Somewhere, there’s a parent tugging at her roots in frustration because her kid just rattled off something about a new cell phone. Or was it a camera? Or maybe a camcorder?
Who can keep anything straight a couple of days before Christmas?
If you’re in a household with members whose interests tend toward the technical and you still have some stockings to stuff, here are a few suggestions for last-minute pickups:
Canon Power Shot (A495): Its abilities aren’t going to help win you any photography awards, but for average shutterbugs looking for a convenient snapper, it’s hard to beat this 10-megapixel model that weighs a mere 6.7 ounces and includes two new shooting modes -- Super Vivid and Poster Effect. The required two AA batteries will last about 150 shots.
$89-$109 at Sears, Walmart, Radio Shack.
Sony noise-canceling headphones (Model MDRNC7): The best and most comfortable of noise-canceling ear mufflers cost between $200 and $300, a little more than most people likely want to pay to drown out the toddler sitting in seat 18F. But Sony’s under $50 model reduces ambient noise by more than 87 percent and is ideal for travelers since the headphones fold and come with a small carrying pouch.
$40 at Best Buy.
AT&T Pantech Laser phone: It seems as if every week some cell phone is christened the thinnest something or other. But for now, AT&T’s Pantech Laser can comfortably boast that title in the category of slider messaging phones. With its mega-sharp touch screen, full QWERTY keyboard, a 3-megapixel camera, GPS and mobile music function, the sleek Laser will definitely get the attention of the cool kids. $99 at AT&T Wireless.
Philips goLITE BLU Energy Light: The gloomy winter days and quick-upon-us nights can bum out even the cheeriest holiday elf. This portable light therapy device replicates the blue light of a summer sky, which tells our brains it’s OK to get out of bed and go shopping. Recommended use is 15 to 45 minutes per day. $119.99 at Amazon.com.
Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (160GB): It’s a PS3 on a diet. Cheaper, slimmer and quieter than its predecessor, the PS3 Slim still doubles as a Blu-ray player, meaning one less component to find room for on the TV shelf, and it boasts Wi-Fi and an HDMI output to reduce that omnipresent clutter of wires. The downside is that it doesn’t support PS2 games. But isn’t it about time to upgrade, anyway? $299 at Target, hhgregg and Amazon.com.
About the Author
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
