iPhone Antidote’s Holiday Season Tech Gift Guide is here!

 

 

 

 

iPhone Antidote LOVES christmas. We put our christmas tree up in October, no joke.

 

AND we’ve been tracking the best gifts this year so you can get everyone in your life the best damn christmas present they’ve ever had. We’re talking tears in the eyes of the toughest man you know kind of christmas gifts. You guys are gonna get so much christmas karma this year!

 

Although tech stuff tends to be on the higher side of the budget range, we’ve tried to include a broad range of prices AND gifts for a broad range of ages and interests.

 

We’ve also provided some nice gift viewing music to serenade you whilst you read. Did we mention that we love Christmas?

 

 

 

 

 

You ready? Here we go!

 

 

 

 

Health Conscious 

 

For the health conscious in the family, any of the Fitbit product line will make for a perfect gift. At iPhone Antidote, we recommend the FitBit One (seen above), but the Fitbit Flex has been reviewed positively as well.

 

The gadget tracks steps, miles,and other activities undertaken as well as calories taken in and expended, weight and even your sleep patterns. A very effective tool for maintaining or improving healthy living.

 

The Fitbit range is sold in most good tech stores. The Fitbit One is $99.99 and the FitBit Flex sells for $99.99 everywhere. Try Best Buy or Target.

 

 

 

 

 

Speakers.

 

 

Cos everyone loves music, right?  And how awesome is it when you can just press a button on a device and music comes pounding out across the room? Or across the campsite? That’s why everyone needs a portable bluetooth speaker, like the Beats by Dre Pill ( shown above), $199.95 at most good techy retailers. Try Macy’s or AT&T.

 

We’d also highly recommend the SoundLink Mini Bluetooth speaker from Bose. Get it here for $199.99.

 

Groupon currently has a good deal on the BassBoomz Portable Bluetooth Speaker, usually $130, now $29.99. Click here to see the deal. 

 

On the other hand, Airplay speakers ( strictly Apple only connectivity)  give better sound quality than bluetooth, but you certainly pay for it. The one we like the most is the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air for $599.99. Click here to get that price. 

 

The iKross Bluetooth Stereo Music Audio Receiver makes any speaker in your house a bluetooth connectable speaker. Uh, awesome?  Get it for $24.98 here.

 

 

 

 

 

Game systems

 

 

If you haven’t already snapped up one of these and are wanting to, well, we wish you luck my friend. They are a little scarce on the ground at the moment, but we think that supplies might bulk up towards the pointy end of Christmas. Might.

 

But if you can, either of these would make a smashing christmas present. Just make sure you get the right one, and we’re not telling you which one that is- they are both awesome, but it is a fierce battle forged in people’s minds as to brand alliance, much like Samsung and Apple products. If the person you’re getting it for has no alliance, you’re good to go on what suits the budget and environment.

 

The Playstation 4 is $399.99 at Walmart, Best Buy & most good retailers. The Xbox One is $499.99. Consider getting a product bundle as well.

 

The alternative to the two big players is the Nintendo Wii U for just $299.99 at Best Buy -that’s the Wii U Console Deluxe Set with New Super Mario Bros. U AND New Super Luigi U games.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Games

 

 

Games! Woop! These are the top coolest games we can think of to recommend!

 

Super Mario 3D world – pretty much the best game in the world. For Nintendo consoles. $59.99 with free shipping at Best Buy.

 

FIFA 14. Solid, fun technical sporting game for $59.99 with free shipping at Best Buy. 

 

Lego Marvel Superheroes. Awesome fun. (Nintendo) Find the range at Target, starting at  $19.99 for the Nintendo DS version. 

 

Grand theft auto V. The game everyone’s been talking about! Be warned, this is not the game to get your 10 year old! Mature themes run throughout, but those, uh, mature enough to play it? They say it rocks socks. In a more mature way of saying that. Available now on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.$59.99 at Best Buy.

 

Groupon currently have a deal to buy Just Dance 2014 for Wii, Xbox 360 Kinect, or PS3 Move . Super fun and easy game for everyone to play. Usually $39.99, now only $29.99. 

