So your Mum's not inspired by an overclocked Phenom system - but she might go for these gifts.
The world of geek toys is not always female-friendly, or Mum friendly for that matter - but it's getting better. Our list covers everything from stress relief in the form of soothing electro-waterfalls, to New York designed laptop handbags, to the latest in digital cameras and digital photo frames.
Cameras in particular should be a big hit this year, with face recognition, and even "smile recognition" in some models. Look out for touchscreen models which have big displays for showing off pics after you've taken them.
We're also putting the call out for suggestions - if you've found a great tech-related gift that might suit Mum, add a link in the comments box below this story. And if you've given your Mum one of these gifts, or you have a geek-Mum who loves her tech, we'd love to hear about it. Let us know what she thinks in the comments box below.
Classic Memories: Echologic 12inch Red Wood Digital Photo Frame
Preserve those special memories in stunning digital quality, where multiple flashing pictures of your first day at school will continue to embarrass you, but keep your mum smiling all day long. Available in a mum-friendly selection of five colours, this frame (model number EL-DPF-12RW) features a large screen size, and will showcase your mum's precious snaps in full slideshow mode, with her favourite MP3 tunes playing in the background. There’s also 256MB of expandable internal storage space (SD card), so she will never have to open an old dusty photo album again.
Cost: $449 from Echologic.
Why should you get it for your mum? Because digital memories are worth a thousand words.
Home servant: Roomba Vacuum robot
Who doesn’t want a robot house keeper? Ever since the Jetsons made future tech look sexy in the 1970s, the public have been fascinated by imagining our existence in a world of robotic servants. The Roomba 530 unit is fully programmable, features a soft bumper design and navigates around the room with IR sensors that will even lead it back to its base station to recharge after it’s done. It will even try its best to tell the difference between carpet and hardwood floors. We can’t promise it will clean as well as your mum (or dad), but at least it will appear like you’re doing something to contribute.
Cost: $499 from Salton Australia.
Why should you get it for your mum? It helps her (yes, or dad) clean the house and that keeps you in the good books.
Digital Camera: Sony Cyber-shot DSCT2
Avaliable in a range of colours (including pink), this digital camera is a good pick because it’s very easy to use. The large 3 inch LCD doubles as a touch screen and that makes it easy for mum to find the right button she needs without having call tech support. She can even write little memos on it. The camera takes high quality 8MP photos, features ‘super steadyshot’ stabilisation technology, so photos won’t look blurry. Optimised Facial technology will also capture more beautiful smiles and impress mum even more. With 4GB of internal memory, it’s ready to use out of the box.
Cost: $493 from Digital Camera Warehouse.
Why should you get it for your mum? Help her take great shots with this sleek, portable and fashionable camera.
Stylish Laptop bag: Rushfaster ‘Oxio Style Retro’
If your mum is ready to embrace the portable computing revolution or is already using a laptop computer, it might be time to update that grungy old black bag that looks like a overweight travel suitcase. Thankfully, there are now many fashionable laptop bag designs on the market these days. The Oxio Style retro, by New York designer Oxio offers a sleek, pink and white design, that actually looks more like a handbag than a clunky laptop case. The Oxio also features classic grey lining, padded internal compartments and multiple pockets for pens, etc.
Cost: $159 from Rushfaster.
Why should you get it for your mum? Functional Fashion accessories make mum look great.
Digital fountain: Stress relief
This little gizmo turns modern stress into a relaxing audible landscape. Using sound sensors, the unit will automatically detect the sound in your own immediate environment and relay the appropriate ‘nature’ sound back to you (including sunset, wind chimes and distant thunder). There are over 6 different kinds of natural sounds to choose from and each works with a water pump to gives the fountain its meditative feel. You can adjust the unit to go from a gentle trickle to a full stream of water. Give mum the peace and comfort of natural sounds.
Cost: $69.95 from LatestBuy.
Why should you get it for your mum? Add a little Fung Shui harmony to your mum’s day with the sounds of nature.
USB cup warmer
Mum might be a little surprised if you get her this, but once you explain to her how it works, we're sure it will be a big hit. Have you ever tried to keep your tea and coffee warm? This handy USB device plugs into any USB port on your computer and provides slow drinkers with just enough heat to keep their nourishment of choice warm and tasty. It’s very portable and can be used on the go (with a laptop), or in the office.
Cost: $29.95 from LatestBuy.
Why should you get it for your mum? Because you know your mum deserves a warm cuppa.
Magnetic bracelet
Unleash your mum’s superhero geek power with this futuristic magnetic Bio-Bracelet, which looks like something out of an X-Men comic book. Expect a few strange looks when you try to persuade mum to put one of these on, but watch her marvel as she starts to feel the benefits of better blood circulation, pain relief from sore joints and overall improved health - well that’s at least what the brochure says. These modern day magnetic wonders have great Kitsch value, if nothing else. We like the idea of giving your mum a personal magnetic force field for mother’s day, because at least it’s more creative than chocolates.
Cost: $19.95 from oo.com.au.
Why should you get it for your mum? It makes that ‘ordinary’ silver bracelet of hers look outdated in today’s high tech evolving world.
Happy Mothers day!
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