Hottest 100 Christmas gadget guide
Christmas is not just a time for giving, but a time for gadgets. This is a compilation of the best technology from 2014 for you to wrap up for others, or yourself.
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Christmas is a not just a time for giving, but a time for gadgets. The Hottest 100 Christmas gadget guide compiles the best technology of 2014 for you to wrap up for others, or yourself. In the fourth chapter, Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson and Rod Chester break open the toy chest to look at smart playthings and fresh video game gear.
TECHNOLOGY TOYS
Zoomer Dino
Who would want a robotic dog when you could have your own robotic dinosaur? This remote-controlled mate moves on two wheels. You can control it using a remote control or simply wave at his face and he will respond to movement. It moves its head, swings its tail, and it makes raptor-like noises. The eyes change colour depending on its mood, with red eyes indicating you’re dealing with a very grumpy robotic dinosaur.
Funtastic
$149.99
funtastic.com.au
- Pros
- — Can be controlled in a variety of ways
- — Simple to use
- — Makes burping and farting noises which kids, naturally, will love
- Cons
- — Takes an hour to recharge
- — Remote control requires 3 AAA batteries
- — Limited moves
Orbotix Ollie
This can-shaped, app-controlled robot can zip along at a speedy six metres per second. Perhaps not surprising given its skateboarding name, this rugged little guy is all about tricks. You can spin it, jump it and drift around corners. You pair it to a smartphone (Apple iOS or Google Android) and send it on its way through whatever tricks you want to try. You’ll get 60 minutes of fun before you need to recharge it.
Orbotix
$149.95
gosphero.com
- Pros
- — Rugged
- — Can be personalised with accessories such as speciality tyres and hubs
- — 30m wireless range
- Cons
- — Not waterproof so don’t drive it through puddles
- — No Windows app
- — Unlike some drones, this won’t go up walls
Parrot Jumping Sumo
Not everyone wants to fly an app-controlled drone through their house but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun. This smart toy from Parrot zooms around at up to 7km/h and spins on command. Hit a button and it will jump up to 80cm high. You can program in choreographed routines, with a camera linked to your smartphone to give you a drone-eyed view on the world.
Parrot
$139.99
www.parrot.com/au
- Pros
- — App-controlled
- — Robust
- — Programmable
- Cons
- — Low resolution video
- — Short battery life
- — Slow charge time
Air Hogs RC Roller Copter
Even junior pilots can join the fun of flying a drone with this remote-controlled helicopter. Similar to more expensive models, the helicopter is encased in a cage to protect it as you fly it around the house (yes, this is a flying helicopter designed for indoor use). Load six AA batteries into the handset and connect it to the helicopter to charge it. If your home’s air traffic controller stops you flying it around the lounge room, you can roll it around the floor and up walls. Designed for ages eight and up.
Funtastic
$69.99
funtastic.com.au
- Pros
- — Simple controls
- — Cage designed to protect it on impact
- — Doesn’t need a smartphone
- Cons
- — Needs six AA batteries
- — Cage will not protect it in every situation
- — Learning curve in mastering controller
Lyka’s Adventure
Lyka is a stuffed toy with an extra smart heart. Well, it’s smart once you slip an Apple iPhone or iPod Touch into the slot on her belly. This smart toy pairs with a series of eight books, each containing codes that allow Lyka to read aloud. The toy and book series is pitched at children aged six to 10, although given the first book in the series has nearly 170 pages, younger children might find the stories beyond their concentration span.
Connected Sparks
$32.39
penguin.com.au/lyka
- Pros
- — Combines technology with reading
- — Pairs with a series of books
- — Teacher resources available for Lyka, highlighting the educational aspect
- Cons
- — Books might be too long for young children
- — The app’s reading section fails to easily identify the page it’s reading
- — Only compatible with Apple devices
VIDEO GAME GEAR
PlayStation TV
Copping flack for tying up the lounge room with PlayStation 4 action? This pocket-sized, $149 device promises to help you switch to a different TV, keeping the peace and your progress. The PlayStation TV connects to a PlayStation 4 console and streams games to a connected TV. It can also be used to deliver selected PS Vita games on the big screen, and stream TV from compatible services.
Sony
$149
au.playstation.com
- Pros
- — Streams unfinished games to other TVs
- — Compatible with PS4, Vita, PSP and PS One games
- — Streams TV programs
- Cons
- — Can only be used with a PlayStation 4
- — Many games require an update to stream remotely
- — Remote Play can lag over wi-fi
New Nintendo 3DS XL
The New Nintendo 3DS XL is not completely different from the 2012 model but adds important, nice-to-have technology. Top of the list is Super Stable 3D that uses the front-facing camera on this console to track your eyes and deliver 3D to them at the right angle. The console also adds a C Stick for analogue movement on the right, two extra triggers, NFC connectivity, and a small but useful button redesign.
Nintendo
$249.95
nintendo.com.au
- Pros
- — 3D effect follows your eyes
- — New C Stick control makes movement easier
- — Buttons in slightly better positions
- Cons
- — Memory card sealed inside unit
- — Stylus moved and harder to reach
- — AC adaptor sold separately
LeapTV
Educational company LeapFrog enters the console gaming market with LeapTV. It’s easy to set up and comes with a motion-sensing camera and a LED pointer controller. The free game it comes with is not enough to keep attention for long but you can download new games or buy games on cartridges. It’s pitched at three to eight-year-olds but will most likely to appeal to younger kids not yet attracted to conventional consoles.
LeapFrog
$229
leapfrog.com.au
- Pros
- — Age-appropriate for young children
- — Easy to set up
- — Library of games
- Cons
- — Expensive
- — Older kids may prefer more versatile consoles
- — Restricted to LeapFrog games
Gaems Vanguard PGE
At first glance, the Vanguard could be dismissed as a hard-shell briefcase. This is not just a case, however, but a “personal gaming environment”. It is aimed at serious console players and lets them take their unit on the road. Inside the base of the case are two large velcro straps to keep consoles (Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4 and PS3 Slim) secure. Inside the lid of the case is a 19-inch LED display with stereo speakers and two headphone jacks. The Vanguard is not small enough to turn your next flight into a gaming convention, but it is cleverly designed and something a console addict is likely to love.
Gaems
$449
bluemouthdirect.com
- Pros
- — Sturdy build
- — 19-inch screen means you’re always ready to play
- — Twin headphone jacks for dual play
- Cons
- — Fairly heavy
- — Blue light straps on the screen edges distract
- — Expensive
Astro A38 noise-cancelling wireless headphones
Even the most dedicated gamer doesn’t want to wear gaming headphones everywhere. These come with the pedigree of gaming company Astro but are designed for more than just hours of console action. The have both Bluetooth and NFC connectivity and active noise cancellation to block out the world. Use them to listen to tunes, stream video on your phone, or get in some tablet gaming action. They aren’t the most fashionable headphones but you can personalise them with a range of optional tags.
Astro Gaming
$239
bluemouthdirect.com
- Pros
- — More than 20 hours battery life
- — Bluetooth speakers
- — Personalise with optional tags
- Cons
- — Don’t fold up
- — Tight fit won’t suit everyone
- — Bit bulky for everyday transport
Hottest 100 Christmas gadget guide
CHRISTMAS is not just a time for giving, but a time for gadgets. We've compiled the best technology from 2014 for you to wrap up for others, or yourself. Part 1: Cameras
Hottest 100 Christmas gadget guide
Christmas is not just a time for giving, but a time for gadgets. This is a compilation of the best technology from 2014 for you to wrap up for others, or yourself.