Whether you’re a self-proclaimed techie or you’re just looking for expert reviews on the season’s hottest gadgets, consider this gift guide your holiday tech support.
The editors at CNET—a collection of the truly tech-savvy and tech-obsessed—took time away from their screens to select their must-have tech gifts for their annual holiday gift guide.
Below, CNET Executive Editor John Falcone shares his personal top 10 tech picks from Target. So go ahead, whip out your phones and start texting friends and family your holiday wish list.
roll over the products below and read on for John’s reviews
Nikon D3100 Best first dSLR camera
CNET says: “A very good entry-level dSLR, the Nikon D3100 delivers excellent photo quality in a body that’s streamlined for experienced photographers, but relatively unintimidating for the less advanced.”
Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight Best e-reader for reading in the dark
CNET says: “The integrated light in the Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch GlowLight displays uniformly across the high-contrast Pearl e-ink touch screen and is a killer feature for nighttime reading. The touch screen is ever so slightly more responsive, there’s built-in Wi-Fi for direct access to the online Barnes & Noble store, an expansion slot for additional memory, and long battery life. The Nook supports e-book lending and EPUB loans from libraries, has no ads, and it offers some enhanced social networking features.”
Bose IE2 Headphone Great in-ear headphones
CNET says: “Improved sound; earphones fit securely and comfortably; protective carrying case included; ‘open’ design has its appeal; pleasantly full bass.”
Sharp LC-LE640U Series Best value big-screen LED TV
CNET says: “With good picture quality and great pricing, the Sharp LC-LE640U series makes a strong case for mainstream TV shoppers who want to go bigger.”
Apple iPod Nano Best workout-friendly music player
CNET says: “The iPod Nano’s new home button and longer screen offer a familiar smartphone-style interface, and the added Bluetooth compatibility opens the device up to a number of wireless audio accessories.”
Sonos PLAY:3 and PLAY:5 Best multi-room wireless audio system
CNET says: “You can control the Sonos Play: 3 and Play:5 single-speaker streaming-audio system from any iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, or Android smartphone using a free app. It offers good sound, its compact, elegant design cuts down on cord clutter, and it can stream Internet-based radio and audio services, plus your own digital music collection, from any Mac, PC, or NAS drive. Also, it’s simple to set up, particularly if you already own a Sonos system.”
Roku HD Best way to stream on TV under $60
CNET says: “With its ability to stream hundreds of audio and video channels (including Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu Plus), the $60 Roku HD would be our top pick for those seeking an ultra-affordable Internet media box.”
Soundfreaq Sound Kick Best Bluetooth speaker value under $100
CNET says: “The Soundfreaq Sound Kick portable Bluetooth speaker is a good value, with an attractive design and good performance for its size.”
Sony PlayStation Vita Best portable gaming system for hardcore gamers
CNET says: “The PlayStation Vita delivers amazing visuals on its 5-inch OLED touch screen that look almost as good as PS3 graphics. The Vita’s operating system is smartly designed, easy to use, and ultra-responsive.”
Nintendo 3DS Best gaming system for kids
CNET says: “The Nintendo 3DS provides an impressive 3D gaming experience without the need for special glasses. There’s a 3D effect slider, it shoots and displays 3D photographs with its dual back-facing cameras, and it has a single front-facing camera.”
Aren’t the holidays easier with a bit of help?
And don’t worry—Target and CNET’s partnership won’t end when the holiday decorations get packed away. This is the first collaboration of its kind between a major retailer and a top industry expert, Target and CNET are teaming up after the holiday season wraps. Guests can shop Target’s electronics department with even more confidence and ease thanks to CNET Editors’ Picks—a collection of expert reviews that will appear with select items at Target stores nationwide and within the “Expert Review” tab on Target.com.