Your Gadget Xmas Gift Guide 2009!
Cybershack gives you a head’s up on what’s hot in the tech world this Christmas…
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas – don’t you just love this time of year, where you get to spend moments with your loved ones, get full of Christmas cheer, and relax awhile and contemplate the coming year.
If you love arcade games, you’re sure to love this Heat Sensitive PacBoy Mug. Just add your favourite hot beverage and watch the classic retro game come to life. When your mug is empty, you will see the PacBoy maze. When your mug is full, PacBoy appears between the lines. Talk about bringing back memories – this blast from the past will be a great gift for ’80s aficionados. Just remember that this item is not suitable for dishwasher or microwave use.
RRP: $16.95
www.coolthings.com.au ACME Made Smart Little Pouch
According to the manufacturer, this little unit is a practical and stylish pouch that is designed for the protection of compact digital cameras. It is constructed from ACME Made’s form-fitting “wet” neoprene, which means it will be able to handle a lot of bumps, therefore saving your compact camera from damage. The pouch has been designed to fit most compact cameras that are available on the market, and it comes at a price point that won’t break the bank. RRP: $19
Web: N/A PS3 Slim Vertical Stand
This stand allows you to store the PlayStation 3 console in a secure upright position so it won’t get knocked around. It also allows you to store up to six games, so they don’t get lost on the bedroom floor, or around the house. It is also possible for two detachable units to hold up to three games and/or blu-ray discs on either side of the console stand. This is the perfect gift to help keep the bedroom tidy, which in turn will put a smile on mum’s face RRP: $24.95
www.bluemouth.com.au Nokia Mini Speaker
This is a cool, small speaker that fits neatly into your pocket. It features a built-in amplifier and omni-directional sound, which means it pumps out the sound in all directions. All you have to do is plug and play and enjoy hassle-free music. It comes with a compatible plug, cable management system, and integrated FM radio antenna. It’s not going to bash out huge sounds, but this is a cute little portable solution to your mobile sound needs.RRP: $29.99
www.nokia.com.au iTunes Gift Cards
This season’s iTunes gift cards give you access to what is said to be one of the world’s largest catalogues of entertainment media with more than 10 million songs, TV shows and Hollywood movies available. These gift cards will allow you to be kept entertained for hours on those long bus or train excursions. These cards will also give you acces to iTunes 9, which has a bevy of features such as iTunes LP, Home Sharing, Genius Mixes, a redesigned store as well as improved syncing. RRP: $30-$50
www.apple.com Wii Lightsabers
These are an authentic Lucas-approved widget for your Wii remote, which become lightsabers from popular Star Wars characters Anakin Skywalker and Yoda. They have an LED feature that creates a realistic light-up experience as well as sounds as you battle Darth Vader, droids and clones. You can use them as part of your Wiimote set up and can be used with Star Wars Wii games, such as Clone Wars, where the lightsaber is used as a weapon of choice.RRP: $39.95
www.bluemouth.com.au Panasonic RP-HJE240 Stereo Earphones
These headphones are available in nine different colours that have been styled to match the iPod Nano. These colours are black, blue, green, orange, pink, purple, red, silver and yellow. The headphones are said to offer crisp, clear sound, and a 6Hz-23kHz frequency response, which won’t burst the ear drums! They are a gold-plated plug and includesthree different-sized, canal-shaped silicone earpieces so users can select the fit for extra comfort and convenience.RRP: $44.95
www.panasonic.com.au Stylophone
Back in the 1960s, kids didn’t have MP3 players or boast to their friends about the number of functions on their mobile phone – most were lucky to have a record player and black and white television!. Instead, they begged, borrowed and pleaded to get their hands on the No. 1 must have item of the day – a shiny pocket synthesiser called the Stylophone. Now in 2009, the new version has an MP3 input and a headphone socket, so you can have the style of the ’60s mixed with the technology of the ’00s.RRP: $49.95
www.coolthings.com.au Kaspersky Internet Security 2010
Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 is said to have everything you need for a safe and secure Internet experience, protecting your family at all times from net nasties. Ensuring your family’s personal details are protected from online threats is a good gift idea this Christmas, especially with the plethora of cyber criminals trying to get your hard-earned cash. Kaspersky’s latest security software will protect your computer from the latest internet threats such as phishing, netbots, spyware and malware.RRP: $49.95
www.kaspersky.com.au EH25 Stereo Headset
As well as handsets, Motorola produces are range of peripherals that go with its mobile devices. One such device is the Motorola EH25 headset, which features a comfortable ear-bud design, 3.5mm jack and a discreet built-in microphone that will make calls a lot clearer, says the manufacturer. It also comes in a stylish compact storage case, making it easy to find inside your bag and comes in a range of funky colours that will suit any Motorola handset. RRP: $49.95
