Seamless music sweetness

Johnny 5 had it right all those years ago with the antics he got up to in without the pesky restriction of wires! He could: beat up bad guys,  make cocktails, and even drive cars.  So dam it, let’s do the same thing with our music and take it mobile in seamless style.

Let’s face it, nobody likes wires or the incompatibility of some docking stations (don’t get me started on the iOS upgrades that render some systems useless) when it comes to choosing the right mobile speaker systems.   That’s why the wireless speaker systems that connect to your iPhone, Android phone, tablet, laptop or other Bluetooth enabled device and so fricking awesome.

Now, because these music making machines are so awesome we have truly taken our time to find the very best systems for you.   They not only offer a great mobile music option for: holidays, impromptu parties or just hanging outside in the summer but they deliver brilliant sound quality.

Bose® SoundLink® Wireless Mobile speaker

Jawbone JAMBOX

Soundfreaq SFQ-01W Sound Platform

Creative ZiiSound D5

Soundfreaq SFQ-01R Sound Platform

XtremeMac Tango TRX 2.1

Beats by Dr. Dre Beatbox

Audyssey South of Market

Altec Lansing iMW725

Monster Cable Clarityhd Precision

What Gifts would you like?

If there are people in your life that should keep happy and get the right kind of gifts for it’s the women in your life.  Whether it’s a birthday present for your new girlfriend, a Christmas gift for your wife or a truly thoughtful gift for your mom on mothers day, you need to get it right.

Just like our Top 10 Gift Ideas for Men it’s most definitely the thought that counts. But more the thought you put into getting the right present so they don’t  disown for the rest of your life.  Sure they will smile awkwardly, hug you gently and say thank you but when you look into their eyes you will see they are a raging inferno of anger.

So let’s not make these wonderful ladies in our lives angry,  let’s put some thought into it and help you find the best possible gift ideas.   Now we have not looked for risky gift ideas that could go either way in terms of love or hate.  We have gone with ideas that most definitely offer a sense of uniqueness but are more focused on aspects which either directly reflect or at least relate to something we know most women would love.

Fashion Watch – Now we are not saying go out and buy the craziest watch out there just because you think it’s fashionable, oh no. Stick to the basics and the rest will follow. As examples we recommend the Akribos XXIV or the Michael Kors Quartz MK5165

Tablet – Everybody loves gadgets, especially gadgets like tablets that can keep women on the move connected and looking cool (sorry for the cheese but it’s true). We recommend the Apple iPad 2 or the Samsung Galaxy Tab

Clutch Bag – No women can resist a stylish, yet elegant clutch handbag. We recommend the Adriana Castro Python Annie Clutch or the Chloe cream creased leather clutch bag

Luxury Robe – The key thing here is to get a robe that is uses high quality fabric. If you go cheap then it will show and they will see through it straight away. We recommend the Hanro Delight Short Wrap Robe or the Etoile Fine French Egyptian Cotton Robe

Wireless Mobile Speaker – This is an absolute no brainer. Everybody loves music and if it’s compatible with their Smart phone, tablet or lap top then you can do no wrong. We recommend the Bose® SoundLink® Wireless or the Soundfreaq SFQ-1

Juicer – Probably one of the healthiest choices in our top ten list but an absolute great idea, especially for the busy women in our lives looking for quick and tasty nutrition. We recommend the Breville BJE200XL or the Breville 800JEXL

Retro Digital Camera – Add a little bit of retro style to their digital camera lives with something unique. We recommend the Leica D-LUX 3 or the Pentax Optio

Fragrance – A classic gift for the lovely women in your life but just make sure you research some of the fragrances to know what might suit them. We recommend Miss Dior Cherie L’Eau or Chloe

Karaoke Machine – Now the reason this is not at number 1 is because there is a element of potential pain for the purchaser. But if you can unleash the Jennifer Lopez in them or at least make them feel like it then you are on to a winner. We recommend the Emerson GM527 or the iSM-1028

Hair Straighter – No seriously, if you can be smart enough to find a top quality hair straighter you will be at the top of the present buying pecking order. We recommend the ghd Professional Advanced Ceramic Heat-Styler or the BabylissPRO Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin

An inspirational gift idea list below!

Are you struggling to find that special Christmas or birthday gift idea for those men in your lives? Sure they have a seemingly endless range of gadgets in their house but believe us when we say; “they want more”.   And if you do it right then you will also get the gift giving love back in return.

