Cool Stuff For Christmas
At this time of year, many sites post wish lists of products to lust after. So I decided to take a crack at it myself. I obviously used a personal emphasis on deciding which products I wanted for this list. Some were obviously based on their cool factor, but most on their capabilities and usefulness. So here we go...
The HTC shift is somewhat large for a phone, but as my needs are based upon using features that are more than what a normal phone is capable of, I can rationalize getting a unit which would qualify as a brick. I can always use a decent bluetooth set in most situations where I wouldn't want to pull the Shift out of my pocket.
Apple have achieved a coup with their UI approach on both the iPhone and the iPod Touch. The implementation of their touch screen UI is extraordinary and very appealing to practically everyone who has experienced it. Whilst the iPhone has topped many people's lists, I've excluded it for reasons based both on design and functionality. 'Til the phone sports 3G, supports Flash and Java in web browsing, is more open to third party applications and uses replaceable batteries, I can consider it a flawed device.
The Canon 1Ds MkIII is the state of the art in DLSR tech. With a full frame sensor that boasts 22 megapixels and excellent sensitivity, it's a hard to beat combination of imaging and photographic technology.
The Samsung LE40M86BD is an awesome piece of HDTV-based display tech, with full 1080p support, a 15000:1 contrast ratio and 3 HDMI ports there's not much more you can ask for in a full HD Display.
Although I'm not a big gamer, I chose the Sony PlayStation 3 based upon it's HD capabilities. Were I a gamer, I'd have probably gone for a Nintendo Wii, but I'm impressed with the graphics, processing power and Blu-ray based HD capabilities of this amazing tech from Sony.
The next item has been on the wants list for many SciFi Fans for the last 25 years or so. Blade Runner is a movie which hasn't aged with time. Its film noir type feel and the awesome design work put into the movie have earned it a place in movie history. The release of what is possibly one of the coolest packages I've come across in years has left me wanting to buy both DVD and Blu-ray versions of this excellent movie.
On the computing front, I currently use a Shuttle which is a few years old and enjoy the minimalistic nature of the unit's form factor. The SG33G6 Deluxe is one cool system which sports both HDMI, Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect functionality. The G6 also features Bluetooth, WLAN, USB Speed-Link and a fingerprint reader amongst other excellent capabilities.
The shuttle of course needs a keyboard and I can't think of a more extravagant one than the OLED based Optimus Maximus from Art Lebedev. This device has seemed like vaporware for so long and at $1500 it's a very desirable and expensive piece of kit.
This next item is geek fodder and represents something only a Star Trek fan would want. It's a 16" replica of the classic Enterprise from Master Replicas complete with illuminated nacelles and view ports. This model is somewhat expensive at $1500 and realistically I wouldn't buy one, but I would have one if I had the room. If you want to save some money, then you can buy the model from Diamond Select instead.
This item is sort of a cheat as I've already picked a portable media device, but I wanted to include it because it's just so cool. The idea of being able to mix music in one hand is brilliant and I'd just like to try it.
The idea of having a 2 Terabyte wireless NAS is brilliant. I can store my data out of the way and enjoy the comfortable feeling of security at the same time.
Anyone with portable devices needs one of these - power on the go and in places where there is no ready access to a power outlet. I'm guessing that the military have better power sources but until I can buy one, this will do.
Pure Cool is what I thought of when I first saw this time piece. It's futuristic and unconventional looks appeal to me to no end. I gotta have one.
Anyone living in a big city needs a certain level of security and somehow the idea of having a coat which provides some level of protection against a knife attack is cool. Add bullet proofing and you're onto a winner. The media device support in this jacket is functional and certainly noteworthy.
Kata make awesome camera bags. I have one of their sling-based units. However this bag with extremely useful storage for all sorts of digital goodies is a real winner. Even more so is the fact that Kata make cases and gear for the Israeli Special Forces.
Santa . . . if you're out there . . .
Mobile Tech - HTC SHIFT
The HTC shift is somewhat large for a phone, but as my needs are based upon using features that are more than what a normal phone is capable of, I can rationalize getting a unit which would qualify as a brick. I can always use a decent bluetooth set in most situations where I wouldn't want to pull the Shift out of my pocket.
