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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, November 27, 2008

Digital and pricey gifts for that special someone on your list

By Kim Komando

This year, you may be trimming your Christmas spending, but there's probably at least one special person on your list that you're willing to spend on. So, you want to choose a gift that will be used frequently. Here are some great gift ideas:

BLACKBERRY STORM

Apple's iPhone is a runaway success. For business users, though, there's just one choice for smart phones: RIM's BlackBerry.

The BlackBerry Storm combines business with pleasure. It offers BlackBerry's famous push wireless e-mail. Your e-mail is automatically delivered to your phone. It also provides on-the-go editing of Microsoft Office documents.

Anyone will love its brilliant 3.25-inch screen, multimedia abilities and speedy Internet connection. Listen to music or take pictures and video with the 3.2-megapixel camera. An included 8-gigabyte memory card provides plenty of storage. GPS rounds out the Storm's features. The Storm is $200 with a two-year contract with Verizon.

SLIDES 2 PC

Everybody has old film photos. Why not help your loved one bring them into the digital age? Ion's SLIDES 2 PC ($100) will help. It makes scanning slides and film negatives a snap. Scanning negatives offers better results than scanning prints.

Special trays hold your slides or negatives. Slide the tray into the scanner. The 5-megapixel scanner captures the photos in seconds. What a great way to preserve memories.

USB TURNTABLE

Does your loved one have a large collection of LPs? In that case, Ion's TTUSB10 ($200) USB turntable is ideal. It connects to a computer via USB port. It also connects to a stereo and can be used to transfer music from cassettes, too.

Included software converts the audio tracks to MP3 files. MP3 files work on any portable digital player. Or, you can create CDs from the files.

WI-FI PHOTO FRAME

Digital photo frames are a great way to show off digital photos. And D-Link's DSM-210 ($300) takes the digital photo frame to the next level.

This 10-inch frame works with thumb drives and Secure Digital and Sony Memory Stick cards. There's also 1GB of built-in memory.

The real draws are the Ethernet port and built-in Wi-Fi. It can display photo feeds from popular sites like Flickr. Photos will be displayed as they're uploaded to the Internet.

UNIVERSAL REMOTE

Many gadgets come with remotes. So, finding the right remote can be a real hassle. Logitech's Harmony 1000 ($500) changes that.

This highly acclaimed universal remote features a bright, vivid touch-screen. It controls up to 15 gadgets, including lighting.

SURROUND SOUND

Surround sound makes any movie more enjoyable. It will literally envelop you in sound.

Sony's HT-DDWG700 ($200) is a 5.1-channel surround sound system. It includes a receiver and an Apple iPod dock for all of your audio needs.

There's also JVC's TH-G40 ($280). This is a 5.1-channel home theater system in a box. There's a DVD player, iPod dock and built-in amplifier.