Here are a few gadgets that will make your workout sessions more productive and entertaining:

1. Fitbit Flex – The Fitbit Flex is an activity tracker that can be worn as a wristband. It can track the distance travelled, calories burned, sleep patterns etc. It can also provide a detailed breakdown of the quality of your workout sessions. Later, you can connect the band to a computer through a USB or you can directly sync it to an iPhone or some Android devices. This way, you can track your daily progress and modify your workout sessions accordingly. The Fitbit Flex is waterproof, comfortable to wear and provides accurate results.

2. Fitbit One – If you don’t want to be seen wearing a wristband everywhere or  if you find it stifling, you can opt for Fitbit One which is a small device that you  can strap to your shirt or pocket. Just like the Fitbit Flex, it counts the number of steps you take in a day, the number of stairs you climb, the number of calories burnt and measures your sleep pattern.It can be connected to a laptop through USB and can be synced to your iPhone.

3. Fitbit Aria Wi-Fi Smart Scale - It’s time to give up your archaic weighing scale. The FitBit Aria Smart Scale won’t just tell you your weight, it will track all changes in your weight and upload them to a free iPhone app through your wireless network. So, you don’t have to manually track your weight or make charts to track your weight, just let  the Smart Scale to do all the work.

4.  Bose SIE2i Headphones – What’s a workout without your favorite music? The headphones you use for workout sessions should have the following features – the earbuds should stay in place even when you run on the treadmill or lift weights, they must be water and sweat resistant and finally, the audio quality must be excellent. The Bose SIE2i headphones come with all of these features and make for wonderful workout companions.

While considering the sound quality of a speaker for the purpose of gaming, one must consider two factors – a sound card and the speakers. In the most recent computers, a sound card comes pre-installed in the mother board. To get the best possible results, it is a good idea to gather information about the kind of sound card installed in the mother board. Before buying a computer, you might want to read reviews about the sound card in question. The other component which determines the audio output is the quality of speakers. Typically, a surround sound system consists of multiple speakers, a subwoofer and sound controls. These elements work together to create a complete gaming experience, one where you will be immersed in the virtual world of gaming.

At alaTest, we have put together a list of some of the best PC speakers for gaming:

1. Logitech Z2300 – The Logitech Z2300 speaker system is composed of a subwoofer, two speakers and a console that can be used to control sound. The system comes with top notch 2.1 THX certified audio quality, a response bandwidth of 35Hz to 20kHz and the subwoofer boasts of 120 watts power. In simpler words, these speakers from Logitech provide excellent sound quality. The audio output is powerful enough to shake a large room even as the detailing is immaculate.

2. Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra MX6021 - The PC speakers from Altec Lansing ship with 2.1 THX audio system along with 200 watts of sound. The entire system consists of two speakers, one front firing subwoofer and a desktop controllers which allows users to control volume, bass and treble. This control also has a set of audio jacks for headphones. The sheer power of the subwoofer makes for a delightful audio output which has the potential to please any gaming enthusiast.

3. Bose Companion 5 Multimedia Speaker System – Bose has been one of the pioneers of the world of audio devices. The Multimedia speaker system lives up to the pristine glory associated with Bose. Unlike other speaker systems, the Bose Companion system offers connectivity through USB ports and is equally suitable for a large living room and a smaller study room. The TrueSpace surround-sound feature promises to overwhelm you within sharp and crisp sound quality.

Here is a list of some of the most exquisite gadget gifts for your friends and family:

1. Samsung DA-E750 – The Samsung DA-E750 is the most beautiful set of speakers you are ever going to set your eyes on. With the wooden exteriors, they have a distinct old school charm about them, which will work perfectly well with your Christmas decorations. On the technical front, the speakers are compatible with AirPlay, iOS devices, and some Android devices as well. Did we forget to mention that the audio quality is phenomenal. The Samsung DA-E750 is the gift of a lifetime, it will sit perfectly in your living room, adding to the beauty of your home.

2. MacBook Air – The MacBook Air needs no introduction. Its only the most perfect combination of aesthetic design and technical performance. The ultra thin 13-inch laptop comes with a 1.8 GHz Intel Core i5 processor and 4GB memory. The ultrabook weighs less than 3 pounds and it is an absolute pleasure to work on it. It is thin, it is light and it is simply an epitome of luxury. Go the Mac way this holiday and surprise your friends and family.