 

 

 

 

 

Toys

 

 

 

We scrounged the very bowels of the internet to get the top 5 coolest kids toys for your little munchkins this year.

 

The new Furby Boom toys are the most interactive Furbies yet. And they’re back, in a BIG way. Starting at $47.80 at Walmart. 

 

Snap Circuits – super award winning learning toy, where the objective is to build projects such as AM radios; burglar alarms; games, etc. Shop Amazon for $45.07 with Prime here.

 

Romo Robotic Pet for iOS. Romo is a little guy creature ( downloadable app) that lives in your iOS device – attached to his wheels he can roll around, snap photos and interact with and adapt to his environment.  Get this at Brookstone for $199.99. 

 

Ubooly Smart Toy is an interactive smart toy that doubles as a really cute little thing AND an educational toy with 1,000+ fun activities for ages 4-10. Ubooly tells stories, plays games, teaches lessons and every week, new activities are pushed wirelessly to your mobile device. Yes please.

$29.99 at Amazon.

 

Laser Pegs (seen above). The best light up building construction set you’ve ever seen.

Pay $13.98 for a limited time at Target.

 

 

 

 

 

iPhone  accessories

 

The iStabiliser Monopod. A smartphone and gadget holder thingy, so your photos turn out super stable, and your arm doesn’t hurt when you’re filming. Get it here for $ $34.95.

 

Hellonomad Charge card (seen above).USB powered charge card that is the size of two credit cards, so can fit easily in your wallet.  Get it here for $25.

 

For cases, we reccomend trying out either Opena case for function ( they have the bottle opener case among others) or Red Bubble for design.

 

Groupon currently has a deal for Agloves Touchscreen Winter Gloves, so you can use all your smart gadgets even when it’s super cold! Usually $25.99, now only $ 7.99! Get in fast, it’s super limited. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gifts under $50

 

South Park: Kenny 4GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive for $13.99 with free shipping at Amazon.

 

Satechi USB Portable Amazing Humidifier for $29.99 with Prime at Amazon.

 

Message In A Bottle 4GB USB Flashdrive  – $14.99 at Amazon. 

 

Groupon currently has a deal on for the HMDX Bluetooth Speaker & Alarm Clock with Apple Lightning Pin Dock. Usually $79.99 now only $39.99! Get it here. 

 

iHip Robot Mini Speaker. Super cute brightly colored little speaker guys! Groupon currently has them down from $29.99 to just $6.99. Excellent stocking stuffer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quadcopter/helicopter

No matter what age, a Heli or Quadcopter will bring a lot of joy this holiday season. The best of the lot would be the Stunt Copter ( seen above) at Brookstone for $69.99.  It takes a little learning, but comes with a repair kit and takes some good smashes with no damage. Designed for inside and outside play, it’s a perfect toy that takes some practice- but the practice is hella fun.

 

For more of a toy than a project, we’d recommend this the Hovermaxx UFO RC Helicopter, for only $19.99 from Brookstone, it’s perfect for beginners age 6 and up for inside play and includes 6 LED lights on the device.

 

For the Quads, we’d definitely recommend the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 App-Controlled Quadricopter ($299.99 at Brookstone), it’s big brother the Parrot AR.Drone Quadricopter Power Edition which lets you stay in the air for 3 x longer ($369.99 at Brookstone), or if you want to go REALLY LARGE – the DJI Phantom Aerial UAV is really top notch. Check it out. ($453.44 with prime at Amazon)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smartwatch if you cants wait ( but we suggest you do).

If you or one of your loved ones realllly can’t wait for the iWatch or similar expected far advanced tech, then it’s ok, we got you.

 

We recommend the Pebble Watch if you’re after a standalone smart watch (173.99 from Amazon), or the Martian Passport Smart Watch if you’re after a stylish accessory to go with your smartphone ($299 with Prime from Amazon).

