Gadgets that look promising for Christmas! (2013)

Christmas is coming!

I thought it was high time to do another good post about Christmas gifts.  I how ever am going to do it a little more different this year.   I thought we should at least show you girls what men may want this year and why.  

• Google Nexus 7 — With Google slashing the Nexus 4 Unlocked phones by 100$ which means you can now do more things with an unlocked android phone than ever before.   The only downside is it has no 4G capabilities.   I am certain they are slashing the prices to introduce a 4G phone in the near future.
• Nexus 10 — Which looks extremely nice and sleek is one of those ones that any man would love to get during Christmas!  
• Netflix — I am probably going to keep telling people this but at least this is one of those that you can’t go wrong with.   Great movies and great shows for the geek in all of us.  
• A new Phone — I have been helping my sister decide for a new phone and I would recommend a Samsung Galaxy S3 or S4 device from Virgin Mobile.   It is one of those that I have been wanting because I could use this at work!

Finally the one thing that you probably want to know about is what I’ve talked about in the past two to 3 years and here they are:

• Christmas Gift List for 2012 : How to Shop for the Geek in all of Us!
• After Holiday Inventory — What you should know and why!
• How to find the right Tech gift your significant other (Christmas Tips)

As you can see I’ve done a few post on the subject, afterall I know what I’d want at least that is a start for you as well.  I am sure it isn’t going to be simple for the man of yours but at least you know where to start!

After Holiday Inventory -- What you should know and why!

After Christmas is time to relax!

So you've given you family some technology gadget for Christmas and you really didn't research it.  It always seems to happen that way.  We're so excited we found something that we think will do the job.   I know all about this because my extended family seems to want to give these types of gifts to my kids and their own.  So here is a quick breakdown on what I've observed over the last few days and what seemed to worked and what didn't.

• Kindle Fire HD 7' [Affiliate Link]-- So my sister got one of her kids this and I must say she wasn't happy.   Here are a few things you need to worry about.   Easily remove parental controls without a password, and no wall charger for it.  Seems kind of useless to give to kids right now.
• Paper Jams Pro Guitar [Affiliate Link]-- My kid got this one, but It isn't really that good.   I don't think it sounds anything like a guitar but it does work really well to entertain my kids.  I personally would of wanted something a little more authentic but it does the job.  
• Nintendo DS Lite [Affiliate Link]-- This is one of the ones that I bought my kids and knew they'd play this very much.   It wasn't easy to find the games they liked but if you search around you should have a lot of success like I did.  Worth the money I paid for it, keeps my kids happy.
• Cricket Phone [Affiliate Link]-- I have talked about Cricket Wireless in the past but recently they are being available in my local area.  I might go back to them if it looks to be more reliable.  I've loved them in the past but it seems to be a good choice for my daughter even if I didn't think she was ready for it.
• Skywriter UFO [Affiliate Link]-- Great little helicopter for my 7 year old.   He loves to fly this helicopter around and write out messages.  It was worth the money to buy this little beauty.   It probably won't last long but it as least is being used and flown around the house.

So this was my quick breakdown on the electronics that worked and what you should be careful in your future buys.   I'll be talking with my other sisters about what they gave their kids and will report back later.   It however is just luck what works with my kids, as it probably does with your kids.   So I just wanted to tell you my experiences and let you decide what they might want to get for their birthdays or next year when it comes to buying gifts.

Happy New Year and I'll see you in 2013!!

Paul Sylvester

Amazon Affilaite Link

Christmas Gift List for 2012 : How to Shop for the Geek in all of Us!

Christmas Is around the Corner!

I know I did a good little post on what your significantant other might want on Christmas last year.  I thought I would update you a list of what they might want this year so you can be looking into getting them that special gift that will make any Geek happy!   This won’t be a complete list but it will be a list to remember and maybe even come back to when it is their birthday!

Simple Stuff!

