Gift Guide: Krups EA82 Automatic Coffee/Espresso Maker

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Short Version

People like coffee. People like coffeemakers. People like coffeemakers that make great coffee. That’s why you should look into the EA82, Krups’ fanciest coffee maker, an all-automatic espresso and long coffee maker that makes a nearly perfect cup with your own beans nearly every time. It’s probably one of the best home, push-button coffee makers I’ve ever used.

Long Version

Features:

  • Automatic espresso and coffee settings
  • Uses any unground beans
  • Built-in milk frother
  • Removable coffee grounds tray
  • Comes in red and black

Info:

The EA82 is…

… a simple coffee maker that grinds, brews, and blows out a good cup of coffee or espresso in a few minutes. You can set the amount of java coming out with a simple turn of the dial and it includes a self-cleaning function that keeps it going. A two year warranty ensures your maker won’t die in battle.

Buy the EA82 for…

… lazy coffee snobs who are tired of the limited offerings available via traditional “pod” machines and may want something a bit more interesting than an aeropress or similar coffee accouterments. Making a cup of Joe is as easy as selecting a brew – espresso, strong espresso, coffee, or long coffee – and pressing a button. You get up to 240 ml of coffee out of this machine with one button-press.

The coffee is very consistent with a nice head of crema (although it might not be as thick as some less robotic machines) and you can change flavors as easily as swapping out the beans you use for your brew. A self-cleaning function keeps it running smoothly and the milk frother makes a nice latte or cappuccino.

Arguably this is an expensive gift to give someone just to make a little coffee. I particularly liked this device because it was so easy – just pour in some beans, add some water, and press a button. If you’re buying for a real coffee snob, I’d confirm this is exactly what they were looking for. However, if you want a quick and easy and consistent cuppa, this is for you.

Because…

… coffee fans can be very specific about their brews and consistency is important. You’re going to want to check with the intended recipient if they really want to go this route but as a lad who can’t stand lots of pods and coffee shop coffee of late, I was pleasantly surprised by the Krups.


Tasteful Gifts for the Scientific Gourmand

We all have foodie friends, but there’s a difference between those and the ones who treat the kitchen more like a laboratory. We’ve got some gifts for the ones who rely on science with their cooking, or are maybe even just dabbling in molecular gastronomy. And who knows, your stomach might even benefit in the future when your friend makes you a delicious meal out of thanks. More »

Gift Guide: Mophie Outride Action Camera Case For iPhone 4/4S

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Short Version

Mophie is best known for doubling your iPhone’s battery life with the Mophie juice pack, but the company actually offers a wide range of iPhone accessories including the Outride Wide-Angle Lens iPhone case and mount kit.

Anyone who’s been interested in action cameras like the GoPro and Looxcie should be especially interested to get almost the exact same functionality out of their phone with this simple accessory pack.

Long Version

Features:

  • Waterproof, shock-proof case
  • Surf, Bike, Car, and other mounts included
  • Integrated wide-angle lens
  • Comes with Outride app (not yet released) for easy sharing

Info:

  • Available in Black and Red or White and Silver
  • For iPhone 4/4S, not iPhone 5
  • Price: $149.95 (App is free)
  • Available: December 4
  • Product Page

The Outride is…

… where iPhone accessories and action cameras intersect. Rather than have you buy an entirely new camera, fortified for action sports with mounts and waterproof casing, the Outride lets you simply use your iPhone camera by slapping it in a mountable water-proof, shock-proof case. The wide-angle lens provides great footage of skateboarding, biking, etc., and the mount kits let you secure this thing to almost anything in your life. There’s also an Outride app that lets users share videos based on categories like Bike, Motorsports, Sky, Skate, etc.

Buy the Outride for…

… the explorer in your life. Anyone who enjoys outdoor activities, extreme sports, or even just a good bike ride should get a kick out of the Outride case. Unfortunately, the Outride camera case is only available for iPhone 4/4S, so don’t make the silly mistake of buying this for a new iPhone 5 owner. It won’t go over that well.

Because…

… anyone who enjoys an adventure wants hard and fast proof of their bravery. That’s why GoPro cameras have become so popular. Not only does the Outride let extremists record proof of their exploits, but it lets them do this on their phone in a safe way, making sharing with friends super easy.

Click to view slideshow.


