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iPod and iPhone gifts for movie lovers
Stuck for Christmas presents? Your movie-loving friends will love these iPod & iPhone gifts.
With the advent of iPods and iPhone with large screens that can play video, the iPod and iPhone have become a great mobile platform for watching movies and TV shows. Whether it's commuting to work or taking longer trips - on a bus across the country - an iPod or iPhone packed with movies and TV shows can be a great way to pass the time. If you've got a big movie or TV fan in your life, here are some ideas for great gifts this 2009 holiday season.
An iPod touch or iPhone 3GS
Every movie lover wants an third generation iPod touch or iPhone 3GS, because the new models are great - the new iPod and iPhone feature including music and video playback, wireless music purchase from the iTunes Store. A Shuffle may not be your best bet, since it lacks a screen, video features, and substantial storage, but any other iPod and iPhone (specially the new iPod touch or iPhone 3GS) should fit the bill. Combine this capacity with a great music player and all the options the App Store offers, you've got a terrific gift and ultimate companion in your digital life.
iTunes Gift Card
Every iPod or iPhone owner can do well with an iTunes Store gift card. With that card, they can buy music and videos for download. Though the selection of movies at the iTunes Store is smaller than its selection of music, more movies and TV shows are being added all the time. An iTunes gift card is a perfect accompaniment to any gift of an iPod or iPhone model.
iPod / iPhone video-out Cables
iPods and iPhones don't just display video on their built-in screens. They can also output video to TVs. While obviously not a good alternative for watching video while traveling, if your videos live on your iPod or iPhone, or you want to bring a big selection of movies to friends' houses, these cables are great. The cables cost from about US$20 to about $75.
Albums, Movies, TV Shows
Many of us are old enough to remember the fun of getting a CD, tape, or even LP as a gift during holidays gone by. While giving a gift card is nice, it's not quite the same as giving someone a specific item - an item that may have more meaning than a gift card. If you're looking for that kind of gift, consider using the iTunes Store to give an album, movie, TV show, or audiobook. Information about the gift will be delivered to the recipient via email as soon as you buy it, though, so if you want it to be a surprise, wait 'til the last minute!
DVD Ripping Software
For movie lovers with big DVD libraries, DVD Ripper software can help them convert DVDs into iPod and iPhone compatible video files on Mac, including Snow Leopard. There are many programs such as Handbrake and iFunia DVD Ripper for Mac that do this, ranging from free to those that cost $20-$40. They vary in output quality, so try a free download and then make the right choice.
iPod Video Docks
If your traveling movie fan wants a bigger screen to watch, but doesn't have a TV handy, a video dock could be the key. These docks, which house an iPod Classic, iPod touch, iPod nano, or iPhone, have larger screens than the iPod (usually a 7 or 8-inch LCD) and built-in speakers. They also tend to be small, sometimes foldable, and almost always portable. Expect to pay around $100-$150 for these.
5th Generation iPod Nano
If your movie fan not only likes watching movies, but also making them, consider picking them up the 5th generation iPod nano, a handy little movie-making machine. While also offering all the traditional iPod features, this nano adds a video camera capable of taking 640 x 480 video at up to 30 frames per second. The nano even offers 15 built-in special effects modes to give the movies some style. While these movies aren't HD quality, they're solid for short, fun memory-making.
Apple Remote App
Apple Remote App is free, available from www.apple.com/uk/itunes/remote This should be downloaded by anyone that owns an iPod touch or iPhone. The Remote software turns the iPod/ iPhone into a remote control that your movie fan can use to play movies, music and videos on their Mac or Apple TV. It's a two-way link, too, so they can browse their album artwork on the iPod screen, or create and edit playlists all from the comfort of their sofa.
