparked what is now a red-hot market and is still the top of the class. Apple sold 3 million iPads in 80 days after announcing the product in April of this year. The Apple iPad is something of a supergadget, combining your Netbook, e-reader, gaming device, photo frame, and iPod into one well-designed device.

4) HD Video Cameras
Youtube, Facebook, and comparable websites that feature video sharing have bolstered the demand for video cameras. In 2010, manufacturers have met the demand quite nicely. High-end models, such as the Cannon 7D or Canon Rebel T2i, offer outstanding video and photo quality. Other expensive handheld camcorders such as the Panasonic HDC-TM700 are highly reviewed for their HD video quality and include satisfactory, but unimpressive, still photo capabilities. Miniature models, such as the Flip UltraHD, are less expensive but still offer good video quality. These cameras are small enough to fit in your pocket and are great gifts for on-the-go people on your shopping list.

5) iPods
iPods are a great holiday gift, and Apple has reworked its 2010 lineup to provide fun options for anyone on your shopping list. The iPod Shuffle, the smallest and cheapest version of the mp3, again features buttons to improve usability. The 6th generation iPod Nano is smaller than in previous years and offers a touch screen and convenient clip feature but no longer includes video capabilities. The Shuffle and Nano are great if you’re shopping for music lovers who like to keep their mp3 out of the way. The Apple iPod Touch has been slimmed down and offers most of the features of the iPhone 4, including ìFaceTimeî (video chat) as long as wifi is available. If you’re shopping for a gadget lover, then the iPod touch is the way to go.

Diane Johnson graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in political science. When she’s not traveling she enjoys writing articles about adult education, technology and shopping.

Related Articles: Top Gifts for Men 2010-2011

Compact Photo Printer the Canon Selphy CP800


Canon Selphy CP800

It’s right around that time of year when we start upgrading or buying technology to get ready for back to school, and photo printers are a definite must have. When you talk about consumer class printers, one of the names that is surely high up on anyone’s rating list would be Canon, as it mixes with the best to say the least. Well, the company has just another compact photo printer ready to rock and roll – we’re talking about the Canon Selphy CP800 that will come with a new tilt LCD display apart from the innovative and fun Shuffle feature which will go some way in enhancing its ease-of-use and functionality. This will succeed where the hugely successful Canon Selphy CP780 Compact Photo Printer left off, delivering an innovative design that enables consumers to enjoy the flexibility and convenience of printing high-quality photos from just about anywhere without the need to wait in line at busy kiosks at retail locations.

The size and portability of the Canon SELPHY CP800 Compact Photo Printer will definitely surprise you where it allows you to produce instant keepsake photos from almost anywhere. A good place to use it would be at wedding receptions, where you can always print out snapshots on the spot for your guests to bring home as a memento, although the environmental impact of this act might turn away from Greenpeace activists, what with the amount of ink used when a digital photo for them as a keepsake is more than enough.

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Check Out the Pocket Sized Panasonic HM TA1 HD Camcorder!


Panasonic HM TA1 HD Camcorder

Panasonic decides to jump into the pocket camcorder fray for casual users who want quality in a highly portable device, and the result of that would be the HM-TA1 camcorder. This device is capable of shooting full High Definition video at 1920 x 1080 pixels without any hassle at all, making it ideal for on-the-go shooting opportunities. Sporting an easy-to-use design intended for intuitive operation, the TA1 will also feature an integrated USB terminal that makes your traveling lighter since there is no need to carry around another USB cable if and when you want to transfer all your digital memories onto a computer.

The pre-loaded software also makes it a snap for uploading videos to online sharing sites such as YouTube and Facebook without having to go through the tedium of processing said videos beforehand. Apple computer users will also be pleased to know that the TA1 comes with Apple iFrame video format (960 x 540/30p) support, making it ideal for for Mac users to import quickly and maintain small file sizes. Apart from shooting HD video as its main diet, the HM-TA1 is no slouch when it comes to being a multi-tasker, working as a Web camera for folks who have yet to own something like this in their homes. Granted, a whole lot of notebooks and Apple MacBooks come with a built-in web camera these days, so it will probably go down well with desktop owners. All you need to do is plug it into an available USB port and you’re good to go, as the TA1 will play nice with IP-based video chat programs such as Skype.

