Less than a week left to finish your shopping! Here’s a list of 10 connected home-inspired gadgets to stick under the tree.
There’s less than a week left to finish your shopping, and if you haven’t found the right gifts yet you’re forgiven for being a little frantic. To help make things a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of 10 connected home-inspired gadgets to stick under the tree.
1. iAnything
In 2011, the Apple juggernaut continued to successfully blur the line between ‘technology’ and ‘fashion’. In March, the iPad 2 was launched and in October, the iPhone 4S hit stores. But, more importantly, these somewhat ubiquitous devices can be used to control your home theatre. Most major manufacturers offer dedicated apps that allow you to replace their remote control with your iPad/iPhone, letting you streamline your living room.
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
After a lengthy stoush with Apple, which resulted in a nation-wide sales ban, the long awaited Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 has finally been released in stores in time for Christmas. Featuring a 10.1” HD display, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is built on a Google Android platform, which gives users access to 300,000+ apps. A lot of people say that this is one of (if not the only) few competitors legitimate competitors to Apple’s stranglehold on the tablet computer market, and is one of the first platforms that show off the true value of Android systems.
3. Push Controls
If you’d like something a little more ‘all-encompassing’, a control system from Push Controls could be just the ticket. Push Controls develops custom interfaces for iPads, iPhones and Android-enabled tablet PCs to control all of your AV, lighting, security and gaming (to name but a few features). A little different from apps developed by manufacturers, a system like Push Controls acts as a universal remote control that you can take with you.
4. SnapAV Beanpad
Once you attach a Beanpad to your iPad 2, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it! The Beanpad allows you to easily position your iPad 2 to whatever angle and location you need it. It’s the perfect companion for your lap and curling up on the couch. The bag conforms to most surfaces and the vibration dampening makes it a great choice for avid screen-typers and vehicle use.
5. Samsung SMART TV
Forget 3D, the future of AV is connected. These days, more and more TVs and other AV components feature internet connectivity, giving you access to a whole new world of entertainment possibilities. The Samsung SMART TV is an internet-enabled TV, offering full web browsing, communication through social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Skype, plus on demand content delivered through the world’s first HDTV App store, Samsung Apps. Local content is also available through BigPond AFL Game Analyser, ABC iView and BigPond Movies.
6. Turntables
Remember growing up listening to your turntable? Or, for our younger readers, your parents’ turntable? With the advent of the CD, it was assumed that vinyl had died a musical death. Not so. As it turns out, vinyl is back, with audiophiles and musicians alike getting behind the format, recording new music and building better quality turntables for a new generation of enthusiasts. And it’s not just for the oldies who have extensive collections of old music – seven out of the top 10 highest selling artists on the vinyl format have only been making music for less than three years.
7. Soundbars
The simple fact of the matter is that not everyone can install a surround sound system. Perhaps you’re renting? Maybe you have solid walls and you don’t want the added clutter some speakers can create? There is a solution. Soundbars consist of seven speakers in one – with each speaker fitted inside the ‘bar’ and positioned in such a way as to achieve surround sound. A psycho-acoustic effect means sound literally bounces off the walls. Further, because everything is contained in one piece of equipment, soundbars are perfect for renters or those who move house often.
8. Evolved Living
Of course, these days form and function are becoming more and more aligned. As a result, AV furniture from Evolved Living isn’t like any other entertainment unit. Along with its sleek, modern design comes an in-built sonic experience that you won’t soon forget. In each of the completely customised entertainment units are your left, centre and right channel speakers and a subwoofer. It also comes with enough cable management that you will never see the cables that you don’t want to. If you’re based in Melbourne, it may be worth a trip into their showroom to check it out, as well as their couch that also features hidden speakers.
9. Beyonwiz DP-PT2B PVR
VCRs may have gone the way of the dodo, but recording TV shows is still possible. Even if you don’t have Foxtel iQ. All you need is a PVR, and the Beyonwiz DP-PT2B is Australia’s first twin tuner high definition PVR and network/USB media player with a massive in-built 2TB hard drive. By investing in a PVR you’ll never have to miss your ‘stories’ ever again.
10. Outcast outdoor loudspeakers
Summer is here, and that means a lot of entertaining in the backyard. Wireless technology gives consumers the chance to receive music from an iPod indoors and outdoors, in fair weather and foul. OutCast features an 8” downward-firing woofer, four 3” high-frequency drivers in an omni-directional array and a 100W digital amplifier. It is made of water-resistant plastic and is designed to operate for up to 10 hours on the built-in rechargeable battery pack.
