Tag Archives: gift guide

Geek Gift Guide 2011

Posted on by Sarah Cooley
4

It’s my favorite post of the year! (or one of my favorites anyway) Every year I post a Geek Gift Guide to help you out with what to buy for all those geeks at heart in your life. My usual disclaimer, keep in mind that geeks aren’t always just about gadgets, we appreciate good design and clean lines. Everyone has something that they geek about about from food geeks to fashion geeks.

1. Inkling by Wacom:

The Inkling digital sketch pen captures a digital likeness of your work while you sketch with its ballpoint tip on any sketchbook or standard piece of paper. Designed for rough concepting and creative brainstorming, Inkling is ideal for the front end of the creative process. Later, refine your work on your computer using an Intuos4 tablet or Cintiq interactive pen display.

In addition to capturing your sketch, stroke by stroke, Inkling allows you to create layers in digital files while you sketch on paper. Digital files are transferred to your computer using the Inkling Sketch Manager software, and later, exported to applications such as Adobe® Photoshop® and Illustrator®. Files can also be opened with the included Inkling Sketch Manager software to edit, delete, add layers or change file formats.

It’s the perfect gift for anyone who is a designer, or would like to improve their graphic design skills, and anyone who likes to draw. This is gets filed under ‘something I want, but really have no use for at the moment’. The Inkling appears to be currently unavailable, but keep checking Amazon for product availability.

2. iPad Card Readers:

As someone who shoots with a DSL and has an iPad, this is something that I’ve wanted for some time. This small gadget plugs in to the 30 pin connector in the iPad and lets you upload photos right from your SD or CF card. No more transferring files to your computer just so you can get them on your iPad. Buy the iPad CF and SD Card Readers at the Photojojo Store!

3. Ceramic Pig Speaker:

Now, I can’t explain the strange connection between geeks and pigs (and pork products) but you’ll just have to trust me on this one!

This little piggy is more than just a sweet sculpture, this Ceramic Pig Speaker works with any mp3 player. An audio jack in place of a tail is a clever twist on form following function.

4. HardCraft Heritage iPad case:

I’m in love with this iPad case! The felt combined with the leather brings amazing texture to this simply crafted case. A simple case with the perfect amount of detailing to distance yourself from the masses and shows that you know exactly what you’re talking about when it comes to style and the appreciation of high quality materials. The leather detail on the front is a handy pocket for your phone. Also fits the iPad 2 with a smart cover on.

5. Jawbone UP:

One of this year’s most talked about pieces of technology. The new Jawbone UP tracks your physical activity, your sleep patterns and what you’ve been eating. It’s the perfect gift for someone who aspires to live a healthy lifestyle.

6. Buckyballs:

I’ve coveted this little desk toy as it sat on my bosses desk. It’s the prefect little gift for anyone who works at a computer all day. Sometimes stepping away from it all and playing with this little toy can be just what you need to get the creative juices flowing.

Featured in Rolling Stone, People, Maxim, Esquire Magazine, each Buckyball cube contains 216 powerful Rare Earth magnetic balls that can be shaped, molded, torn apart and snapped together in UNLIMITED WAYS.

7. Thinksound ts02 Headphones:

I’m a sucker for anything with wood detailing and these headphones are too perfect.

Thinksound ts02 headphones flaunt a small 8mm speaker diameter and reduced housing size to provide better ergonomics, upgraded acoustics, and a wider sound-stage. The ts02 also featuresPVC-Free cables and a hand-crafted, sustainable wood housing for more accurate sound reproduction.

Lastly, if you are still stumped with what to get that special geek in your life, you can always check out my gift guides from years past (2010, 2009, 2008). Also keep in mind that your geek may have a Svpply or Pinterest account. This are places where he or she might have already started a wish-list of items just ready for you to pick from. 

And if you have a vintage lover you are shopping for, head over to my store that is full of vintage housewares and accessories that make great gifts!

Geek Gift Guide 2009

Posted on by Sarah Cooley
7

Last year I put together my first Geek Gift Guide. Take a look since most of those gifts would still make great gifts for the geeks on your list. But here is my latest list of perfect gifts for the geek in your life, or the geek in you.

Paper product: Action Method

Price: $5-$15

action methodAs much as I love my laptop, I don’t use it to take notes in every little meeting I am in. What I love are Action Method notebooks. The Action Book was designed by the Behance team and is based on the Action Method. The four distinct zones on each page provide a flexible template to get the most out of meetings and everyday brainstorm sessions. Each page of the notebook is divided up into 4 sections.

  1. Capture Action steps, relentlessly. During a brainstorm/meeting or on the run, ideas can come and go unless they are captured as action steps.
  2. Tend to your Backburner. Keep a “Backburner” to catch ideas that may someday become actions. Whether it is an idea for the future or some small errand you want to remember, put it in the backburner and then forget about it.
  3. Think beyond lines and boxes. The dot matrix on the front and back of each page serves as a subtle guide for your notations and sketches.
  4. Preparation and Focus Items. Plan for meetings beforehand and be sure to address your focus items.