Portable Media Players - Apple iPod Touch 16GB
Apple have achieved a coup with their UI approach on both the iPhone and the iPod Touch. The implementation of their touch screen UI is extraordinary and very appealing to practically everyone who has experienced it. Whilst the iPhone has topped many people's lists, I've excluded it for reasons based both on design and functionality. 'Til the phone sports 3G, supports Flash and Java in web browsing, is more open to third party applications and uses replaceable batteries, I can consider it a flawed device.
DSLR - Canon EOS 1Ds MKIII
The Canon 1Ds MkIII is the state of the art in DLSR tech. With a full frame sensor that boasts 22 megapixels and excellent sensitivity, it's a hard to beat combination of imaging and photographic technology.
HDTV - Samsung LE40M86BD
The Samsung LE40M86BD is an awesome piece of HDTV-based display tech, with full 1080p support, a 15000:1 contrast ratio and 3 HDMI ports there's not much more you can ask for in a full HD Display.
Gaming - Sony PlayStation 3 - 80GB
Although I'm not a big gamer, I chose the Sony PlayStation 3 based upon it's HD capabilities. Were I a gamer, I'd have probably gone for a Nintendo Wii, but I'm impressed with the graphics, processing power and Blu-ray based HD capabilities of this amazing tech from Sony.
DVD's - Blade Runner Ultimate Collector's Edition
The next item has been on the wants list for many SciFi Fans for the last 25 years or so. Blade Runner is a movie which hasn't aged with time. Its film noir type feel and the awesome design work put into the movie have earned it a place in movie history. The release of what is possibly one of the coolest packages I've come across in years has left me wanting to buy both DVD and Blu-ray versions of this excellent movie.
Computing - Shuttle SG33G6 Deluxe
On the computing front, I currently use a Shuttle which is a few years old and enjoy the minimalistic nature of the unit's form factor. The SG33G6 Deluxe is one cool system which sports both HDMI, Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect functionality. The G6 also features Bluetooth, WLAN, USB Speed-Link and a fingerprint reader amongst other excellent capabilities.
Accessories - Optimus Maximus keyboard
The shuttle of course needs a keyboard and I can't think of a more extravagant one than the OLED based Optimus Maximus from Art Lebedev. This device has seemed like vaporware for so long and at $1500 it's a very desirable and expensive piece of kit.
Geek Stuff - Master Replica Enterprise
This next item is geek fodder and represents something only a Star Trek fan would want. It's a 16" replica of the classic Enterprise from Master Replicas complete with illuminated nacelles and view ports. This model is somewhat expensive at $1500 and realistically I wouldn't buy one, but I would have one if I had the room. If you want to save some money, then you can buy the model from Diamond Select instead.
Cool Stuff - PaceMaker DJ Mixing System
This item is sort of a cheat as I've already picked a portable media device, but I wanted to include it because it's just so cool. The idea of being able to mix music in one hand is brilliant and I'd just like to try it.
Peripherals - Freecom DataTank Gateway WLAN 2TB
The idea of having a 2 Terabyte wireless NAS is brilliant. I can store my data out of the way and enjoy the comfortable feeling of security at the same time.
Gadgets - The Solio® Hybrid 1000™
Anyone with portable devices needs one of these - power on the go and in places where there is no ready access to a power outlet. I'm guessing that the military have better power sources but until I can buy one, this will do.
Watches - Urwork 201 Time Piece
Pure Cool is what I thought of when I first saw this time piece. It's futuristic and unconventional looks appeal to me to no end. I gotta have one.
Clothing - Windjammer Slash Resistant Jacket
Anyone living in a big city needs a certain level of security and somehow the idea of having a coat which provides some level of protection against a knife attack is cool. Add bullet proofing and you're onto a winner. The media device support in this jacket is functional and certainly noteworthy.
Bags - Kata R-103 GDC Rucksack
Kata make awesome camera bags. I have one of their sling-based units. However this bag with extremely useful storage for all sorts of digital goodies is a real winner. Even more so is the fact that Kata make cases and gear for the Israeli Special Forces.
Santa . . . if you're out there . . .
posted by Mario Georgiou @ 2:33 PM
