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2011 Holiday Gift Guide: LeapFrog LeapPad

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Toys, Kids, Under $100, Under $250, Under $500,

I know I'm not the only parent out there that has to give up the iPad to the children on a regular basis, and that's why we're putting the LeapFrog LeapPad in our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide. It's a personalized learning tablet optimized for kids ages 4 through 9. It's got a 5-inch touch display, built-in camera that can record video, and ships with four apps. More apps are available for download, and they focus on various educational topics like reading, math, science, geography, art, music, and more. You can pick up the LeapPad on Amazon now for $99.

Gallery: 2011 Holiday Gift Guide: LeapFrog LeapPad

2011 Holiday Gift Guide: iPod touch 4th generation

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Techies, Teens, Under $250, Under $500,

Apple's focused on the iPod touch as being the "funnest iPod ever" for a while now, but the introduction of the fourth generation model put it over the top. You've got the Retina display, FaceTime video chat, high definition video capture, and built-in gyroscope all packed into the thinnest iPod touch ever--and now it's available in white. Of course, you need great software running on hardware like this, and the App Store fits the bill with over 200,000 apps available. A great gift for teens who don't need an iPhone, or anyone who wants a mobile iOS device that isn't a phone. Prices start at $199 (or $189 on Amazon, a 5% savings):

Be sure to check out the rest of the stuff in our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide, we're adding new suggestions every day!

Gallery: 2011 Holiday Gift Guide: iPod touch 4th generation

2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Life is Beautiful

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Movies, Family, Women, Men, Under $100, Under $25, Under $250, Under $50, Under $500,

While it's definitely not the newest Blu-ray release out there, it's certainly one of the best. Life is Beautiful is a cinematic work of art, and you can get this one for the film buffs in your life for $6.99 on Amazon. Seriously, if you or someone you know is a fan of great films, this is definitely one to consider as a gift!

Gallery: 2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Life is Beautiful

2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Zeo Mobile Sleep Manager

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Smart Home, Science, Techies, Under $100, Under $250, Under $500,

The Zeo Mobile Sleep Manager safely and easily measures your sleep patterns right from home, resulting in a more restful and restorative sleep. It's a cool way to educate yourself about how well you sleep, and teaches you new ways that may help you get a better night's rest, so we're including it in our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide. It uses three main components--a comfortable wireless headband, your iOS or ANdroid device running the Zeo app, and the MyZeo.com companion website. They all work together to show you which habits and behaviors may help or hinder your sleep, and create personalized strategies just for you. A cool and unique item for anyone, and hey, who doesn't wanna feel rested in the morning? For those without an iOS or Android device, you can pick up the Zeo Personal Sleep Manager, which does all the same stuff without the need for a smartphone, and provides an alarm clock with sleep pattern display that captures your data onto DS card. You can get the Zeo Mobile Sleep Manager for $99 on Amazon.

Gallery: 2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Zeo Mobile Sleep Manager

2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Kinect for Xbox 360

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Microsoft, Video Games, Family, Kids, Teens, Under $250,

Microsoft's been hyping up Kinect for over a year now, and we've been enjoying the motion sensing Xbox peripheral for just as long. Our verdict? We love it, and it feels like the future. This is why we're adding it to our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide. If you know anyone with an Xbox 360 console who doesn't have Kinect, then we'd recommend putting this one on your gift list. The Kinect sensor costs $149.99, and includes Kinect Adventures, a disc full of mini-games that let you try out a bunch of Kinect's features.It also includes download token codes for Fruit Ninja Kinect and Gunstringer, two Xbox Live Arcade Kinect titles. You can also do video chat with other Kinect users and Windows Live users as well, and you get voice control over your Xbox 360. Seriously, this is the video game accessory to have this holiday season--especially during your holiday parties with friends and family around.

Aside from the sensor itself, here are a few Kinect games that we think are worth picking up as well:

Of course, in order to take advantage of Kinect, you'll need an Xbox 360 console. If you don't already have one, Microsoft is selling consoles bundled with Kinec t.

