10 Gadgets to Put on Your Christmas List Now
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}If the Traxxas doesn’t look like the coolest remote-controlled car you’ve ever seen, you must be blind. To quell any fears this toy is just for boys, realize that the Bandit reaches over 35 miles per hour. That’s more than enough to keep any manchild engaged for a Saturday afternoon. By all means, buy it for your son. But keep it for yourself. (Out now, $170) (Traxxas)
Thanks to high-quality services like <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fespn3.com&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEyrBjBNjip_3r1t2JNhX4KiDXg1g">ESPN3.com</a> (shown), streaming Netflix, and MLB.com, the age of Internet TV is finally upon us. And it's glorious: Instead of paying $100 per month for a bunch of stuff you don’t watch on cable, pay pocket change for just the stuff you will watch. Setup isn’t exactly “plug and play,” but the savings, convenience, and variety are more than worth it. I suggest the gift of free ESPN.com today -- and the promise of a $30, all-access MLB.TV subscription come Spring. (Out now, price varies) (ESPN)
Professional movie makers and photographers won’t be able to do trade their fancy schmancy gear for this. But for everyone else -- and I do mean everyone else -- the days of carrying both a fancy camera and a high-def camcorder are long gone. The Rebel T1i pulls double duty, taking beautiful 1080p videos and giant, 15-megapixel pictures. Thank you, Canon. (Out now, $700 with lens) (Canon)
Although the Call of Duty series has been around for years, the follow-up to last year’s gigantic hit Modern Warfare 2 is brimming with all sorts of new awesomeness. Explosive single-player action, addictive multiplayer modes and flesh-eating Nazi zombies all make Black Ops this year’s Superbowl of adult video games. (Nov. 9, $30-60 depending on platform) (Activision)
Barefooting is old news (crazy hippies!), but awesome nonetheless. Sure, they may be ugly, but I've worn Vibram's Five Fingers for a year and a half, and the fact remains that my feet haven’t felt this special since they first started walking. Vibram argues that ordinary shoes overprotect the feet, weakening key muscles; these crazy shoes represent the pinnacle of biomechanics, improving range of motion, strengthening muscles, and boosting posture. Whether running, working in the yard, or exploring Zion National Park, these things are a revelation. (Out now, $75) (Vibram)
What wish list would be complete without a big old TV? But instead of the latest and greatest 3D model, look to the 50-inch Samsung PN50C450. Although budget priced at $700 and only 720p, it looks better than many older sets with better-seeming 1080p support. I know because I had replaced just such an old TV with this one. It's a superb option for anyone looking to boost the size of their set in an uncertain economy. (Out now, $700) (Samsung)
Want to access every type video file and app imaginable directly from your HDTV? Forget that Apple TV thing. You can do a whole lot more with the wafer-thin new Mac Mini. Boasting a TV-friendly menu, a remote control, tons of storage space, and support for Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and every other Internet video channel available, it’s a lot like Apple TV -- without the closed-programming. Plus it’s an itty-bitty computer. (Out now, $700) (Apple)
Buy any laptop with an HDMI out -- I don’t care what kind. But the next time you buy a laptop, make sure it has that one feature. This way you can take advantage of the power of the PC, and also stream all your favorite stuff to your HDTV -- the best of both worlds. Alienware's m11x is just one such laptop, a killer gaming system at an impressive price. (Out now, $800) (Alienware)
A few years ago, a guy hacked his Nintendo Wii game system, adding a really cool 3D head-tracking console. Microsoft liked it so much, they hired the guy and created Kinect, a hands-free motion gaming add-on for Xbox 360. Most of the games at launch will be generic Wii clones, but the promise of interactive entertainment has the gaming world on its toes. (Nov 4, $150) (Microsoft)
I don’t need to tell you how attractive the iPhone 4 is. You already know that. But if you’re looking for a faster, more reliable, non-Apple alternative, the Google-powered HTC EVO is your best and most capable bet. It’s wicked fast. It has tons of free Android Apps. It has HDMI out. The screen is ginormous. And it has free Google Map navigation, video chat, and Internet sharing. You win! (Out now, $200 with contract) (HTC)