Christmas is here! For us techies, its that time again when crave for our most wanted gadgets. Here is my personal favorite items for Xmas!
The best smartphone: Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge
It is almost impossible to talk about Samsung or its smartphones these days without bringing to attention the fiasco that was the exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7s. Putting aside that explosive accident however, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are still one of the top Android smartphones of 2016; it's got one of the best smartphone cameras ever, it's water resistant, and it is extremely fast. Being at the end of the year of the S7's release has also lowered its price closer to RM2000, making it an extremely good deal for those looking to get their loved ones a new smartphone.
Going Pro with Tablets: iPad Pro 9.7
Gift one of the most innovative devices in mobile computing ever to your loved ones: the iPad Pro with the 9.6-inch display. Apple's very first "Pro" model for their iPad line is the gargantuan iPad with its massive 12.9-inch display; while it proves to be an incredible device, its massive size isn't for everyone. That is why the iPad Pro's 9.7-inch model is quite possibly the best tablet experience anyone could ever have. Being a Pro model, the iPad is compatible with the Apple Pencil, making it incredibly intuitive to draw on or to write notes with. It has also got an amazing display that's powered by a very powerful A9X processor, delivering crystal clear visuals and animations. It comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack as well.
A watch for our times: Motorola's Moto 360 2nd Gen.
The first Motorola Moto 360 Android Wear smartwatch has a special place in a lot of tech-lover's hearts: It was the first smartwatch that didn't look like a miniature computer on your wrist that came from the 90's interpretation of portable computing. The 2nd generation Moto 360 smartwatch takes what's already great about the first generation and improves it even better; it still retains its circular display (with the inevitable flat tire) and simple design, with added rungs for changing of watchstraps.
The Moto 360 2nd Gen. also comes in several different sizes and a sports edition for men and women alike, all with a better battery that's rated for up to 2 days of use – no worries about your watch dying out mid-day.
Staying charged: Tronsmart Presto Power Bank
A power bank makes for a great gift for just about anyone today, what with everyone owning smartphones, tablets, and other types of portable devices. The Tronsmart Presto is one of the better power banks as of late, especially with its inclusion of Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 and a USB C output for new smartphones and tablets. Its large 10800 mAh capacity is capable of completely charging a smartphone twice (at least). The Tronsmart Presto power bank doesn't take up much space with its compact form factor either, making it easy to bring around. A small carrying pouch is also included with the Tronsmart Presto to protect the power bank in storage.
World's most powerful gaming console: PlayStation 4 Pro
Video games have been around for a very long time and is a great source of entertainment for not only an individual, but also for the family – so why not spice the living room this Christmas with the world's most powerful gaming console? The PlayStation 4 Pro is a video game console that's capable of 4K-resolution gaming and delivering much better framerates on PS4 games when they are "PS4 Pro optimized". The PS4 Pro will also deliver a much better PlayStation VR experience compared to the regular PlayStation 4 – which has also been updated with the newer Slim model that's smaller and uses less power.
Multipurpose computing: MSI GS40 Phantom gaming notebook
It is no secret that just about anyone out there these days play video games, and people often want a machine that is multi-purpose: being able to play intensive games as well as being light enough to be very portable. MSI's GS40 Phantom is a 14-inch display "notebook" that does that very well: It's slim, lightweight, and it packs a powerful Intel Core i7 processor and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX970M for all the intensive gaming needs. It's a great gift for the gamer-on-the-go in your family.
For Gamers, By Gamers: Razer Deathadder Elite gaming mouse
What's a PC gamer without his mouse or his keyboard? For the lucky family member who's getting the MSI GS40, or already has a gaming rig at home, they'll undoubtedly need an equally capable gaming mouse to match. The latest gaming mouse from Razer, the Deathadder Elite, will just be perfect for these people.
The gaming rodent comes with Razer's top-of-the-line advanced optical sensor with true 16000 DPI and Razer's very own mechanical click-switches for the ultimate gaming experience – all wrapped up in award-winning gaming ergonomics for incredible comfort.
For the Music Lovers: Audio-Technica ATH-E40
Everybody loves music; unfortunately, a lot of people listen to music on terrible-sounding earphones. Fortunately, it's Christmas and you can save your loved ones from terrible headphones by gifting them a much better one, such as the ATH-E40 from Audio-Technica.
The ATH-E40s are a pair of professional entry-level IEM (in-ear-monitors) that provide a very accurate and warm sound signature that brings out all the details that makes your favourite songs special. The IEMs also feature bendable over-the-ear cables that can be shaped to lock in the IEM more securely for a better fit in the ear.
Party on with the JBL Pulse 2
The JBL Pulse 2 is quite possibly one of the most eye-and-ear catching portable speaker ever made thus far. It has got all the great low rumbles and crystal clear highs that send your favourite beats loud and clear across an entire room, plus an excellent lightshow that moves to the rhythm. The JBL Pulse 2 will be the centre of attention the moment your loved ones get it out from the box and play their music via Bluetooth or a standard audio cable. It is a little pricey, but it will definitely make your loved one's Christmas.
Lights, Camera, Action! GoPro Hero 4 Black
In just about every family there's always an adrenaline junkie; you know, the type that likes to go to great lengths just to get that surge of excitement through their bodies in risky extreme sports? They'll tell you of their great adventures and stories climbing mountains and diving out of planes, but words can only tell you so much; and that's where the magic of Christmas happens.
The GoPro Hero 4 Black is an excellent gift to these adrenaline junkies – or to just about anyone who likes to travel a lot. It's durable, compact, and it captures excellent images and videos up to 4K resolution (30fps); plus, its wide assortment of accessories that make it easy to adapt this camera to just about any recording task under the sun. Gift this to the adventurers, and they'll tell you their stories in a whole other way – a picture tells a thousand words after all.
So, if you're wondering what to get for the tech-lover in the family, look no further than this list. You won't have to bother through the many complex tech jargons out there and you can be sure that you're getting them an excellent gift.
Written by Lord Tan, images compiled by Jeremy Chew