3. Nikon D4 – The best memories belong to the holiday season. Therefore, a high quality DSLR camera makes for an ideal holiday season gift. The Nikon D4 is one of the most impressive cameras in the market as of now. Besides producing excellent photographs, the Nikon D4 is the one of the fastest cameras you will ever work with. That means no time lags at all. Additionally, it comes with a high resolution sensor and better video quality.

4. Grado PS1000 – Headphones are available for as cheap as $20. But any music enthusiast knows the difference between these headphones and the high end ones. The latter will alert you to the presence of beats in a song that you had never heard before, transporting you to a different world altogether. The Grado PS1000 is one such pair of headphones. These are extremely comfortable to wear and the ear cups are made of wood and solid metal. The sound quality is excellent as well. All in all, they make for the perfect gift for anyone who likes listening to music.

As the term suggests, noise cancelling headphones work by eliminating all forms of background sounds, making way for a high quality auditory experience. For starters, you won’t be forced to raise the volume repeatedly in order to hear clearly. As the external noise gets blocked, you can hear distinct sound patterns even at low volumes. The next time you are riding the subway, you can just put on your pair of noise cancelling headphones and appreciate the complicated notes of your favorite music, even in the middle of a thousand people.

Today, we have put together a list of some of the best noise cancelling headphones:

1. Bose Quiet Comfort 15 – When it comes to the world of audio devices, Bose needs no introduction. Since decades, the company has produced some of the most high quality audio devices we have ever used. The Bose Quiet Comfort 15 is no exception. These noise cancelling headphones block off the background noise flawlessly. At the same time, they are extremely comfortable on the ears. They might look huge but once you wear them, they don’t feel that heavy at all.  You can also try the Bose Quiet Comfort 3 for a sleeker design.

2. Sony MDR-NC500 – Just like Bose Quiet Comfort series, the Sony MDR-NC500 have been designed to fit over your ears perfectly. In terms of performance, they are quite impressive as the headphones come with three modes of noise cancelling. With the help of the intelligent noise cancelling feature, the adequate mode is switched on according to the kind and intensity of noise in the backdrop.

3. Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Studio – If you are particular about the appearance and design of your headphones, these ones might be ideal for you. Significantly, the performance is not compromised in the bargain. This pair of noise cancelling headphones offers sharp and distinct sound even among auditory chaos. On the flip side, they run exclusively on batteries which have to be charged regularly.

4. Audio-Technica ATH-ANC9 – While these Audio Technica headphones might not be as comfortable as the others, the sound quality is unmatched. They come with three levels of noise cancelling which means that they work efficiently in the most noisy of places. Once you put them on, you might just get lost in the isolated world of music.

The Benefits of a Dedicated GPS

It’s a dedicated device – If you have a smartphone, you probably would like to be able to use it as a smartphone. This means every time you want to use it as a GPS, you have to pull it out of your purse/pocket, attach it to its car dock, plug in the charger (you don’t want it running out of batters later), and hope no one text or calls during an important driving instruction. You can leave a dedicated GPS unit in your car, and it will always be ready for you.

A better GPS signal – Smartphones have a lot of hardware stuffed into a small bit of space, and a solid GPS antenna isn’t always a priority. Dedicated GPS units have fewer size constraints and make the GPS antenna a top priority. They offer much more reliable positioning.

No data connection required – Most smartphone GPS apps rely on a data connection for maps and directions, rather than storing all that information on the phone itself. If you’re in an area with no cellular coverage, those apps are fairly useless for navigation. The apps that do store the data on your phone are generally very pricey or involve monthly subscriptions – that money might be better spend on a dedicated unit.

An interface designed for travel – Dedicated GPS units are designed to be mounted to the dashboard. The user interface large buttons and clear text. Smartphones are intended to be used in the palm of your hand and have smaller buttons and text.

The Benefits of a Smartphone GPS

Connectivity – That data connection means you’ll always have up to date maps, traffic conditions, and road information. It also means you have more search options available. Some dedicated GPS units have cellular data connections with the added benefit of the data being free.

More than just a GPS – Smartphones with multitasking can do more than just give directions. Most can be configured to continue to give you directions while playing music or connecting a phone call. Only a small handful of GPS units offer music playback capabilities.

