With Christmas only a few days away, HOPEFULLY, you have gotten all of the Holiday shopping done for the tech-lover in your life. Popular tech items are typically high ticket items, such as HDTV s, cameras, laptops, tablets, and smartphones and we all are looking for bargains in today's economy. So, what are we to do? Below are some tips that can help you find the bargains when purchasing these items, as well as help you get a head start on next year by taking advantage of online sales many retailers put out starting as early as Christmas Day.
Where to find these Bargains
Christmas day is a great time to keep an eye out for the online sales many retailers post, so timing is essential when trying to find the best bargains. This means you can buy that item for your tech lover (or let’s be honest, yourself..) at a great price, and be ahead of the game for the 2015 Holiday season. Popular tech items typically see the best bargains after the New Year and March. Websites and mobile apps, such as fatwallett.com are also becoming an amazing resource for smart, and savvy online shoppers. They work closely with popular retailers, such as Best Buy and Target, to publish store discounts, coupon codes and Cash Back rewards to its members. FatWalllet is also the place for you if you like to stack deals and coupons. The FatWallet forums have become a place for smart consumers to share and learn in this evolving online marketplace. Additionally, keeping on trend, their?Deal Hunter app?enables the mobile shopper to compare current bargains, and the new?FatWallet Express?allows for quick cash back activation while shopping online.
So, get going on your shopping, get the best bargains on those gifts for the tech-lover in your life, (or yourself) and look like a rock star this New Year!
The question that we go through every holiday season, “what do I get the tech guy for Christmas?” It’s not always clear what the hottest new gadgets are, and it’s nice to have a little help every now and then. So we here at Computer Geeks have decided to use our Geeky expertise and give you some suggestions. Because we are always here to help when you need us!
Top 10 tech gifts
10. UE Boom
The UE Boom is a great outdoor speaker to get as a tech gift. It’s Acoustic Skin with Plasma coating, makes it both stain and water resistant. Which means you can actually wash it when the outdoors has an unfortunate accident on it. the UE Boom is compact, and durable, with Bluetooth and 15 hours of battery life! It also has speakerphone capabilities and if you buy a second speaker you can make a wireless pair of true stereo speakers by using the UE Boom App for both Android and iOS devices!
Price: $229.39
9. GoPro Hero 4 Silver
For its latest Silver edition, GoPro seems to have taken the specs of 2013’s Hero3+ Black edition, added new features like HiLight Tagging so you can quickly find that cool thing that happened, improved low-light performance and, perhaps most importantly, a touchscreen on back! This is a great on the go camera for the price, making it much more affordable than the Black edition, without a huge drop off in performance.
Price: $399.99
?8. Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Another great tech gift is the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. And Before you Apple users blow me up with hate comments, read the whole blog first. The first smartphone to carry Qualcomm’s fastest 2.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor and quick-charging technology, the Galaxy Note 4 is also the only one of its kind to give you a stylus for writing and multitasking. Like many phones these days, it’s crammed with a 1,440p quad-HD screen and a high-performing camera that uses optical image stabilization. With its faux-leather backing, this is one device that really comes together. For Android users this is THE PHONE you want, Large screen, sleek design and super fast!
7. Xbox One
Talk about a tech gift that your geek will love, here it is. THE XBOX ONE. The Ultimate gamer experience, when you want the best in graphics and online gameplay, you have to go with Xbox One. The PS4 may be better for solo gaming, but in today’s gaming world, we don’t just want to kill AI over and over. We want to destroy someone on the other end of the headset and then dance on his lifeless body. And now Microsoft has dropped the price and promised us more games in 2015 which will be a treat. Also the Xbox One allows you to integrate it fully with your home entertainment center and control everything by voice, which comes in handy when your remote decides to walk away and hide under the couch
Price: $349.00
6. Vizio E0i-B Series
The models of the Vizio E series equipped with local dimming deliver superb picture quality for a very affordable price. The image evinces deep black levels with little to no blooming and great bright-room performance, and it provides for plenty of adjustments. The Smart TV component combines ample content with a simple design. With picture quality that outdoes that of numerous more-expensive TVs, Vizio’s E series likely represents the best value of 2014.
