12 tech toys to buy for the holidays

These super-cool buys aren't just for geeks. They'll make anyone's life easier, more seamless, and plain-old happier. Isn't that what gift giving's all about? — Ava Feuer

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Bing Shopping: Logitech Harmony Touch

Stop looking for the Xbox remote in the couch cushions and the TV clicker under the table. The rechargeable Harmony Touch controls up to 15 devices, and its iPhone-like swipable panel displays 50 customizable channel icons, buttons, activities, and settings.

Harmony Touch, $249.99, Logitech.

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

1 of 14 Courtesy of the Company

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Bing Shopping: Fitbit One

Not getting enough ZZZs? The Fitbit One monitors all the usual fitness stats plus your sleep cycle, graphing how long you snoozed, how often you woke up, and ultimately spitting out a sleep quality score, so you can see what's working and what's not. It then uploads wirelessly to an online dashboard and Android and iPhone apps. There, you can check progress towards weekly goals, earn badges, and connect with friends when they need a little cheerleading.

The One Wireless Activity & Sleep Tracker, $99.99, Fitbit.

2 of 14 Courtesy of the Company

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Bing Shopping: Jawbone Jambox

For music buffs and casual listeners alike, the speaker to buy is bluetooth-enabled, boasts a built-in microphone, and plays as-good-as-it-gets sound. Now customizable with 13 grill and nine cap colors, it will amp up both décor and sound-quality.

Jambox Remix, 199.99, Jawbone.

3 of 14 Courtesy of the Company

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Bing Shopping: Kindle Paperwhite

How many times have you heard someone complain that every time they stay up late reading, their spouse claims that he can't sleep with a light on? Halt any further gripes with the newest Kindle, which has a dimmable built-in light for when you need it, but no glare for those days lazing on the beach with a hot new read.

Kindle Paperwhite, $119, Amazon.

4 of 14 Courtesy of the Company

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Bing Shopping: Micro Juice Pack Reserve Keychain

Slip onto a keychain reassurance that your friend's phone will stop dying at the worst possible times. Two charging wires provide juice on-the-go with the click of a button.

Micro Juice Pack Reserve Keychain, $34.95, Mophie.

5 of 14 Courtesy of the Company

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Bing Shopping: Nest Learning Thermostat

This high-design, smartphone- and tablet-controlled thermostat learns your schedule, saving energy, and ultimately about 20 percent on heating and cooling bills.

Learning Thermostat, $249, Nest.

6 of 14 Courtesy of the Company

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Bing Shopping: Slingbox 500

Whether it's the holidays at your in-laws or waiting to pick the kids up from practice, you can pick up exactly where you left off with your shows, movies, and sporting events. The Slingbox streams HD-quality live and recorded programming from television to smartphones, tablets, and laptops, meaning you won't get bored when everyone else is running late.

Slingbox 500, $299.99, Slingbox.

7 of 14 Courtesy of the Company

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Bing Shopping: Swiss Army Victorinox Flash Alox

The man in your life will never feel cooler then when they whip out this combo USB drive and Swiss Army knife. Consider him officially well-equipped.

Victorinox Flash Alox, $90, Swiss Army.

8 of 14 Courtesy of the Company

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Bing Shopping: Showers Speakers for iPod

Thanks to this waterproof, bluetooth-powered music player, she'll enjoy her only real alone-time of the day a little more when she wirelessly streams tunes from her iPhone, iPad or Android. The plan: to rock out while she rinses off.

The Bluetooth Shower Speaker, $99.95, Hammacher Schlemmer.

9 of 14 Courtesy of the Company

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Bing Shopping: iPhone Keyboard

Make this the last time you receive a text warped by autocorrect. This combination keyboard and iPhone case makes typing as easy as on a keyboard and folds back during non-messaging time.

Spike 2, $60, SoloMatrix.

10 of 14 Courtesy of the Company

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6Comments

Best

Nov 26, 2012 2:48PM

You might want to note that the Lockitron is now $179 and ships in MAY, 2013. The first batch was $149 and doesn't ship until March 2013.

You also have to have an iPhone 4 or 5 to get the auto recognition.

The crazy part to this is they do not have a device in production yet- From the Lockitron Website-

"Production Updates

Below we’ve included a few photos of some of the latest Lockitron prototype components. For strength and rigidity, the back of Lockitron is a single piece of aluminum. We’ve also built a number of demo stands to show off Lockitron – these are complete, working mechanical prototypes mounted on real locks.

On the software side, the new version of the Lockitron iPhone app is nearly ready for its initial release. We’re currently working out all of the kinks and we hope to have it in the App Store soon.

We’re also redesigning our Android app to take advantage of the unique features in Android phones. The most obvious example of this is our NFC functionality that allows you to unlock your door by swiping your phone past a Lockitron NFC tag. Stay tuned for sneak peeks of the new version."

I do not understand how these issues would have slipped past anyone writing and fact checking a news article. It is extremely irresponsible to publish something like this. It just shows the level that the US Media has sunk to. Getting correct information in the "News" has dropped to the level of accuracy that you expect at a Quick Service Restaurant. I know I don't leave the Drive Thru Window without checking my food. Now I need to research the news I get before I act on it.

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Janecito

Nov 26, 2012 5:16PM

this year I am making my own tokens of appreciation.. I am making spice mixes for everyone. I came across 5 great recipes for Asian, Mexican, Cajun, Italian and Indian mixes.. I found all the recipes on this hilarious site for a cookbook.. it's a bit unpc so I won't tell you the name of it here, but f you have a good sense of humor and can take a good joke, google "whipped and beaten culinary works" to find it.. but seriously..don't go if you can't take a good joke or if you get offended easily.. the recipes are on the "Blogs and Recipes" tab

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Boe Dillard (Quick Boarder)

Nov 26, 2012 2:46PM

The Logitech Harmony One has a much much better layout and better functionality. This new remote has a nice screen but that doesn't matter much if the remote itself has the most frequently used keys at the top above a touch sensitive area you accidentally touch trying to get to play, FF and RW. Oh did I mention they forgot to put number keys for easy tactile access to chapters and channels.

This thing must be designed for women because guys NEVER look at a remote, we know where the buttons are and touch - hard to do with a touch screen.

Good technology in a bad device. The Harmony One needs an update but only if it is a better screen in the same spot, better buttons (the ones on the harmony wear out after a couple of years - rockers no longer work, power button requires a great deal of pressure to activate).

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Dennis Paine (dapaine)

Nov 26, 2012 1:06PM

Too bad you showed that USB Swiss knife . . . perfect "gift" to TSA!

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Jessie James

Nov 26, 2012 7:36PM

Anything with a digital lock is really stupid that a phone can unlock. It wont take hackers long to figure out a program to unlock any body's car. Jail breaking a phone is not hard and you can run almost anything off it when you program it right.

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yourmineours

Nov 26, 2012 1:10PM

"The man in your life will never feel cooler then when. . " are you kidding me? Only men use, like, appreciate a cool jump drive? I guess I don't need another reminder to never shop at Best Buy again. At least I know this wording did not come from Swiss since they have nothing like this on their website. Nice job MSN, Redbook and Best Buy, way to exclude the majority of the buying public.

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12 tech toys to buy for the holidays

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