So what makes a great gift idea for men?  Well we have delved deep into this question before looking at the top 10 gift ideas for men and come up with the following key ingredient’s to ensure they will have a grin from ear to ear upon receiving it:

• The gift will make some part of their life easier or more pleasurable.
• It will make them look and feel cool when they are using it.
• It compliments their interests

Tablet – They are so much more than just an oversized iPhone or Android smartphone and will change their browsing and traveling experience. We recommend the Apple iPad 2 or the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Sport Watch – Don’t worry about buying a designer watch as it’s really tough to get it right. However with a sports watch you can’t really go wrong. We recommend the Casio Protrek Quartz Black Dial Atomic or the G-Shock Big Combination Military

Digital Camera – Yes their new Smartphone has a camera but it really is no match for a quality digital camera. We recommend the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5Vor the waterproof Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3

Gaming Console – The gaming console is so much more these days, sure he will be playing games on it but the versatility it offers in the realms of entertainment are mind blowing. We recommend the PlayStation 3 or the Xbox 360 Console with Kinect

Chef Knife set – Even if they don’t like to cook you can always push them into it by getting them a great set of chef knives. We recommend the Global Knife Set or the Wüsthof Gourmet Knife Block Set

Power Drills – Appeal to the DIY tool man in them and get them an array of power tools that they can use around the home. We recommend the DEWALT 6 Tool Combo Kit or the Makita Lithium-Ion Cordless 7-Piece Kit

Noise Cancelling Headphones – Whether they are trying to concentrate at work or listen to their favorite music on the plane, every man needs a good set of noise cancelling headphones. We recommend the Sennheiser HD 598 Audiophile Headphonesor the AKG K702 Headphones

Classic sneakers – A man can never have enough classic sneakers to line is wardrobe but don’t stray to far away from the normal designs. We recommend the Converse All Star or the Onitsuka Tiger Mex 66

Coffee Machine – Sure one of the best things about coffee is the process of going down to see you local barrista and getting you daily fix. But many an man loves the thought of being that barrista at home. We recommend the Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine or the Casa Bugatti Diva

Messenger Bag – Every woman loves a good bag and if there is something that men are secretly jealous of it’s a choice of some cool bags to take to work. It’s true therefore we recommend the David King & Co Distressed Leather Messenger or the Ben Sherman Messenger

Ghetto Blasters are back and better than ever!

There is something truly brilliant about taking the retro design of a product you know and love, then updating it with all the latest technology.  Sure some of these retro gadgets brought into the modern era may just be shells of their former selves but let’s be honest, one of the main reasons you feel in love with them was becuase of the design.

Combine your love of the retro, the penache and down right cool of the design with some useful and sometimes truly innovative technology upgrades and you have something that is worth having in your living room, car, or office.

And for all the girlfriends, mums or wives looking at this post whilst researching gifts for their male loved one’s.  By purchasing one of these gift’s or similar you will automatically go up in the “gift buying respect” ranking list.  Oh yeah, there is such a thing, maybe we don’t have a physical list but there is a virtual one in our mind that we like to recall whenever we go shopping for you.  So essentially you should see this as a mid to long term strategy in getting the presents you want back.

Pentax Optio I10 12.1 MP Digital Camera - There are other great retro styled digital camera’s in the market like Leica or Olympus’s versions but we think the Pentax is the most stylish, affordable and functional retro digital camera in the market.

Fatman iTube Valve Dock Mk. II with Speakers - This is for the true audio retro connoisseur and truly epic sound coming from this audio valve product.

Lasonic i931 Ghetto Blaster with iPod Dock - Just look at this bad boy?  If this Ghetto Blaster does not make you want to dust off the old Adidas and shell suit then we don’t know what will.

Classic USB NES Controller for PC - It might not be completely practical but do you really care when you bring back the good old days of gaming.  Oh yeah, take that Kinect and your “Your are the controller” bullshit:)

Phonophone II Sculpture Amplifier for iPod - Not only is this a beautiful addition to anyone’s living room or bedroom but the Phonophone II produces quality sound.

Crosley CR249 BK Keepsake USB Turntable - Yes we know there are a lot of music gadgets in this list but dam it they are seriously, seriously good and the Crosley is no exception.  Convert your old vinyl in just seconds.

Mix Tape 1GB USB Memory Stick - The most gimmicky in the list but awesome never the less and will appeal to any body who lived through the 80′s.

Tivoli Audio Model Three AM/FM Clock Radio - Add a bit of classic retro style to your bedroom with this sweet little clock radio.

Off The Hook Bluetooth Handset - This is one of the greatest handsets that can let you live like your back in the 60′s or 70′s whilst using software applications like Skype.

