Rene's gift picks: 2012 holiday guide

Rene's gift picks: 2012 holiday guide

This season we're asking everyone here at iMore to share some of their favorite gift ideas. Sure, there'll be iPhone, iPad, and Mac apps and accessories included on everyones' lists, just as you'd expect, but there'll also be other stuff, great, geeky, gorgeous other stuff that's as multi-facted and fun as the people themselves. I'm up first, and don't be surprised if I hit every cliche in the nerd handbook. Hard. With an Uru hammer.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

I read this book at least once a year. Often several times. It was written in the 80s and served as the inspiration for everything from Tim Burton's Batman to Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises, to Batman: The Animated, to... you get the idea. It's safe to say almost every incarnation of The Batman since then has been informed by Frank Miller's story of Batman's end. The story is a tad fascist but the dialog is among the best ever put to word balloon, and the character among the best ever done in any form. If someone you love loves the Batman, and hasn't read The Dark Knight Returns, you need to fix that. Now. (Part 1 of the story has recently been released as a animated movie, with part 2 due in January. They stupefyingly chose not to include the killer inner monolog from the book, but they nailed almost everything else.)

Screens

Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean my computers aren't out to get me. I render a lot of video and that takes a lot of time, and I don't want to be slaved to my Mac while it's crunching all those codecs, but nor do I want it to error out the moment I remove it from my cold, steely glare. So I use apps to keep track of what's going on, whether I'm across the room, or across town. For light stuff -- if I just want to make sure all the cores are grinding away on all the things -- I use iStat 2. It's every bit of monitored data I need in on slickly packaged app. For more detailed stuff, including for times when I have to take over my Mac with an iPhone or iPad and fix those things, I use Screens. It just works. From table side or pool side, I can pull up my Macs over VNC, see exactly what's going on, and use them about as well as multitouch allows. Which is pretty well. If you have an IT geek who needs a gift, or really anyone who'd like the freedom to control their Mac or Windows PC from anywhere, get them Screens.

  • $19.99 - Screens for iPhone and ipad - Buy Now
  • $29.99 - Screens for Mac - Buy Now

Netflix

I'm still watching Netflix quite a bit. Mostly on the Apple TV, but occasionally on the iPad and the iPhone as well. While the Global, CTV, and Citytv apps remain my source for new TV programming, and iTunes for movies, Netflix is where I go for back catalog. Sometimes it's movies or TV shows I simply missed when they first aired, and sometimes it's stuff I really enjoyed and want to watch again. There's a ton of stuff, from action to comedy, for adults and kids alike. And while the Netflix app itself is free, the service requires a subscription. That makes it a great gift, and since you can choose to gift it for 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, or an entire year, you can make as small or as big a gift out of it as you like.

Griffin PowerJolt Dual

I use my iPhone and iPad mini a lot. And that means I need to charge them a lot. Sometimes both of them at the same time. At conferences, I've been using the mophie juice pack powerstation duo But for when I'm in the car, it's the Griffin PowerJolt Dual. Just put it in your car's adapter, plug two Lightning cables in, and you can charge two devices -- yours, or a friend, family member, or co-worker's. It means never fighting for a charge again, either between people or devices. If you've got someone in your life who's always on the go, and multiple devices need to go with them, the Girffin PowerJolt Dual is a great gift.

Tonx Coffee

I found out about Tonx from Daring Fireball's John Gruber and subscribed immediately). If you know someone who loves -- really loves -- great coffee, they likely already have a burr grinder, cheap or expensive and a French press or an AeroPress But what they might not have easy access to is freshly roasted beams to burr grind and brew to perfection. That's where Tonx comes in. Every other week, Tonx ships you a bag of beans that have been roasted within the last 24 hours. If there aren't many people in your household, or you don't drink that much coffee, you can get them a 6 oz. bag. If there are a lot of people, or you drink a lot of coffee, you can get them a 12 oz. bag. Either way, it's best damn coffee gift for the coffee lover in your life.

  • Starting at whatever you like - Buy now

The iPad mini

So what do you think of your iPad mini?

You knew it had to be on here, right? From the moment I got my iPad mini and my 4 year old godson tried at it and said "Oh, an iPad my size!", and my mother picked it up and smiled at how light it was, I knew I'd be giving away more than one this year. Sure, it's on the pricier end of the gift-giving spectrum, but I'll be chipping in with other family members and that makes it more than manageable. And you know what? No one who wants one or is getting one gives a flying fig about Retina display. So if someone in your life has been holding out for a small tablet, seriously, don't waste your time with the cheap stuff. Get together and get iPad minis. Everyone will be glad you did, and for months and years to come.

Your gift picks?