www.motorola.com.au What Are The Riskiest Websites Win A Toshiba TV And Xbox Bundle
Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues
With its tongue-in-cheek take on all the Indiana Jones films – including Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – Lego Indiana Jones 2 follows Jones’ escapades from the jungles of South America to the Peruvian ruins and beyond. Everyone can build, battle and brawl their way through their favourite cinematic moments – or create their own. This is a game that is a lot of fun for all the kids, and follows on from the popular first installment, which was one of the most popular in the Lego franchise.RRP: $49.95; $89.95
indianajones.lego.com iCarly
In the iCarly video game, mini-games, presented as show skits, capture the creativity of the series and allow players to work with the characters through new adventures. The iCreate mode provides opportunities for gamers to add their own touches to the webisodes by swapping out props, characters, colour schemes, audio, intros, outros and more. The game is designed to complement the popular Nickelodeon television series of the same name and is aimed at the tween market. RRP: $49.95; $59.95
www.icarly.com PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus
This is an award-winning spyware and virus protection software package that is designed to secure your PC against privacy, tracking and virus threats. Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus is a malware, spyware and virus removal utility that detects, removes and protects your PC from thousands of potential spyware, adware, trojans, viruses, keyloggers, spybots and tracking threats. It is seen by the manufacturer as an all-in-one solution to your PC security needs. RRP: $59.95
www.pctools.com Bakugan: Battle Brawlers
This is the first video game based on the popular Bakugan toys, card game and anime show that has taken the world of entertainment by storm. In it, a player starts off as an untrained novice Bakugan Brawler and must fight his or her way to the top of the heap by fighting other Bakugan Brawlers in a series of bouts. It is said to combine the drama and story of the cartoon series with the skill and strategy of the card game. It is aimed at boys aged between 9-13. RRP: $59.95; $79.95
www.bakugan-videogame.com Mr Robot Head
Move the looped wand along Mr Robot Head’s antenna from one end to the other but careful as you go because you might make Mr Robot Head angry. Touch the wire and he won’t be happy… his eyes will flash and he’ll buzz his disapproval, which means you will have to start all over again. Looking for a slot to pop in a new battery? You can search but you won’t find one, because this toy is ecotronic, which means it will never run out of juice.RRP: $69.95
www.coolthings.com.au Just Dance Wii
Just Dance features 32 song tracks (30 original) plus choreographies, which can keep you in fits of laughter, or just keep you fit! It’s more than just a rhythm game – it does not use the Wii board and includes real choreographing from the artists features. Song choices include Katy Perry to Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, the Spice Girls and MC Hammer. There’s also some classic songs from the likes of Cyndi Lauper, the Beach Boys, Iggy Pop and a whole lot more. RRP: $69.95
www.ubi.com/au Wii Dual Non-Contact Charger
This is a new generation induction battery charger for your Wii remote where you can recharge the remote with or without removing the silicon jacket. This saves you having to change out batteries all the time, which gives you time to do more important things – like playing a game! This is the ideal Wii peripheral for those who like to keep their carbon footprint to a minimum. All you do is place the remote on the base and charging begins it’s that simple.RRP: $69.95
www.bluemouth.com.au Darth Vader Wii Sensor Bar Holder
A Lucas-approved quality Darth Vader sculpture looks great in any room and is specifically designed to fit the Wii 1st party sensor bar. It has been engineered to safely support the sensor bar while maintaining full range and performance. This is a cool addition to any Wii console pack, and fits well with other peripherals such as the Wii lightsabers, which will please any Star Wars fan. It brings a new meaning to that immortal line “may the force be with you”…RRP: $69.95
www.bluemouth.com.au Nokia 5800 XpressMusic Mobile Phone
This Christmas, iPrimus is hooking you up with the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, an all-in-one handset that doubles as a portable music player. The unit features intuitive fingertip, stylus or plectrum control and vibrant touch response. With automatic screen rotation a full keyboard for fast messaging and handwriting recognition, this phone allows you to be one touch to music, videos and more. It also allows you to download new sounds to an 8GB micro SD card, and sync to your PC.RRP: $79 month
www.iprimus.com.au EyePet on PS3
EyePet is a new augmented reality game on PS3 that will allow parents and kids to interact with a virtual pet in their own living room. An lifelike little creature, EyePet gives you the benefit and interaction of a real-life pet, without tearing up your sofa or making a mess on the rug. There are over 250 unique collectibles, dressing it and watching its facial expressions that range from the sweet to the cheeky to the hilarious. This game is exclusive to the PlayStation 3 console.