It isn’t the things that make it hard but always look for the simple things life that brings the most joy.   I am going to demostrate this by giving out a few good simple gifts that will make any geek happy, whether they are male or female.   Nothing has to be expensive but it has to come from the heart!

• Doctor Who [Affiliate Link]— If they are a Doctor Who Fan this would be a very simple gift idea for them.   Anything Doctor Who will make you an instant favorite in their eyes and it doesn’t have to be expensive just something that they can use time and time again.
• Big Bang Theory [Affiliate Link]— Here is another  favorite of mine and thus it might be theirs also.  You don’t have to be picky about it just know that if you pick from the year you are more likely to make them smile.
• Walking Dead [Affiliate Link] — I’ve not really watched this show but I do have people I work with who talk about it constantly so it must be a good show.  If he likes this show then you might want to head on over and find something to compliment the telivision show.

The are only a few ideas but they might work for your man/woman in your life.   Now I know I talked about tablets last year but I do recommend the A200 to A500 Series of the Acers Myself.  They have been nothing but a pleasure to use to watch all my shows that I might ever want.

More Techy Stuff!

If your guy or girl is more tech savy, you might want to consider getting them something like a Roku or even a Netflix Gift card but it just depends on what you want to accomplish.  If your know who your shopping for then you can always figure out what they are looking for.   If I tell you to buy something and am wrong then you will no doubt blame me but if I give some suggestions then you are the one who blame because you didn’t listen to your other half as well as you should.   

I will not give you any major gift ideas because that is something you should do but I do hope this helps you guide you in the right direction.

Paul Sylvester

Amazon Affiliate Link

How to find the right Tech gift your significant other (Christmas Tips)

Image by swarna rajan - ஸ்வர்ணா ராஜன via Flickr

We have all been there!

I know this type of year is always the hardest with some people and I am no exception to the rule!   Christmas is around the corner and your probably still trying to find that perfect gift.   I've been there and so has many others out there.   Unlike most others you don't quite know what He or she will want but do know they like Technology.    If I am betting man I'd have to bet that your sweating in your seat because your are so stressed over finding the perfect gift.

Before I start suggestions, I must tell you some things NOT to do.  Here are some very important points to this:

• Don't GO overboard with the gift.   (Not to expensive)


• Don't buy an item because you think it is cute.  (Guys don't want cute)


• Avoid buying accessories. (You might buy an accessory that doesn't go with the tech gift!)


• Don't buy things from sites that are NEW.  (Your just asking for problems)

These are just a few things that you shouldn't do.   Nothing is set in stone but you are going to have to figure out what you are going to and stick to it.

Get inside your Tech sweet heart!

Now this isn't trying to be literal but figuratively speaking.   It is however important to know what he or she likes and buy accordingly.   Some technology gurus like big things and others just like the useful things.   It really doesn't mean the size of the gift is the most important or the price of the gift.   It however is just that, the thought that really counts.  If you know your other half is complaining about their Cell phone, maybe it is time to think about buying a new plan or even buying an unlocked cell phone.   Have they commented about liking the Kindle Fire?  Or Maybe they like the Ipad, they may even have said they like to have an android device?  Nothing is really set in stone per say but it can be helpful if you think about what your are buying and ask your self this question "Is this something that he will truly love?"

Perfect gifts are all their cracked up to be!

Just because you know that might be the perfect gift for your doesn't always translate well to the other.   If your like me sometimes the  best approach is to let them decide what they want to buy.   So here are some great ideas:

• Give Giftcards -- They let him buy what he wants when he wants and where ever he wants.   This is something like a good way to give him permission to buy that tech toy that he always wanted but felt you would not allow because of money or some other reason.


• Prepaid Credit Cards -- This is something that is even more simpler than buying a gift card from one site or store.   This allows him to go to any store he choices and buy there.   Again this means you must accept the consequences if he buys something you don't like or want.   Sometimes men just have to be boys.

I've not forgotten about you females!

