Avoid Gadget Envy; Ask Santa for Our Top 10 in Tech for the Holidays

By Reena Jana
November 16, 2010

While riding a crowded subway in Manhattan recently, I experienced true gadget envy. I was trying to balance a hardcover copy of the novel Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart in my arms along with two shopping bags and a purse as I sat between one person browsing the New York Times on an iPad and another taking in a best-selling book on an e-reader. I jealously noticed that these contented commuters were using only one hand to scroll through digital pages, while the other hand was free to hang onto the pole of the lurching train. Guess what I’ll be asking Santa for this year?

I'm not alone, either, in coveting tech gift ideas for the holidays. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), an industry trade organization, recently published a report on Christmas gift-shopping patterns, stating that American consumers are planning to spend five percent more on electronics and tech gadgets as gifts this Christmas season than they did in 2009. It's the highest amount on record allotted to purchasing tech as gifts since the CEA began tracking holiday spending 17 years ago. Data from eBay also suggest that electronics are more desired than any other type of products these days. As of 11/15, the most popular search term on eBay is "iPod." What’s it followed by? "Xbox 360." "iPod Touch," "iPhone 3G," "Verizon cell phones" and "iPhone 4" also make it into the top 10.

Need help compiling your own holiday gift list? Here’s a list of ten hot tech gifts to consider, with a variety of recipients in mind.

Motorola Droid 2

This slick Motorola phone uses the popular Droid operating system from Google and boasts a touch screen and full keyboard. It's ideal for the hyperconnected—the friend of family member who's always making or taking calls, or sending off e-mails and texts.
Samsung 3D TV

An ideal gift for the whole family, this 55-inch screen television, equipped for 3D, will be the centerpiece of the family room. Plus it meets Energy Star standards, meaning it's energy efficient. Insider tip: the selection of 3D TVs on eBay is growing. The number of listings for items with the listing term "3D television" has increased four-fold in a recent week {11/5-11/11) vs. a week-long period 3 months prior.
Apple iPod Touch 4

The latest (and greatest) iPod to date isn’t just a slick, touch-screen media player and gaming device; it's also a camera that takes still pictures and records HD video. It’s a great gift for just about anyone on your list, from tweens to grandparents. There are currently over 28,000 listings on eBay.
Xbox Kinect

You’ll win points by picking up the Xbox Kinect for the video-game enthusiast on your list. It’s one of the most anticipated new video-game accessories this year and features a motion-sensor system that allows gamers to control on-screen action using their bodies and voices rather than a joystick or controller. Browse over 1,500 Xbox Kinect-related products on eBay.
Acer Aspire Notebook Computer

This thin, affordable notebook PC—which drew rave reviews when it was released this year—weighs less than 4-and-a-half pounds, yet also contains a DVD player (most thin laptops don’t). Plus, it has a stylish black, brushed aluminum cover and promises up to 7 hours of battery life. It’s a super present for a student, and clearly, we're not the only ones who think so. Sales of items with the listing term "Acer notebook" have almost tripled in a recent week compared to a week-long period three months ago.
Nook eReader

A great gift for the person who loves to read, the Nook can hold up to 1500 electronic versions of novels, memoirs and short-story collections, as well as periodicals. There are currently over 4,200 Nooks and Nook-related items for sale on eBay. Pick one up with a 2-year-protection plan in place for an extra-thoughtful present.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 Digital Camera

For the parent on your list, this rugged digital camera is waterproof and can withstand falls—perfect for households with busy kids. It takes sharp still photos and HD videos, and has automatic face recognition so there are no blurry shots of family and friends.
Apple iPad

The tech product of 2010, this tablet computer is perfect for the multi-tasking moms or road warriors on your list: on it, they can write emails, surf the Web, watch movies, read books and more. An insider tip for increasing your odds of finding the best selection of iPads on eBay: browse listings on a Monday between 7-8 PM Pacific Time. That’s when most listings for iPads appear.
Garmin Nuvi 3790T GPS Navigator

For the road-trip enthusiast, this super-sleek GPS navigator is as thin as a number 2 pencil (remember those?) and features a multi-touch screen. It’s so lightweight that it’s comfortable to carry and use for walking directions even after getting out of the car.
Klipsch Image s4 In-Ear Headphones

No matter what hot tech gadgets your gift recipients already own or are planning on getting, this set of noise-canceling headphones offers solid sound and a stylish look at a decent price.