*Steve Makris is a technology expert who does a weekly Tech Talk segment during Edmonton’s Sunday Morning News. You can watch the segment above.
EDMONTON – This week, we touched on a wide range of technologies that would make great gifts for the special people on your list. Or maybe you? They’re smart gadgets for work and play.
For the sports and wildlife photographer, the Nikon.ca COOLPIX P600 16 megapixel camera, $450, has a 60x optical zoom lens and low noise CMOS sensor in a small and light package that goes far.
Its extreme optical wide angle to telephoto range is perfect for family photos, long distance nature photography and outdoor sports. It’s WiFi capable for sharing pictures, and the 3″ vari-angle 921k-Dot TFT-LCD is perfect for shooting from creative angles, including selfies. It shoots Full HD 1080/60i Video with Stereo Sound. Let’s go back to that 60x zoom. That’s 24-1440mm 35mm equivalent focal length!
For the best overall small photo and text printer, The Epson low-footprint Expression Premium XP-820 Small-in-One prints up to 8″ x 10″ smudge-proof, brilliant colour prints and personal covers on CD/DVD discs. It features a dedicated tray for album photo paper and envelopes, has WiFi connectivity and paper-saving, auto two-sided printing. It is also WiFi capable and features a large touchscreen for using the printer without a PC.
The P600 and Epson Printer are this Sunday’s Global Edmonton Morning News Tech Talk giveaways, so tune in to find out how to enter.
For folks who want one keyboard for many devices, Logitech.com Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480, $69, can be programmed to easily switch between three devices on all OS systems. A handy, built-in slot holds up smartphones and tablets at the right viewing angle. Smart.
Check out the perfectly sized Logitech Illuminated Living-Room Keyboard K830, $120, for PCs connected to big TV screens. It runs wirelessly, has illuminated keys and features a smooth and sensitive touch pad, replacing a mouse.
For folks who need a better WiFi connection, the 300Mbps Universal Wireless Range Extender from TPLINK.ca, $34.99, is a WiFi range extender that goes between your home or office router and securely boosts your wireless speed. At the same time, it can be positioned for wireless network coverage. Using its built-in Ethernet port, it provides network access to Smart TVs, game consoles and Blu-ray players.
The TP-Link 150 Mbps Wireless N Nano Router, $25, is an ultra-portable router, ideal for travelers wanting to share their hotel room’s internet with all of their gadgets. You can also set it up to stream your favourite Netflix, online music and YouTube videos to a Google Chromecast on a hotel room’s TV.
For the couch potato whose battery runs out, the power pillow comes in many quality style covers with zippered pockets for storing a 8,000 mAh battery bank, for charging your devices from your sofa. It includes a USB cable and wall charger. Prices start at $99. I especially like the smaller sidekick model, $79.99, perfect for travel with one zippered compartment for carrying two batteries and USB cords. It was invaluable in my last flight to Asia.
For the real do-it-yourselfer “analog” photographer, assemble your own film camera with the Konstruktor Camera Kit from Londondrugs.com, $35.99. It includes instructions, a 50mm f10 portrait lens with shooting features like long and double exposures.
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