 

Both are great Smart Watches and hella stylish to match, but expect big advances in battery time and capabilities as early as next year in their own updates and in new products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cool things

 

 

Light show fountain speakers. Turn on your favorite jam ( do we still say jam for music? ) and the water inside the speakers will dance to the beat and the 4 multi-colored LEDs will light up. Super rad.  $49.99 from Thinkgeek.

 

GoPro Hero 3. You’ve all seen the video’s right? These are the cameras that you attach to things as you go hurtling down a ski-field, climbing up a rock or simply hiking to the ocean. They’re also beginning to be a must have. Starting at $199.99 

 

Bird Photo booth. Catch the au naturale side of your backyard bird friends with this bird photo booth. Uses your own iPhone or GoPro, but comes with macros and polarising lenses. You can also, uh, talk to the birds using FaceTime?  $149.99 from Thinkgeek.

 

Game boy watch. Everyone loves vintage gamer stuff! And now you can wear it on your hand! $86.87 including shipping here.

 

 

Perfect Drink App-Controlled Smart Bartending. Exactly what it says it is; a fancy cocktail machine. It includes a smart scale and app that lets you choose from hundreds of drink recipes, follow real-time pouring instructions, and watch as a virtual glass fills on your smartphone or tablet, as well as suggesting what drinks you can make from what you have. (Kahlua and Bacardi 151 anyone?)  $69.99 from Brookstone. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Really cool things

 

 

 

ELECTRIC DELOREAN DMCEV.Brought to you by the DeLorean Motor Company in association with Epic EV, the Electric DeLorean is battery powered but its AC induction liquid-cooled electric motor packs 260 horsepower. That means a top speed of 125mph and 0-60 in 4.9 seconds.

 

Great Scott!

 

$114,733 from Firebox.

 

 

 

 

 

The Flying Hovercraft. Yes, it’s a flying hovercraft.  It glides over land and water yet also soars in the air up to 70 mph with the aid of integrated wings. A 130-hp twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled gasoline engine, turbocharged and fuel-injected, drives its 60″ wood/carbon composite thrust propeller while a 1,100-rpm 34″ lift fan inflates its durable vinyl-coated nylon skirt for hovering above the ground.

 

Woah.

 

Only $190,000 from Hammacher Schlemmer.

 

 

That’s a wrap! ( get it? …Christmas wrap? ..no?) I hope you guys found some nice gift ideas for your loved ones and enjoyed the dulcet tones of Miss Mariah!

 

Happy Happy Holidays!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. Watch out for our 2nd tech christmas guide coming soon on where to find the best deals on everything Apple!

 

 

 

 

 

Images courtesy of Freefever,  PCMag, Onecall, Forbes, Gizorama, NorthJersey, Hellonomad, Thestore, Brookstone, Zdnet, Thinkgeek, Firebox, TheAustralian, efunlist, Sopets & cutestpaw.

Score some extra cash for the holidays with us!

 

 

Need some extra funds for the holiday season? It’s a pretty expensive time after all, what with the Furbies and the sparkle lights and the pretty fancy christmas party clothes and all that stuff you have to get for your true love ( I hear turtle doves are particularly expensive this year)!

 

So. That cash.

 

We wanna help!!

 

We’re planning on giving all our loved ones broken, water damaged and used iPhones for christmas (cos we’re cool like that) and we need some more! Can we PLEASE buy that stinky old iPhone that’s just sitting in your drawer?

 

Otherwise, Great Aunt Macy might have to go without and she’ll be so sad. You wanna make her sad?

 

 

We’ll pay you up to $450 clams for that stinky old iPhone, and we’ll make the selling process as easy as that pumpkin pie you just ate!

 

 

Mmm. Pie.

 

All you need to do is fill out an order form to sell your iPhone here, and either a pre-paid box will arrive on your doorstep OR if you’d prefer you’ll receive a label in your email to put on any ‘ol box you have lying around.

 

 

The pre-paid box contains a packing pouch and a pre-paid shipping label (oh, and some little christmas presents, cos we’re cool like that), so all you need to do is bundle up that stinky old iPhone, put it in a post box and we’ll send you a check or Paypal payment in NO time!

