CScout Gift Guide

The holidays are upon us, and the dreaded task of Christmas shopping looms. This year, do all your gift shopping online and use the time you save to enjoy some cookies, Gluehwein, and some inner peace. Here are some great gift ideas that we’re tempted to get for ourselves.

Sony Rolly
The Sony Rolly Sound Entertainment Player SEP-10BT puts a new twist on taking music on the go, mixing their famous Aibo with the much more costly Miuro. Rolly has two stereo 20mm active speakers with an output of 1.2W each. What makes the Rolly special, however, is that it roams around like a Roomba, filling your house with tunes stored in its 1GB flash memory or through a stream from your PC using Bluetooth. Buy it on CScout’s Japan Trend Shop

Mobi TykeLight
The TykeLight is a cute little munchkin that emits a soft glow to light the way for little wanderers — in the backyard, in the tent, or in the hallway. These safe, durable, designer nightlights come with long-lasting rechargeable batteries, so you can start using them right out of the package. Buy it on: Get Mobi

Rockband.com
Following the success of Guitar Hero (read our blog entry on Guitar Hero Karaoke), Harmonix is getting ready to release Rockband for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. The game allows players to live out their rock and roll fantasies with an entire band that they build — instrument by instrument — and take on tour. Buy it on: Rockband Store

Archos 605 WiFi
The Archos 605 WiFi is a portable entertainment station that allows you to wirelessly download movies, TV shows, photos, and music, surf the Web, share content, and access Web video sites, just as you would on your computer. You can also view photos and make slide shows with music and transition effects for viewing on your PMP or TV. There is even a Content Portal (CinemaNow) that provides movies and TV shows specifically for 605 WiFi owners. The 30GB model costs $299, while the 160GB one goes for about $400. Buy it on: Amazon

Private Ocean
The Private Ocean from Sega Toys tells the time and date with numbers made up of schools of fish. It also functions as a mesmerizing motion screen, a speaker for your music player, and a great conversations piece. Buy it on CScout’s Japan Trend Shop

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Aquapict Jelly Fish
The silicone jellyfish contained in the Aquapict Jellyfish aquarium move by a slow, invisible current that makes the little scyphozoa seem actually alive. A five-color LED lighting system creates the illusion that the jellyfish are changing color, an effect sure to hypnotize anyone in the room. This is another quirky gift for any budding marine biologists in your family. Buy it on CScout’s Japan Trend Shop

Amazon Kindle
This paperback-sized electronic book allows you to download and read books, blogs, magazines, and newspapers, freeing up some room in your bag. The Kindle can access local wireless networks as well as the 3G network used by advanced cell phones, which saves users from running around searching for wireless hotspots to download content. Content is delivered via Amazon Whispernet, which allows users to read the first page or two of books for free. Amazon’s Kindle sells for $399, but is currently sold out. Check back and buy it on Amazon

The Minusbags.com
The perennially eco-conscious city of San Francisico recently banned plastic bags in supermarkets to cut down on the 180 million bags Bay Area residents use each year. Minusbags — designed by MB Mullan in Brooklyn and hand-stitched in New Hampshire — are a great way to go green in style. The bags are machine washable and can hold up to three plastics bags worth of stuff. Instead of loud corporate logos, the bags are decorated with graphics of fruit, good news for those of us sick of tacky corporate branding. The bags cost a mere $16, and if you buy three, you get an extra one for free. Buy it on: Minusbag Shop

Customized Books
Personalized gifts are always the best ones — a number of online vendors are now offering some innovative personalization services. Blurb.com allows you to turn blogs and other Web content into books. Personalize a cookbook (at Tastebook.com), or let Moo.com turn your digital photos, drawings, and ideas into personalized gifts, cards, stickers, and albums. Create your own stories, or just make something unique and memorable for your loved ones.
Blurb
Tastebook
Moo

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