HiTechMommy

EXTRA!

This is the segment I did on Extra! that aired over the weekend.  Enjoy. 

What To Get For The Holidays

By: Brian Witten - Sr. Staff Writer

 

If you're looking for some last minute gift ideas for the loved ones in your life here are some of the items that caught my eye .  And remember, there's NO reason you should be paying full price for gadgets at the point because on eBay consumer electronics are the one of the most popular gift choices and I'm seeing millions of new listings each week with many of them prices over 30% off of retail!

OK, so his is one of the coolest inventions I've ever seen! I truly wish it was in existence when I was in school as it would have helped me tremendously with note taking. It's called the Pulse Smart Pen by Livescribe and it truly is a a computer in a pen! This computer in a pen records everything you write and hear and links the two together for future reference assuring that you'll never miss a word. When looking back on your notes just tap the pen on any spot and you'll hear the recorded audio playback through the Smart Pen's speaker. Not only that but once you hook the Smart Pen to your computer, Mac or PC, the pen will turn your handwriting into text on your screen that can be searched or shared!  Check out my demo video here.

As a mom all I want for Christmas, well Hannukah, is a totally awesome digital SLR ( one of those larger cameras with a long lens) so I can take great pictures the whole family can enjoy.  I know I want a Nikon because my mom always used one when I was growing up and I know that Nikon is a very trustworthy company when it comes to great optics and wonderful cameras. The company has made a really smart move, they've added HD Video recording capability to their already amazing "D" series of SLRs! You don't need to be a pro to use the Nikon D90 SLR, just a photo enthusiast with a love for taking pictures and the need for a little more. With amazing photo quality, Active D-lighting which balances light for optimal photo lighting, 12.3 megapixles, and super fast start up speeds, this is the camera for me!

My brother always expects a fancy gift but this year I'm not in the position to drop the big bucks, so I've found him a flashy alarm clock that won't break my bank. The iHome's iP9 is an alarm clock, charging station and speaker system for his iPhone and  iPod that will allow him to wake up to his favorite play lists.  Because this device has been awarded the "Made for iPhone" seal of approval it has a GSM noise blocking mechanism that eliminates that annoying static sound some devises give off when they're too close to a cell phone. Another cool feature he'll love is the gradual sounding snooze button as well as the ability to set multiple wake up times.  If you're looking for even more accessories for your Pods, head to the iHomeAudio.com website and type in the promo code "CAT" to receive 20% off.

I'd have to recommend the XBox360 "Arcade Holiday" bundle if you're looking for a gift that the whole family can enjoy for a long time to come. This baby is packed with value  because, for just $199, it comes with the system, 6, yes 6, games and the ability to stream over 12,000 movies and TV shows from Netflix!  I'm loving the PacMan game but you can also play Uno, Luxor 2,

Boom Boom Rocket, and Feeding Frenzy, and a Sonic The Hedgehog game. 

If a cell phone is on your list you should check out the Blitz from Verizon Wireless. This new cell phone is perfect for the tween or teen in your life who wants to text till their fingers are content! The device has a full slide out keyboard for easy texting along with a great camera and MP3 player. Once of the best points about this phone is the lovely price point at just $69.99 with a contract.

The latest

Last week I was on the TODAY Show talking about "Eco Friendly Gadgets" with Al. He's great because he's into what I'm saying and has fun with what I ask him to do.

You can watch the video by clicking HERE.

Yesterday I shot a holiday gift segment for Extra! that will air next Sat at 3pm.

I'm on the TODAY Show again on the 23rd talking about holiday gifts!

Thanks for checking up - Cat