So that's what I'll be gifting this season to more than a few friends, family, and colleagues. (Spoilers! D'oh! Sorry!) How about you? What apps, accessories, media, food, and fun stuff comprise your favorite gifts this year?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/9BCJpUWqGJw/story01.htm

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iPad and alternative tablet gifts: 2012 holiday guide

iPad and alternative tablet gifts: 2012 holiday guide

The definitive guide to getting the perfect tablet gift for Black Friday and the holidays!

If you're looking at getting someone a tablet this year, chances are you're looking to get them an iPad. For most people, most of the time, the iPad remains the best combination of technology, experience, and content on the market. But which iPad should you get, the latest, greatest iPad 4 or the thinner, lighter, iPad mini? Should you consider an iPod touch instead? And what about alternatives? I Apple isn't the right answer, should you look at the Nexus 7 or Nexus 10, or an Amazon Kindle Fire HD, or a Microsoft Surface instead? Lets break it down.

iPad

iPad 4: Everything you need to know about Apple's late 2012 iPad with Retina display

If you need a tablet powerful enough to get things done, get an iPad 4

The iPad is the first, successful, mainstream tablet. If you're considering getting a tablet for yourself or as a gift, this is where to to start.

Pros: High density screen. 720p front camera, 1080p rear camera. 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB options. Available with black or white front plates. Plays audio and video, reads ebooks. Runs iOS, all App Store apps, including hundreds of thousands of tablet-specific iPad apps. Weighs 652 grams. Starts at $499. Cellular/LTE available.

Cons: Heavier than iPad mini, not as powerful as a full-on laptop.

Bottom line: If you want something more accessible, enjoyable, and portable than a laptop, but still want a big screen and plenty of power to get things done, get an iPad 4.

More info: iPad 4 review & feature guide

Note: If you don't care about the latest and the greatest, you can grab the 2010/2011 iPad 2 with a worse screen, no LTE, and really bad cameras, and save $100.

iPad mini

Everything you need to know about Apple's smaller, thinner, lighter, 7.9-inch iPad mini

If you need a companion tablet more than a productivity machine, you want an iPad mini

The iPad mini is just like the full-sized iPad, only a little smaller and a lot lighter. It's a great alternative for people for whom the big iPad would be perfect... if only it wasn't so big.

Pros: 1080p rear camera, 720p front camera. 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB options. Available in slate (black) or silver (white). Plays audio and video, reads ebooks. Runs iOS, all App Store apps, including hundreds of thousands of tablet-specific iPad apps. Fits in purses, large jacket pockets. Weighs 308 grams. Starts at $329. Cellular/LTE available.

Cons: No high density Retina display, less powerful than iPad 4.

Bottom line: If you want a tablet but already have an ultralight laptop (like the MacBook Air) to lug around, or the full-size iPad is just too big and heavy, save some size and weight and get the iPad mini.

More info: iPad mini review & feature guide

iPod touch

If you need an incredibly small tablet to keep in your pocket, you want the iPod touch

While you might not think about the iPod touch as a tablet, it does everything a tablet can do, and still manages to fit in even very small pockets.

Pros: 720p front camera, 1080p rear camera. 32GB and 64GB options. Available in slate (black), silver (white), pink, blue, and red (Apple Store exclusive). Runs iOS, can play audio and video, read ebooks, and run hundreds of thousands of App Store apps and games.

Cons: No cellular option (3G/LTE). Can't run iPad apps. Smaller screen than iPad line.

Bottom line: If even the iPad mini is still too big, and you want your computing literally in your pocket, along with access to the App Store, get the incredibly mobile iPod touch.

Note: If you don't care about the latest and the greatest, you can grab the 2010/2011 model with a worse screen and really bad cameras, and save $100.

BlackBerry Playbook

If you need a name-brand tablet at the absolutely lowest price on the market, you want the BlackBerry Playbook

If the most important feature for you in any tablet is price, the BlackBerry Playbook is absolutely the cheapest 7-inch tablet from a major player on the market.

Pros: 720p front camera, 1080p rear camera. Upgradeable to BlackBerry 10 in 2013. Wi-Fi version can be found for as little as $150 if you shop around.

Cons: No high density display, less software choice than iPad.

Bottom line: If price is your only concern, get the BlackBerry Playbook

More: BlackBerry PlayBook review

Google/Asus Nexus 7

If you need a small tablet that still has big Android power, you want the Nexus 7

If the iPad mini is a little too big, and the iPod touch is way too small, and you prefer Google to Apple anyway, the Google/Asus Nexus 7 is the best small Android tablet on the market.

Pros: Higher density display than iPad mini. Excellent integration with all Google services. Starts at only $199 for 16GB. Cellular option.

Cons: No rear camera. More like a big iPod touch than a small tablet (paucity of tablet-optimized interfaces/apps). No LTE.

