Gillian Shaw
Sun
Spin, Vestax
Vuzix Wrap 310 portable video eyeware
Hand warmer, eneloop kairo KIR-SE1SW, Sanyo Canada, $60
If you want to spread a little holiday warmth, check out this new hand warmer from Sanyo, first in its series of green products based on the Sanyo eneloop rechargeable battery. It’s high-tech goes toasty. Whether you’re standing on the sidelines or schussing down the hill, tuck these into your Olympic mitts and you can go back to enjoying the action instead of worrying about frozen fingers. About the size of a deck of cards, weighing 80 grams, it has an internal lithium-ion rechargeable battery. It delivers heat ranging from a low of 39 C to a high of 43 degrees. A full recharge takes about three hours, giving four hours of warmth at the low setting and three hours in the high mode. en.ca.sanyo.com/Eneloop-Kairo
Spin, Vestax, $280 US
Mac users can use their iTunes libraries to mix, scratch and play music like a real DJ.
A hardware-software bundle available through Apple, the Spin turns your Mac into a DJ setup. Compact, with a multi-channel audio system and touch sensor job wheels, it comes with DJ software in the bundle. The software is also available for a free 15-day trial or for purchase from www.djay-software.com or as a stand-alone from Apple retailers for $60 US. www.vestax.com
Vuzix Wrap 310 portable video eyeware, $250 US
For the road warrior on your list, the Wrap 310 transforms a small video screen into a 16:9 widescreen home theater with a virtual 55-inch display. The glasses provide up to six hours of viewing with two AA batteries. Watch 2D or 3D movies on the road, including movies and videos downloaded to your iPod, iPhone or other media player. vuzix.com
Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 and Premiere Elements 8 Bundle, $150
If you’re looking for photo and video editing software that delivers many of the features pros use, but at a consumer-friendly price, consider Adobe’s latest update on Photoshop Elements and Photoshop Premiere. It takes care of many editing snafus, from distortion when you’re editing to fit, to solving those pesky lighting exposure problems. People recognition helps you track down photos of friends and family in your files and the software’s auto-analyser will tag the media you download so you can find the highest quality photos and video footage. www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelwin
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