Daryl’s Gift Ideas: A bit off the beaten path

When thinking about what I could contribute for the DecoNetwork’s Holiday Buyers Guide, I thought I would approach it a bit differently and share some ideas that are slightly off the beaten path.

My first suggestion makes for a great little stocking-stuffer; a one year subscription to Pandora One. “What is Pandora?”, one might ask. Pandora is an online/streaming music service that creates personal radio stations based on your favorite artist or genre. Pandora is accessible from most any computer, smart TV, or portable device (tablet/phone). With a paid subscription, users enjoy a commercial-free experience along with better quality streaming. It is a nice idea for the people on your list that enjoy music but you’re unsure as to what music to get them. Gift Cards can be printed or sent via e-mail (for those last minute shoppers). The one disadvantage or caveat is that an internet connection is required to enjoy the service and, like traditional or satellite radio, there is no direct control over which songs you get to hear.

My second suggestion is a budget tablet that seems to remain out of the spot-light but is just as capable as many of the more mainstream tablets we see advertised on television; the Barns and Nobel NOOK HD+ 9″. Why the recommendation? It’s a fantastic value. Priced at $149 for the 16 GB edition, one gets: 9 to 10 hour battery life, a high-quality HD screen, and expandable storage as needed. This is a tablet that could satisfy the needs of most any day-to-day user without breaking the holiday budget: checking e-mail, reading books and magazines, surfing the web, and playing games. If there are any disadvantages, one would point to the lack of a camera (front or back) and microphone preventing the ability to participate in video chats or taking pictures. These limitations may not equate to much of a concern as most users will already use other devices (laptops, desktops, cellphones) to perform such tasks.

Have a wonderful holiday season!