The Holidays' Hottest Gadgets
Dec. 14, 2006 — -- With all the gadgets on the market this season, it takes an expert to decode what's hot and what's not. Becky Worley, "Good Morning America's" technology contributor, recently revealed the best gadget gifts for grown-ups and kids.
Sharp AQUOS LCD Hi-Definition TV: $2,000 -- $2,500
The Sharp AQUOS is the hottest big-ticket item this year. It's one of the best rated LCD high-definition televisions. With a screen size of 37 inches, the TV can be seen from almost anywhere in the room. Color on the screen is vivid under any lighting, even if the TV is near a window. It features a sleek titanium cabinet and has detachable speakers. It also comes with a table stand that removes easily for wall mounting.
Girl Tech Digi Makeover: $59
The Girl Tech Digi Makeover is a digital camera that lets children take a picture and give themselves a makeover via the TV set. Using an attached pen and touch pad, girls can add makeup, hairstyles and accessories to their picture. They can also create makeover themes with friends. The Digi Makeover plugs directly into a TV or VCR with AV input jacks and requires four AA batteries. It's designed for ages 6 and up.
Kid Touch Kid's Digital Camera: $69
This preschool appropriate digital camera can handle just about any accident. It has two eye viewing holes that make it easy for kids to look through the viewfinder. Dual hand grips and big buttons make it comfortable to hold and use. A color preview screen allows kids to see what they're shooting before they take a picture, and the built-in memory card stores more than 60 photographs. Kids ages 3 and up will have a blast snapping away with this camera.
Fuji Finepix Digital Camera: $216
For adults, the Fuji Finepix camera is one of the best on the market. It performs well in low lighting and features a new "intelligent flash" system. Its 2.5-inch LCD screen is coated with Fuji's special CV film, which minimizes glare and reflection for enhanced viewing. The camera's 500-shot battery life is good for people who don't have time to wait for batteries to charge. It also uses a 10MB memory card with large storage capacity. Right now, the Fuji Finepix is available at bhphoto.com for $216, after a $50 rebate from Fujifilmrebates.com.
BlackBerry Pearl Phone: $199
The BlackBerry Pearl has features far beyond the traditional cell phone. It allows users to send and receive e-mail as whey would on a computer. A sure-type keypad ensures quick typing without the limitations of traditional phone keypads. Its Internet interface allows for streamlined Web surfing. A built in digital camera with zoom can snap pictures and send them to anyone via e-mail or picture messaging. Its navigation system can map out directions to a friend's house or the nearest Italian restaurant. Right now, T-Mobile is offering the phone for $199.
CEIVA Internet Digital Camera Frame: $149.99
This digital picture frame receives and displays new photos every day. Photos loaded onto the Web site CEIVA.com can automatically be placed in the frame, which boasts a high resolution 8-inch LCD screen. Users can also put pictures in the frame by sending them via camera phone. The frame connects to a phone line, wireless or broadband connection and can retrieve new photos every day. Pictures can be customized with captions and messages. The CEIVA subscription is free for the first three months -- after that, there's a fee of $6.95 per month. It's the perfect gift for someone who's always looking for a change of scenery.
Fretlight Guitar Teaching System: $500
For anyone wanting to learn how to play guitar, the Frelight Guitar teaching system is a dream come true. The world's first line of computer-powered teaching guitars significantly reduces the amount of time it takes to learn how to play the instrument. The guitar connects to a computer and teaches songs by lighting up spots on the guitar's neck where fingers should be placed. For pros, the lighting feature can be turned off. The guitar is available in four models: acoustic, acoustic electric, electric and pro electric.
Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360
There are so many new gaming systems on the market that it's hard to choose the right one. On "GMA," Worley broke down the pros and cons of the three most popular consoles.
The $499 Playstation 3 boasts top-of-the-line graphics and a high definition DVD player. Unfortunately, it's the most expensive of the bunch and hard to find.
The Xbox 360 also has great graphics and life-like audio. But at $400, it's still pricey.
At $250, the Nintendo Wii is the cheapest of the lot and has the ability to play Nintendo's great games. However, its graphics aren't elaborate and its remote can fly out of players' hands and damage TVs.