You probably already have a smartphone – If you already have a smartphone (and a lot of people do, these days), its GPS capabilities are probably plenty for the occasional trip; however, if you find yourself using the phone as a GPS often, you might want to consider investing in a dedicated unit.

A Few of the Top Dedicated GPS Units on the Market

If you think a dedicated unit is right for you, here are a few of the top rated GPS units on alaTest.

Garmin nüvi 3590LMT

The nüvi 3590LMT offers a great screen and touch/voice interface as well as free data service for up-to-date traffic information. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but free map updates for life does make up for it.

TomTom GO Live 1005

TomTom’s GO Live GPS units offer the best in information services, including local searches, traffic, weather, and even fuel prices. The service is free for the first year, but costs $59.95 per year after that.

Garmin nüvi 2595LMT

The nüvi 2595LMT offers almost all of the same great features of the 3590LMT but is significantly cheaper. It has the same great interface and free traffic and map updates for life. The only difference is that it does not show 3D landmarks.

Razer Tiamat 7.1

While it’s a bit on the pricey side, the Tiamat is unrivaled when it comes to 7.1 channel surround sound quality. Unlike most 7.1 channel headsets on the market, the Tiamat is a true 7.1 channel system, with  front, rear, center, side, and subwoofer drivers in each ear cup. This gives a much more realistic surround sound experience than the virtual 7.1 channel systems most headsets use, processing a 7.1 channel signal into a stereo output. The Tiamat is intended for PCs, but can be used with any system that has 7.1 channel 3.5mm outputs and a USB port for power.

Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930

If you’re in the market for a wireless headset, the Logitech G930 ought to be one of your first choices. Its virtual surround sound processing technology is developed directly by Dolby Digital and is essentially unparalleled. Its wireless range is also quite impressive, reaching up to 40 feet without distortion. Like most wireless headsets, battery life can be problematic, offering about 10 hours of continuous playback. Fortunately, it’s possible to charge the G930 while it’s in use. Even with its impressive specs, the G930 is fairly reasonably priced for a wireless headset of its caliber. Unfortunately, because if its USB interface, the G930 will only work on a PC.

Turtle Beach Ear Force PX5

Even though it’s depressingly expensive, the Ear Force PX5 offers some amazingly customizable sound quality, perfect for any serious gamer. Designed to work for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the PX5 will also work with any system with an optical output. The headset even has a Bluetooth channel to pair up with PS3 chat or even your cell phone. Turtle Beach also offers downloadable software to create sound profile presets so that you can tune the PX5 for specific situations, such as playing First Person Shooters, watching HD movies, and listening to music. The wireless range is about average (up to 30 feet), but its 15 hour battery life is pretty impressive. The price is steep, but it’s easy to argue why it’s worth it.

Creative Tactic 3D Omega

Creative’s extensive experience with audio technologies definitely shows through with its Tactic 3D Omega headset. Its THX TruStudio Pro surround sound virtualization easily goes toe-to-toe with Logitech’s G930 in terms of sound quality. While the G930 does best it in wireless range, and even price, the Tactic 3D Omega has the major benefit of being compatible with the PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and technically any system with composite stereo output. If you’re a multiplatform gamer, the Tactic 3D Omega should definitely be on your list of headsets to check out – although the Turtle Beach Ear Force PX5 certainly poses a tempting (albeit slightly more expensive) alternative.

A quick market survey will reveal that a Netflix subscription has become a minimum standard with Blu-Ray players. Additionally, most of these players allow access to Pandora and Picasa and they also have some pay-per- view plan wherein you can stream movies from sites like Amazon or Vudu. Basically, every effort has been made to incorporate all modern forms of home entertainment into a single device.

What to look for in a Blu-Ray player?

One would imagine that video quality would be the key factor while choosing a Blu-Ray player. Truth be told, every Blu-Ray player out there excels in that department almost uniformly. Therefore, one can’t really make a decision based on just the picture quality. Interestingly, it is the additional features like Wi-Fi connectivity, ability to stream videos etc. which make all the difference. That’s why big players like LG and Sony have come up with innovative features to stay ahead in the competition. Price is also an important consideration when it comes to buying a Blu-Ray player. You can find a decent player for about a $100 while high end Blu-Ray players can cost up to $500. The choice will depend eventually on your budget and personal requirements.