Bottom line: If you use a lot of Google services, and Google Play has a lot of content in your area, the Nexus 7 is the best small Android tablet on the market, and a good "bigger" alternative to the iPod touch.

More: Complete Nexus 7 review

Kindle Fire HD 7

If you want a small, cheap media device totally tied to Amazon's ecosystem, you want the Kindle Fire HD 7

The Kindle Fire HD 7 is more media appliance than tablet, but if you're in the U.S. and all-in on Amazon's ecosystem, the Kindle Fire HD 7 is a low-cost iPad alternative.

Pros: Excellent for media. Cellular/LTE option. Starts at only $199.

Cons: Lower density display than iPad 4. Not as good for general computing. Only available in a handful of countries.

Bottom line: If you're looking for small, cheap device to read, listen to, watch, and play Amazon content, you want the Kindle Fire HD 7.

Kindle Fire HD 8.9

If you want a cheap media device totally tied to Amazon's ecosystem, with a bigger screen, you want the Kindle Fire HD 8.9

Like the Kindle Fire HD 7, only bigger -- though not as big as a full-sized iPad -- and with a cellular option, if that's important to you.

Pros: 8.9-inch high-density screen. Cellular option available. Starts at only $299.

Cons: Not as good for general computing. Only available in a handful of countries.

Bottom line: If you want to read, listen to, watch, and play Amazon content, but you want to do it on a bigger screen, get the incredibly cheap Kindle Fire HD 8.9. .

Google/Samsung Nexus 10

If you need a full-sized tablet with all the latest specs and Android software, you want the Google/Samsung Nexus 10

The Nexus 10 is slightly bigger than the iPad, and while it still lacks consistent tablet-optimized interfaces and apps, it's also slightly more like a traditional, multi-window computer than iOS.

Pros: Higher density screen than iPad 4. 720p front camera, 1080p rear camera. 16GB/32GB options. No LTE option (yet). Starts at $399.

Cons: Paucity of tablet apps, inconsistent tablet interface.

Bottom line: If you really want an Android tablet, and a big screen, get the incredibly cheap Nexus 10.

Microsoft Surface RT

If you need something closer to a netbook than a tablet, you want the Surface RT.

While Microsoft's tablet remains confusing and confounding, if you absolutely can't decide between a Windows netbook and a tablet, the Surface might be worth checking out.

Pros: Has elegant Metro interface. Lots of ports. Can run Office. 32GB/64GB options.

Cons: Product line is needlessly complex. Requires touch-unfriendly Windows under-layer to run Office. Office is also touch-unfriendly.

Bottom line: The Surface is brand new and it usually takes Microsoft 2 or 3 generations to nail a product. Still, if you absolutely have to have something that's part tablet, part netbook, get a Surface with a Type cover.

More: Complete Microsoft Surface review

Which tablet are you getting?

If you're shopping for a new tablet this Black Friday or holiday season, are you sticking with the tried-and-true iPad? Going small with the iPad mini or even smaller with the iPad touch? Or are you zigging instead of zagging and getting something by Google ro Amazon or Microsoft instead? Let me know what you bring home, and why you chose the way you did!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/1CBgi8D4MAI/story01.htm

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What to watch out for if you're buying a cheap Android tablet today

Android Central

Today's Black Friday in the U.S., and across the country, turkey-filled Americans will hitting the stores looking for bargains. If previous holiday sales are any indication, there are sure to be plenty of low-cost Android tablets looking to lure buyers in with the promise of a big-screen Android experience on the cheap.

Just because a tablet doesn't cost the earth, doesn't make it bad. The Nexus 7 has proved that you can get a decent Android-powered tablet without breaking the bank. Nevertheless, there are some things you'll want to watch out for if you want to avoid being sold a dud. We went through some of these points a few years back in a post-Christmas tablet guide, but it's time we brought it a bit more up-to-date.

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/xbmUDCKj7zk/story01.htm

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Deal of the Day ? Black Friday Edition

Every day of the year, LogicBUY brings us great deals and the lowest prices around on all the gadgets we could ever need.  Thanksgiving Day in the US is no exception to that rule, but we’re going to tell you about some of their special Black Friday deals instead of highlighting a single item today. [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/11/22/deal-of-the-day-black-friday-edition/

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Apple asks court to include Galaxy S III with Jelly Bean, Galaxy Note II and four more devices in lawsuit

Apple asks court to include Galaxy S III with Jelly Bean, Galaxy Note II and four more in lawsuit

As usual, Apple thought Friday night on a holiday weekend was the perfect time to push some more paper through in its ongoing patent lawsuit against Samsung. According to Florian Mueller of FOSS Patents, after Samsung asked to add the latest iPads, iPhones and iPod touches to its list of claims and the court approved the addition of the iPhone 5, Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 10.1, Apple is trying to put six more devices on the list. Listed in the motion are the Galaxy S III running Android Jelly Bean (but not Jelly Bean itself), Galaxy Note II, Galaxy Tab 8.9 WiFi, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, Rugby Pro and Galaxy S III mini. As usual, the case will proceed, we'll wait to hear if these requests are approved by the court and in the meantime, iThings and Galaxys alike will continue to fly off the shelves. Given the season, for now it's time to be thankful we're not one of the lawyers spending their day working on this. That leaves us plenty of time for more interesting activities, like hand-to-hand combat against fellow shoppers for the right to purchase slightly discounted items.

