Boys and their (tech) toys :: An EDGE dad’s day gift guide
Dads these days are often as tech-savvy as their teenage kids- which can be a bit weird when it comes to things like Facebook (who wants to see their old man on there?), but makes gift giving much easier. As a technophile himself, EDGE Style Editor Jason Salzenstein happily dug into our Father’s Day Gift Gift Guide for dads who love their gadgets.
Check out some of our favorites below- and keep an eye on the EDGE Style section for more Dad’s Day suggestions in the days to come...
Keeping in touch... in style
Although I love the iPhone, it’s definitely not for everyone- including a lot of dads. Don’t think, though, that just because you don’t have the device most often in the media, that you can’t have a fabulous phone. We love the Epix Smartphone from Samsung.
Although it doesn’t carry over its name, the Epix is the "spiritual successor" to the super popular Blackjack series- with extra features added. It’s about the same size as the iPhone, and just as sleek; the big difference- at least on the outside- is that the Epix has a full QWERTY keyboard, with raised keys that are amazingly easy to use.
Dad will love the large (2.5") crystal clear touchscreen display, which makes operating the Epix a breeze. While we don’t love the Windows Mobile platform, we know a lot of dads who will, since it offers a sense of familiarity. Of course you get all of the functions and apps you need: aside from the basics (address book, calendar, text messaging, notes, WiFi, etc.), it’s loaded with Internet Explorer Mobile, IM, Mail, and even scaled-down versions of Word and Excel.
Speaking of excelling, that’s exactly what the Epix does when it comes to media. With the ability to play multiple audio formats (MP3, WAV, AAC, etc.) and take microSD cards up to 32GB, there’s plenty of room for movies, music, and family photos. The GPS system (for use with AT&T Navigator) will make sure he never gets lost. Bluetooth connectivity and a 2-megapixel camera round out the package.
The Samsung Epix is available from AT&T Mobile for about $200. For more info, click here.
iPod Touch :: Always a winner
It’s no surprise that Apple iPods are the go-to gifts for anyone and any holiday: they fill a need, and they do it in style. The iPod Touch makes an especially awesome gift for dad, because you can load it up with useful -and fun- apps that he can use all day. (Or get him a gift card for the iTunes Store and let him pick his own.)
If your dad’s a golfer, he’ll love The Masters Golf Tournament. It’s the organization’s official app, and a great guide to the masters. Plus, he can follow scores and watch live streaming video- for free! Golf fans will also like GolfCard ($20), which uses satellite photos of more than 20,000 courses worldwide to determine distance from the green, track scores, and analyze games with previous rounds. (And if dad plays with partners who tend to stretch the rules a bit, grab iGolfrules ($10), a quick reference guide that’ll ensure everyone’s playing fairly!)
For fitness minded fathers, iFitness ($2) lets you take your workout plan with you, and features pics and instructions of exercises. FitnessBuilder ($20) serves a similar function, with greater detail and more sophistication. Heart Monitor ($4) and BP Buddy ($5) are also great for dads focusing on their health.
CBS Sports Mobile (free) and MLB.com At Bat 2009 ($10) are perfect for sporty dads.
We hardly need to tell you how awesome- and indispensible- the iPod Touch has become to our daily lives. Trust us: no one- especially dads- should leave home without it!
Available from $229 at The Apple Store.
