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.

While buying an LED, you must consider a few important factors. Make sure to check the kind of technology employed in the LED. As was mentioned in the last post, there are different kinds of backlighting techniques- edge lighting, direct lighting and local dimming. Amongst the three, the latter is the most effective as the color contrast can be managed and thus the picture quality is considerably better than the other two. Besides this, also consider the thickness of the LED and quite obviously, the cost.

Combining all these factors, we have put together a list of the best LED TVs in the market.

1. The Sony Bravia XBR-HX929- This Sony Bravia LED TV is an impeccable blend of technology and design. It employs the local dimming LED backlighting and produces deeper black levels than most other LED’s in the market. The detailing is excessively sharp and the color contrast is excellent. The 3D viewing is not as impressive because the image is not constant at different angles. The price is also a little steep, but if you are willing to spend money, this Sony Bravia won’t disappoint you.

2. Samsung UND8000 Series- Every good LED has to excel in both of these departments- performance and appearance. An LED is not just about amazing picture quality, it is also about flawless design. The Samsung UND8000 series has made to this list primarily because of its state-of-art looks and features. Having said that, there is no denying the fact that it delivers on the quality front as well, but the design sets it apart from all others. The frame around the screen is kept to a basic minimum giving the LED a clean and classy look. Add to this the excellent black levels and great picture quality and you have an LED to die for.

3. LG Infinia LW5600 Series- The LG LW5600 Series has excellent picture quality and color contrast for an LED which relies on edge lighting technique. This LED is relatively cheaper than the others which feature on this list. While it might not be as impressive as the other two in terms of performance, it offers complete value for money and that is its USP.

4. Sharp LC-LE640U series- This LED series also features in the more affordable range of LEDs. It offers many options for picture control and the picture quality is decently impressive. The simplicity of the design becomes its USP and the matte screen is ideal for bright rooms. This has all the makings of a great LED, one that will never disappoint the common man out there.

A visit to an electronic shop can be a particularly harrowing experience. You are surrounded by hundreds of electronic gadgets of all shapes, sizes, brands and prices and in the middle of all this, you are expected to make an informed choice. For example, you go to the nearest electronic store to buy a new television set for your home. Once you get there, you are introduced to the different kinds of TVs- plasma, LCD, LED etc. On top of that, a number of technical terms like HDD, CCFL will be thrown at you randomly until you find yourself completely lost. Well, it is not as bad as it sounds. We will take you through the very basics of the world of television, so that the next time you want to buy a television set, you are equipped with all the necessary details.

Let’s begin with the biggies- Plasma, LCD and LED. What exactly is the difference between them? When Hi-Definition TV or HDTV as it is commonly known was introduced, plasmas had just arrived on the market. These were backed by flat panel technology which produced top notch picture quality. It created quite a rage in the electronic market, after which it gave way to the world of LCDs. As of now, LCDs and LEDs are the two major players in this field.

True to its name, LCD or Liquid Crystal Display works through a liquid which is enclosed between two plates. This liquid becomes dynamic when it receives current in some form, and hence the picture is formed. While black and white LCDs have been around for quite some time, color LCDs is a relatively recent phenomenon. Now, the liquid used in this technology does not illuminate by itself and thus, an external source of light is needed. This is where LEDs come into the picture, quite literally.

If one was to go by strictly technical standards, the term LED would come across as a misnomer. LEDs are actually just specialized versions of LCDs. The basic technology has remained the same, only the source of lighting has changed from the traditional CCFLs (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lighting) to LEDs or Light Emitting Diodes.

LEDs offer many advantages due to the different types of back lighting available- edge lighting, direct lighting and local dimming. In the former case, LEDs are positioned along the edge of the panel and this facilitates the production of extremely thin screens as the LEDs are not placed behind the screen, which is precisely the case in direct lighting. Direct Lighting has its own advantages, the biggest of them being that the color contrast can be enhanced by turning some LEDs off. Local dimming, which is a very recent phenomenon, attempts to combine these two types. Under this technology, there are banks of LEDs which are positioned behind the panel, and thus, the contrasts can be regulated. At the same time, due to the presence of specialised banks of LEDs, it is possible to have a thin screen depth.

Due to such developments in technology, LEDs have added a new dimension to the world of television. The quality of color accuracy, contrast levels and viewing angles have improved by leaps and bounds, thus re-defining the whole experience of watching television.

