Smart Home Lifestyle

August 12, 2006

High-tech wedding gifts can ease newlyweds' transition to the everyday

This summer, forget the wedding registry and check out the top-ten-gadget lists for gifts to please both “him” and “her.” Face it, it’s no longer just about china and kitchenwares; this year high-tech gifts take the cake.

Robotic Roomba

Everyday chores turn wedding bliss into wedding blah, so why not give the gift that works hard for the money? iRobot’s Roomba Vacuuming Robot vacuums dirt and debris from carpet and hardwood floors. Roomba is smart. It knows where to clean, it can sense obstacles like stairs, and it returns to its charger once it’s done. And best of all, it’s Frisbee-like shape is small enough to fit under beds and couches. Simply turn Roomba on and let Roomba do all the work- no supervision needed.

And don’t forget about Scooba, iRobot’s floor washing robot. “People are changing the way they clean floors,” said Greg White, executive vice president and general manager, iRobot. “Today they turn on the Scooba and dishwasher after dinner, put their kids to bed and return to find clean floors and dishes.”

Scooba simultaneously preps, washes, scrubs and dries just any type of sealed, hard flooring. It can even be used on wood. Scooba applies fresh water and cleaning solution to the floor from a clean tank to ensure the cleanest results, unlike mops that simply spread around dirty water.

The Roomba and Scooba range in price from $150 to $330.

Picture perfect

Pre-wedding jitters can lead to fuzzy ceremonies, so make sure they’ve got a digital camera to keep memories crystal clear. Hewlett Packard offers some affordable options, just make sure they’re portable and have enough memory to capture every moment. HP’s R927 offers 8.2 megapixels and a 24x total zoom (3x optical, 8x digital) and a large 3-inch display, all while fitting right in the palm of your hand.

Features include red eye and shadow removal right in the camera, and a panorama option that combines five photos in one. And what’s the best perk? The slimming effect. They say the camera adds ten pounds, but HP’s R927 along with several other models give the illusion of a thinner you, trimming and slimming your shape.

The R927 costs just under $350.

Lead me home

When it comes to marriage, someone’s got to navigate and someone’s got to take the wheel. Luckily, navigating just got simpler. Long gone are the days of fold-up maps, or gas station drive-by’s, GPS units are the surest way to get you where you’re going, when you’re on the go.

For an all-around in-car GPS receiver, check out TomTom, one of the most popular choices, thanks to its simple user interface and “plug and play” hook-up.

“The new TomTom GO range takes car navigation to the next level with its easy to use, stylish and innovative features,” said Harold Goddijn, TomTom’s chief executive officer. “We have expanded the map coverage and made substantial improvements in software and design. In addition we have added smart new extras like text-to-speech functionality and a fully integrated MP3 player that will compliment every driver’s daily navigation need.”

TomTom units range in price from around $500 and up.

The “deal” just got sweeter

So, what’s the perfect gift for your bride? How about a little chocolate?

“We agree, Chocolate by LG is this year’s must-have mobile device,” said Mr. Juno Cho, president of LG Electronics MobilComm U.S.A, Inc. “With sophisticated American users in mind, this is the next generation of the Chocolate design for the U.S. Verizon Wireless’ features and functionalities, such as V CAST and V CAST Music, make Chocolate the ultimate entertainment and communication device.”

LG’s Chocolate combines a mobile phone, music player, gaming device and navigational system in streamline design. Even the touch keys are a sexy glowing red. So, what about the price? Not bad, considering all the extras. Chocolate costs just under $150 with a new Verizon Wireless activation.

Author: Diana Kostigen, Marketing/Public Relations Director, Comtec