The question of what to get the boss who has everything or the business executive with no free time is always a tough one at the holidays. But here are five technology choices — in an array of prices — that might just hit the mark for you this holiday season.
PSiO Relaxation Glasses
Know a business magnate who is under a lot of stress? A simple pair of glasses called PSiO might just be the answer — if he or she is willing to take a risk on a new product based on some old science.
PSiO is the name of audiovisual stimulus glasses that play synchronized sound and light stimulation programs in four categories: balance, wellness, performance and entertainment/music. Each brings the wearer to what the company calls a “psychosomatic therapeutic state on the edge of sleep.” Going there brings the wearer to a state of less stress and physical strain.
OK, repeat after me, “It sounds like a lot of mumbo jumbo.” But somehow it all works. Once you familiarize yourself with the glasses and the controls on the right side, you’re ready to go. Through two small earbuds that attach to the glasses, you’re taken through the various programs that are tailored with various visual and aural stimulations appropriate to your needs.
At midday, the energy boosting program does an effective job of perking you up. Have trouble sleeping while on the road? You would find the relaxation programs especially helpful, especially because outside distractions do fade away while staring into the coordinated bursts of light.
Is this for everybody? At first it might be a tough sell but repeated use of the PSiO would make the wearer comfortable enough to benefit.
The MSRP for the PSiO is $499 but better prices are available (currently $399) at www.psiousa.com.
iGrillmini
Avon’s iDevices hit an absolute culinary homerun with the introduction of the iGrill a couple years ago. It was so popular it was named best new device at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Well, just like all great electronics products, smaller is bigger (and we know bigger is always better). The company is introducing the iGrillmini. It is about a quarter the size of the original iGrill and sporting a more rugged exterior with a smart LED indicating the doneness of food.
The iGrillmini is the only ultra compact temperature-monitoring tool using Bluetooth Smart technology on the market. It includes a free iOS app for iPhone 4S and newer and iPad 3 and newer devices. (The Android iGrillmini app will be released in 2014.)
Among some of its key features are:
• Bluetooth Smart Technology: Connects within a 150-foot range.
• Ultra Compact: A quarter of the size of the original iGrill. Single probe features an included probe storage.
• A powerful magnet allows for sturdy and convenient mounting with two viewing positions.
• Graphing functionality provides exportable graphs of your grills and smokes. That’s important for the serious griller who wants to bring some science to their BBQ.
• Social Community: Share what you’re cooking with your social network. With the app, you can see what other people are cooking around the world.
The iGrillmini works with iPad 3 and newer and iPhone 4S and newer (Android coming soon).
Priced at $39.99, it is available at www.iDevicesinc.com.
The Fuser
This is a gift business travelers will probably want to hand out to other business travelers. How many times have you been on a flight and seen a flight attendant and traveler practically yelling over a drink order because the dolt leaves the headphones in?
Sure, the polite thing to do would be to take the headphones out of your ears, but The Fuser provides a technological solution. It increases awareness of natural sound in an area by using its own built in microphone and amplifier to mix the music in the headphone with the surrounding sounds. Plug your device into the input jack of the Fuser and any headphone into the output jack. The Fuser’s microphone volume is then adjusted to filter in or out as much or as little external ambient sound as desired, without distortion or muffling.
It can be worn at work and set to hear a phone ringing or a co-worker stopping by. The Fuser is small enough to be unobtrusive but you do have to decide if you want to have another piece of technology to be aware of. That could be its one drawback.
The Fuser sells for $29.95 and is available at: www.thefuser.com.
TwoHands II from Felix
This is a simple, yet appealing product from a company called Felix that’s going to let you work with your smartphone or tablet, especially when traveling.
Do you use your iPad as your Kindle? Hate holding it in your hands? The TwoHands II from Felix is the answer. It’s an elegant (dare I say cute with its two little hands?) stand that clips onto the back of all iPad generations, eReaders and most tablets. Squeeze the back of the clip to open the arms wide, and fasten it to your device.
What’s especially appealing is how easy it is to find a comfortable viewing angle for reading or watching a movie. All you have to do is slide the clip until you find the best position. That’s something that can’t be easily done with a lot of cases.
Slim and lightweight, TwoHands II is the ideal travel companion as it can be tossed into a purse or carry-on luggage without taking up much space. It also works great in your kitchen if your iPad doubles as your cookbook.
TwoHands II is available in black, blue and pink for $24.99 at www.felixbrand.com.
Golf X-Cube
Have a golfer on your shopping list? The Golf X-Cube promises to deliver a better swing and it’s a strong training tool for the cold winter months. Avid business golfers will want to swing away in their garages to keep their swings in shape.
Gold-X-Cube is a UV-resistant polyamide reinforced cube that sits in front of you, between you and the ball, as you practice your swing to show you the proper golf stance, guiding you to hit the ball more consistently and straighter. It teaches you a reliable, repetitive swing to improve your handicap and make golf more fun.
It comes with an instructional DVD and user manual for training guidance and features a deep green colored top and neon-yellow sides that work as color guides to show you when you are swinging with the correct position. The company claims within 15 minutes you will see an improvement in your swing, and with 4-6 weeks of practice, your golf score will improve with better control of your body.
Golf X-Cube costs $33.95 and is available at www.golf-x-cube.com.