RRP: $79.95
www.sony.com.au
PC Tools Internet Security 2010
Another piece of security software from PC Tools, but it is more comprehensive than the Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus, but you pay a bit more for it. This offers all-in-one protection that keeps your PC and your identity secure against continuously evolving online threats, and it gives you updates as the threats appear.. PC Tools Internet Security combines the security technologies including Spyware Doctor AntiSpyware, AntiVirus, Firewall Plus and Spam protection..RRP: $79.95
www.pctools.com Gran Turismo on PSP
The award-winning Gran Turismo franchise is now on PSP and PSPgo for the first time. Gran Turismo is built for optimal performance and you’ll have a lot of fun and excitement racing on the portable platform. This is said to give tonnes of hours of fun for kids, especially if you are heading off on a long journey over the Christmas holidays. Have a go at the time trials and have a go at beating your best time, and become the Gran Turismo champion.RRP: $79.95
www.ebgames.com.au Band Hero NDS
Band Hero can now go on the road with you and your family. Featuring a custom drum skin and guitar skin, Band Hero is now available on Nintendo DS and is designed for kids that are on the move so you don’t have to lug around the guitar and drum kit. They can be the guitar or drum hero, or the next Freddie Mercury, Sam Cooke or Madonna. Be warned it can get pretty noisy, but it is also a lot of fun, and at times frustrating, but will keep you and your kids amused for hours.RRP: $89.95
hub.guitarhero.com Kensington Charging Dock For iPhone and iPod
The Kensington charging dock and mini battery pack lets you charge at home in the office and on the go. The charging dock allows you to simultaneously charge your iPhone or iPod and mini battery pack charger. This is really handy if you are always on the go, because you can plug it in anywhere. With the iPhone battery not being amongst the most longest lasting of all the smartphones, it’s probably a good idea to get something like the charging dock just to make sure you don’t miss those important calls.RRP : $89.95
www.smartmadesimple.com Sony Walkman B Series
A direct USB 4GB Walkman MP3 player, the Walkman B series features the Zappin user interface designed to simplify song selection and offers 90 minutes of music playback after three minutes of charging – that’s a lot of sounds for minimal output. The series also offers voice and FM recording, power illuminator, as well as a bass boost. It can easily fit in your back pocket, and is nice and light enough that it won’t feel obtrusive as a storage device.RRP: $99
www.sony.com.au Teac PCD190
The TEAC PCD190 gives portable music a quirky edge, claims the manufacturer. With this trendy top-loading stereo, it is possible for you to line up your favourite music with the programmable CD memory using the play, skip and repeat functions. The player also offers up an AM/FM 2 band analogue tuner for a change of listening pace. It doesn’t take up too much space in the lounge, kitchen or bedroom and adds a bit of style to your home environment.RRP: $99
www.teac.com.au Your Shape Wii
Your Shape comes with a camera featuring Ubisoft’s proprietary Body Tracking technology. The game enables players to scan their bodies and then projects their images onto the TV, creating a personalised and interactive workout. It is also based on the player’s specific body shape analysis, fitness level and personal goals. The camera also allows you to see how well you are doing and whether you are doing the exercises correctly.RRP: $99.95
www.ubi.com/au $100-$300 Giftvouchers
This Christmas, take the pain out of gift shopping, and head to www.giftvouchers.com and give your family and friends what they really want. Vouchers range from as low as $20 and let you chose from over 80 different types of stores nationwide that cover outdoor/adventure to books, music, fashion and more. Not only does this make things easy for you, it also means the recipient will get something they really want instead of heading for the exchange counter at the local department store.RRP: Varies
www.giftvoucher.com BitDefender Total Security 2010
BitDefender Total Security 2010 provides proactive protection against all Internet security threats, along with system maintenance and backup, without slowing down your PCs, claims the manufacturer. New features of the 2010 version include industry first user profiles, advanced virus control and optimised scanning. The optimised scanning capability allows on-demand scans to be completed in half the time needed by previous versions.RRP: $104.92
www.pulseone.com.au Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Creating more than $550 million in revenue when released, this is seen by some as the best game ever. A first person shooter that puts in the thick of the action and has set the standard for this type of game for years to come. ou go on missions all over the world as you fight terrorism and insurgents in places like Moscow and Afghanistan. It is rated M15 due to the content (lots of blood and exploding heads etc) and is aimed at the teenage boy market.