Gallery: 2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Kinect for Xbox 360

2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 digital camera

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cameras, Features, Family, Women, Men, Under $500,

If you've got someone on your gift list that needs a new point-and-shoot camera that also takes great video, we'd like to recommend checking out the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8. This is the point-and-shoot that we've been using for the past 8 months or so, and the quality is great. Video recordings look superb in high definition, recorded in AVCHD Lite. You've got a 25mm ultra wide-angle lens with 16x wide-angle optical zoom, facial recognition, and other bells and whistles. What we love about this camera, though, is that it has GPS built-in to geotag your photos and videos automatically, on the fly, as you take them. The ZS8 retails for $279.99, but Amazon is currently selling them for just $194.99 - a savings of $85!

Gallery: 2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 digital camera

2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Zomm Bluetooth smartphone leash

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Smartphones, Features, Wireless / WiFi, Family, Women, Men, Techies, Teens, Under $100, Under $250, Under $500,

We've spent some time with the Zomm "wireless leash" and have come away impressed by the simplicity of the device, as it's one of those things that make you wonder why a product like it hasn't been available until now. With that, we thought it would be a good inclusion in our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide. The Zomm can be attached to your keychain, and connects to your smartphone over Bluetooth. Once paired, it becomes your wireless alarm system for your phone. For example, if you walk away from your phone, Zomm will sound a notification alarm and start vibrating, letting you know that you've left your device more than 30 feet away. This way, you don't leave a restaurant without your phone, or spend forever looking for it because you left it in the car (or, that you are in your car driving and left your phone at home!) Cool enough, but it does more.

Zomm also has an integrated speaker and microphone, so it also acts as a hands-free calling device. If your phone rings, Zomm will ring as well, and you just press the Z button to take the call without having to fish around for your phone while driving. Zomm also has a built-in panic alarm. Hold down the Z button and the alarm will go off. Continue holding it, and the Zomm will use the Bluetooth connection to your phone to dial 911, and it will let you speak with the authorities right from the Zomm device. This is seriously a cool piece of technology that is a must-have for those people who constantly leave their smartphones behind in cabs and restaurants, or just anyone who wants an extra layer of security with them at all times. You can get a Zomm from Amazon for $76.

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Gallery: 2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Zomm Bluetooth smartphone leash

2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Sonos PLAY:5

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Men, Techies, Under $500,

As evidenced by the fact that we saw holiday decorations up at a major retailer the other day, it seems that It's that time of year again where we dig deep and give you our daily recommendations on what you should get your loved ones in our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide. This year, we're kicking it off with the Sonos PLAY:5. If you're unfamiliar with Sonos, it's basically the best way to get music from just about any location (your computer, your iPhone, the web, the cloud, etc.) to play in any room in your house. It's super intuitive, and even years after using Sonos, the technology still blows us away. The Sonos PLAY:5 is a wireless all-in-one music system that lets you jump right into the Sonos experience. If you have an iOS or Android device, you can download the Sonos remote control app, and you can also control the system with a computer using the Sonos Desktop Controller. Here are some other Sonos products that go nicely with the Sonos PLAY:5, which itself you can get for $399 from Sonos:

Oh, and if free shipping is something you appreciate, just enter the code FREESHIPSONOS during checkout!

Gallery: 2011 Holiday Gift Guide: Sonos PLAY:5

Mothers Day Gift Guide: Barnes & Nobile Nook 3G deal

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Hot Deals, Wireless / WiFi, Women, Under $100,

We're been keeping our eye on gadgets that are worthy of being given to your mom for Mother's Day, and we've got another one for you. eBay has a deal where you get 50% off the Nook Wi-Fi + 3G e-reader. Original price on these is $199, and you get it direct from Barnes & Noble for $99 - and that includes shipping! There's a limit of one per customer. If you're interested, head on over:

Save $100 on Nook 3G

Don’t forget, if you’re looking for other deals, be sure to check out our Newegg Promo Code thread. Oh, and if you're on Twitter, be sure to follow @TechPromos for the latest deals.

Gallery: Mothers Day Gift Guide: Barnes & Nobile Nook 3G deal

Mothers Day Gift Guide: Pink iPod nano deal

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Portable Audio / Video, Women, Under $250,

We're still on the lookout for gadgets that are worthy of being given to your mom for Mother's Day, and we've got another one for you. eBay has a great deal where you get 27% off the Pink 6th gen iPod nano. This specifically pertains to the pink model, which usually sells for $149, so this deal brings it down to $109, saving you $40. Even better? Shipping is free. They've got limited stock, so there's a limit of one per customer. If you're interested, head on over:

Save $40 on iPod nano