The choice of the perfect surround sound speakers can depend on a lot of factors- audio quality (quite obviously), speaker placement, wiring options, ease of installation etc. Ideally, the speakers should cover a large hearing frequency range without compromising on the sharpness of sound. Additionally, look for a system where the sound of the speakers and the subwoofer is completely in sync with each other. Nothing kills the pleasure of listening to your favorite music more than a frequency gap between the subwoofer and the speakers. You will have to be very particular about the location of the speakers within the room. Factors like the height of the speakers etc can impact the performance of the speaker system considerably.

After considering all these factors, we have put together a list of the four best surround sound systems. Have a look.

1. Blackstone TL 1600 5.1

This surround sound speaker system has it all- excellent sound quality, impressive design and it is very convenient to install. It comes with a wide frequency range of 40-22,000 Hz and the sound is well-blended yet sharp. For your convenience, the satellite speakers have five way binding posts which makes them very easy to install. To top it off, the system has a smooth and simple design which can blend into any room.

2. Mirage Nanosat 5.1

The Mirage Nanosat 5.1 boasts of a unique sound dispersion system which means that you can have the perfect theatre experience right in your home. The frequency range is decently wide: 33-22,000 Hz and the sound is top quality. Each speaker has a key hole and can be easy installed. The Nanosat has a very old school feel to it, thanks to its antique triangular design. All said done, this speaker system marries cutting edge technology with a unique, antique design. Quite a combination!

3. Orb Audio Mod1 5.1

Now, this surround sound speaker system has a design with a twist. The speakers are orb shaped giving it a very modern, contemporary feel. At the same time, the sound quality will impress any music enthusiast. This speaker system is known for its performance at lower frequency levels. So, if you are looking to spice things up in your living room, get yourself this surround sound system and enjoy the pleasures of high quality audio output.

4. Energy Take Classic 5.1

The Energy Take Classic 5.1 might not be perfect for larger rooms, but it performs satisfactorily in relatively small rooms. The speakers perform well at the medium frequency even as the sound might waver a little at extremely high or low frequencies. But, a lot depends on what you expect from your surround sound system. As a layman, chances are that you won’t even be able to spot the loopholes. The design, on the other hand, is quite impeccable- simple yet classy and the speakers have earned a name for themselves over the years.

Most people will fall into one of three printer categories: the document printer, the photo printer, and the office All-in-One. There is, of course, a bit of overlap in each category, but we’ll let you know just what will work best for your needs.

Document Printers

If all you’re looking to do is print documents, such as for work or school, you really don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a new printer. Low-cost printing is the goal here, and there are a few things to look out for, most specifically, replacement ink costs.

The HP DeskJet 1000 – The DeskJet 1000 is not only an affordable printer, but its black and tri-color ink cartridges are affordable as well – something uncommon for inkjet printers. It’s nothing fancy, only printing about 16ppm (pages per minute), but it gets the job done.

For those printing in a bit higher volume, you may want to consider a laser printer. Toner cartridges used by laser printers generally last much longer than their inkjet counterparts, significantly lowering the cost per page.

The Samsung ML-1665 – The ML-1665 is a great place to start for an affordable laser printer. You only get black and white printing, but cost savings is worth it if you expect to print a lot.

Photo Printers

For people who like to print their own photos, it’s important to focus on print quality. Print resolution, given in DPI (Dots per Inch) is important, but one of the best things you can do is check how many color cartridges the printer uses. If it uses a single tri-color cartridge, it’s likely not worth it. Five color cartridges is a good start (commercial grade photo printers use upwards of 8).

Canon Pixma MG5350 – The Pixma MG5350 is quite possibly the best valued printer on the market, and is certainly the best choice for the avid home photo printer on a budget. Print quality is excellent, and it even includes additional features like built-in WiFi and a scanner.

Office All-in-Ones

In an office environment, scanning can be just as important as printing, and that’s where All-in-One printers come in handy. Most printers these days actually fall into the All-in-One category, so there is a huge range to choose from.

Canon Pixma MX885 – The Pixma MX885 (and really most of the Pixma MX line) makes for an excellent office All-in-One at a very affordable price. Its print quality is quite good, and it is also capable of duplex printing (aka automatic printing on both sides of the paper). It’s full of useful features that make it a great office printer.

