Top 5 Hot Tech Products for Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner. That means lots of people are in shopping mode. What should you get the tech geeks on your list? Here’s what’s hot this season.

Apple iPad Air and the Latest iPhones

Apple released several new products in the second half of 2013. First, there’s the iPad Air. It’s thinner and lighter than its non-Air counterparts, measuring just 7.5 millimeters thick and weighing only a pound. It features one of Apple’s new Retina displays. There are also the new iPhones. You can choose from the 5S or the 5C. The former comes in three subdued colors (including the much-coveted gold) and has Touch ID, a fingerprint sensor. The latter is less expensive, has a plastic shell, and comes in a range of vivid shades. Both options ship with the new iOS 7.

Google Chromecast

Not everyone has a TV with Internet capabilities. Enter Chromecast. It’s a new gadget from Google. Plug it into your TV and you can watch YouTube, Netflix, Hulu Plus, and more on your television via WiFi. Chromecast lets you play music through your TV as well. Your Chrome browser, tablet, or smartphone functions as a remote.

XBox One and PS4 Gaming Consoles

This year, both Microsoft and Sony released updated consoles. That means gaming fans everywhere will be lusting after the latest versions. The two systems have similar specs for the most part. Don’t worry if the gamer in your life already has the console. There are plenty of games to go with the updated systems.

Wearable Fitness Devices

With the season of New Year’s resolutions approaching, wearable fitness devices make a great gift. There are quite a few such gadgets on the market. These include the Nike FuelBand and the new FitBit Flex. They can measure your heart rate, count your steps, and measure how many calories you burn. Some even measure the quality of your sleep. They integrate with smartphones, web apps, and other gadgets. Some are also affiliated with online communities.

Smartwatches

These wearable watch-like devices notify you about new emails, incoming calls, social media messages, and more. Some let you track your run or change the music you’re listening to. Neither Apple nor Google has entered the smartwatch market yet. There are plenty of great options out there, though. The popular Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear are marketed as a smartphone/smartwatch pair.

So many exciting new tech devices have come out in recent months. There’s sure to be something for everyone on your list!