$119.95
www.activision.com.au
Make your mobile digits memorable by incorporating your name or nickname, favourite sports team, a special date or company title into your number.. The options are endless, claims mynumber.com. Get online now and check out the Number2Word Generator to find the perfect number for you or your friend, or check out what your/their existing number means. This is seen as a marketing tool for businesses, or an easy way for your friends and family to remember you number. So get searching! RRP: from $125
www.mynumber.com.au Wi-Fi Digital Photo Frame
A gift for photo and technology lovers, the Kogan Wi-Fi Digital Photo Frame is a next generation photo frame that features wireless connectivity that allows for display of all your photos. You can send photos to the frame’s own email address or choose to have them automatically updated from Facebook. Digital photo frames allow you to store a large number of pics and replaces the traditional photo album. This means your pictures will never fade, and they will have sharp resolution forever.RRP: $129
www.kogan.com.au Motorokr S9-HD
Block out the chaos of Christmas banter and immerse yourself in music with the 3D surround sound and high-definition acoustics from SRS WOW HD technology with the Motorola S9-HD. This headset is claimed to give users the freedom to exercise and move around without wires – very handy for fitness freaks. Now enhanced with high-definition audio and ear buds that reduce background noise and improve comfort, this unit is powered by Bluetooth wireless technology.RRP: $129.95
www.motorola.com Joby Gorillapod SLR Zoom & Ball Head Kit
With the new Joby Gorillapod and SLR Zoon Ball Head, you can now the quick-release feature found on our smaller tripods with the heavy-duty SLR-Zoom. It features durable machined aluminum housing over a hard resin ball for smooth panning and easy adjustments. The Ball Head is available on its own, or as a bundle with the Gorillapod SLR-Zoom. These funky looking tripods are designed to be used in places where traditional tripods cannot be used.RRP $149
www.joby.com Norton 360 Version 3
The latest version of Norton 360 includes security and performance enhancements that keep your PC protected and running at peak performance, and increased online backup flexibility for safeguarding files, claims the developer. Norton 360 extends protection to online activities with the full-featured version of the new Web site ratings service, Norton Safe Web. Like most security software, this offers updates, so that any new threat is dealt with before it becomes a problem. RRP: $149.95
www.symantec.com/en/au/index.jsp Motorokr In-Car Speakerphone
The Motorokr T505 lets you take and make calls hands-free and listen to your tunes with features like echo/noise reduction and Audio CallerID, claims the manufacturer. Bluetooth technology streams music from your compatible Bluetooth phone or MP3 player to the unit. The built-in digital FM transmitter will search the FM dial for you to find the best station. Ideal for people who spend a lot of time in their car and use their phone a lot, but don’t want to lose points on their driver’s license.RRP: $159.95
www.motorola.com Sony Ericsson Naite
The first of Sony Ericsson’s GreenHeart Pioneer Products, it allows you to organise your life and work while reducing your impact on the environment, according to manufacturer Sony Ericsson. Naite is made from a minimum of 50 percent recycled plastics, comes with a low-power charge and also includes an electronic, in-phone manual replacing the standard paper version, saving over 90 percent in paper. It also has many of the features associated with other Sony Ericsson handsets, so you don’t have to worry about functionality being compromised. RRP: $179
www.sonyericsson.com.au Epson Stylus TX550W Printer
The Epson Stylus TX550W is the multifunction all–purpose wireless–enabled printer with four individual ink cartridges, wireless connectivity, a 2.5-inch LCD viewer and the versatility of scanning and copying capabilities. It also comes with a DURABrite Ultra ink that is claimed to provide water- and smudge-resistant prints. This has been designed for the home office environment, as well as for homework projects for kids, so they can add a little style to that assignment.RRP $179
www.epson.com.au DJ Hero
First there was Guitar Hero, and then it was Band Hero, now Activision has taken it a step futher with the recent release of DJ Hero, where you get to spin the turntable. Expanding upon the revolutionary easy to pick up/challenging to master gameplay mechanics developed and refined in Guitar Hero, DJ Hero delivers an all-new interactive music experience that allows players to start the party and not only experience, but to hear music in an all new way. RRP: $179.95
www.activision.com.au eGo Portable Hard Drive
Take files anywhere, in style with the new Iomega eGo Portable Hard Drive USB 2.0. In a sleek ultra-slim aluminum enclosure it fits easily into a briefcase, backpack or purse and comes with a suite of backup and anti-virus software to protect your digital life. It also features Drop Guard to protect your drive from accidental drops of up to 1.3m.RRP: $181
www.go.iomega.com Teac IC100B (i-Media station)
