Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

Tech toys over $100 that are worth every penny

DALLAS -- Picking a Christmas gift for the nerd in your life is never easy.

In the holiday stampede, it's all too easy to pick an outdated gadget or obsolete program. And mistakes can be costly.

U.S. shoppers plan to spend an average of $222 each on consumer electronics this holiday season, up 8 percent from last year, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. Four of the 10 most requested items on adults' holiday gift wish lists are electronic items such as computers and video games, the organization found.

So the pressure's on, but you don't need to sweat it. Over the next three weeks, Dallas Morning news technology writers will highlight tech gifts in three price ranges. These include items they've tested and cool toys they've lusted after from afar. This week, they're looking at items costing $100 or more.

SONY PLAYSTATION 3 120GB VIDEO GAME CONSOLE

What is it?

Sony's console is finally rounding into form three years after it was released. Recently redesigned with a smaller case and a $100 price cut, the machine has plenty of hard drive space for storing downloadable goodies, boasts a growing library of must-have games, and is still one of the best high-definition Blu-ray movie players on the market.

Who's it for?

Gamers, duh. But not just gamers. Anyone you know who has recently upgraded to a high-def television will be pining for a good Blu-ray movie deck, and the PS3 should thrill all but the most obsessed home theater enthusiasts. Plus, Netflix soon will offer streaming online videos of some movies and shows on the PS3, as it already does with Microsoft's Blu-ray-less Xbox 360.

Where to get it?

Widely available for $299.

-Victor Godinez

WITHINGS WIFI BODY SCALE

What is it?

A bathroom scale that connects to your Wi-Fi network to automatically send weight, body fat and body mass index readings to a secure Web site where you can monitor your progress. There is also a free iPhone app to access your information on the go.

It's also the best-looking bathroom scale I've encountered.

Who's it for?

Anyone who weighs themselves on a regular basis. The WiFi Body Scale takes the work out of keeping an accurate record of your weight. It can also automatically recognize and monitor up to eight members of your household.

Where to get it?

The $159 WiFi Body Scale is available from www.withings.com or at Amazon.com.

-Jim Rossman

T FINIS SWIMP3.1G WATERPROOF DIGITAL MUSIC PLAYER

What is it?

An MP3 player you can wear in the pool. Instead of sticking an earbud in your ear, though, you strap the device to your cheekbone by clipping it to goggles or a mask. Then the vibrations are transmitted through the bone to your ear. One gigabyte of memory lets you store about 240 songs in MP3 or WMA format, and it's Windows and Mac compatible.

Who's it for?

Swimmers, surfers and anyone else who gets wet.

Where to get it?

The $149 SwiMP3.1G is available at www.finisinc.com, Amazon.com and other online retailers.

-Victor Godinez

SOUND ID 400 BLUETOOTH HEADSET

What is it?

A Bluetooth headset with an optional external microphone. Sound is transmitted to the headset from up to 30 feet away. The headset can broadcast ambient sounds (environmental mode) so the wearer can better hear his surroundings without removing the headset. It also features noise-canceling technology.

Who's it for?

This is quite handy for someone who needs help hearing in a loud room or perhaps to listen to a TV without disturbing others. Clip the external mike to your kid in the third-row seat to minimize shouting in the car.

Where to get it?

The $129 Sound ID 400 is available at www.soundid.com. A $79 optional remote microphone is coming soon.

-Jim Rossman