'Tis the Season to Give Great Gadgets - Holiday Gift Guide Vol. 2

The holiday season is quickly approaching, making it a time for one to carefully consider how to properly appease the tech fan on his list. In volume two of the Marketnews holiday gift guide, we look at Logitech's Harmony Link, the hugely popular iPad 2, and an Elmo toy bound to rock a child's socks off.

Logitech Harmony Link

Logitech Harmony's remote control system has long been considered one of the simplest for do-it-yourselfers. And now the company is extending that functionality to Apple and Android devices through the new Link, a hockey puck-shaped device that allows users to control home AV equipment with an iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, or Android device. Set up the link (it takes just a few minutes), download the app, and you'll see the virtual remote on your phone's screen. There are also gesture controls: just shake the device to initiate, then do things like swipe up to increase volume, swipe down to decrease, or swipe left and right to rewind and fast forward, respectively. Just like with the traditional Harmony remotes, users can set up activities like Watch TV or Play Xbox, which then triggers all of the right devices to power on/off, and toggle to the proper inputs. With the iPad, users can browse the full TV guide, and even hit a "Watch Now" button to begin watching a show. (Unfortunately, my service provider, Bell Fibe IPTV, was not available, though most providers, like Rogers cable and Bell satellite, are available.) Harmony Link can control up to eight devices, and includes an IR mini-blaster accessory. One drawback is that the app has to be launched every time you need to perform an action (if you're doing other things on the device). And if you put the phone or tablet down, you'll have to slide-to-unlock it each time you need to fast forward through a commercial, for example (assuming the device has gone to sleep by then.) But one major advantage is that, if you're watching TV at night, the glow of the iPad or iPhone's screen makes it easy to control the TV without having to fidget with the actual remote's buttons in the dark. $100; the app is free.

Apple iPad 2

While most people might find themselves quite content with the first-generation iPad, there are a few reasons worth looking at the iPad 2. The first is the thinner, sleeker design, which also opens up the opportunity to a wide range of sleek, cool cases and skins. The second compelling reason to upgrade is FaceTime, Apple's video chatting feature. Using FaceTime, you can conduct video conversations with other iPad 2, iPhone 4 (or now 4S), or Mac Lion OS X users, over any WiFi network. For some, FaceTime alone will be enough reason to opt for this model, which also boasts improvements like the 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, improved graphics, rear camera that can shoot 720p video, front VGA camera, and the Smart Covers cases, which contain a magnet inside that automatically puts the iPad to sleep once the flap is closed.

Rogers LTE Rocket Stick

Is someone on your list looking for one wireless connection that he can use both at home and on-the-go? An option like the Rogers LTE Rocket stick (Sierra Wireless AirCard 313U) might be ideal. It can be used in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver (additional cities will be added soon) to afford maximum theoretical download speeds of up to 100 Mbps (realistically closer to 12-25 Mbps today, though.) That's effectively as good as, if not better than, broadband speeds! Just pop the approx.. 3 x 3" device into any computer's USB port via the fold-out USB connector and surf away using these blazing fast speeds. Through an on-screen window, you'll see an ongoing tally of the amount of data you've sent and received (in kilobytes), and the status and strength of your connection. Click on the graphical bar link to see how much data usage you have left (in percentage, megabytes, and via a visual bar graph), along with details on your next billing cycle, so you never go over and get charged hefty overage fees. While a data plan is required, and could cost a pretty penny, it'll allow especially the mobile worker to replace the in-home connection, and be connected wherever he goes.

Kobo Reading Life App

While it's a free application, a great gift for anyone you know who has the Kobo e-reading app, or who would make use of it on a tablet or smartphone, is credits toward future e-book purchases. The Kobo app is available for all major smartphone/tablet platforms, and works seamlessly across them all, allowing you to access your library of ebooks from virtually any device in your eco-system. It comes with a neat virtual bookshelf for organizing titles, plus cool social features through Kobo's Reading Life, such as the ability to share where you are in a book, or specific passages, with friends on Facebook, unlock special reading awards, and log your reading patterns. It's the ideal option for someone who already has a tablet, and would be receptive to jump on the e-reading bandwagon, but might not necessarily want to lug around another device.

Moshi Moshi Pop

Some might see this as more of a gag gift than anything else, but Native Union's Moshi Moshi Pop phone attachments are standard corded rotary-style telephone handsets that connect to a smartphone via 3.5mm jack for a retro feel for chatting on-the-go. Aside from catching the attention of passers-by, the handsets can also come in handy for things like Skype phone calls at home. They come in matte and shiny finishes, plus several designs. A convenient answer/end button is located in the centre of the handset. $40