Part I: Great technology for the holidays

We are a couple weeks away from the most wonderful time of the year and looking forward to that big day when we wake up and see what's under the Christmas tree.

Once again this year, you can bet that the most anticipated and intensely wanted gifts will be those coming from the information technology realm.

If you have been following the consumer markets, you know that the biggest sellers in information technology gadgets continue to be smartphones like the Droid, Android, iPhone Evo and so on. The Apple iPad, iPod and Nano have also been top sellers, as well as the Kindle.

Having said that,I thought it would be good to give you a look at some of the less advertised tech gadgets that are both unique and very interesting. So, let's take a look at what's under the radar, but very new and exciting gifts for this holiday season.

Mindflex

It is often said that we use very little of our brains and if we had the capability to use more of it, we could probably do things like move objects with our minds, read other people's thoughts and maybe even make time stand still.

Of course, all of that is beyond human mental capacity, which is probably a good thing. But fear not, because there is a new tech toy on the market that may help you expand your mental powers and capabilities.

This new brainpower-enhancing device is called Mindflex by Mattel and its main feature is a headset that reads your brain waves, which allows them to interact with and levitate a foam ball.

Now if you think it is unbelievable you must simply see it to believe it. The aim of this device is to move you beyond the realm of the ordinary games that require the roll of a die or lucky draw. Instead, the advanced Mindflex technology brings an entirely new agenda of play as it prompts you to play in a whole new way using the power of your mind. The game begins with you strapping on a headset, which permits you to use the brain's power of concentration to move a ball around the game console and through a mind-altering obstacle course. The Mindflex game is suggested for players ages 8 and above. Check it out and see just how powerful your mind really is and if you possess or can master the power of telekinesis.

SkyScout

Next up is a tech gadget called, The SkyScout created by Celestron. This is an extraordinary handheld device that incorporates advanced GPS technology with point-and-click ease to locate and identify thousands of stars, planets, constellations and more. You need only point the SkyScout at any star in the sky, while clicking the target button and the device will tell you what object you are looking at.

When attempting to locate a star or planet you only need to pinpoint the object's name in the menu and then follow the directional arrows that are revealed in the viewfinder. The overall process is really simple and the SkyScout is very easy to use. It has a built-in celestial database that has information on it and can locate more than 6,000 stars, planets and constellations along with scientific information on each object. Furthermore, the SkyScout provides an extensive amount of text, history and mythology along with more entertaining information on the most popular objects in the solar system and the information comes in audio form as wll. The SkyScout is so cool and is like having your own personal planetarium that fits in the palm of your hand.

Video Glasses

For all you enthusiastic movie buffs there is a new technology in the form of Video Glasses by The Sharper Image, that allow you to watch movies and videos anywhere and at any time, without attracting unwanted attention. The Video Glasses have a virtual wrap screen that displays with a standard 4:3 and 16:9 screen formats and also plays 2D and 3D movies. Another great feature of the Video Glasses is that they support the iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch, portable DVD players, composite-video media players, digital cameras, camcorders, mobile phones with video-out, game systems, and more.

The Video Glasses are very comfortable and stylish to boot with added ability to fit over most prescription eyeglasses. The glasses have Independent left and right eye focal adjustment along with noise-isolating earphones. I have tested The Sharper Image Video Glasses and found them to be both affordable and really nice. Check in next week as I continue to unveil more high tech gadgets that I know you will enjoy, along with cool green tech gadgets as well.

Andino Ward is vice president of marketing and operations of Bardissi Enterprises in Hatfield. Bardissi Enterprises welcomes your questions or comments. Questions you would like answered or topics you would like discussed should be sent to Andino R. Ward at award@bardissi.net. You can also visit www.bardissi.net, or call (215) 853-2266.