Although I am a male, I haven't forgotten about what you might like and though this is mainly a mans perspective and what men would really want that doesn't mean that you should be left hanging.   So I thought I would try to give some good technology suggest to the men to buy for women.

• Tablets are great gifts for women -- I really hate to say this but I have found my family who are all females simply want to be able to surf the web and do other stuff without the need for a laptop or desktop.  They also like it to be able to read their books while traveling or go to basketball practices.


• A GPS is good for women --  I for sure know this to be true.   My sister sometimes can't go anyplace with her GPS to tell you how to get there and for that matter my mother who isn't good with directions will use a GPS to get to where she needs to go.

If any doubts about it it then you can always refer back to prepaid credit cards for women also and let them choice the perfect gift.   This isn't going to be rocket science but it is something that everyone has to decide on when it comes to buying that perfect gift.

I hope this helps but I know it is an ever changing world and something new will pop up next year or even before Christmas that they may want.

Merry Christmas

Paul Sylvester

Related articles

• The 5 Worst Tech Gifts To Give This Christmas (gizmodo.com.au)


• Top Tips - Don't go out of control this Christmas (moneyexpert.com)


• Christmas Buying Suggestions for 2011 (socyberty.com)


• Christmas Gifts - Looking for a Christmas Present for Someone You Love (socyberty.com)


• Christmas Presents for Girlfriends (socyberty.com)


• Tips for Buying Christmas Gifts This Year (socyberty.com)


• Greatest Christmas Present to Get a Wife or Girlfriend in 2011 (socyberty.com)

You tracking Santa, here's how!

So as Christmas is almost upon us we are faced with the problem of tracking Santa.
Norad decided to start tracking Santa Clause, Here's the Wikipedia information from the site:
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In 1955, a Colorado Springs-based Sears store ran an advertisement encouraging children to call Santa Claus on a special telephone hotline. Due to a printing error, the phone number that was printed was the hotline for the Director of Operations at the Continental Air Defense (CONAD). Colonel Harry Shoup took the first Santa call on Christmas Eve of 1955 from a six-year old boy who began reciting his Christmas list. Shoup didn't find the call funny, but after asking the mother of the second caller what was happening, then realizing the mistake that occurred, he instructed his staff to give Santa's position to any child who called in.
[Via Wikipedia]

So how can you track Santa, here are a few ways to keep up to date on where he is around the world:

• Twitter : noradsanta


• You can call : 1-877-446-6723


• Norad tracking Santa Website 2008


• You can even track  Santa Clause at Santaclause.net

These are just a few good website to watch him travel around the world.   Are you tracking Santa?  Because I am!!

Hulu Launches the Hulu for the Holidays!

[ad#ad2-right]This is near and dear to my heart.  Hulu finally launches the Hulu for the Holidays sponsored by Wal-Mart.   I have talked about what they might bring to the holiday season and if you want to find out what I thought might come to Hulu check out these links:

• 
  Some Movies that might be coming to HULU!
  


• 
  Hulu Brings on Paramount Movies!
  

Some movies or show that will probably come to Hulu are going to be Christmas themes.  I would wager it will be Charlie Brown, Peanuts, The Grinch who Stole Christmas.  I am sure there will be even more later on, ones that I didn't think would come to Hulu.   We shall see what comes from what they want to do the next few weeks.  To bad they aren't doing clues this time around people seemed to like doing that.

Comfirmed: DHL to Lays off 10,000 workers!!

[ad#ad2-left-1][COMFIRMED]

According to The Press-Enterprise has announced all 18 U.S. Hubs will close and that means 10,000 workers will be out of a job.  They will keep 3,000 for international business.   I wanted to tell everyone about this as soon as I found out.

There is a rumor that DHL might layoff some of it's employees. About 8,000 Jobs will be announced to tomorrow when they release the earnings report. Now I know very little about this parent company but they have 475,100 employees and that would mean 1.6% of the people would be laid off!!