Considering these factors, we have put together a list of the best Blu-Ray players out there. We have tried to choose players from different price ranges since this will help you compare their features along with their costs.

1. Sony BDP-S380- Priced at close to $110, the Sony BDP-S380 offers complete value for money. It has a sleek design with a matt black finish and the video processing is surprisingly fast. The networking options are great, you can access Hulu Plus, Netflix, Amazon, Pandora. Slacker etc. On the flip side, the video processing can get a little sloppy at times, but, it is still ideal for casual use around the house. You can also try out other Blu-Ray players like LG BP620 and Panasonic DMP-BDT 220, which fall in the same price range.

2. LG BD 670- The LG BD 670 has a very simple and minimalistic design, but it’s performance sets it apart from many others. Both the video processing and 3D are exceptional with no jerks or breaks in between. The player comes with in-built Wi-Fi connectivity allowing the users to connect to a variety of online streaming platforms. Price wise, it falls somewhere in the mid-range section (it is priced at close t0 $250), but we can assure you that your money will be well spent.

3. Sony Play Station 3- Yes, we know that the Sony Play Station 3 is a gaming console, but, the good news is that is doubles up as a Blu-Ray player as well. So, it has all the features of a normal Blu-ray player like Wi-Fi connectivity and other networking options. But, it goes a step ahead since you can use it for all your gaming interests as well. To top it all off, it is quite affordable at $250. If you are willing to spend some extra money, you can also try Oppo BDP-93 and LG BD 690, both of which come highly recommended.

So, we are giving you a list of the some of the most essential gadgets for college students:

1. Netbook- Netbooks are a miniature version of laptops, they are smaller in size and the range of functions is limited compared to a laptop. In spite of that, a netbook scores over a laptop in several ways. Firstly, a netbook is considerably lighter and smaller in size than a laptop. For a college student, portability is one of the most crucial features in a laptop as he or she has to carry around his or her laptop just about everywhere. This becomes rather unpleasant if you have a bulky laptop. On the other hand, you won’t encounter that problem with a netbook. At the same time, the functions offered by a good netbook are more than sufficient for a college student’s needs.

When it comes to netbooks, the Asus Eee PC 1015PN comes highly recommended. This 10-inch netbook comes with a 1GB RAM, Dual Core Atom CPU, Nvidia Ion Graphics for HD video and gaming and a comfortable touchpad. Asus has also launched the Eee PC 1005PR which comes with an impressive 250 GB RAM. If you are looking for something more affordable, you can also check out the Acer Aspire One Happy 2.

2. Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones- College experience is incomplete without some good music, either at parties or on your iPod. A pair of noise cancelling headphones can enhance the experience of listening to music. Such headphones become a necessity in college where students are surrounded by noise everywhere. After all, there is never a dull moment in college. So, if you want to find some peace in the middle of all the chaos, buy yourself a pair of noise cancelling headphones.

If you are willing to spend a few extra dollars, then nothing can compete with the Bose Quiet Comfort 15. These headphones offer the best noise cancelling feature, the sound is great and they are unbelievably comfortable. Alternatively, Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Studio also live up to high quality standards.

3. E-Book Readers- As a lot of curriculum books are now available as e-Books, it makes sense to invest in a good e-Book reader. The advantages are obvious- one single gadget can carry a thousand e-Books, saving a lot of space in your dorm room. It also makes books more accessible for college students. A particular book might not be available in your library, but you can always find a soft copy version. The Amazon Kindle Fire offers the best reading experience among such tablets. Amazon employs the E-Ink technology which completely transforms the experience of reading an e-Book, making it surprisingly similar to reading a real book.

These are only some of the gadgets that we believe every college student must have in the present day and age. Besides these, a portable gaming console like the Nintendo 3DS can provide that much-needed breather between classes. Add to this a good pair of iPod Dock speakers like the Altec Lansing Octiv Duo M202 and of course, an iPod, and you should be fully equipped for college.

Samsung and LG both demoed their upcoming OLED HDTV sets at CES 2012 earlier this year, and it’s a safe bet that we’ll see several OLED sets hitting the market before the year is up. What remains to be seen is how the entry of OLED TVs into the market will affect things.

What is OLED?

OLED screens combine the picture quality benefits of plasma with the space and power saving technology of LED. To better understand how an OLED screen works, let’s take a look at how traditional displays technology works.