It is extremely pocket friendly in terms of dimension (and price, which you will find out later), measuring just 2.09″ x 0.7″ x 4.09″ while tipping the scales at a mere 0.25lb, including a battery and SD memory card. Each TA1 will come with a wrist strap, making it perfect for being carried around without worries of losing it. With single-function buttons such as Power, Play, Record, Still Photo, LED Light (on/off) and Delete, even beginners are able to get straight into the middle of video recording action right out of the box. Shooting stills of up to 8-megapixels is another ability found on the TA1, making it another secondary digital camera device for your home. Out in purple, dark grey and red color options from next month onwards, the Panasonic HM-TA1 will retail for $169

Buy it here – Panasonic TA-1

New Panasonic Wireless Internet Security Camera


Wireless Internet Security Camera

Those of you that often leave your home unprotected and travel the world…or the city… probably could use a little something to keep you from worrying. Sure, you could get an alarm system for your home that alerts you when someone has entered your home, but sometimes you just need to see for yourself that everything is in perfect order. That’s where this Panasonic BL-C230A Wireless Internet Security Camera would come in very handy. The peace of mind with this comes from the fact that all you need to do is set it up at home, and away you go, with your fingers on the pulse of all that is happening at your doorstep.

The camera allows you to see in real time full motion video no matter where you’re at. It just uses a personalized secure web address that happens to be provided for free. Should you want to move the camera around you can pan, tilt and zoom from your remote location. It has all sorts of ways to customize the usage like changing out the sensor settings or just keeping the camera on during certain times of the day. The built-in memory can store images taken when the sensor is triggered and send off the pictures to your email. The software makes it possible to connect up to 16 cameras at the same time. It won’t come cheap though, but peace of mind in this day and age never does. You can find a dealer and pick one up for $265.

Get it here – Panasonic BL-C230A Wireless Internet Security Camera

Kodak Playsport Camcorder Does it All


Kodak Playsport Camcorder

If you have been praying for the type of gadget that will capture high definition video images while you are both underwater and on the move, then the photo gods have been listening and are offering you a pocket size rechargeable HD video cam that will make you smile for more reasons than one. There is nothing quite like making sure all the important moments in life are documented, which is where a reliable camcorder comes in (unless you have an impeccable memory, of course). Some may consider the Kodak PlaySport HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera a wee bit expensive at $129, but this is no ordinary camcorder, not when it can fit into your pocket easily while offering full HD video capability. Not only that, you can bring this out on your outdoor trips since it is waterproof up to 3 meters, now how about that! Not only does it record video, it can also shoot 16:9 widescreen stills at 5-megapixels, where you can also get up close and personal with your subject through a 4x digital zoom.

Once you’re done with your video recording, just plug it in using its USB connector and you’re good to go. All movies can be previewed through its 2″ LCD display, and it even does slow motion playback to boot. Apart from that, you can have hours of recording thanks to its SDHC memory card slots. But it’s not all about catching those cute little fishies under water, this camera is touted as being extremely user friendly, and ideal for any outdoor picture taking. You will love the ergonomically designed tactile rubber casing that will withstand just about any bump, scrape, dropp, or nudge. And you’ll never have to stress about blurry scenes either, because it also offers you auto image stabilization with every shot no matter how fast your adrenaline is pumping. You can grab the Kodak Playsport camcorder here for about $129

Get it here – Kodak PlaySport HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera

The AQ100 Digital Camera by Samsung


SamsungAQ100

Love spending plenty of time underwater, swimming with the fishes while snapping both photos and videos? Then you might want to consider the Samsung AQ100 waterproof digital camera which allows you to concentrate on snapping images instead of worrying whether the equipment you carry will malfunction or not. After all, memories can be made in an instant, and if the moment has passed by, it might not come around ever again. The Samsung AQ100 is here to ensure that what you see will be digitally recorded forever.

The AQ100 manages to cram in a slew of features and functions into a body that measures a mere 0.78″ thin, where it can work even in up to 10 feet of water, courtesy of the camera’s exceptional low-light performance that lets it snap bright images at that depth. After all, the AQ100’s does come with a dedicated Aqua mode that will optimize camera settings for the best possible underwater photos. On land, it doesn’t wobble at all in terms of performance, boasting an ample, 5x optical inner zoom lens with Digital Image Stabilization that helps snap ever sharp photos sans blur. Not only that, you are able to check out whatever you have just captured thanks to its bright, 2.7″ TFT LCD display.

Shooting digital stills isn’t the only thing the AQ100 can do well – it is also capable of recording 720p HD video above or below the water. Shooting video will also kick in the image stabilization function, making sure that it compensates for any shakes or stutter experienced if you have frayed nerves while a shark is heading towards your way. The 12-megapixel shooter known as the Samsung AQ100 will be available later this spring for $199.