The Action Method was designed to help us push projects forward by organizing our ideas and focusing on action steps. The Action Book is used by leading creatives in the agency/advertising world as well as at top design studios and innovative companies across industries. The 2008 TED Conference also featured a limited edition TED Action Book to help participants make ideas happen.

Artwork: DNA Portraits

Price: Starting at $199

photogallery_dna_01The perfect gift of original art that no one could ever replicate! I love these portraits because they are simple and modern and yet would fit in almost any home setting. Here’s how it works.

  1. Go to their e-store to begin customizing your art piece.
  2. Order your complete DNA collection kit.
  3. Collect a cheek cell swab using the swab they provide. It’s painless & effortless.
  4. Send the sample back to them and take care of the rest.

If you are giving the artwork as a gift, when placing your order simply select “this is a gift” instead of selecting a color. Then the person who is receiving the gift will get the DNA kit in a nice metal presentation box.

Gadget: Magic Mouse

Price: $69

apple-magic-mouse-side-viewIt wouldn’t be me if there weren’t an Apple product on this list. The Magic Mouse is the world’s first Multi-Touch mouse. Need I say more! It’s the perfect gift for anyone with a Mac who uses a mouse. It’s a great upgrade to any computer. It will change the way you use a mouse.

Apple Gift Cards are always good too.

Organization: Grid-It

Price: $22

grid itEvery geek has a laptop bag, or a back pack, or something that they keep all of their gadgets in. But the hardest thing is not organizing your gadgets, it’s organizing all the wires, chargers, and other accessories that you have for them.

The Grid-It organization system is a unique weave of rubberized elastic bands made specifically to hold personal objects firmly in place. Designed to provide endless configurations of digital devices and personal effects. Slim design and conveniently sized for your current laptop bag or travel case, lets you easily find what you need. It also has a rear zippered pocket for additional storage.

I hope you enjoyed my little gift guide. And keep in mind that geeks aren’t always just about gadgets, we appreciate good design and clean lines, there are food geeks, and fashion geeks, tea geeks, all kinds.

Take a look at what I got Drew for his birthday. It’s a print by an Etsy artist from Drew’s favorite movie Say Anything. It was the perfect gift. Not the most expensive, not the most “geeky” but just right.

So pay attention to the geek that you are shopping for, many times the best choice is the one you wouldn’t expect, the one that comes from the heart.

I hope you find the right gift for your geek this holiday season.

Let me know what you are shopping for in the comments.

Geek Gift Guide

Posted on by Sarah Cooley
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Around the holidays everyone is scrambling to find the perfect gifts. Well I thought I could do my best to give you this geek’s wish list for perfect gifts.

1. The Kodak Zi6 – Now while many people may see this camera as a flip knock-off, I see a bigger better screen, rechargeable batteries, and no red light in the front while recording (unlike the flip) This allows for super secret stealth recording. Plus (and I hate to say this) I do love pink gadgets.

2. The Sanctuary – This takes all your gadgets, keys, and everything else coming out of your pockets at the end of the day, and puts it in one neat box that also hides all the wires and keeps everything neat. You might say, ok Sarah that’s nice but what is so special about this? It comes with a universal charger compatible with over 1500 electronic devices from most major brands and a USB port. It can charge whatever you got! All you need is a spot that will hold the 9″ x 9″ box (23 x 23 cm). Oh and in case you were wondering, it works with 220V and 110V.

3. Canon 5D Mark II – With 21.1 megapixels and HD video can you really blame me for wanting this?

“Professional photojournalists and wedding photographers already choose the EOS 5D for its discrete size and outstanding image quality,” said Mogens Jensen, head of Canon Consumer Imaging. “The addition of HD movie recording opens a new chapter for EOS. It creates new possibilities for EOS photographers to capture and share their stories and to stay relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape.”

Now I don’t blog about photography because it is my first love. Before the internet, before social media, before I was a blogger or a vlogger, I was a photographer.

If you are thinking about picking this up for yourself or as a gift do yourself a favor and only buy the body. DO NOT get the kit with the lens. Just buy a fixed 50mm EOS lens to start with and you will be much better off.

4. Polaroid PoGo Printer – A mini polaroid printer that can print via bluetooth from a cell phone or from being plugged into your digital camera is awesome in my book. The printer prints 2” x 3” borderless, sticky-back prints. A must gift for all your friends who take a million photos at the party. Now they can have this tiny printer and stick the picture right to your back.

5. TriniTEA Electric Tea Maker – This is the ULTIMATE tea gadget! I am so sick of coffee drinkers getting all the gadget fun. So this goes on my list for all us tea geeks. This wondrous appliance does it all – heats water, steeps leaves, and keeps tea warm. Variable timer and temperature control let you adjust the strength of an infusion, ensuring a perfect cup of tea each time.

6. Apple Macbook – You know it can’t be a wishlist of mine without Apple products. I have been moving around a lot and realizing that life without a laptop is not as easy as it seemed. So the new macbook seems the most practical. We all know the reasons to buy it so I am not even going to waist your time with why it is amazing.

I hope everyone has a great holiday season. And remember, jewlery never hurts either.