TVs today use some sort of a backlight in order to illuminate an image on the screen. LCD screens have a CCFL (cold-cathode fluorescent lamp) in the edge of the display; edge-lit LED displays work similarly but use LED lights instead of the CCFLs. Backlit LED displays use a grid of LED lights directly behind the display, allowing it to adjust the brightness in specific sections. In a plasma display, ever pixel is made up of several champers of phosphorus gas that illuminates when charged; in other words, each pixel gives off its own light, with no need for a backlight, which is what allows for those deep blacks.

OLED displays work in the same sense as a plasma screen, in that each pixel is capable of emitting its own light. Alternatively, OLEDs are much more power-efficient and smaller than the plasma gas chambers needed for a plasma display. The end result is a super slim display with stunning color quality and perfect black levels that’s even energy efficient.

How Will OLEDs Affect Plasmas

Because the focus of new OLED displays will be picture quality, the high-end plasmas that videophiles flock to will be most affected. The most expensive plasma screens might see some price drops in order to compete with the superior OLED displays, but the entry and mid-range plasmas, like our current top-rated Panasonic TX-P VT30, should be fairly unaffected, at least for a year or two.

What about LED TVs?

Large LED TVs will also see some heavy competition from OLEDs since it’s expected that the first OLED sets to hit the market will be in the 55- to 70-inch range. Price will be the big deciding factor here. OLEDs will best traditional LED TVs in basically all categories, but they will be considerably more expensive. Samsung’s ES8000 series, Sony’s Bravia XBR series, and other “premium” models might see some considerable price drops when OLED TVs hit the market. Smaller, less feature-packed sets, like Sony’s KDL EX720 line, will be less affected.

And the LCD TVs?

LCD screens will remain the go-to flat panel TVs for anyone on a budget. It won’t be until a few years from now when OLED sets start challenging the prices of similarly sized LED TVs that we see the LCD sets start to fade from the market.

Conclusions about OLED TVs?

OLED TVs are a great advancement to HDTV technology, and they really will outperform any display currently on the market. If you’re in the market for a new TV today, is it work waiting for an OLED model to hit the market? Definitely! But only if you’re planning on spending upwards of $5,000 on something truly top-end.

It is no secret that the gadget industry has undergone some very radical changes in the past few years. In earlier days, a gadget was judged primarily by its functional value while little or no attention was paid to its appearance. But things have come a long way from then. Now, both the functional and aesthetic value of a gadget are equally important. All these factors have led to the production of some suave and exciting gadgets, which can make for perfect gifts for women.

In the last blog post, we gave you a list of the best gadget gifts for men. It’s time to shift attention to women now. Here is our list for the best gadget gifts for women:

1. Jaybird Sportsband 2- This pair of headphones is designed like a headband and it comes in a variety of appealing colors. The inside of the headband is lined with rubber which makes them fit perfectly around the head. The Jaybird Sportsband can also double up as a Bluetooth device, which means that you can also take calls in the middle of listening to music. The controls on the headphone can be used to pause, play or stop music at any time. The best part is that they stick to your head even when you are jogging on the treadmill. And finally the sound is pretty great as well. Put all of this together and we have got ourselves a winner.

2. Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer- True to its name, this little wonder can print photographs instantly. It is tiny enough to fit into a pocket and it prints photos in a jiffy. While the photo size (it can only print 2 by 3 sized photographers) and quality might not be spectacular, it is still a cute gift to give to your girlfriend or sister.

3. Digital Photo Frame- In the older days, we used to frame photos and make collages and gift them to our mothers. Well, things have gone digital now. The digital photo frame is a wonderful, modern take on the traditional idea of making photo collages. It’s time to go looking for old photographs in the attic or the basement, scan them and use them with a digital photo frame. They have a smooth and minimalistic design and you can customize the photo patterns. The design, along with the photographs will add a different dimension to your mom’s living room.

4. iPod Touch- As a part of this series of posts, we have been suggesting one gadget as a back-up gift plan when nothing else seems to fit. The iPod Touch is our suggestion for such a scenario. If you can’t seem to zero in on any other gadget, you can always get the iPod Touch. Powered by the critically approved iOS, the iPod Touch can do a lot more besides playing music, it can record HD video, check e-mail, rent movies, take pictures and what not. There is absolutely no reason why a woman would not want to own this beautiful gadget.