If you’ve been eyeing that new tablet computer or the latest e-reader, it’s probably best just to keep looking — until after Christmas anyway.
“Dozens of tablets are going to be coming out in the first part of the year,” according to Scott Tharler, a.k.a. The Gadget Concierge and Maine native who has a national reputation for his gadget savvy. “And they’re coming from big companies — HP, Dell, RIM, Samsung. Everyone you can think of is coming out with something.”
Instead, Tharler is bullish on game systems, particularly the new Sony PlayStation and Xbox. Both have released versions that eschew wired controllers for motion capture.
“Both are at the top of their game right now, and they’re going to be that way for a while,” Tharler said. “It’s a good time to get them.”
Tharler, a Biddeford resident, is a national columnist and travel writer who has carved a niche for himself by helping pair people with the tech gadgets that fit best with their needs. His regular tech-gear column appears monthly in Poker-themed “All In.”
From laptops to digital cameras to portable sound systems, Tharler’s philosophy is that simpler is better.
“People think gadgets are these wacky, intimidating things that have short shelf life,” he said. “That’s not really true. It all depends on what you need. Sometimes, all you need is a cell phone and a laptop. You don’t need the latest Android phone or the craziest, tricked out laptop. You need what works.”
Tharler specializes in lists: The five best gadgets for travel, or the best camera for less than $200. He tweets his insights on micro-blogging service Twitter as Gadgetconcierge and said he’s working on creating a blog of his own.
“Mainly, I think in terms of solutions — the things that are going to work best for your situation,” he said. “You want something that supports or enhances your lifestyle. Getting a gadget just for the sake having the latest thing is just wasteful, and unnecessary. You find yourself getting more frustrated and spending more time, not less.”
With that in mind, Tharler has some suggestions for holiday shopping — like waiting to buy that tablet computer. Apple was the first with its popular iPad. Samsung released its Galaxy Tab this month.
Similar but more limited e-readers — with grayscale screens optimized for reading books — from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Sony are being advertised like crazy this shopping season.
But that’s nothing compared to what’s coming. Tharler attended the Consumer Electronics Show preview in New York Nov. 8 and said that tablets were big on everyone’s list. He even expects a new version of the iPad itself in 2011.
He’s been testing a version that combines an full color, 7-inch Android-powered tablet with a gray-scale e-reader, the Pocket Edge by Entourage Edge, which retails for $399.
“One way or another, this segment is going to change a lot in 2011,” he said. “Don’t rush to buy one until then.”
But digital video and still cameras are a good buy. The newest versions feature built-in projectors that shine images on the wall of a dark room. He’s especially fond of the Nikon Coolpix, s110pj, which retails for $349.95, and the 3M Shoot n Share CP40, $299.99.
Tharler’s other hot holiday buying suggestions:
— VIOLight UV Cell Phone Sanitizer, $49.99: Uses ultraviolet light to kill 99 percent of germs and bacteria on handheld electronic devices like cell phones, Bluetooth headsets and MP3 players.
— Joby Gorillatorch Blade, $59.95: A ridiculously bright, hands-free flashlight that recharges through a USB plug. The best feature is a bendable tripod that allows it attach to just about anything.
— AViiQ Portable Laptop Stand, $79.99: A thin piece of aluminum origami that unfolds from pocket-size to keep a laptop up off your legs or desk. That’s key to keeping the laptop fans turning and inner workings cool.
— Moixa Energy USBCell, $19.95/2 pack: Looks just like a standard AA battery, but the top flips to reveal a USB plug for recharging.
— Inspired Instruments YouRock Guitar, $199: A real electric guitar with a built-in amplifier that comes apart and reassembles quickly for travel. It can also be used as a video game controller for Rock Band and Guitar Hero.
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- Scott Tharler, aka “The Gadget Concierge,” from Biddeford, shows off two hot new products during a Christmas gift-buying presentation at the Auburn Public Library recently. The gadget in his right hand is the Nikon Coolpix s1100pj, a camera that also projects images. The one in his left hand is the 3M Camcorder Projector Shoot n Share CP40, a mini projector that also takes photos.
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- AViiQ Portable Laptop Stand is a thin piece of aluminum origami that unfolds from pocket-sized to lift a laptop up off of your legs or desk.
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- Joby Gorillatorch Blade is a rugged and portable hands-free flashlight.
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- Moixa Energy USBCell’s are AA batteries that recharge via any USB port.
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- The VioLight is a UV cell phone sanitizer.
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- The Nikon Coolpix S1100pj 14.1 Megapixel Compact Camera has a built-in projector.
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- The 3M Camcorder Projector Shoot n Share CP40 is a portable mini-projector with a built in video and still camera.
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- The iHome iP46 is a rechargeable speaker for the iPhone or any iPod.
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- The Tunebug Shake is an ultra-portable sound generator that can be connected to iPods, MP3 players or mobile phones or used wirelessly using Bluetooth, without isolating yourself from surrounding sound.
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- Mosi Moshi 04 is a super-high-quality Bluetooth stereo speaker and noise reduction conference call unit that can be paired with two different Bluetooth devices.
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