Father’s Day is quickly approaching! Some readers have contacted me wondering if we were going to do another Father’s Day gift guide. Well, here it is!
My top 5 tech gifts for Father’s Day 2012:
#5 – HDHomeRun Dual High Definition Digital Television HDHR3-US by SiliconDust
The home theater is ever-evolving, even more so today than ever before. We like to take our media with us throughout the house. There have been some advances on this front, but the knuckle-dragging cable industry wants to charge you for this functionality.
This device enables you to watch, pause and record shows through your Windows PC. It integrates with Windows Media Center and utilizes the built-in guide there. It works with good ol’ rabbit ears or unencrypted cable channels.
If you have a Mac, like I do, well, you can use the EyeTV software to get it to work with your Mac. The software also enables you to encode your recordings for viewing on iPads and iPhones.
You can purchase the HDHomeRun through Amazon for $93.86.
#4 – Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS
Gone are the days of the Flip and Kodak pocket cameras. Many saw them as just toys to carry around and realized their limitations.
Enter the Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS. There is a newer model available, but this model is about $100 cheaper and has many of the same features.
The HD video produced on this camera is amazing. The built-in microphone actually performs very well. The pictures are acceptable. (Don’t expect DSLR quality pics here.) If the DSLR is getting a little on the heavy side and you’re in the market for a camera you can kick around without risking your smartphone, well, give this guy a shot.
The Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS is available through Amazon for $129.48, but shop around. You can probably get it for under $100.
Honorable Mention: GoPro Camera HD HERO2 Edition
#3 – iDevices iGrill Grilling/Cooking BBQ Thermometer
What dad doesn’t love grilling? For some men, grilling is about the only level of cooking they can do.
The iGrill is a Bluetooth-enabled meat thermometer. It has an accompanying app available through the iTunes App Store. You stick the silver probe into your beef, chicken or pork. Once that is done the temperature of the meat is immediately displayed onto the tabletop unit and onto your iPhone/iPad. The iGrill also features a timer, a smoker option and alerts. It also features a graph to monitor the history.
The iGrill is available through Amazon for $79.95.
#2 – Nike+ FuelBand
Is the dad in your life a fitness enthusiast? If so, check out the Nike+ FuelBand.
The FuelBand is part pedometer, part motivator. It features an LED display that shows your steps, calories burned, time and Nike’s own secret recipe of what they call “Fuel.” The Fuel is some sort of combination of calories, steps, etc. There is an iPhone application that accompanies the device and a charging dock. The device can last well over a week on a single charge.
Is it gimmicky? Absolutely. Is it a constant reminder to get off your rear end? Definitely!
The Nike FuelBand is available through the Nike store for $149.
#1 – Amazon Kindle Fire
Don’t have an iPad or an Android tablet yet? Looking for a budget-friendly tablet? The Kindle Fire is your solution. There are plenty other tablets out there that pack much more processing and graphics power, but none of them can come close to matching the price tag of the Kindle Fire.
I am a big fan of the 7″ display and the Amazon skin over Android. Amazon offers a free app a day. The Fire also integrates nicely with Amazon’s video, music and e-reader services. There are plenty of apps available to keep dad occupied for hours.
The Kindle Fire is available through Amazon for $199. There are also tons of accessories available for the Kindle Fire.
So, what are your thoughts? What would you like to see under your Father’s Day tree next Sunday?