Panasonic RP-HTX7-R1 Monitor Stereo Headphones Headphones - Sit back and listen to your favorite Jimi Hendrix albums on these retro styled modern version of Panasonic headphones.

Android and HTC

Due to the factors like; handset variety, innovative features and price point,  Android phones are quickly becoming the dominant mobile phones of choice around the world.

The Android operating system was acquired by Google in 2005 and since then has been brought to the forefront of mobile development.  Using strategic growth tactics (which have been employed by Google in some way shape or form since their own inception way back in1998) they opened up Android’s source code to anybody keen to develop the platform further.  This has seen the adoption and integration of the operating system into many leading mobile brands and hence driving it’s popularity.

Some big mobile companies have bucked the trend and wasted a lot of money such as Nokia’s Symbian platform which has now been migrated to Windows mobile platform so that it can try protect it’s declining market share.  But many brands like HTC, Samsung, LG, Motorola have got it right, taken the leap of faith in getting rid of their proprietary and produced some truly stunning and affordable mobile phones.

So which Android phones are the best?

Motorola DROID BIONIC 4G

HTC EVO 3D 4G

Samsung i9100 Galaxy S II

HTC DROID INCREDIBLE 2

HTC ThunderBolt 4G

Samsung Epic Touch 4G

Samsung DROID CHARGE 4G Android Phone (Verizon Wireless)

Motorola Atrix 4G

LG Thrill 4G

Motorola Photon 4G

Big Cinema punch for a fraction of the cost! Thank you Samsung

Are you looking to take your love for the movies that step further and bring it home in a big way by getting the latest Home Theater System? Sure you could maybe go out and buy some; socks, a box, buttons and some scissors to create your very own hand puppet show to entertain you and your friends.  But then they would probably point and laugh at you and call you weird and no body wants that.

So how do you choose the best Home Theater System that will give you: great sound quality, enough bass to make you fill queasy and a price tag that will not require you to re-mortgage the house?  Well we took all these factors into consideration, got some of the best movies to watch on Home Theater, heated up the popcorn and got down to some serious research.  

Hopefully our research below will narrow down the search for your ultimate home cinema experience and get you back watching Die Hard the way it should.

Samsung Electronics HT-D6500W

Energy 5.1 Take Classic

KEF KHT3005BL 5.1

Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 800

Sony HT-CT150 3D Sound Bar

Samsung Electronics HT-D6500W

Aperion INTIMUS 5B Harmony SD

Bose CineMate GS Series II Digital

Denon DHT-391XP 5.1 Channel

Klipsch HD 500 Compact 5.1

A watch suitable for many different activities.

Are you the type of person that likes to get out in the great outdoors?  Maybe do some mountain biking or something a little more chilled like a hike through the forest? Well no matter what activity you want to do you will always need to tell the time, maybe track your best time or even get yourself out of a sticky situation MacGyver styles.

Now unfortunately in our selection process we did not consider watches with calculators or compasses.  But our rigorous selection criteria to help you find the best sports watch did include some of the following aspects; depth of features, robust design, effortless style and cost effective.  

Put all these aspects together and you are going to have the type of watch that will last you years, impress the ladies and keep you happy whilst staying active…..but it won’t give you a MacGyver mullet sorry.

Casio Protrek Quartz Black Dial Atomic - An all round quality watch suitable for multiple uses.

G-Shock Big Combination Military Watch - Solid and robust, this little G-shock is a cracker.

TAG Heuer Men’s Carrera Automatic Chronograph Watch - We know this might a slightly more expensive watch but oh what a watch.

Wenger Swiss Raid Commando Green-Accent Watch - Even Arnold would be proud of this commando watch.

Tissot T-Race Moto GP Watch - Pure class but with deceptively robust structure.

Casio Pathfinder Triple Sensor Multi-Function Titanium Watch - A classic solar powered watch from Casio.

Casio G-Shock Multi-Band Solar Atomic Analog Watch - A lot of watch for a small price.

Luminox Evo Navy Seal Blackout Watch - The “cool” factor on this is backed up by it’s durability.

Citizen Eco-Drive Skyhawk A-T Watch - This is not only energy efficient but water resistant to 660 feet

Suunto Vector HR Wristop Computer Watch - If you are a sporty nerd, then this watch is for you.

TomTom

GPS Naviagtors have been keeping us from getting lost and getting into arguments for years with the data and technology used to get us to our chosen destination has also improved remarkably.

