Tech Guide's Christmas Gadget Gift Guide

Christmas is less than two weeks away and a tech gift will be a popular choice but with so many products out there it’s a challenge making the right choice.

That’s where Tech Guide’s Christmas Gadget gift guide comes in.

Our guide is designed to give you plenty of gift ideas so you can surprise your loved ones on Christmas Day with the tech product that’s right for them.

We’ll present our suggestions under the major product categories and also include related products in the same category.

Our suggestions have quite a range on price so there are plenty of suggestions for those who want to spend a little or spend a lot.

Here we go!

SMARTPHONES

The gift of a smartphone is a very generous one and is a gift that is going to save the receiver a lot of money.

They only need to buy a SIM only plan from companies like Amaysim and LiveConnected which is a lot cheaper because they don’t have to pay off a smartphone off over two years.

The most popular choices are:

iPhone 5 – the latest and greatest iPhone which starts from $799.

If it’s Android you’re after, there are many choices with Samsung’s Galaxy S III leading the charge.

There are also a few budget choices – the older iPhone 4 can now be purchased for $449 while the iPhone 4S is now $679.

If you’re after a cheaper Android model you can try the Huawei Ascend D1 or the Huawei Ascend P1 for $499.

Even cheaper is the LG Optimus range which starts at $119.

There’s also the Telstra Urbane for $149 which is actually manufactured by ZTE.

If it’s a Windows Phone that you’ve got your eye on then check out the choices by Nokia and HTC.

On the accessories front there is no shortage of choices including covers, charging devices, Bluetooth accessories and other related products for shoppers on a budget.

Plantronics Bluetooth hands-free mobile devices to stay safe on the road

PowerSkin case keeps your Galaxy S III charged on the go

PowerSkin – the cover that can charge your mobile

Cygnett and STM already showing off iPhone 5 cases

New Star Wars iPhone 5 cases from a galaxy far, far away

TABLETS

Tablets will be one of the most popular tech gift this Christmas and luckily there is no shortage of choices.

Apple will be the most popular choice again this year with the latest fourth generation iPad starting from $539 and the new iPad Mini which starts at $329.

Maybe the person you’re buying for already has an iPad then maybe an accessory like a bag, cover, stand or Bluetooth keyboard would me a good choice.

Get back to nature with Woodchuck iPhone/iPad cases

Sanus introduces new magnetic iPad mounting system

iFlashdrive is like a USB drive for your iPad and iPhone

STM’s new Half Shell keeps your iPad safe with style

Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad review

STM’s Skinny 3 and Grip have your new iPad covered

There are also a range of Android tablets that offer quality and value including the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 which allows users to write on the screen with the S Pen and also split the screen and run two apps at once.

The Google Nexus 7-inch tablet (from $269) is another popular choice along with an affordable 10-inch choices from Kogan for less than $200.

E-Readers are also a great gift for Christmas and it’s hard to go past the Kindle from Amazon which can be purchased directly from Amazon or in store in Australia from Dick Smith or Big W.

Meep – an Android tablet designed just for kids

Panasonic Toughpad is the world’s most rugged and secure Android tablet

Microsoft announces pricing for Surface tablet

Asus Padfone review – the tablet powered by a smartphone

Toshiba unveils its new family of tablets

Samsung releases first 4G tablet through Telstra

DIGITAL CAMERAS

The biggest choice that needs to be made here is deciding whether the person you’re buying for prefers a compact, mid-size or DSLR camera.

There’s also a wide price range starting at less than $200 all the way up to a few thousand dollars for the top line digital SLRs.

Samsung Galaxy Camera review – smartphone crossed with digital camera

First look at Panasonic’s GH3 digital single lens mirrorless camera

Lytro Light Field Camera lets you focus your images after you take them

Nikon reveals new range of Coolpix compact cameras

Canon unveils new EOS M compact system camera

Panasonic Lumix FZ150 digital camera review

Olympus launches OM-D compact system camera

AUDIO

If the person you’re buying for enjoys music then there a number of options from headphones, noise cancelling headphones, speaker docks, streaming audio systems in-ear headphones, sound bars, MP3 players and digital radios.

Logitech UE 9000 wireless noise-cancelling headphones review

New iPod Touch and iPod Nano reviews

Bose releases SIE2 and SIE2i sports headphones

Sonos introduces subwoofer for its wireless speaker systems

New range of Ferrari high performance headphones unveiled

Plantronics BackBeat GO wireless in-ear headphones review

Cygnett InSound Noise-Cancelling Headphones review

Sennheiser RS220 wireless headphones review

Bose Wave Music System III review

New Bose Solo speaker system enhances your TV’s sound

HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Being able to watch movies in high quality is now a reality and movie lovers will be hoping there a Blu-ray players, surround sound speakers system or the latest movies under the tree.

Here are some of our suggestions:

Sony releases flagship S790 Blu-ray Disc player with 4K upscaling

Samsung HT-E6750W 7.1 channel Blu-ray Home Theatre System review

Prometheus Blu-ray offers a second screen experience

New Blu-ray Disc box set celebrates 50 years of James Bond

Avatar to be released in 3D on Blu-ray on October 24

Jaws restored and remastered for August Blu-ray release

COMPUTERS

We all use computers whether it’s a laptop for a student or executive or a desktop computer for the family or creative professional.

Ultrabooks are also becoming increasingly popular and what they all have in common are thin form factors and speedy performance.

Other choices in this category include security software, a carry bag, a printer or a snap-on protective case.

And you can also give the gift of the latest operating system – Mountain Lion for Mac and Windows 8 for PC users.

ASUS reveals All-In-One Windows 8 touchscreen desktop PCs

Dell’s latest range designed for work and play

Dell expands XPS range with 14 and 15-inch models

Epson proves cost-saving benefits of business colour inkjets

13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display review

15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display review

Apple’s redesigned iMac to go on sale this week

Acer releases stylish Aspire Z3 and Z5 all-in-one PCs

HP reveals sleek new ultrabook range

IN-CAR

There are lots of tech products for drivers including GPS navigation systems and other items designed for us to stay safe behind the wheel especially since the intriduction of new road rules which make it illegal to touch your mobile while you’re driving.

Navman reduce prices on GPS devices and offer lifetime map updates

New TomTom GPS devices can be controlled with your voice

Laser Navig8r – the black box recorder for your car

Navman’s Mivue can capture on-road incidents while you’re driving

Pure unveils new in-car digital radio

Strike release easy-to-install car reversing cameras

GAMING

Buying console is a great gift for an individual or a family thanks to the many games than can be enjoyed either by a single player or the entire household.

Nintendo timed the release of its brand new Wii U console to perfection at the end of November to put it on many a Christmas list. The device is now high definition capable and features a new GamePad controller which has its very own interactive screen.

If it’s a PlayStation 3 you’re after then check out the latest even smaller version of the popular console that can also double up as a 3D Blu-ray Disc player.

Over at Xbox the Kinect controller brings your whole body into play with a range of the latest games.

And there are lots of choices for games including the record-breaking Call of Duty Black Ops II (PS3, Xbox 360) , Assassin’s Creed (PS3, Xbox 360) and Halo 4 (Xbox 360 exclusive).

Portable gaming is also an option for you on the go gamer so either the Nintendo DS XL or the PlayStation Vita are worth considering.

Elgato makes it easy to capture and share your gameplay videos

Review: Turtle Beach XP500 gaming headset

GADGETS

For the person who has everything, maybe an unusual gadget or product could be just the answer. Here are some tech products that are hard to fit into one particular category but are pretty cool all the same.