 

 

Easy as pumpkin pie and everyone’s happy, even Great Aunt Macy.

 

Thanks guys, you’re the best!

 

Happy Holidays!

 

 

 

P.S. Look out for our tech gift guide for this Christmas in the next few days so you know exactly what to buy with that cash!

 

 

 

Images courtesy of  The Cleveland Leader, Verybestbaking, cashflowlifestyle & freefever.

Happy Cyber Monday!

 

 

Here’s some deals we like:

 

At Amazon

 

 

This could be exciting

 

 

Apple is in the process of purchasing a company that has the technology to bring super, super exciting things to it’s product line.

 

The Israeli firm Primesense is responsible for the technology associated with 3D body sensing used in Microsoft’s Kinect platform.

 

You know, the thing where you dance around all silly in front of the game system and don’t care because it’s AMAZING that what you’re doing is copied/simulated on screen? Yeah, that stuff.

 

The original asking price back in June was  280 million buckaroos, but according to Israeli newspaper Calcalist, the deal is now worth a slammin $345 million. Yowzer.

 

There are still some minor issues that need to be settled before the transaction is done and dusted, but we’re on purpose getting ahead of ourselves here and getting excited about what this could mean for future products or what it could mean for current products, like the iPhone. Ooh, also The iTV, (duh).

 

Although Apple has not commented (not unusual), and PrimeSense has not publicly acknowledged the deal, the company did release the following statement:

 

“PrimeSense is the leading 3D technology in the market. We are focused on building a prosperous company while bringing 3D sensing and Natural Interaction to the mass market in a variety of markets such as interactive living room and mobile devices. We do not comment on what any of our partners, customers or potential customers are doing and we do not relate to rumors or re-cycled rumors.”

 

We’re hoping that ‘re-cycled rumor’s part is just PR spin. Cos this? Could be really cool.

 

We’re crossing our fingers and looking forward to an official announcement in the next 2 weeks!

 

 

 

Image courtesy of catsmob.com

 

Which celebrities use which phones

 

 

 

 

Yeah, yeah, why should we care what kind of celebrities use what kind of phones? Right? Right?

 

Well, cos they have people to tell them which is the best one to buy according to style and/or function. And they also have lots of money, so no real barrier to entry.

 

OR they get the best sponsorship deal. OR they get all phones for free and choose the best one.

 

Or cos they’re cooler and prettier than people in real life, and we want to be just like them.

 

Or so we can make fun of them cos they suck, and their smartphone choice proves it.

 

Anyway, wanna know which of your favorite celebrities use which brand smart phone?

 

Here’s what our researchers have come up with. Judge away.

 

 

 

Brad pitt uses an iPhone ( Hello ladies) as does Kate Hudson, Sarah Michelle Gellar ( Of course Buffy uses an iPhone. Right? COS SHE COOL.), Selena Gomez, Posh Spice, Denise Richards, Sharon Stone, Miley Cyrus and the Biebs (Uh oh).

 

 

Kanye West appears to have convinced Kim Kardashian to swap to an iPhone from Black berry. Halle Berry is also a big swapperer, having changed from being a Blackberry lover.

 

 

 

 

Speaking of Blackberry lovers, a surprising amount of celebs fit into this category. Who knew?

 

George Clooney, Megan Fox, Demi Moore,  Leo DiCaprio, Reese Witherspoon, Courtney Cox, Ben Affleck, Rihanna, Paris Hilton, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Justin Tiberlake, Snoop Dogg ( Lion?) and Mindy Kaling (Breath), The Olsen’s, Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen all fit in here. As does Justin Bieber, again. What a category lover.
The President is well known to be a fan of the BlackBerry. So much so, that he has two of them.

 

 

Celebrities that use Samsung phones are also different than we expected – a lot less! Perhaps someone in Samsung has to get their celebrity marketing game on!