Price: $528.99
5. Apple iPad Air 2
Apple’s formula for success includes a high regard for design. The Apple iPad Air 2 continues a legacy of high-end aesthetics that help propel the tablet’s popularity. From gaming to steaming movies and TV Shows this device does it all
If you’re already wrapped into the Apple ecosystem, the iPad is meant to easily sync with your digital content, and if a slimmer design isn’t enough to appease those looking to upgrade, Apple also designed a speedy new processor just for the iPad Air 2.
Price: $499.99
4. FitBit Charge
The Fitbit charge is for those runners and health nuts in your life, that also love technology to take their fitness to the next level. *spoiler alert* I actually bought one for my wife for Christmas this year. The FitBit Charge Tracks steps, distance, calories burned, floors climbed, active minutes and sleep. It even includes Includes Caller ID.
Price: $129.95
3. Apple iPhone 6 Plus
Here it is Apple lovers your beloved iPhone 6 Plus. I have done an extensive review of this which you can check out HERE. This phone has all the bells and whistles, from a beautiful display, to a superfast processor, and if you can find one in the stores it would make the perfect tech gift for the geek in your life.
Price Starting at: $199
2. Death Star Bluetooth Speaker
Meet the iHome Death Star Bluetooth Speaker. When you’re not using it, it’s a lovely c. 4 1/2″ diameter Death Star on an acrylic stand. When you are using it, it’s a wireless speaker with one-touch connectivity to your Bluetooth device. Oh, and did we mention it also lights up? Yup. It can also play music from devices with a standard 3.5mm audio out jack (if it has a standard headphone jack, you’re good). Unfortunately, the model we got does not include Concave Dish Composite Beam Superlaser, but you know, them’s the breaks.
Price: $69.99
Star Trek Phaser Remote Replica
Sometimes after a long week filled with landing parties and surprise Klingons, you just want to prop your boots up and watch a little mindless television. Or maybe you’re ready to catch the weekly adventures of those wacky kids on-board the U.S.S. Enterprise. What sort of mischief will Captain Kirk get into this week? Aim that phaser at the TV and…. pew pew pew!
This ST:TOS Phaser Remote lets you harmlessly blast your home entertainment system into submission. Recreated from 3D laser scans of the last known screen-used hero prop, it looks good, but it’s also a fully-functioning programmable infrared remote control. And when we say “phaser” we aren’t getting away with just giving you the Phaser I. Nope. It does include the Phaser I which functions as a standalone gesture-based universal remote control but also slots into its Phaser II pistol-grip base, which provides additional controls. You can store up to 36 programmable gestures: plenty to control all of your Earth-based entertainment equipment. The combined unit (Type I and Type II together) features a wide range of settings and beam strengths, including different Phaser firing sounds (including Phaser Overload sequence) and authentic Starship Enterprise sounds.
Just be sure you’re not wearing a red shirt while aiming this at your TV set. We’re pretty sure that voids the warranty.
You’re at a bank, entering a bar, or in any other situation where you’re asked to present your drivers licence. How would you like to present your drivers licence…on your smartphone?
In a few months, Iowa citizens can do just that. Effective sometime in early 2015, Iowa will be the first state (that I know of) to have an app on their smartphone with their official drivers license as issued by their Dept. of Transportation. Not everybody may be willing or able to make this change, so Iowa drivers can still keep their traditional plastic licenses. But DOT Director Paul Trambino assures state residents the smartphone license will be accepted at traffic stops and airports. In this era of ever increasing hacking and malware, you can protect your smartphone drivers license with a pin number. This is just one step in the Iowa DOT’s push toward embracing new technology. Other projects include camera phone on snowplows (keep in mind this is Iowa) and adding driver license kiosk centers.
I’m glad airports and traffic stops have been giving the all clear to accept the smartphone drivers licence. But what about private institutions? What about banks, bars, and stores that sell age restricted products? I hope they go on board and accept the smartphone license. Because if not, than it’s not going to do citizens much good. I think it’s great this is an optional, and not a required thing. Yes, some people are going to run to get this app, but they’re some who aren’t. Another good thing, there is no extra cost to the Iowa drivers, which is another plus. I’m not going to name the state, but I was once charged an extra thirty dollars just to get a license/state ID changed. So I must give Iowa props on that one. Do you think other states will catch onto the smartphone license?
Some like Uber, some don’t. When I mean some, I’m talking about whole cities and nations. Now it’s time for the Uber vs Portland face off.
