The end of the year is around the corner and before we get there we have to give a little thanks, and also a bunch of gifts. Don’t worry – if there’s no cash there is always advice, hugs and smiles to give. Everyone can use a little bit of those sprinkled in their lives. The CuteGeeks have worked together to bring you some gift ideas for your loved ones. We have our top ten gifts, along with our top 3 stocking stuffers.

Our ‘brother’ site also worked on a gift guide so if you’re interested in reading what HardwareGeek recommends-definitely take a peek. We have marked gifts with (Double Geek) if they appear in both guides – just an fyi.

Happy Holidays – we hope you enjoy

10. Blinged out HP USB – HP c335w
This may sound like a cruel joke – but I’ll try to get you to see why this would be a beautiful gift. Let’s say you’ve been dating someone for a while – a cute geek…and they’re always on the go, and need some external storage – either to store stuff or to easily transfer files between two computers – instead of buying her those pair of diamond earrings, buy her HP’s latest gold metal body, blinged out (it’s really just a crystal-but looks just as nice) USB. It comes in a nice box and while I would be pretty pissed if I received one (a blank one that is) I would totally melt if it contained pictures, songs, or anything that the gift-giver and I shared. It’s all about being creative and making your loved ones feel special – here’s your chance. Go for it!
It was actually kind of hard to find online, or on the HP website, but I found it on this site - the 16 GB USB is about $41.

9. Logitech’s Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 & Microsoft’s Arc Touch Mouse
Logitech created a beautiful wireless keyboard to complement anyone’s home office
or work office. The best part about it is its energy saving bonus – it’s solar powered! No wires, no charging, no drama! It can last up to 3 months without any light.

Microsoft’s sexy mouse, as I like to call it, is the latest in comfortable and portable mousing. I’m not even sure if that makes sense but the point is this mouse can lie completely flat, or bend in a shape to fit your hand. I loved the way it felt and could really see how it would complement anyone’s office, whether at home or on the road. Due to its portability, Microsoft has equipped this sexy lil’ thang with the best technology so you can use it on any surface – no ands, ifs or buts. You can even scroll faster thanks to its touch scroll strip (the first of its kind).

These two items would be a good gift to give someone that is into saving space, or optimizing their work area. The keyboard is priced at $79.99 and the mouse is priced at $69.95 – but don’t forget to take advantage of holiday savings.

8. Digital Picture Frame
The worst part about gifts is that sometimes people take them back, or you just want to give it back for whatever reason – the best part about memories is that they’re in your head, and no one can take those away. Your experiences are yours and yours only – that is why I love when someone gives me an experience as a gift, or maybe even capture a picture from that experience. A digital frame is an ideal gift to give someone that is into pictures, or someone you want to constantly remind about ______ – you fill in the blank. You can do so much with a frame, but again, here is an opportunity to personalize it and add pictures that you know will melt your cutegeek’s heart. There are a lot of frames out there, and we only reviewed one – but this is Zenia’s favorite pick – Insignia’s 8” LCD Digital Frame.
7. A Smart Phone
If you’re loved one is still using a vintage phone (anything other than a smart phone) it’s time to update her. Smart phones provide a lot of value to your life – from optimized texting, to email accessibility, to pictures on the go – it adds value, it all depends on how you use them though. This year we saw a plethora of smart phones hit the market and here are some of my top pics:

6. Fitbit
The Although it’s tiny size – the Fitbit is the perfect gift for anyone who is active or who wants to become more active in their lives. It looks like a Bluetooth device, if you look at it very quickly, but it’s more of a massive, cool looking paper clip. The best way to describe the Fitbit is to say it is a very advanced pedometer. You wear it by clipping it anywhere on your body, preferably around your torso, because it captures the data better. It senses your movement, similar to the way a Wii remote does. It measures the amounts of steps you take, transforms it into distance, gets your sleep quality and lets you know how you’ve been performing. It also has a ‘Tamagachi’-like flower, that grows the more active you are, so if there is a day that you just don’t get out and walk, your flower will show its discontent as it withers before your eyes.

$99 gets you the device and online access to a bunch of graphs and charts. An additional $49 gets you more features, some of them being the ability to create 12 week workout plans and it allows you to compare yourself to people in your demographic.
The Fitbit is available here .

5. External Hard Drives
If you’re cutegeek is into media – music, pictures, videos, etc – there’s a good chance they’re either using up too much of their computers memory, or that their computer is running really slow from all of the files. Why not purchase them an external hard drive – to ensure they don’t lose their important data, all the while keeping their computer up to date with only the necessary items they need. One of my favorite hard drives is HP’s Simple Save. These hard drives are for the non-techie (although anyone can use them). They either back up all of your files, or allow you to designate which folders it should search in. it also automatically backs up and looks for new changes, or changed files, if attached to the device. It is very simple to use and affordable.

Another favorite is Seagate’s FreeAgent Go.

HardwareGeeks provides a good opinion in their gift guide HardwareGeek’s Holiday Gift Guide – they recommend a media hub.

4. iPad (Double Geek)
While the hype around Apple’s iPad caused some of us to cringe – I mean, it got A LOT of attention, it’s worth it. The iPad came at a perfect time where we have so many awesome gadget options to choose from that it said – don’t worry, we’ll make it easier for you. The iPad can be your computer on the go – comparable to a netbook because of its size. It can be your eBook Reader – with color pages. It’s like your iPhone, iTouch, i-Anything w/ Apps – you have the huge selection of applications available to pretty much do anything and everything in your life (remember = ‘there’s an app for that’…well there is, and an iPad brings them to your fingertips.) My favorite aspect about the iPad is its look. The iPad is one sexy beast of a toy. It’s sleek, chic, sexy – everything and the accessories make it even nicer. I envision myself wearing all black, shadow eye makeup, red heels, or maybe fishnet stockings and knee-high boots and then BAM – iPad in hand. Ugh – I’ve been yearning for one after having been surrounded by them in the airports, in Starbucks, everywhere.

