Google Nexus 5, from US$349 (S$438)
Released in time for the holiday season, the new Nexus 5 is what last year’s Nexus 4 should have been. With a streamlined design that is not just thin but also smooth to touch, the Google phone is impressive at first glance. It’s also pretty surprising, coming from LG. The manufacturer hadn’t impressed as much with the Nexus 4.
That all changes with the Nexus 5. Packing in a speedy Snapdragon 800 processor, 4G connectivity and a 5-inch Full HD screen, it compares well with the top-end models from most rivals out there.
Like most other Nexus devices, it doesn’t have a memory card slot to let you pop in a microSD card, but in return, you get the latest Android updates from Google when they arrive. Too bad the phone isn’t officially in Singapore – you have to buy the “rest of world” version from Australia and Japan, for example. The United States version won’t work with 4G networks here. – Alfred
GoPro HERO3+ Black Edition, S$580
I’ve always loved the idea of carrying a camera everywhere I go, but short of Google Glass, the next best thing is probably the GoPro HERO3+ Black Edition which goes for $580. Announced in October, they’re finally landing in stores. While it looks the same as last year’s GoPro HERO3, it’s got a smaller housing, and better optics and battery life.
And what I love about this camera is you don’t need to be a daredevil to use it. Put it on your dog, your kid, or on your head, this is one camera that can capture your holiday fun from your point of view. And check out the many different mounts that GoPro has. No one even comes close. – Alvin
Sony Alpha 7 Full Frame Mirrorless Compact Camera Systems, from S$1,999
In the world of digital imaging, things are moving very quickly especially when it comes to mirrorless compact camera systems (CSC). For the longest time, photographers are wishing for a camera system that is both light and fitted with the largest sensor available to them that is able to perform on par with the image quality afforded by Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras.
Their wish, including mine, was granted in the form of Sony Alpha 7 system.
There’s a lot to like in the Sony Alpha 7 system. First of all, it affords all the right controls and at the right places. They made it easy to change the 4 settings – Shutter, Aperture, ISO, Exposure Value Compensation – just by using the right hand. It uses an established mount so that those who has the NEX E-Mount system can easily upgrade to the full frame camera. Last but not least, it squeezed a full frame sensor unto an ultra compact and light camera body that competes with DSLRs in image quality.
Now we just have to wait for Sony or third party lens manufacturer to develop more pocket friendly EF (E-Mount Full-frame) lens for this new system. – Wilson
Zenbook UX302, from S$1,698
There’s no such thing as the perfect ultrabook, but ASUS is coming pretty darn close with its new Zenbook UX302, which ticks off virtually every checkbox you can think of.
Latest Intel Haswell chips? Check. NVIDIA discrete graphics? Check. Full HD IPS display? Also check. Three USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, and an SD card reader? Check, check, and check. You also get the best of both worlds when it comes to storage, with a hybrid 16GB SSD + 500GB/750GB HDD.
The only area that ASUS skimped on is the RAM. The UX302 comes with only a measly 2GB of RAM, up to a maximum of 4GB. A very curious decision when 8GB RAMs are standard in today’s high-end ultrabooks.
While the UX302 is nowhere near as sleek as, say, Sony’s VAIO Pro 13, it packs in a whole lot more silicon for significantly less money. That’s not to say it’s heavy, though. The entire machine weighs just 1.47 kg, and features a pretty Gorilla Glass lid with the Zenbook series’ signature metallic “spun” design flashing underneath. – Raymond
Linn Limited Edition Sondek LP12 turntable
The Sondek LP12 was Linn’s first product that showed the most important element in any quality music system is the source of the music itself. Unveiled in 1972, the LP12 has been the turntable by which all others are judged and each component has been improved to extract even more information from a vinyl record.
More the 30 years later, the UK audiophile equipment maker has partnered with renowned whiskey maker Highland Park to develop the Limited Edition Sondek LP12, which is encased in whisky wood plinth made from oak casks in which Highland Park’s whiskey was matured.
Linn claims the oak casks will increase the density of the turntable, creating a more stable system to improve sound quality. Then again, when you are a little tipsy from drinking a 40-year-old single malt whiskey, everything is likely to sound good! With only 40 pieces costing £25,000 a pop to be made, the limited edition LP12 is out of reach to most music aficionados, but who says we can’t dream? – Aaron
Still looking for a gift for a techie? Check out our guides for the photographer, the road warrior, the music lover and the gamer.
