By Gregg Ellman
@greggellman

Tech gifts this year will be big hits with audio, tablet and smartphone accessories leading the way.

Bluetooth also seems to be a common theme and here are some tech head choices.

The three-foot-tall iHome iP76 tower stereo speaker system isn’t stocking-stuffer friendly and will cost you a bundle in wrapping paper but bigger is better when you hear the room-filling sound.

Your device can connect via Bluetooth, use a top-loading Apple friendly dock with the included wireless remote or just plug it into the aux-in jack for using any portable media player.

On iHome’s website these are described to “deliver astounding clarity, depth and power” and after hearing them you see that this is accurate.

Additionally, the sides of the tower have LEDs, which change colors in a choice of modes in indigo, blue, green, white, orange, red, violet and yellow.

www.ihomeaudio.com $199

 

If you want to stuff your audio gift in a stocking, try the CUBEDGE EDGE portable wireless speaker.

It’s shaped like a brick and connects via Bluetooth 3.0 for a wireless connection for use with a 3.5mm headphone connection

In addition to the great portable sound, you get 10 hours of battery life after a USB charge; it also works to answer calls, Skype or other voice options with a built-in microphone.

http://cubedge.com available in black or white for $149

 

Kensington’s slim profile and pocket-sized Portafolio Due wallet for iPhone 5 works like any other case to protect all sides of the iPhone and even covers up the screen when its tucked away not in use.

What gives it an edge vs the other millions of iPhone cases available it it doubles as a wallet with slots on the inside for a drivers license, credit cards or even cash.

But it doesn’t end there: it has a built-in stand to keep your device hands-free for calls, video conferencing or just to look cool in both vertical and landscape positions.

www.Kensington.com $39.99, in choices of brown marble, red snake, and black

 

The 200-watt PowerLine PowerCup looks like a coffee cup but don’t fill it with liquid.

It sits in your vehicle’s cup holder and  an18-inch cord comes out to plug into a vehicle’s 12V power port.

On top of the cup is a pair of AC outlets and a USB port for powering and charging just about any electronic gadget for a road trip or camping.

www.powerline.com $26

The 30 Watt Prank Packs fake gift boxes keeps your gift recipient guessing what’s in the box.

What the company calls ridiculous products from non-existent clueless companies are printed on the boxes, giving no clue of what’s really inside.

Some of the choices have motorized rolling pins and PetPetter, which gives your pet up to 85ppm (pats per minute).

www.prankpack.com $8 each or 3 for $20

 

Jabra’s Talk Bluetooth 3.0 headset works with any Bluetooth-enabled device to both talk and listen.

It connects with ease, adjusts its volume automatically and has a built-in battery that is good for 6 hours of talking or up to 8 days of standby time.

HD Voice technology  produces crystal clear quality, and it can connect with a pair of  Bluetooth devices simultaneously.

Included with the headset is a pair of ear-gels and ear-hooks along with an AC charger.

www.jabra.com  $29.99

 

Dexim’s ClickStik Bluetooth remote for iPhone and iPod touch camera stand will come in handy right out of the box for the holidays.

Just pair the devices via Bluetooth, connect it to the tripod, and now you can not only take the photo but also be in the photo using the shutter release button from up to 30-feet away.

A free ClickStik app controls the digital photos and also gives you the option for a direct upload to social media.

The app also lets you add text, messages or photo filters to the images before uploading.

www.dexim.net $42.98

 

The iLuv Mo’Beats (iSP245) portable stereo Bluetooth speaker stand turns tablets into a portable hands-free speaker system.

First off, this one looks really cool for a simple but handy desktop device with a stand for your tablet (vertical or horizontal) and has speakers on both ends.

The speakers are powered by a USB-charged internal battery and non-Bluetooth devices can connect with a 3.5mm cable. It also comes with a carrying bag for travel.

www.iLuv.com $82

 

Energizers pocket sized USB Universal Multi-port charger ($75.99) has a pair of 10W USB ports. This allows simultaneously charging of a 10W tablet and a 5W smartphone.

The 5000 mAh Lithium Ion battery charges up in about 6 hours and can triple the amount of run time for many device. How long it lasts depends on your device and how much of a charge it needs.

They also have a the Instant Charger made for iPod/iPhone with a 30-pin connection for Apple devices. It runs on three AA (included) lithium batteries to give your device up to 2X run time.

Both are really handy, pocket sized and stocking stuffer-friendly chargers.

www.Energizer.com

 

Smartphones have changed the field for digital photography and the iPhone seems to be the leader of the pack.

Martina Holmberg’s book Sixty Tips for Creative iPhone Photography ($24.95)  is great choice for any iPhoneographer.

The smartphone has changed the landscape for digital photography worldwide and the book offers tips and lessons on smartphone photography and video on both the hardware and suggestions for apps.

One suggested app is called Everyday, where you take a photo of yourself everyday for a year and then combine the photos into a movie with an old photographic technique to show how your own face changes with time. The results can be good or bad, but either way ought to be interesting.

www.rockynook.com

 

Another reading suggestion is SnApp Shots, How to take Great Pictures ($18.95) with smartphones and apps by Adam Bronkhorst.

It also offers tips on better photography with effects, illuminations and trick photography.

www.Chroiclebooks.com
Contact Gregg Ellman at greggellman@mac.com.
Follow him on Twitter: @greggellman.
2012, Gregg Ellman.