While the examples we’ve given are great choices, there are plenty of other excellent printers out there. Check out our top ranked printers to get a feel for which might be right for your needs.

A thunderous surround sound experience is absolutely essential if you want to get the most out of your home theater system. It doesn’t matter how big your TV is, or how you pop your popcorn, without the right sound, you can never be fully immersed into your movies/games.  AV Receivers (or AVRs as they’re often called) are integral to premium surround sound, and we’ve got a crash course to help you purchase the right AVR.

Supported Formats

First and foremost, you’re going to want to rule out any AVRs that don’t support today’s most popular audio formats. Just about any modern AVR will support audio formats like DTS and Dolby Digital, but that’s not enough. Blu-ray movies now feature lossless audio tracks which require DTS-HD Master Audio or Dolby Digital TruHD. You’ll absolutely want to make sure any AVR you’re considering supports both of those. LPCM support can also be especially useful if you play your content from a PC of some sort.

Apart from audio formats, you’ll also want to make sure your AVR supports the right video formats. You’ll more than likely want to ensure it plays nice with 1080p sources. Even more useful, some AVRs even support upscaling SD and 720p sources to 1080p before sending it to your TV. Most AVRs today support 1080p (though a handful only support 1080i, so be careful). Lastly, if you have a 3D TV and you enjoy 3D videos, make sure you AVR supports 3D video signals.

Inputs and Outputs

Most AVRs have a handful of video inputs of various types (generally a few HDMI ports, some composite connectors, and a few component connections) and a single HDMI output. That single HDMI output connects to your TV. The rest of your home theater equipment connects to the AVR, so make sure it has enough inputs for all of your gear. 

Audio inputs are important too. The HDMI connections are able to carry 7.1 channel audio and HD video in the single cable, but other input types need other options. Optical inputs are ideal if HDMI isn’t an option (this is often used by music devices, some gaming systems, and most component sources). Composite sources will typically need the usual RCA connections, though some allow optical or coaxial audio. The key is to make sure any AVR you consider has room enough to connect all of your devices at once.

Channels and Features

Just about every modern AVR on the market today will meet all of the requirements above and can range anywhere from $200 to several thousand. The main difference in price comes from the number of audio channels they support and the extra features they include.

Most media features 5.1 channel sound (5 speakers and a subwoofer), but a 7.1 channel AVR is a wise choice for future upgrades. A 7.1ch AVR works fine with a 5.1ch setup. They’re about the same price anyway. Other options are 7.2 channels (7 speakers and 2 subwoofers), 9.1, and 9.2. These are generally much more expensive.

Other features that have an effect on price are things like network connectivity for DLNA support, iPod and USB ports, integrated WiFi for multiroom audio, and FM or Satellite radio inputs. Of course component quality has a large impact on price as well, but our thousands of expert reviews can help you sort that out. Also, the more features an AVR has, the more complicated it can be, so they use GUI Setup Menus to help; however, some GUIs can be much worse than others. Our User Reviews can help you there.

Smartphones and Tablets

Over the past couple of years, smartphones have been seeing explosive progress in everything from performance to functionality. At the start of every year, someone makes the claim that it will be the “Year of the Smartphone.” Well, it looks like we’ll be going on the third “Year of the Smartphone” in a row this year, and I, for one, am not disappointed.

Intel Enters the Race

Intel has been talking about developing smartphone processors for a while, but now it’s official. In the second quarter of this year, Lenovo will be launching the very first Intel powered Android phone, the K800. While not quite as power efficient as the traditional ARM processors, Intel’s Medfield chip, now known as the Atom Z2460, will offer a new level of performance in smartphones, tablets, and ultrabooks. It will definitely be interesting to see how it compares to Nvidia’s ARM-based Tegra 3.

Nvidia and Tegra 3

Tegra 3, the first quad-core processor to be found stuffed inside a tablet (the Transformer Prime) has been on the market since December, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t make an appearance at CES. Not only were there several Tegra 3 tablets from manufacturers like Toshiba, Asus, and Acer, but Fujitsu stole the show by displaying the first Tegra 3 smartphone. And in case you were curious about Tegra 3’s performance, a Tegra 3 tablet was shown playing Skyrim on an HDTV. So yes, current generation console performance has officially been achieved in the mobile sector.

