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Jewish World Review December 21, 2012 / 8 Teves, 5773 Tech year's good, bad, and, well, confusing By Mark Kellner
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Tick tock, baby, Christmas is hurtling towards us faster than the "fiscal cliff" deadline, and not even the (non-existent) threat of the "Mayan Apocalypse" can stop December 24 from melting into the 25th.
If, however, the Mayans actually did call that "end of the world" thing correctly, please disregard the above statement.
Assuming the world is still here on Monday next, you'll want to grab some gifts now for the techie in your life. Options may dwindle a bit as time goes on, so get a move on.
BUYING A COMPUTER - Some models are getting more and more difficult to find. If you're looking for something very specific, try to find two or three potential sources of supply, and not just one.
For example, Apple Inc.'s newest iMacs - the 21.5-inch and 27-inch desktop models - were on backorder at the company's website on the morning of December 18, 2012. The smaller model, which starts at $1,299, will be "available to ship" within "7 to 10 business days," meaning you probably won't put one under the tree. The 27-inch version appears to be even more popular: the Apple website says these will ship in January.
I'd dash over to BestBuy and perhaps a retailer such as MicroCenter, or one of the smaller Mac resellers around. One of the area's Apple Store retail outlets might have an iMac or two. But I wouldn't hold out much hope, since these items are super-popular right now.
Shoppers for Microsoft's Windows-based PCs may fare better in the shopping game: more retailers, including "big box" stores such as Costco, Sam's Club and B.J.'s, are likely to have a PC or two still, and Microsoft's own retail stores in Pentagon City and Tysons Corner should be well stocked, too. Even still, I wouldn't try to run out the clock.
Tablet buyers might also do well: I haven't heard of any great iPad shortages, and along with the Apple Store and BestBuy, wireless outlets for AT&T and Verizon Wireless should have models in hand.
MAKE A CASE - A delivery the other day brought a bunch of cases from TridentCase.com, a Southern California concern offering stylish - and often rugged - cases for tablets, smartphones and the like. Some of these include ways to attach a bicycle-mounting clip and other accessories.
I was particularly impressed with the "Kraken AMS Series" case for the iPhone 5, which includes a belt clip and a "kick stand" for viewing the screen hands-free on a desktop. The list price is $49.95, and while that's a tad more than some cases you can buy, it certainly seems to be a good value that offers solid protection.
If you want to prop up your smartphone for less scratch, head over to Target and check out the Toddy Wedge from Toddy Gear. The $14.99 beanbag-like device will prop up your device and even clean the touchscreen. The bottom exterior of the Toddy Wedge is made with microfiber material for cleaning screens without the need of fluids, the maker says, and is "available in a plethora of different colors and designs to match anyone's preference."
SHOWER POWER - And finally, for the person who truly has everything, consider the $199 Moxie Showerhead/Wireless Speaker from Kohler, the 140-year-old plumbing fixtures concern. The wireless speaker uses Bluetooth and can stream music from your smartphone or compatible MP3 player to, well, your shower.
While this may evoke thoughts of a certain story line in Woody Allen's film, "To Rome With Love," I kind of like the idea. It's nice to have WTOP-FM, for example, at hand during the morning, and with the rechargeable Moxie speaker, I could hear the news, traffic and weather more easily and at a volume that won't wake others.
Happy shopping!
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JWR contributor Mark Kellner has reported on technology for industry newspapers and magazines since 1983, and has been the computer columnist for The Washington Times since 1991.Comment by clicking here. © 2012, News World Communications, Inc. Reprinted with permission of The Washington Times. Visit the paper at http://www.washingtontimes.com |
Arnold Ahlert | |||||||||||
