7 unique gifts for a geek

Question:
Have you ever been in that place where you need to get a gift for a certain someone, and you were fresh out of ideas?
Well I have, and I was so tired of people guessing socially acceptable gifts that I ended up making a wish-list of stuff that I’d appreciate if people got me. (Original post here)

That got me thinking…normal people get normal gifts – and they’re happy about it. But what about that poor geek who gets stuck with a bunch of boutique gift-vouchers and no clue what to do with them?
So for the benefit of all potential gifters and giftees, we present, seven geeky ideas that you can actually buy (online of course!):

1. USB spy-camcorder pen:

spypen

Okay, so maybe no one really needs a video camera built into a pen (with 4gigs of storage, I might add), but the idea is neat.

But somehow, this pen seems kinda creepy: Would you rather trust that guy from the next cubicle who leaves a stout pen on top of his computer screen that somehow seems pointed directly at you?

Hmm, not sure if all great ideas should really make it to manufacturing. But this one did, and this is proof.



2. Wi-fi detecting T-shirt:

Wi-Fi Detecting T-Shirt (Blue - Large)

This tee apparently comes with a built-in circuit chip that detects the presence of any wireless network and then lights up the graphics on the front accordingly.

The best thing I like about t-shirts like this (oh yes, there’s plenty more where that came from) is that it says “geek” in a very subtle way:
You probably don’t even notice anything different unless it lights up; but when it does is a head-turner!

Of course, I wouldn’t wanna wear this on a plane trip – the last thing you need is to explain to Airport Security why your tee shirt has a circuit chip inside it :)

3. Binary watch:

Binary White Sumui Moon Watch SM102W2 with LED Binary Format Display Solid Stainless Steel

Actually this was something I found on the net (or on one of those endless forwarded emails) a long time ago, but I never knew they really existed – or that people actually buy them.

To cut a long story short, the upper row indicates hours and the lower row minutes – and to tell the time all you have to do is think in binary…and if you’re wondering how to do that, then this is probably not for you :)

The perfect gift for a computer programmer I’d think.

 

4. TV turn-off remote keychain:

TV B GONE TV OFF REMOTE

This is one of those things that’s funnier than it looks, but then that goes by what’s your definition of “funny”.

This handy little keychain has over 400 frequencies of “off” codes pre-programmed to turn off virtually any TV, DVD and electronic device that has an infra-red port in it.
I’m not sure how well it works but the makers say it works on “99% of all TVs”.

Hmm, I wonder what people would do when they catch the guy who keeps turning off the TV right in the crucial stages of a match – at the game-bar.


5. Solar powered messenger-bag:

O-Range Lounge Solar Messenger Bag

If it weren’t for the fact that it looks kinda lame (and costs over a 100 bucks!) I’d like to buy this messenger bag.

Not only does it scream Environmentally Friendly, but I guess this is one of those things that’s actually more useful than it is cool.

I’ve been stuck a few times with a dead phone and no charger (or, for that matter, a power outlet) for hours, and it seems to happen especially when you’re expecting a call.
Time to put sunshine to good use.

6. Water-powered clock

Water Powered Alarm Clock

If you’re looking to show how green you are without lugging a weird-looking bag around – here’s an easier way to do it:
An alarm clock that’s powered by water.

I didn’t really understand how this thing is supposed to work; but apparently it’s based on some electrochemical reactions between the electrodes and the water – and produces just enough electricity for it to tell time, temperature and even wake you up!

Quite impressed by that I must say!

7. Electronic Rubik’s cube:

Rubik's TouchCube

To be quite honest, I was never much of a puzzle freak and to this day I could never solve a rubik’s cube.
But I think part of the problem was that the traditional cube doesn’t really help once you’re stuck…that’s where this idea comes in handy:

A touch-sensitive Rubik’s Cube with colors that light up when you slide your fingers across it, allowing you to actually ‘solve’ it.
Best thing is, when you’re stuck or something, apparently it even offers hints for solving the current combination!

But I wonder if it could actually substitute for the real thing?


p.s. In case you were wondering, yes, these really are things you can actually buy – not that you’d want to buy them – but I just happened to stumble upon them one bored afternoon and realized there’s so many weird things out there…and this list is by no means even an remotely complete.

Lemme know what you think!
:)

21 comments:

Darshan Chande said...

Wow! Nice list. I particularly liked solar-powered bag.. Really useful. Also, this TV turn-off key-chain is a good one but for oneself, not for giving away as a gift... :P

Cool :)

A New Beginning said...

If you ask for such gifts Im afraid people would go from guessing what to give you to not giving you anything at all.

With due respect to your dream presents (lol)

Intern said...

rofl! @ wifi Tshirt
and the binary watch seems too out of the norms :P
but then, geeks aren't so normal themselves. i had a classmate who had painstakingly learned morsecode to write notes... for i dont kno who

i like the pen and the solar bag :)

Intern said...

im looking fwd for: 8 unique gifts for the childish minds :P

Rayees Ahamed said...

That spy pen is luring me.

m said...

I hope that I do not find, date and end up with a guy who loves, even knows about, all these stuffs!

-=A.R.N.=- said...

@Darshan
Yeah, I thought for a while about the keychain too...but then I didn't want to make a separate post on "geeky gifts to get for yourself"
:)

@Sana
Let's just say it has happened in the past (my wishlist that is)

@Shimmer
Did you just say morse code?
Whoa...not even technology can help that dude.
:)
And I really like the binary watch...an everyday item that can really get you some attention.

Dhanya said...

I loved that tee! Very useful :D

-=A.R.N.=- said...

@Dhanya
You're just being sarcastic, aren't you?
:)

Yayathy said...

I think......................

-=A.R.N.=- said...

@Yayathy
Yes?
:)

And Welcome to The Square Circle.

Yayathy said...

Thanks for the reception rahman bhai

The Literary Jewels said...

Wow! a nice collection indeed. You have very well put "normal people get normal gifts.."
But then life is so uneventful with everything so normal, isn't it? So nice innovative ideas for a gift and really enjoyable ones.
I enjoyed my visit to your blog...what attracted me most was the title: The Square Circle...that left me thinking...hmmmmm

-=A.R.N.=- said...

@Yayathi
You're welcome
:)
Btw, do we know each other?

@Amritbir
Thx!!
And the title was just something I thought of...in fact I wrote a post about it here when I first moved to my new domain.

m said...

Hmmm.... expensive men! A poor PhD student's purse can never ever spit out such gifts! So we will not date then!!!

I already put a disclaimer that my degree is of no use... anyways, I am one of those people who likes technology but use their cell phones only to make calls and write SMSs (when i don't feel like talking!) and be proud about that, that I am extracting all the benefits of cellphones (not only calling but writing SMS!)

Insignia said...

The idea of an electronic Rubik's square is cool. But fiddling with the real thing is a pleasure on its own!!

Insignia said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Yayathy said...

I came to your page through Ela only. Hope we will come to know each other in future....

Cheers!!!!!

-=A.R.N.=- said...

@Ela
actually most of that stuff is sub-100 bucks. Maybe even 50.
Ultimately I guess the only thing that matters is wat you make of it.

And btw if you don't mind me saying so, I believe using a phone only to call and send msgs is like using a laptop only to calculate and do graphs.
:D

@Insignia
Yeah I'll say.
But seeing as that I'm not really good with puzzles, I'd probably get the electronic one so it can show me how to solve it.


@Yayathy
Sure thing...btw, you have a blog?
Do list it..

Yayathy said...

How to list that?

-=A.R.N.=- said...

@Yayathy
Well you'd probably find an option to "show blogs" on your blogger profile...you can list your blog there.