Tons of New Smartphones

Just about everyone had a new smartphone to announce at CES this year. Samsung announced its Galaxy Note (as well as the Galaxy S II HD for T-Mobile); Sony came out with the Xperia S; Motorola had the Droid 4 and new RAZR MAXX (claiming 21 hours of talk time); and Nokia showed us the Lumia 710, as Windows Phone that might actually compete with the iPhone and Android for once. And that’s just to name a few of the big players’ announcements.

HDTVs and Entertainment

Apart from all of the fancy gadgetry, CES has always been a staging ground for home entertainment breakthroughs. HDTVs specifically, as well as other home appliances, have always been popular topics.

HDTVs

For the last year or two, HDTVs at CES were all about 3D. That phase is finally starting to die down (I personally say “Good riddance”), and the TV sector is transitioning onto the next big thing: OLED. LG wowed the audience with a magnificent 55-inch OLED TV that had some of the most vivid colors, deepest blacks, and sharpest image ever. Plus it was only 4mm thick!

There were of course plenty of other products on display, including Dish’s new wireless satellite receiver boxes, some fun remote controlled surveillance equipment, and a ton of talk about a new wave of GoogleTV devices.

Video Games

Even though video game-related stuff is more of an E3 thing, there was plenty to go around at CES. For starters, the Wii U got some demo time, strutting its upgraded graphics and tablet-like controller. The PlayStation Vita also got some valuable face time, with Sony announcing a planned launch date of February 22^nd.

CES 2012 continues through Friday, so stick around and we’ll keep you informed of all the cool gadgets and technology that are headed our way this year.

Laptops and Desktop PCs

If you’re getting a new computer for someone (or if someone you know has a big surprise waiting for him this Christmas), there are plenty of useful – and sometimes necessary – peripherals you might want to get them as well. Desktop PCs, in particular, are pretty useless without a monitor and a pair of speakers. A mouse and keyboard are more likely to come bundled, but they could be especially useful for anyone getting a new laptop.

Slightly less necessary, but still practical, gifts are options, too. A USB flash drive or external hard drive can be useful for transferring files from an old computer to the new one. And software is always handy, too – from Microsoft Office to the latest PC games. A few other things to remember are power cords, surge protectors, and Ethernet cables.

HDTVs and Blu-Ray Players

Each year, more and more households make the switch to HD. A quality HDMI cable is an absolute necessity that many HDTVs don’t include, and most Blu-Ray and other HD devices prefer to bundle poor quality cables. A mounting bracket makes a great gift, too; although, make sure it’s compatible with the TV (and that the recipient plans on mounting it in the first place). And remember, and HDTV isn’t much good without any HD content. Blu-Ray movies will go great with that Blu-Ray player.

Gaming Consoles

Both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 make use of HDMI connections, but neither typically come bundled with an HDMI cable. The Wii technically isn’t HD compatible out of the box, but there are HD adapters available. Extra controllers are always important to consider (and of course their batteries and chargers) no matter which console you’re getting. There are plenty of other console accessories, too, like headsets, memory cards, and specialized controllers. Don’t forget to include a few games.

Smartphones and Tablets

Smartphones and tablets usually come with everything you need right out of the box, but there’s a lot that is easy to overlook. Most states now have laws against driving while using your phone without a hands-free device. A Bluetooth headset makes an excellent companion gift to a smartphone. Headphones do, too, since the bundled ear buds generally aren’t of the best quality. Vehicle mounting kits can also be useful, especially with all of the GPS features smartphones have these days.

For use as multimedia, tablets and smartphones often need a special HDMI cord in order to connect to an HDTV. Other adapters and battery chargers can be practical gifts, too. The same goes for micro SD cards, for the mobile devices that support them.

If you’re having trouble coming up with gift ideas for the holidays, maybe we can help. Here are some of the most popular gift ideas for this year’s holiday season.

iPhone 4S

The iPhone 4S just came out in October, but not everyone upgraded right away. As it stands, the iPhone 4S is one of the top rated, most wanted smartphones on the market, and it goes without saying that anyone with a previous model iPhone would be overcome with excitement and surprise if they got to open up a brand new iPhone 4S on Christmas day.