 

Jay Z is of course endorsed by Samsung and uses the brand, LeBron James lurves Samsung, as does Eliza Dushku, Nicole Sherzinger and Evan Rachel Wood, Robbie Williams, Anna Kendrick and a whole bunch of Ashley’s; Ashley benson, Ashlee Simpson and Ashley Green.

 

 

So the winning phone category if we cared what celebrities like would be Blackberry, then iPhone, then Samsung? That sounds…weird.

 

Color us surprised.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images courtesy of blah, celebswithcells, cultofmac, sodahead, engadget and Goodreads.

Happy Thanksgiving from iPhone Antidote!

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

This year, we’re most thankful for our awesome customers and faithful blog readers!

 

That’s YOU GUYS!

 

So BIG cyber thanks to you, and we hope you and your family have the best thanksgiving ever!

 

Love ,iPhone Antidote

 

( PS if you drop your iPhone in some Marshmallow Yams, you know where to find us. )

 

 

P.P.S. We’re also grateful for: The Breaking Bad Finale being Awesome, Pumpkin Pie, Planes, Kangaroos, Bill Murray, Magic shows, technology, Phil Dunphy, aaaaaaaaand animals that have weird faces!

 

 

Image courtesy of Bravetide & Unitedcats.

More black friday deals

 

 

 

 

Apps for Black Friday deals

 

 

 

 

So by now you guys should have some idea about what your goals are for deals during the Black Friday sales!

 

Still, it might be a little bit overwhelming. To help you out, you should check out Blackfriday.com and Bfads.net. They have all the big ads and if you download their apps they’ll let you know price changes.

 

FOR ON THE DAY, you should be prepared and RIGHT NOW download Amazon’s Price Check App. With this you can scan bar code’s on products in store and the app will let you know if you can get a better deal. You might not want to be all showy about this though, understandable some retailers are not fans.

 

 

 

 

 

Images courtesy of CNN & Webtaj.

 

Country by country who has the most mobile phones?

 

 

There are over 6.8 BILLION mobile phones in the world. Yay! Everyone in the world has mobile tech!

 

Uh…not quite. (Zuckerberg is working on it though!)

 

Not everyone in the world has ( or wants?) access to mobile tech, but there’s quite a few people who do. Some even many times over.

 

Which country you think has the most mobile phones?

 

If you’re thinking it’s mostly dictated by, well, which country has the most people, you’d be about.. 63.2% right ( don’t try and calculate that, it’s a fakestimated percentage!)

 

Here is the list, ranked country by country of mobile phones ownership around the world.

 

 

 

1. China 1,206,553,000
2. India 867,800,000
3. United States  327,577,529 310
4. Brazil 268,440,423
5. Russia  256,116,000
6. Indonesia 236,800,000
7. Pakistan 125,012,860
8. Japan  121,246,700
9. Germany  107,000,000
10. Philippines 106,987,098

 

 

So there you go. Lots and lots and lots and lots ( is that enough lots?) and…lots of mobile phones! Who knew this would be a thing? ( Steve Jobs did.)

 

 

Image courtesy of Metskers.

 

 

Missed Gaga on SNL? Don’t be a misserouterer anymore! Apple TV now includes…

 

 

 

Now you can access all Yahoo has to offer direct on Apple TV. Similar to their recently launched iOS app, this means you can access all the content that Yahoo hosts as well. That means AWESOME!  Hello SNL, Hello The Colbert Report, Hello The Daily Show!

 

The shows aren’t live but you can get them shortly after they’ve aired. You have to sign in using Google Plus, Facebook or or using the app’s registration.

 

This latest addition to Apple TV comes after they’ve already, just this year, added Time Warner’s HBO Go, WatchESPN, Sky News, Vevo, Disney, Weather Channel, and Smithsonian.

 

We see what you’re doing here Apple. Slowly building up an excellent service, then BLAMMO! June 2014, hello Apple iTV!

 

Hello  already  killer service, hello agreements already set in place with the top TV making peoples, hello awesome design aesthetic AND HELLO major league new tech.

 

Right?

 

 

Image courtesy of Amazon.