3. Canon PowerShot Elph (varying models are out there – I can guarantee they are all wonderful, buy what your budget permits – you will not be disappointed)
The Canon PowerShot Elph (SD780-is the one I own) is my favorite gadget. While I have their 12 megapixel camera, their latest camera is 14. The camera takes pristine images, captures HD video, allows you to forget about its settings if you put it on auto-mode (it has built in ‘smart’ technology so it figures out the ideal setting). It is a compact camera so it’ll fit in a purse (even if it’s a small clutch) or in your pocket. I’ve taken my camera ziplining with me, over Costa Rica’s wilderness (I have the video to prove – email me if you want the link). I’ve taken pictures on top of mountains, on the beach, in the sunset, etc. Most of the pictures on my posts have also been taken with them. It definitely makes life look a little better.
Available at most major retailers (Best Buy, Amazon, etc.) with pricing starting above $150 – the latest model is available at Walmart for only $179.

2. We-Vibe
The We-Vibe is an adult toy that can be used by all parties in the relationship. It is a small device that can fit anywhere, and be seen without causing any awkward moments because most people won’t know what it is. It is very comfortable to wear, use, clean and store. It is made from the best stuff on Earth (no, not like Snapple) but the materials are green, so if you’re into buying things like that – woohoo! To read more about it – click here.
Available at multiple retailers – but the best deal on the web (with free shipping) is here – via Amazon.com.

*drumroll please*

1. Microsoft’s Kinect (Double Geek)

Some of the games we suggest are Dance Central (think karaoke for your body-they say “shake everything…except a controller. Because now…You are the controller”-awesome), Fitness Evolved (great way to learn how to workout – I say learn because it will tell you how well you are doing and will show you how to improve). I’ve used the Kinect a couple of times and can ensure a great gaming experience – you will definitely burn a couple of calories while playing any games.

Thanks for checking this out –stay tuned to some giveaways on our site…

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3. Which CuteGeek is holding the Netbook?

Anytime Mobile?

Heard of it? If you haven’t and have an unlimited data plan on Sprint’s network, you are now (or will be at the start of your new billing cycle) able to call ANY mobile phone unlimited.

T-Mobile?

Yup!

Verizon?

Yup!

AT&T?

You bet!

You can call anyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven’t extended my Sprint contract, although they’ve been my provider since I was 16, but now I may just have to. Not only because of this added perk, but because of their upcoming phone – the HTC Hero!

disregard the pen marks on my hand, networking with a slow drying marker pen is not the best thing to do…

It’s a morph between the Palm Pre and any older generation of an HTC phone but according to the representative that I met at Pepcom – it’s different. Completely different and she meant it in a ‘it’s-a-very-awesome-phone, just-not-quite-what-you’re-used-to’ kind of way.

It has the same swivel ball as Blackberry’s and it’s user interface reminded me of the Palm Pre, but also had the great touch screen capability like most HTC phones. High resolution, tons of apps but the one thing I’m not sure I can part with is the fact that it does NOT have a QWERTY keyboard.

The phone looks great though, I can’t wait to get my hands on one of them (for more than the couple of seconds that the video lasted).

I have yet to own a Palm but Sprint will also bless the world with another one. The Palm Pre will soon have a taller little sibling, called the Palm Pixi. The Pixi will be the stylish one out of the two, with the option to own a case designed by an original artist from California.

I took some pictures to show the coolness. I also asked if the Palm Pre would be so lucky to have something like that for itself, but I received somewhat convincing shrugs that they may or may not come out with cases like that. Cross your fingers Palm Pre owners, iPhones have way too many cool cases out there for the Palm’s to be out left in the cold.

I didn’t ask much about the Pixi but to me it looked like a phone that would be targeted for the teenage population that love to text…that’s just my opinion, but I may be wrong. As soon as I get more information on it, I’ll be sure to post.

Just for the record, I have been a Sprint customer for over 8 years for a couple of reasons. Sprint was recently the topic of conversation and the consensus was that yes, they are one of the best, if not the best, service provider. They work almost everywhere, even in some underground train stations in NYC. As a customer, you usually run into problems when you have to call them. They tend to leave people on hold, or transfer too many times for my liking.

Despite it all, Sprint may be winning this race. I’ve never been an ‘iPhone-r’ and Sprint gave me yet another reason, to hold out on jumping providers. This is a much needed move considering they’ve been bleeding customers and were also highlighted as one of the companies veering towards bankruptcy. Lower your plans and I’m sure you’ll get more and keep the ones you already have – just food for thought Sprint Gods.

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Many of us rely on reviews to provide that ‘connection’ we seek when products spark an interest and we almost want to buy. A friend of mine sent me an article this morning highlighting just that. More and more women are depending on the internet to delve a little deeper into their shopping experience, meaning instead of only buying things online, they are actually researching and comparing opinions, prices, etc. before entering that credit card data. Women are using the internet to share tons of information (blogs, pictures, advice, etc.), and the research behind the article show that the participation in these social networking sites/activities are actually influencing the decisions these busy women make in their daily lives.

It’s great – this whole internet thing. We realize professional opinions (those certified in this, with a PhD in that) are not always the preferred source. We want the real deal. We want to hear opinions from the true source. We want the writers of the reviews to be like ‘us’, aka normal, everyday users, not necessarily a power user that knows every single specification.

Surprisingly enough, Palm is also striving to get to that ‘source’. If you’re interested in reading more about how Palm is recruiting real reviewers, and are interested in possibly playing with a Palm Pre (for free, with 6 months of data/voice service) click here.

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