Buy Samsung CAmeras Here – Samsung Digital Cameras

The FujiFilm JZ Compact Camera Delivers All and Then Some


FujiFilm JZ Camera

For those looking for a super sleek camera that is sweet in features and on the wallet, you’ll be impressed with what Fujifilm has recently developed. Fujifilm is ready to roll out their new long-zoom category of compact cameras under the JZ line, where it merges style, substance and affordability in a single (and hopefully for them) winning formula. Just take a look at the design and chances are pretty good that you will be pleased with what your eyes see. You can choose from silver and black color choices, accompanied by elegant round edges, a smooth matte finish and measuring only 23mm thin, making the JZ Cameras ideal for those who are looking for a pocketable, elegant shooter equipped with a longer zoom to shoot subjects from far away without compromising on image quality. Accommodating a large 10x optical zoom lens which works in harmony with Fujifilm’s advanced CCD-shift image stabilization, chances are you will be able to achieve focused, blur-free images even at the full zoom range. Apart from that, the versatile 28mm wide-angle lens is perfect for wide landscapes or large group shots, making each shot captured in stunning detail. This range of cameras will also come with stunning High Definition playback regardless of whether you are concerned about stills or movies. Of course, in order to hook this up to your HDTV, you will need to purchase an optional accessory HD Player (known as HDP-L1). Tracking AF (Auto Focus) also works great when tracking a moving subject automatically when the shutter is pressed down halfway. When you feel that the moment is just right, all you need to do is press the shutter button fully in order to capture the subject perfectly, making it particularly useful whenever you want to shoot an action shot with your subject moving constantly. With data storage being so affordable these days, managing your photo collection could prove to be challenging, which is why Fujifilm has thrown in a new file management Picture Search tool that allows you to find specific photos quickly and easily. Apart from that, you can also search by Scene mode to view all photos with people in, or all photos of landscapes among others.

Buy it here – Fujifilm FinePix JZ300

The New FinePixZ70 Digital Camera From Fuji Will Make Facebookers Happy


FinePix Z70

It is that time of the year again for companies to roll out digital cameras which sport a range of happy colors to commemorate spring, and Fujifilm leads the way with their FinePix Z70 digital camera. What makes this model so special, or rather, different compared to the rest in the market? Well, the Fujifilm FinePix Z70 has a social networking twist that ought to get fans of Facebook all excited and happy, where we will deal with it in the extended post. To continue with its introduction, the Fujifilm FinePix Z70 will succeed where the hugely popular FinePix Z35 left off, bringing to your palm the power of 12 megapixel resolution, a Fujinon 5x optical zoom, HD image capture as well as a new YouTube/Facebook easy web upload facility.

What, YouTube and Facebook upload facility, you say? Do you mean there is a built-in wireless chipset in the Z70 that is capable of connecting to any available Wi-Fi network and upload directly without the need for any computers? Sadly not, but at least it takes a step closer to that vision (assuming you don’t pop in an Eye-Fi Wi-Fi SD card, of course). You will need to hook up the FinePix Z70 to your computer via USB, where directly from the playback mode in your camera, you are able to select a photo or video to upload to FaceBook or YouTube. This means there are no longer any more lengthy, agonizing wait times compared to the early days, not to mention having to convert those images and videos beforehand.

Other features of the FinePix Z70 include a sophisticated metal body and a vertical sliding lens barrier, coming in a chassis that is a mere 17.9mm thin. You get LED illuminated keys that makes it easier to navigate in dark conditions, while capturing photos in 12-megapixels resolution is definitely a snap (no pun intended), where it can also shoot video in High Definition with the option to play it back over a HD ready television. No idea on pricing or availability as at press time, but keep an eye, these will go fast.

Buy it here – Fujifilm FinePix Z70

Top 10 Gifts for Men 2009


Its December 17th 2009, but its not too late! Check out these gifts that we know any man or boy will love! You can still get your hands on them or get them shipped to you. Ship for FREE from AMAZON.COM and still arrive in time for christmas if ordered by midnight on DECEMBER 23rd! Check out these items below that are all available on amazon.com.

1. Executive Alarm Clock - Every man hates to hear it, but still needs one

2. Digital SLR Camera – Canon Rebel T1i – Professional Camera for less

3. Underwater Digital Camera and Samsung 12MP Digital Camera – Fun Fun

4. Flip HD Video Camera – Kids and Adults can film video and share directly with Youtube

5. IPOD Touch and IPOD Touch Charging Leather CAse- Gotta have an IPod Touch MP3 PLayer

6. Sanyo Easy Street GPS

7. Phillips Norelco Arcitec Electric Razor

8. Panasonic Blue Ray Player $130

9. Mens Watches Under $100

10. Nintendo Wii and Nintendo Wii Sport Bundle

Need more Memory for those HD Cameras?



We all love the 15 megapixel HD cameras and HD Camcorders, but man do those pics and hd videos take up alot of memory. Now you can upgrade your SD memory cards for so cheap. The Transend 16 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Memory Card can be picked up for less than $40!

The Transcend 16 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Memory Card is the highest class of SD memory card available assuring the highest quality of pictures and video and quickest speeds between transfer to your computer. Some cameras require a high speed card to be able to record video smoothly or capture multiple still photographs in rapid succession.

Approximate numbers of pictures that this 16 GB card can hold of an 8 megapixel camera is 4192 and 3264 pictures of a 10 megapixel camera. Thats amazing! No more worrying about having to clear off the card and transfer the pics to your computer so often :)

Buy it here – Transcend 16 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Memory Card