Matinee-Priced Gifts for Home Theater Lovers

Do you need to spend a ton of money to enjoy the hell out of movies at home? Nope—that’s a myth. If you want to give your special person’s TV a boost, you can do it on a budget. More »

Lean, Mean Gifts for the Fitness Zealot

Got someone in your life who’s addicted to exercise? Someone who proselytizes the active lifestyle? There are so many fitness-related items out there it’s hard to separate the muscular wheat from the sweaty chaff. But we’ve selected a few of our favorite items you could get your fit friend, if you can catch them. More »

Gift Guide: Sifteo Interactive Gaming Cubes

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Short Version

What do you get the person who already has everything? Sifteo Cubes might be the answer. These innovative little gaming devices work together to create interactive gaming experiences with very tactile, imaginative elements you just can’t get on a standard mobile device.

Long Version

Features:

  • Modal design, additional cubes lead to different gaming experiences
  • Computer-free design
  • Blends traditional tabletop gaming with mobile computing

Info:

  • Touch sensitive screen
  • 128 x 128 pixel TFT LCD displays (per cube)
  • Available: Ships in 7 business days
  • MSRP: $129.95 for the starter set with 3 cubes and base, $29.95 for each additional cube
  • Product page

Sifteo Cubes Are…

… totally unique mobile gaming gadgets, made up of individual squares each with their own LED display, that communicate with each other and a controller base to build changing game boards, world maps and more. This generation of Sifteo Cubes is an upgrade from last year’s model, bringing improved graphics and computer independent play. The cubes now work with a very portable base, meaning you can take these on car trips to keep the kids occupied, or wherever you want to go.

Buy Sifteo Cubes For…

… the playfully experimental people in your lives. Because they offer a wide range of content, Sifteo Cubes are actually suitable for a broad audience. If you want to get your kids playing with something a little more exploratory, challenging and engaging than your average iPad app, Sifteo Cubes fit the bill. And if you’re an adult who grew up loving tabletop gaming and want something that builds on that experience with unique digital elements, these are a good option, too.

Because…

… while mobile gaming continues to be an innovative space on platforms like smartphones and tablets, Sifteo is trying something completely different. The titles that are currently available all offer a slightly different take on the modular mechanics, and there’s bound to be many more on the way from talented developers. Plus, adding relatively inexpensive additional cubes to the three that ship in the starter set also adds more depth to game play. Basically  Sifteo Cubes are never boring, and in a world of uninspired Call of Duty sequels, that’s reason enough to gift these things.


Forceful Gifts for the Star Wars Fanatic

Though divided by the infamous prequels, it’s hard for any Star Wars fan not to get excited for the holiday season. Thanks to Lucas’ marketing efforts, there are more Star Wars gift ideas than there are stars…in that galaxy far, far away. Here are some of the best ways to put a Wookiee-sized smile on your giftee’s face. More »

Gift Guide Giveaway: Turkey Day Gift Cards From ThinkGeek

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It’s Thanksgiving for us here in the U.S. of Gorging On Turkey and we wanted to give thanks for you, our dear audience. It’s your constant readership and semi-trollish comments that keep us waking up in the morning and keep us from going to sleep at night. To thank you, we want to give you a $100 and a $50 ThinkGeek gift card to two lucky winners.

What will you buy with your winnings? Star Trek underwear? A Dr. Who T-shirt? Something that will amuse your co-workers for a few minutes and then collect dust on your cubicle shelf? The choice, as they say, is yours.

To win, please comment below describing the dark carnival of familial pain you’re currently attending with or without your loved ones this holiday. Non-US readers please describe how much fun you’re having in your own milieu, whether you’re going to work tomorrow or hoisting a tankard of your local ale in the warm companionship of your local meadery.

We’ll close the contest on Saturday and pick two winners then. Thanks to ThinkGeek for the cards and happy Thanksgiving!


Space-Saving Gifts for People with Tiny Homes

The basic essentials for living under a roof with four adjacent walls are a constant. But it you live in a shoebox apartment, a dorm room, or a tiny studio, you have to make every little item count. Here are a handful of compact gifts that make a solid contribution to a happy home—and don’t take up a whole lot of room while they do it. More »

High-Octane Gifts for the Grease Monkey

You can take great pride in your vehicle even if you don’t have a clue how to fix it. And if you do know what you’re doing under the hood, that intimate bond borders on spiritual. More »