2006 High-Tech Holiday Gift Guide for Adults
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2005-12-12 12:41:00-05:00
This has been an unbelievable year for me. As a result of writing Sandy Berger's Great Age Guide to Gadgets and Gizmos for my new Great Age Guide series, my dining room became Gadget Central. I've had the opportunity to examine close up some of the best gadgets on the market, many of them geared specifically for baby boomers and beyond. And, since I'm both an AARP member and a baby boomer, I want to share with you the wish list I developed from my review of these gadgets. This way, someone in my family may get a few ideas about what to buy me this year, and it may give you some gift ideas for those on your own list.
Motorola RAZR phone
This one is high on my personal list. It's thin and lightweight, the screen is large and clear, and the embossed numbers and letters are easy to press. The RAZR uses Cingular service and prices vary greatly from store to store.
Apple iPod Video
I've been an iPod fan for years. This new model lets you do more than just listen to music. You can also show off your photos, listen to podcasts and audio books, and even watch several television shows. It's small and sleek, with the 30GB selling for $299, and the 60GB for $399.
TomTom Go 300
This GPS system attaches to your windshield so you never get lost. It gives you accurate door-to-door planning. It was the one item that I really hated to return after my review period was over. Santa might find this too pricey at $699.95, but I'd love to find one under the tree.
Delphi XM MyFi
This portable XM satellite radio player also lets you record the XM program. It comes with everything you'll need to listen at home, in the car, or at the gym. Retailing at $199, some rebates may apply, and the XM satellite service costs $12.95 a month.
Yahama PSRK1 Keyboard
This 61-key keyboard has a tough sensitive keyboard so the harder you press, the louder the sound, just like a real piano. It also offers a two-track recorder, stereo sound, and much, much more. It retails for $299 and even comes with a microphone so you can have Karaoke parties.
The following are not on my personal wish list only because I already own them!
Nintendo DS and Nintendogs
If you live with someone who wants a pet, but you don't, buy them a $129 Nintendo DS handheld gaming system and a $29 Nintendogs game. You can adopt a virtual puppy, pet him, train him, and even play with him. It's the next best thing to a real live dog.
Swiss Army Knife with USB Drive
Yes, this is the knife that the Swiss manufacturer Victorinox has been making for over 100 years. But it's been updated with a USB drive that you can use to backup and transport files. I use mine everyday. They come in sizes up to 1GB and prices vary.
iPod Nano
It's amazingly small, yet quite powerful. It has great sound and can also play podcasts and audio books. On top of that, it's an organizer and can display digital slideshows. I use it to show off pictures of my grandchildren. What a great high-tech brag book! The 2GB version is $199 and holds 500 songs. The 4GB model retails for $249 and can hold up to 1000 songs.
While these products are all great, don't feel bad if you have more time than money. Economical high-tech gift ideas abound. Last year I used a simple $29.95 program called FlipAlbum to put all the cars that my husband has ever owned into a wonderful digital book. He loved it. My husband reciprocated with a high-tech present of his own. He downloaded ten different renditions of Amazing Grace, my favorite song, and put them on a Verbatim Digital Vinyl CD that looked just like a record. I was "amazed" to find that everyone from Christy Lane to Willie Nelson had recorded Amazing Grace.
You can also let your imagination run wild and create gifts from materials you already have. For example, digitize Mom's recipes using a simple software program like The Living Cookbook which retails for $29.95, or use one of the many online photo websites to create customized photo mugs and posters. You can even create customized photo calendars with calendar software, most of which is free.
Happy Holidays!
AARP does not recommend or endorse any of these products or web sites. Please be advised that there are other similar products and web sites available which were not reviewed and are not listed here.
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