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>> gift guide' Jews in the digital age
2014 Tech Gift Guide
C
hanukah is quickly approach-
ing and that means it's time to
shop for gifts for your family
and friends. I'm sure you've noticed that
in the past decade, the most popular gifts
during holiday time have been technol-
ogy related. From
high-definition flat-
screen televisions
and mobile phones
to gaming systems
and e-readers, we're
looking for the lat-
est, greatest tech
gadgets each year as
we seem to be get-
ting closer to living
like the Jetsons.
With the new
iPhones (6 and 6+)
and iPads flying
off store shelves along with the array of
impressive Android phones and tablets,
I thought I'd present some of the fun
accessories that will make great gifts this
Chanukah festival. If you haven't had a
chance to get to the mall yet, don't worry
because everything's available on Amazon.
(And if you don't have an Amazon Prime
account yet, what are you waiting for?)
PROTECTIVE CASES
After you bring home your new mobile phone, tablet or
e-reader (i.e., Kindle, Nook, etc.), it's time to quickly invest
in a durable, yet fashionable protective case (or make sure
that someone will gift you one for the holiday).
I took a look at dozens of options (there are thousands
of phone cases on the market because they are cheap to
Otterbox (various prices) is
the hands-down winner when it
comes to durability and protec-
tion. Since you've spent good
money on your new phone and
rely on it to stay in top work-
ing order (not to mention it's
produce) and narrowed it down to a few that are the most
protective and useful. Some cases are ultra-sturdy but feel
bulky and heavy. Most of the companies that make strong
cellphone cases also offer a line of protective wear for tab-
lets, too.
o f
full of your critical data), you'll
want to protect it. Otterbox
feels like the toughest case,
and it's made of higher-quality
plastic than most other phone
cases on the market. It comes in a variety of color combina-
tions and is available for both iPhone and Android models.
Otterbox's Symmetry Series is a slim, one-piece protective
technology expert. He is an entrepreneur,
educator and blogger, who serves as the
president of Access Computer Technology
in West Bloomfield. Follow him on Twitter at
®RabbiJason.
camera. It's also much easier for group shots that
don't leave anyone out. The shutter is seamlessly
integrated into the case itself, sliding out when it's
screen protector. www.otterbox.com .
Amzer Crusta ($35) is the world's first
time to take a quick selfie, then fitting securely
back into the case after the photos have been
taken. The Selfy case uses a dual-layer, shock-
tempered-glass embedded case. Its four-
layer construction provides a rugged casing
absorbent design that protects the device from
everyday drops and bumps, making it perfect for
to combat any drops or spills and resists
dust and dirt to preserve the smartphone.
It uses a Kristal Edge2Edge Tempered
the on-the-go use. When the Selfy shutter is out
of the case, one of six accessories easily slides
in to take its place, including a mini tripod, car
Glass Screen Protector for high-definition
clarity and maximum touch sensitivity.
www.amzer.com/crusta.
mount, navigation and hands-free calling, as well
as various mounts for action movies. www.iluv.com .
Pivotal Tracker 1 ($130) Released just in time for
Chanukah, this might be the best wearable fitness tracker
yet (it's a bit more expensive than the popular Fitbit Flex,
but less than the Garmin and Apple models). The activ-
ity tracker will be free with a $12 yearly subscription for
WEARABLES
When people hear the term "wearable
tech," they often think of Google Glass,
Bluetooth earbuds or GoPro cameras
worn by mountain bikers. However,
some of the coolest wearables are the
ones that haven't been released yet.
Here are a few that are on the market
now and will make great gifts for your
techie friends this Chanukah.
46 December 11 • 2014
easier to take great photos and videos without
straining your arms or worrying about a shaky
case. There is also a Defender Series for more rugged protec-
tion and Commuter Series for on-the-go protection. To protect
the screen, Otterbox makes Alpha Glass, a fortified glass
❑
Rabbi Jason Miller is the Detroit Jewish News'
iLuv's Selfy ($40) is a durable case with a built-
in wireless camera shutter. The shutter makes it
Pebble Steel Smart Watch ($199) This
is one of the sleekest designs for a
smartwatch because it looks like a
traditional watch. It's compatible with
both iPhones and Android smart-
phones. It's water resistant for swim-
ming and showering and has a built-in
pedometer for persistent fitness track-
ing. www.getpebble.com .
access to the company's mobile app, which will be avail-
able for free on Android and iOS. This wearable is stylish
and impressive. With the help of a three-axis accelerom-
eter, it will track your steps, distance traveled, calories
burned, active minutes and sleep. You can show the time
and scroll through all of your data on the device's OLED
screen by pressing a small button on the top of the track-
er. Its battery life is pretty strong at five to seven days,
and a full charge takes only 60 minutes to complete.
www.pivotalliving.com .
Tech Gift Guide on page 48
JN