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Source: FOSS Patents

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/24/apple-samsung-lawsuit-galaxy-s-iii-jelly-bean/

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KOLOS Gaming Wheel for iPad

I keep reading articles about how the iPad is becoming more and more important as a gaming system, and then I think of how sore my hands and wrists can get after hours of just holding my iPad still while I read.  This Indiegogo crowd-funding project for a gaming accessory for the iPad could address [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/11/24/kolos-gaming-wheel-for-ipad/

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Alt-week 11.24.12: new galaxies, quantum foam and 3D printed game controllers

Alt-week takes a look at the best science and alternative tech stories from the last seven days.

DNP Altweek 112412 new galaxies, quantum foam and 3D printed game controllers

This week, it's all about the hard stuff. Science, that is. Whatever you were thinking of, forget it. Anyhoo, NASA has learned how to get space itself to its own damn exploration, quantum foam might be proven with a fridge and a laser, self-filling water bottles could be in our future and we could see 3D printed Xbox controllers in our lifetime. This, friends, is alt-week.

Continue reading Alt-week 11.24.12: new galaxies, quantum foam and 3D printed game controllers

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/ONPHXNstRYY/

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What to watch out for if you're buying a cheap Android tablet today

Android Central

Today's Black Friday in the U.S., and across the country, turkey-filled Americans will hitting the stores looking for bargains. If previous holiday sales are any indication, there are sure to be plenty of low-cost Android tablets looking to lure buyers in with the promise of a big-screen Android experience on the cheap.

Just because a tablet doesn't cost the earth, doesn't make it bad. The Nexus 7 has proved that you can get a decent Android-powered tablet without breaking the bank. Nevertheless, there are some things you'll want to watch out for if you want to avoid being sold a dud. We went through some of these points a few years back in a post-Christmas tablet guide, but it's time we brought it a bit more up-to-date.

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/xbmUDCKj7zk/story01.htm

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Nexus 4 sells out on T-Mobile USA website

Android Central

It might've taken a matter of days and not minutes, as was the case on the Google Play Store, but the LG Nexus 4 has now sold out on T-Mobile USA's website. Tmo had been selling the latest Nexus handset, which includes support for its 42Mbps HSPA+ network, for $199 with a two-year service agreement. The carrier's site offers no details as to when additional stock is expected, but given the difficulties experienced by Google's own device store, we could be looking at weeks rather than days of waiting. (So much for Google's efforts to nudge would-be N4 buyers in Tmo's direction.)

In the meantime, there's a chance that brick-and-mortar T-Mobile stores might still have Nexus 4s in stock, so it might be worth checking your local store if you're after a Nexus 4 this Black Friday.

Overwhelming demand has already resulted in the Nexus 4 selling out on Google Play in Australia, Canada, Europe and the U.S. Google says it expects more stock to arrive "in the coming weeks". Meanwhile, customers with outstanding Nexus 4 orders were last week told to expect delivery within 3 weeks.

More: LG Nexus 4 review

Source: T-Mobile USA

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/Zw2hpXKgbQM/story01.htm

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Interlocked is a three-dimensional brain teaser

interlocked
Back when I was a kid, I used to love crafting ornate puzzle boxes out of Lego. There would be just one way to open the box, by carefully shifting and rotating a bunch of pieces. Well, either that, or breaking the box in frustration.

Interlocked takes that spirit and turns it into a beautiful Flash game. It's a good thing the soundtrack is soothing, because the game itself can get pretty frustrating.

At the start of each level, you're presented with a box built out of blocks in different colors. You can click and drag the mouse to rotate the box any which way. Once you decide you want to shift a part of the box, hit SPACE to switch into "move" mode. You can then click any part of the box and drag it. Of course, you can only move a part as long as nothing is in its way. So it becomes a matter of understanding how the box is built, and what parts you need to move around so you could eventually take the box apart.

It's a tricky, difficult game, but it's a great brain teaser -- and definitely a keeper.

Interlocked is a three-dimensional brain teaser originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/29/interlocked-is-a-three-dimensional-brain-teaser/

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