Sure, you cannot ignore the explosion of smart phones globally and their ability to include GPS navigational apps (not too mention Google’s own Mobile Navigation play) that has seen a decline over the years of the dedicated GPS navigation device.  However  they still offer a far superior experience then the smart phone alternatives because they are a specialist and robust device with larger screens and more features.

Certainly for the GPS businesses of this world to continue to grow within the personal automotive category (some GPS businesses are seeing growth in other categories such as; Marine, Aircraft, Freight etc) they will need to evolve their business model into a more ubiquitous approach.  So rather than being bound by navigation units, they are only bound by creating applications within different mobile programming languages like Android and applying an appropriate licensing model.

But irrespective of this we thought it would be good to look at some of the best and most affordable navigational devices in the market currently.  Because their is no doubt that you can pick up an absolute bargain on a fantastic GPS navigator device with a little help from you friends at The Quick Ten.  So what are the best GPS Navigational devices?

TomTom XL 340 S 

Garmin Nuvi 3790T

TomTom XXL 540 S

Garmin Nuvi 205W

Magellan RoadMate 1470

Garmin nüvi 1450LMT 5-Inch 

Motorola MotoNav TN765t 

Nextar SNAP7 7-Inch

TomTom GO 720 4.3-Inch

Magellan RoadMate 5045 5-Inch

Apple vs. Samsung

Tablet’s have come a a long way since their humble and conceptual beginnings back in 1888 when a  patent was made for a electrical stylus device for capturing handwriting and then many moons later with the more recognizably commercial release of the Windows Tablet PC in 2002 .

However when looking at which company really brought this form of computer to the forefront of commercial viability then you cannot look past the marketing behemoth that is Apple.   They were the first to really “shift the needle” in terms of innovation in this space and push a gluttony of users towards this way of mobile computing.

With so many Tablets now entering the market it’s becoming a bit of a minefield in terms of finding the best possible brand to sink your hard earned cash into.  That’s where we come in, we have compiled a list of the Top Ten tablet brands that are currently in the market and their corresponding best selling and most trusted product.

Apple – We recommend the Apple iPad 2 MC769LL/A Tablet 

Samsung  - We recommend the Samsung Galaxy Tab (10.1-Inch, 16GB, Wi-Fi)

Asus  - We recommend the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101-A1 10.1-Inch

Acer - We recommend the Acer Iconia Tab A500-10S16u 10.1-Inch

Blackberry - We recommend the Blackberry Playbook 7-Inch Tablet (32GB)

Toshiba - We recommend the Toshiba Thrive 10.1-Inch 16 GB Android Tablet AT105-T1016

 Motorola - We recommend the MOTOROLA XOOM Android Tablet 

HP - We recommend the HP TouchPad Wi-Fi 32 GB 9.7-Inch

HTC - We recommend the HTC Flyer 3G WiFi HotSpot GPS 5MP 7 Inch

Dell - We recommend the Dell Streak 7 Wi-Fi Tablet

Point and Shoot with ease.

We love the good old shoot ‘em up western’s with Gary Cooper and John Wayne quick on the draw, shooting from the hip which was important to winning the show downs at high noon.  Nowadays shooting from the hip is important for photography as well so that you don’t miss that perfect sunset or tiger in the bushes (not a euphemism).

Obviously it’s not just about pointing and shooting with any digital camera on the market.  You need to have a digital camera that has features which allow it to adapt quickly to any situation such as; fast shutter speed, size of image sensors (the bigger the better), image and sensor-shift stabilization, face detection, amount of zoom available etc.  Once you have these features at your finger tips then the world of quick shot photography is all yours.

So how do you find the best possible point and shoot digital camera on the market?  Well there are a lot of digital camera brands and models to choose from but we think we might have cracked it.  This list has been based on; price, quality, features, and durability.

Sony Cyber Shot – We recommend the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V 10.2MP

Olympus Stylus Tough – We recommend the Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 14MP

Canon PowerShot – We recommend the Canon PowerShot S95 10 MP

Panasonic Lumix – We recommend the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 12.1 MP Rugged/Waterproof

Fujifilm FinePix – We recommend the Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3

Nikon COOLPIX – We recommend the Nikon COOLPIX P300 12.2 CMOS

Fujifilm X100 – We recommend the Fujifilm X100 12.3 MP APS-C CMOS EXR

Leica M9 - We recommend the Leica M9 18MP Digital Range Finder Camera

Sony TX – We recommend the Sony TX Series DSC-TX9/H 12.2MP 

Leica V-LUX – We recommend the Leica V-LUX 30 14.1 MP