As of yesterday, Friday December 5, 2014, ?Portland, Oregon citizens will be able to use this rideshare app that can give them faster service at a cheaper price. Sounds great, right? ?Well, there is a dilemma: Portland’s local government doesn’t allow ride sharing, and they’re not backing down. The city’s commissioner Steve Novick didn’t hold back his feelings about Uber: “They think they can just come over here and flagrantly violate the law? Apparently, they believe they’re God.” Commissioner Novick is putting taxi drivers on notice too, promising to enforce this law. If caught engaging in ride-sharing, Uber drivers can face fines up to $2,250 or jail time. Despite Portland Mayor Charles Hales and an Uber VP David Plouffe plotting strategy ?on speakerphone, Novick isn’t backing down. Brooke Steger struck back. He is Uber Northwest general manager, says the city’s threats should and will not hinder Uber and will stand 100 percent with it’s drivers. Steger hopes the city doesn’t take this kind of hard lining.
This fight isn’t going to end anytime soon. But we’ve basically heard from just one member of Portland’s local government. Yes, the mayor is trying to be some kind of peacemaker, but we haven’t heard from anybody else in the city council. Is Novick speaking for them all? Or are they just too afraid to speak out for or against Uber or they just don’t care. Uber’s upper management is determined to stick by their drivers. But how many drivers do they have in Portland? There is strength in numbers. It’s no coincidence that Portland is the last city on the US West Coast to open it’s city to Uber. Who do you think is going to win this fight?
I expected Black Friday to be complicated this year. From chain stores opening on Thanksgiving Day to Ferguson boycotts, I thought sales would take a downward spiral. Black Friday results show I was wrong…somewhat.
Tech giant IBM calculated the mixed statistics. According to IBM, sales were up 13% overall from 2013 but the average receipt is down by about seven dollars. The big winners were chain stores’ online sales. They grew nearly 30% over last year, but the number of dollars spent per order decreased a bit. Apple turned out to be a winner…again. Their receipt order on Black Friday was 23% more than Android’s. They brought in more sight traffic as well. While mobile computers and smartphones continued to increase, desktops aren’t dying. They made up for nearly half of all Black Friday computer sales.
I’m not surprised Apple is ruling the mobile technology roosts. I say that not because of superior quality, but because of superior marketing. I must admit, I was quietly hoping Black Friday results would be lower than last year’s. But the fact that online sales triggered the increase gives me hope. Is it just me, or are crowds getting worse and worse every year? I just saw a video of how shoppers acted on Black Friday during the 1980s and how they act now. With the lone exception of the Cabbage Patch craze, I didn’t see ’80s shoppers camping out in tents in the freezing cold, trample each other to death in stampedes, or police being called to break up near riots. No computer, smartphone, smartwatch, toy, TV, video game, radio, or accessory is worth my health or life.? Back then, Black Friday was more sociable. Today, it’s so competitive to the point the shoppers are turning into animals.? Is that why online sales did so well yesterday? Is this a continuing trend?
Let me clear the title up: Apple is not selling keys. But Apple is teaming up with hotel chains. These chains will allow you to use your iPhone to lock and unlock your hotel room at your convenience.
Starwood Hotels (the chain that gives us luxury hotels like Sheraton, Aloft, W and Le Meridian) are starting the SPG Keyless program. You can use this program as soon as you book a Starwood hotel. You can choose to register your phone through the SPG app. The day before your stay, they’ll give you your room number and cyber key through that app. At your arrival, you skip the check-in desk and use your iPhone and go straight to your room. With the app on your iPhone, you unlock your room and there you go. As of today, only three Starwood brands: Aloft, W and Element have this service. Other Starwood brands are expected to follow soon. SPG Keyless will be available through iPhone 4, 5,and 6? systems. Hilton Hotels are looking to get into the key less trend. Starting in early 2015, they will be launching their own key less system at select hotels and resorts in the US. Eventually, you’ll be able to use these upcoming hotel key less systems on Android smartphones.
This could work. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been on vacations and I forget my card key. Now I have to go to the front desk, sometimes at crazy hours, and ask to be let in. This new system will eliminate that hassle and potential embarrassment. I like the way they’re starting up for more expensive chains and smartphones too. I hope this is so successful that withing a few years, the key less trend will trickle down to every hotel chain and will be affordable to all hotel patrons. Would you use your smartphone as a hotel key?