The new TEAC IC100B i-Media Station dock is a nifty little unit that allows listeners to connect their video iPod to their TV, projector and sound system for viewing and listening. A bonus is that while playing media the iPod is recharging. This tiny i-Media station dock is compatible with most i-Pods. It also has an on-screen display with the option of three languages as well as USB input and 4-in-1 card reader input with an LED power indicator.RRP: $199
www.teac.com.au Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
This camera comes with a 10.1 Megapixel sensor for high quality images and has a 4 x optical zoom that allows you to get even closer to your subject. It has a 2.5-inch LCD screen for easy viewing, as well as intelligent ISO, face detection and intelligent scene selector. It is one of those compacts that is small enough to fit in your back pocket, or handbag, but has enough features to take a decent picture. It comes in black, pink and silver, so would not be out of place in most surrounds.RRP: $199
www.panasonic.com.au Apple iPod Nano
The latest iteration of the iPod Nano adds a video camera, mic and speaker . You can now shoot video wherever they are, view it on their iPod Nano and use their computers to transfer videos to YouTube. It features an ultra-thin and sleek design with a larger 2.2-inch colour display and polished aluminium and glass enclosure. iPod nano also features a built-in FM radio with live pause, as well as a built-in pedometer so you can keep track of those distances travelled. RRP: $199
www.apple.com/au Selphy CP780
The Selphy CP780 prints, lab-quality photos in under a minute. Smaller than the average lunch box, the Selphy CP780 is the most compact in the Canon Selphy range and with a pink casing, the printer itself is as vibrant as the prints it produces. This is the kind of gift that would be suitable for grandparents, or to take with you if you are going to visit relatives. It allows you to print out photos as they’re taken so you can leave memories with aforementioned relatives.RRP: $199
www.canon.com.au Epson Stylus TX650 Printer
The Epson Stylus Photo TX650 offers high-definition printing, copying and scanning, claims the manufacturer. There are a number of features and includes six individual ink cartridges, a large LCD viewer, PictBridge connectivity, up to 2400dpi scanner, advanced Epson Claria Photographic ink, a multi-format card reader, as well as fast printing speeds at up to 38ppm. This is a printer that is at the high end of the home office market, and is well worth considering when looking at purchasing a printer for the home.RRP $199
www.epson.com.au SanDisk Extreme Pro
SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash cards feature a new SanDisk Power Core Controller, an advanced memory controller that is claimed to enable fast read and write speeds of up to 90MB/s. The cards have capacities ranging from 16 gigabytes (GB)2 to 64GB. SanDisk Extreme CompactFlash cards will be available in capacities of 8GB to 32GB and MSRP. These are seen as a portable storage solution for both small business and consumers alike.RRP: $199-$1299
www.sandisk.com Seagate FreeAgent Theatre + HD Media Player
The Seagate FreeAgent Theatre+ [Plus] HD connects your digital media library with your home entertainment system so now you can enjoy your favourite photos and movie memories on your plasma or LCD TV from the comfort of your living room, says the manufacturer. Slip Seagate’s award-winning FreeAgent Go portable hard drive into the Seagate FreeAgent Theatre+ [Plus] HD dock, or if you are a bit of a geek you can connect the Theatre+ to your home network quickly and easily.RRP: $219
www.seagate.com Nikon Coolpix S220
The Nikon Coolpix S220 has a sleek lightweight design and five colors to choose from. With features including 10 effective megapixels, 3x optical zoom and 16 scene modes to select from the Coolpix S220 allows you to create interesting shots from a compact camera. It also comes in a range of cool colours including silver, green, blue and purple. With quick shutter speed, it allows for ‘shooting-from-the-hip’ type shots, so you don’t miss an important moment that will never be captured again.RRP: $229
www.nikon.com.au Teac DAB400B and DAB400W Digital Radios
TEAC has put out quite a few digital radios since the service went live just over six months ago. This range of units has the option of 10 preset DAB+ and FM stations and have many features including timers for the clock, as well as sleep and alarm functions. These digital radios operate with either batteries or power adapter and include an auto time update, a headphone socket, a telescopic antenna, and scrolling text information so you can see what is being played. RRP: $229
www.teac.com.au Mr Site Takeaway Website Pro
Mr Site Takeaway Website Pro offers a jargon-free and easy-to-use approach to get users online in less than half an hour. In addition to step-by-step instructions on how to build a website, the package is said to offer SiteBoost optimisation tools, advanced visitor statistics and one year of hosting. If you don’t want to sell your first born child in order to set up your own personal website – whether it be for business or for yourself – then this could be the answer. A cost-effective solution to putting your brand on the web.RRP: $229.95
www.mrsite.com.au Part II of our gift guide is here
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