Okay ladies, listen up: Valentine’s Day is on Monday. Do you have a gift picked out for the lucky man you’ll be celebrating with? For those of you who are not like some of my over-prepared colleagues, who bought a gift months ago, I’d like to take a few minutes of your time to enlighten you about men and this celebratory day of love.
First of all, don’t stress – this day is more about you than us (don’t act surprised). Also, please don’t treat Valentine’s Day like some big anniversary with excessive expectations and demands for yourself and your man – those aren’t cool. You know what else aren’t cool? Candy hearts. I know, they have become a Valentine’s Day tradition, but honestly, they look and taste like chalk. If you want to make this day even more confusing than it already is, buy a box of hearts with different messages on every one – that’ll get your point across clearly, right? No.
Think out of the box this year. Get your guy a gift that will make his friends jealous, not make fun of him and, by association, you. So, without further ado, I’d like to present to you the top ten Valentine’s Day gifts for your gadget geek – the safe for work edition – in no particular order
1. Beats by Dr. Dre In-Ear Headphones. These bad boys are some of the best in-ear headphones on the market. Designed and crafted by one of the biggest names in music, these headphones are so noise canceling they should come with a how-to guide for sign language. Whether your man works with chatty Kathy’s and tends to lose focus, or you’d like to keep him from responding to that flirty ‘good morning’ from the girl at Starbucks, these are the perfect solution. Between the oversized red cord, black and chrome ear buds and three optional sizes to fit your guy’s ear like a glove (er, earmuff?), give these to your man and you’ll be his Valentine rockstar.
2. Matias Folding Keyboard. This full-size keyboard folds in half for traveling, bringing convenience to its most awesome level since the invention of the automatic dishwasher. Small enough to fit in your man’s briefcase and compatible with the iPhone, iPad and most laptops, this keyboard is the ultimate companion to your guy’s mobile device. Touch-screen and thumb-typing is so 2010. Help your man get stuff done on the go.
3. iDevices’ iGrill. This meat thermometer communicates with your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch through a long-range Bluetooth connection that notifies you when your meat is done cooking. You can also access the thermometer through your Apple device to change your desired temperature (Androiders, you’re looking at a late Q1 availability). Introduce your Valentine to mobile grilling and, who knows, maybe this will get him to cook for you. Oh, and the corresponding iPhone app packed with lots of recipes and other goodies is free.
4. Nikon Coolpix S1100pj. Can’t get your guy to take photos? This should change that. This cam’s wicked built-in projector projects pictures and HD movies onto any flat surface… I’ll let your imagination run wild with that. Toss in the 5x Zoom NIKKOR lens, 14.1-megapixels and 3-inch touch screen with image editing and drawing functions and I think you’ll agree this certainly beats the disposable he’s got in his glove compartment.
5. StealthArmor iPhone 4 case by Fusion of Ideas. This is the Iron Man suit of iPhone cases. Fusion of Ideas has rocked the phone case world with this thing, made from laser cut 0.001-mm-thick polymer film. Equipped with material that was originally designed for racecar bodies, this can withstand most things a dude could possibly do to it (No, it’s not waterproof). If you’re on the fence, what if he drops his phone and then can’t call you because it’s broken? See? Justified.
6. Francis Francis Y1 iperEspresso machine by Illy. Who doesn’t love espresso? This machine creates classic Italian espresso any place there’s a power outlet. iPerEspresso – as Illy calls it, is a two dual extraction process that they’ve patented and perfected that produces this liquefied productivity. If you’re thinking you know your boyfriend would never use this or drink what it makes, I recommend educating him. (P.S. It’s on sale right now)
7. Plantronics Voyager PRO. If you live in a state like California, where wireless earpieces are legally required when driving, this is about as good as it gets. This new headset is the first of its kind that can tell when it’s being worn – no need to constantly be connecting and disconnecting from a phone. There is a sensor on the grip that feels when the set is on an ear and pulls calls to the earpiece. The device is equipped with Plantronics’ AudioIQ2 noise-cancelling technology that cuts out 80% of all outside noise – he can hear you now. Entertain your guy and let him embrace his inner secret agent.
8. TOPEAK ALiEN III. This thing is the closest thing to Batman’s tool belt that you could ever give your Valentine. Made of a pressed stainless steel shell, this 9.57 oz Swiss Army Knife on steroids is packed with 25 different tools that will have your man’s back in most road or trailside run-ins.
9. Samsung BD-C8000. The days of only being able to enjoy your Blu-rays at home are over. This portable Blu-ray player allows you to bring a full HD viewing experience with you everywhere you go – perfect for if Valentine’s Day turns into a weekend getaway. Built in wireless connectivity allows you and your man to enjoy the Web-connected Samsung apps.
10. iRobot Roomba. Honestly, why make your Valentine vacuum? Kick it Jetson style and pick up a Roomba – a vacuuming robot that does all the work for you. This little guy lifts a huge amount of floor-dwelling muck in a compact size with a reasonable price tag. At the end of the day, a cleaner man makes for a happy woman.