According to Business Week there Volume have been going down this year.

(CNN) -- A southern Ohio community is bracing for possible layoffs as DHL Express -- the largest employer in the area -- planned to announce its quarterly earnings report and restructuring details. [Via CNN]

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From what I can tell this will affect the Eastern part of the US. I've done a little digging for everyone to see just why they would want to layoff so many people. They have to reduce there spending because there Volume isn't as it should. This will also effect delivery of packages, and might end up slowing the delivery of Christmas packages.  So pack those presents early and ship them off early, to make sure they get delivered before Christmas!!  To see other layoffs this year just click this LINK.  It will show you all of the layoffs that have/are/or might happen in the near future.

Mahalo Lay's off around 10% of it's workforce!!

[ad#ad2-left]In an email he sent to the readers of his publication, Jason Calicanis talks about having to lay off around 10% of people from Mahalo.  Here's the quote:

We've laid off a just under 10% of our full-time staff, cut our overhead by doing smart things like renting desks (we have six desks/offices available fyi), and reorganized our editorial department to focus on freelance positions over in-house editors. The net result
of the effort is we are giving Mahalo another year of "dry powder" (or runway) to complete our mission.

This is not to be unexpected after all the talk about the recession coming our way. It does however emphasizes the need for companies to consider there profit margins and accounting strategy.

Mahalo was launched in May 2007 as an Alpha test. That is to say only a select number of people were able to access the site and create feedback to the development of the site. As of January of 2008 it is in what we call the Beta test phase. Which means more people are testing it out and find out it's flaws to report back about where they need to improve.  Mahalo's directory employs human editors to review websites and search engine results.



[ad#ad2-right]Saying that Mahalo is in Beta still doesn't lessen the fact that they are worried about there revenue model and expect a drastic decrease in revenue over the next 2 years due to the Recession still hanging over our heads.  This is where it comes to pure talent and understanding that most people in the business has to worry being laid off for example Merck Laid off 13% of it's workforce. Most people know the dread and fear of having the possibility of a Layoff hanging over your head and it is bound to affect even the most stubborn person and independent person.   It is going to come at a time like Christmas or the first a year and you will have to scrounge around and try to find another job.   It's tough and I've got a list that will help you :5 ways to improve your chance of getting hired.

With this list you will be able to get a better grip of the future and maybe create a better future in the process.

Mahalo is still in it's infancy and will still need time to grow and mature and with this recession looming over everyone's head they will have quite a time making heads or tails of the future.  So why try to create the future if you don't know what will happen?  That comes with the territory of blogging and website that are 2.0.  It's a hit or miss when it comes to people finding the best content and sometimes finds the worst content.  This is where you as a reader have to choice what to listen to and who to listen too.  I don't say that will be easy but it is essential in finding what you need at the time you need it.

If we don't do anything, this will be the last you will see of some of these big name sites.  We need to gather around them and show our support, by reading there content and providing feedback if there is something that needs to be change.  That is your power to help these websites become the best they can.  So go comment on your favorite website, tell them something you think they can do to better the content.  So why aren't you doing that now?

Little Big Planet Delayed Due to offending phrases.

Just off the presses folks,  "Little Big Planet" has been delayed.  Here's what Sony is saying:

"During the review process prior to the release of LittleBigPlanet, it has been brought to our attention that one of the background music tracks licensed from a record label for use in the game contains two expressions that can be found in the Qur'an.

"We have taken immediate action to rectify this and we sincerely apologize for any offense that this may have caused. We'll confirm the new launch date shortly."

[via dot.life]

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So here I am as a gamer waiting to see all this and they have to stop it due to so called "offending phrases", I would like to know what they were.

I am going to take a guess that it will be a short delay they have to get all the product they shipped and ship new ones to the stores.   It will create a big deal in the US due to all the new releases that are coming out just before Christmas so I would have to think around December if they are lucky.

Are you mad about this?  Were you going to buy this game for a christmas gift?