Tech Toys For All Types Of Dads
Still trying to figure out what to get Dad -- with Father's Day only three days away?
On The Early Show Thursday, BehindTheBuy.com Senior Editor David Gregg had several suggestions -- great tech gifts you can get at the last minute -- and for different kinds of dads!
The following descriptions were prepared in large part by the manufacturers!
For "The Sentimental Dad"
Kodak EasyShare Pre-Loaded Digital Picture Frame
The task of loading a digital picture frame can be a daunting process for the non-techy Dad. The Kodak Easy Share Digital Picture Frame family makes it easy to capture Dad's favorite memories in one place. Simply order the frame pre-loaded at kodakgallery.com, select your pictures and Kodak Gallery will load the pictures on the frame and ship the package directly.
Preloaded with up to 100 of your favorite Gallery photos, Kodak Picture Cards make it easy to have your latest and greatest memories on display. . Frames are available in a variety of sizes and prices including 6-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch and 10-in Wi-Fi enabled. Available at kodakgallery.com.
You or Dad can refresh your Kodak Digital Picture Frame throughout the year with Kodak Gallery's preloaded Picture Cards. Prices range from $119 to $249. Kodak Picture Cards are also available at kodakgallery.com for $19.95.
For "The Directionally-Challenged Dad"
TomTom One 130 Portable GPS
The new, TomTom One 130 GPS System combines ease-of-use with reliable navigation at an unbelievable price point. Selling for for just under $200, you get a full function GPS with features like TomTom's Map Share which allows you to instantly modify street names, street direction and interest points on your own device, a gas saver feature that shows you the least expensive places to fill-up along your travel route and exclusive 'HELP ME!' features which provide additional safety so you can easily access local emergency providers all in lightweight device that can fit in your pocket. It can also show you the cheapest place to get gas in your area!
$199 www.tomtom.com
A "Green Dad Gift"
Etón FR500 Solarlink
When you are faced with emergencies or outdoor adventures a device like this one can fill multiple needs. The Etón FR-500 functions as an AM, FM, shortwave, and NOAA weather radio. Additionally, it also has a flashlight, an emergency beacon, and an emergency siren. Plus, you can use it to charge your cell phone or MP3 player. Battery and AC power are always options; however this little wonder can also be powered with the hand crank or solely by the solar panels, making it a very "green" device.
$80 www.etoncorp.com
For "The Hairy Dad"!
Philips Norelco Bodygroom Shave
The Philips Norelco Bodygroom Shaver is the All-in-One grooming solution, exclusively for men that safely trims and shaves all body zones. With the Bodygroom, men can trim and shave hair from their chest & abs, underarms, groin area, legs, back and shoulders. Bodygroom features the very latest technology and ergonomic design to offer a convenient, easy and pain-free way to remove and trim body hair. Bodygroom's advanced design allows for it to be used wet or dry and even in the shower. Its hypoallergenic foil protects even the most sensitive skin against nicks, cuts or irritation, and its stainless-steel blades ensure long-lasting performance. The Bodygroom comes with many extras including a cleaning brush and convenient charging stand.
$40 www.philips.com
For "Fitness Father"
HydraCoach Interactive Water Bottle
The HydraCoach is the worlds first Interactive Water Bottle. Just enter your weight, and it will calculate your personal hydration needs, tracks your real-time fluid consumption, paces you throughout the day and motivates you to achieve and maintain optimal hydration. Our Doctors, Nutritionists and Fitness Trainers all recommend that we drink more water yet there has never been a device to help us adhere to the experts recommendations. The HydraCoach is the only product of its kind and a breakthrough in personal hydration monitoring. $30 www.sportline.com
For "The Literary Dad"
The Amazon Kindle
This electronic-paper display provides a sharp, high-resolution screen that looks and reads like real paper. Simple to use: no computer, no cables, no syncing. Wireless connectivity enables you to shop the Kindle Store directly from your Kindle, whether you're in the back of a taxi, at the airport, or in bed. Buy a book and it is auto-delivered wirelessly in less than one minute. More than 90,000 books available, including 100 of 112 current New York Times Best Sellers. New York Times Best Sellers and all new releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise. Free book samples. Download and read first chapters for free before you decide to buy. Top U.S. newspapers including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post; top magazines including TIME, Atlantic Monthly, and Forbes-all auto-delivered wirelessly. Top international newspapers from France, Germany, and Ireland; Le Monde, Frankfurter Allgemeine, and The Irish Times-all auto-delivered wirelessly. More than 250 top blogs from the worlds of business, technology, sports, entertainment, and politics, including BoingBoing, Slashdot, TechCrunch, ESPN's Bill Simmons, The Onion, Michelle Malkin, and The Huffington Post-all updated wirelessly throughout the day. Lighter and thinner than a typical paperback; weighs only 10.3 ounces. Holds over 200 titles. Long battery life. Leave wireless on and recharge approximately every other day. Turn wireless off and read for a week or more before recharging. Fully recharges in 2 hours. Unlike WiFi, Kindle utilizes the same high-speed data network (EVDO) as advanced cell phones-so you never have to locate a hotspot. No monthly wireless bills, service plans, or commitments-we take care of the wireless delivery so you can simply click, buy, and read. Includes free wireless access to the planet's most exhaustive and up-to-date encyclopedia-Wikipedia.org. E-mail your Word documents and pictures (.JPG, .GIF, .BMP, .PNG) to Kindle for easy on-the-go viewing.
$359 (Includes Free Two-Day Shipping) www.amazon.com
For "The Under Water Dad"
Panasonic SDR-SW20 - Waterproof/Shock Proof/Dust Proof Camcorder/Digital Camera
The Panasonic SDR-SW20 combines a rugged, compact body with waterproofing that allows use in water - including seawater - to a depth of five feet, shock-proofing that protects against drops from up to 4 feet, and a dust-proofing design that shuts out airborne dust particles that can lead to malfunction. With a design that protects it from water, dust, and impact, the SW20 is a versatile camcorder/digital still camera that can meet varying weather conditions and shooting environments.
$399 www.panasonic.com
For "The Dad Who Has Everything"
SONY OLED-HDTV (The Next Generation of TV Technology)
Sony's OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) TV, the XEL-1, is truly the next big thing in television technology. It boasts a 3 millimeter thin panel and offers unparalleled picture quality with amazing contrast, outstanding brightness, exceptional color reproduction, and a rapid response time. OLED technology can completely turn off pixels when reproducing black, resulting in more outstanding dark scene detail and a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. OLED also creates unmatched color expression and detail and enables rapid response times for smooth and natural reproduction of fast moving images like those found in sports and action movies. The XEL-1 features connectivity options including two HDMI inputs, a digital tuner, and a Memory Stick media slot for viewing high-resolution photos.
$2,500 www.sony.com