What are the interesting new gadgets and tech for Christmas?

[FSUTribe76]

I haven't paid too much attention yet, what's the new must have cool gadgets and tech?

I guess the new iPad Pro would be up there, but to me that's a laptop replacement as I actually like the smaller size of the iPad Air 2 for reading or playing games on the couch or throne and it's easier for airport travel without breaking open a travel bag.

 

[kld04g]

I'd say the list would be:

New AppleTV/Roku4/Chromecast, Nexus 6P/Iphone 6S, etc.

Just go here and look at the most recent reviews. Pretty good place to start at least: http://www.cnet.com/reviews/

 

[Nole Lou]

I've always been a bit of a gadget/tech guy. Not quite bleeding edge, mainly because of not having the disposable cash, but right behind that when the first generation of stuff becomes available on closeout or the used market. But I've always kept up with it to see what I wanted to get my hands on in 12-18 months. I've generally been ahead of 90%+ of people.

But the funny thing is, over the last few years, the stuff tech gadgets do...is stuff I don't really need doing any more. I was all over bigger/better TV pictures, throwing digital media all over the house, early smartphone capabilities, media streaming, etc.

Now, most of the breakthroughs just get met with a general "meh" by me. I have a hard time getting jazzed about the capabilities of a smart watch (although I did pick up a Pebble second hand...it's fine). Smartphones have now long since advanced beyond anything I have an interest or use in doing. Nothing gets me very jazzed.

I guess that's what getting old is. I always thought that at some point people don't have the capacity to figure out how to understand or operate tech, and that it would never happen to me. I guess it just gets to a point that they don't care any more. "The picture on this videotape machine is just fine for me, thanks."

I'm still a bit into putting together the ultimate hometheater streaming device, and I'm screwing around a bit with remote controls...but I'm mostly losing interest.

 

[ericram]

There isn't anything that I feel I have to have this year. Maybe interested in VR oculus stuff in the future.

 

[BelemNole]

I had some guys demo a couple of commercial drones for me today. Pretty nice. Now I just need to find the money.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I had some guys demo a couple of commercial drones for me today. Pretty nice. Now I just need to find the money.

Just start a gofundme thread. "Belem needs drones. Please help."

 

[BelemNole]

Hmmm..that could work. I could offer to fly imagery for backers! Only problem is it has to be your property I fly, can't get 50 requests to fly over some sorority house during sun-bathing season.

The base unit is actually pretty affordable for what it does, it's all the extra that gets you. You start with a unit that runs about $35k. But wait, don't you want real time data correction? Oh, then we need to add on another $20k or so. Oh, what sort of imagery did you want to collect? You'll need some different camera packages. Ching. Hey, we can help you get your exception from the FAA. Ching. Etc, etc, etc..

Still...leaning towards jumping in and risking financial ruin.

 

[BelemNole]

Here's the unit

 

[Lemon Thrower]

I think non commercial drones in the 1-300 price range will be the rage this year.

i've heard the quality has improved

 

[kc78]

I realized I'm officially old this year because I've finally got to the point where I saw a new technology and simply said, I don't have time to learn something new again. I don't know so much if its actually being too old, or just having a 50-60 hour job on top of two children just leaves you with no time to learn new things.

 

[FSUTribe76]

I realized I'm officially old this year because I've finally got to the point where I saw a new technology and simply said, I don't have time to learn something new again. I don't know so much if its actually being too old, or just having a 50-60 hour job on top of two children just leaves you with no time to learn new things.

I haven't come across anything truly revolutionary this year although that's the point of this thread. So far it's just tweaks of existing products. I do think the Lenovo Yogas and Microsoft Surfaces were revolutionary when they came out..but that's what three or four years ago? That might as well be 1970 in tech years.