From ultra-HD TVs to circular-dial smartwatches: A gizmo gift guide
Technological improvements mean there are affordable options for those who want to give devices this Christmas
Christmas is rapidly approaching, and with it, a frenzied panic as many shoppers scramble to check off everyone on their gift list. So, what to get that person who has everything?
The great thing about technology is that it's always changing, so anyone who seemingly does have everything won't for very long. Here's a guide to this season's hottest — and best — new gizmos.
4K TVs
A year ago, ultra-high-definition televisions — also known as 4K for their approximately 4,000 pixels of horizontal resolution — were a little on the expensive side. This holiday season, the premiums over regular HD television are virtually non-existent. Samsung, LG, Sony and Vizio are all selling quality 4K flat panels at prices between $1,000 and $2,000, with a few even coming in at under $1,000.
There also hasn't been much to watch at the higher resolution, but that, too, is quickly changing. Netflix is ramping up its ultra-HD offerings, a wave of 4K Blu-ray players is expected to be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, and broadcasters are getting on board. Rogers, for one, will be broadcasting all Blue Jays home games and a handful of NHL games in 4K in 2016. The company's competitors are sure to follow.
A television of any sort is certainly a big-ticket purchase, but there are few reasons left to not buy 4K if you're looking at flat panels as a gift option. The extra resolution is sure to impress whoever is on the receiving end.
Inexpensive smartphones
Major manufacturers, including Apple and Samsung, continue to pump out expensive high-end smartphones, but the market for lower- and mid-range Android devices really came along in 2015. Motorola, in particular, continues to shine in the mid-range with its third-generation Moto G. Selling for between $200 and $230 off contract, depending on carrier, the Moto G packs some decent horsepower for its low price. It runs on fast 4G LTE networks, is water resistant, has a 13-megapixel camera and even a high-definition display — albeit at the lower 720p resolution rather than full 1080p.
Such decent specifications are becoming increasingly common on phones at this price point. The ZenFone 2, from Taiwanese manufacturer Asus, is slightly more expensive at around $260, but it does have a full 1080p display and starts with 16 gigabytes of storage, versus the Moto G's 8 GB. Storage on both devices can be increased via micro-SD cards.
Sony's Xperia M4 Aqua, meanwhile, has similar specs, is water- and dust-proof and boasts a reflective backing that makes it look high-end. Selling for between $249 and $349 depending on carrier, it's also a deal.
- 6 affordable smartphones that don't require a pricey contract
- Cheaper smartphones gain popularity among consumers
Solid smartphones obviously don't have to cost a fortune anymore, which is great news for consumers. Buying a device outright instead of signing up for a contract creates leverage for negotiating better monthly rates with carriers, which could just be the best Christmas present anyone could get.
Smartwatches
Smartwatches also came a long way in 2015. Previously, most options either had short battery life or were only marginally useful, or they were ugly. Sometimes, they were all three. The Apple Watch's entry back in the spring forced everyone to raise their game, and smartwatches are now considerably better in all regards heading into 2016.
Samsung's Gear S2 Classic is particularly noteworthy, given that it runs on the company's own Tizen software and has a heart-rate monitor. It works with most newer Android smartphones and houses 4GB of storage, which means that music and other media can be copied directly onto it. Most importantly, the S2 is round and navigated by a circular dial, which evokes memories of the original iPod. It's a more natural shape for a watch, with apps and notifications conforming to it. It's also a welcome change from most square smartwatches, which often try to shoehorn in apps designed for phones onto an even smaller screen.
The biggest downside with the S2 is it's still on the expensive side, at $429, although that's still better than the boxey Apple Watch, which starts at $449. Pebble, which started in Vancouver and is now based in California, has a number of alternatives — including round watches — that work with both iPhones and Android devices, ranging in price from $69 US to $199 US. The company's lower-end watches, however, have only monochrome screens.
Streaming devices
The upcoming year will see the streaming wars really take off in Canada as CraveTV opens up to all subscribers in January. Bell's streaming service, which has been available only with a cable package since its launch a year ago, will go toe-to-toe with Netflix and Shomi, the joint venture from Rogers and Shaw, in trying to attract eyeballs and subscription dollars.
The new, fourth-generation Apple TV — starting at $199 — is the best set-top device to get all three, plus a host of other streaming apps, not to mention the iTunes store and some lovely-looking games. The Apple TV's touch-pad remote also doubles as a universal remote and allows for searching through content with Siri voice recognition.
The competing Roku 3 does much of that, but it doesn't look quite as slick, and it doesn't yet have Shomi or CraveTV apps. Google's second-generation Chromecast is a great inexpensive option at $45, but it requires a phone, tablet or laptop to use so it's not as self-contained as Apple's device. Still, its small size and price tag make it an obvious candidate for stocking stuffing.
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