Galaxy S II (white)

The Galaxy S II is a bit more seasoned than the iPhone 4S, having launched back in April; however, it only just made its way to the U.S. recently. It has since been going blow-to-blow with the iPhone 4S as the two trade between first and second best rated smartphones on the market. The Galaxy S II traditionally comes in black, but T-Mobile has just launched a white version. Everyone hopes for a white Christmas, so it’s only fitting.

Roku

You’ve probably seen at least one of the Roku’s merciless holiday advertisements already, but even though they’re practically shoving the idea down our throats, the Roku really does make a great gift. The Roku basically turns any TV into an internet connected entertainment center, capable of streaming Netflix, watching internet television, and even playing games like Angry Birds. It’s ideal for people who bought their HDTVs before Internet Apps and capabilities came included.

Kindle Fire

Not only is the Kindle Fire the top rated E-Reader on the market, it’s quickly working its way to the top rated tablet as well. Starting at just $200, the Kindle Fire finally prices tablets where they should have been from the very beginning. What’s more is that the Kindle Fire offers much of the same performance and hardware you’d find in a $500+ tablet.

Keurig Single Cup Coffee Makers

While compared to smartphones, tablets, and internet TV boxes, a simple coffee machine may look a bit plain, but Keurig’s innovative single cup brewers have caught a lot of attention this year. It can brew a cup of coffee in no time flat, and with Keurig’s K-Cup packets, you can choose from hundreds of robust flavors, and not just coffee, either. The K-Cup flavors include teas, cocoas, and ciders, too.

What Is a Nettop?

Before we get into what they’re good for, let’s spend a moment getting to know what a Nettop is. In short, a Nettop is little more than a Netbook minus the display, keyboard, and battery. Both Netbooks and Nettops share the same lightweight, power-efficient components, like Intel’s Atom and AMD’s Vision processors.

So what good is a Nettop if a Netbook already has all of the same components and can actually work without being plugged into the wall? Well, it primarily comes down to peripherals. Nettops almost always have more features, such as additional USB ports for use with external hard drives, printers, and other peripherals. Some even have new USB 3.0 ports for extremely high speed data transfer. Most current Nettops also feature HDMI, eSata, VGA, and Serial ports, and while Netbooks sometimes offer some of these features, none offer more than one or two of them.

Basically, a Nettop is a Netbook that functions as a desktop.

So Why Not Get a Desktop?

When Netbooks compete with other laptops, they have the advantage of being much cheaper. At one point, the Asus Eee 900 was available for just $169 while you’d struggle to find a full sized laptop for under $400. Nettops don’t have this benefit.

Most entry-level Nettops start around $300. This may seem fairly affordable, but a $300 desktop computer will likely outperform any similarly priced Nettop. So why bother getting a Nettop at all?

First of all, Nettops are small, and even though they aren’t meant to be portable, size still matters. The smallest Nettops aren’t any larger than your average Wi-Fi router, and even the larger Nettops don’t get any bigger than a Blu-Ray or DVD player. This makes them easy to tuck away out of site. Just try balancing a desktop on a bookshelf or mounting it to the wall – it doesn’t work all that well.

Another huge benefit of a Nettop is power efficiency. Because they share many of the same components as a Netbook, they need very little power to operate. Most Netbooks will use only 1 or 2 Watts when idling, and rarely more than 50 Watts at maximum. In comparison, it isn’t unusual for a desktop to use over 50 Watts at idle alone. For a situation in which the device will be on 24/7, a Nettop could save you hundreds of dollars per year.

Best Uses for a Nettop

Even though Nettops aren’t always the most affordable choice in terms of cost to performance, their size and power profile make them ideal for certain uses.

The super compact size works well for anyone who is looking for the basic computing needs of a desktop but doesn’t want the added clutter of a full-sized computer. Some Nettops, like the Asus EeeBox EB1012, actually come with a mounting plate that allows you to mount it to the back of a standard LCD monitor, taking up no more space than the monitor on your desk.

Because of their power efficiency, Nettops also make excellent media boxes. Using the HDMI port to connect a Nettop to your HDTV gives you a very flexible media experience, essentially making it an HTPC (Home Theatre PC). YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu can all be watched directly on your TV, and with Windows Media Center, you can even stream HD video from any other computer on your home network. Nettops like the Lenovo IdeaCentre Q150 even include a wireless remote. Be careful, though. Not all Nettops are capable of HD playback. Stick with Nettops that feature Nvidia ION or AMD Vision technology.