FOR THE WEEK OF DEC. 02, 2024

Holiday tech gifts: See what's new, clever and affordable

Tech devices and accessories that you get or give this season can be practical as well as cool. Choices of digital gadgets and electronic diversions seem to get more imaginative, portable and interactive each year. Check out a sampling of new music, phone and gaming accessories.

Digital music fans may like the AGPTEK A19X Portable Music Player ($39), available in a blue or black case, has 32GB of storage for MP3 files, Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connectivity, an FM radio option and up to 48 hours of battery life. Speaking of music, a new Turn 510BT model of JBL wireless headphones ($25-$36) let you stream wirelessly from your device. They have enhanced bass, up to 40 hours of battery life and a USB-C charging connector. (A full recharge takes at least two hours, though a five-minute recharge gives two additional hours of music.) The on-ear cans come in black, white, blue and rose. Users can switch between two devices so you don't miss a call.

Here are three new portable chargers:

• The MegaPuff Solar Charger ($47) for phones and tablets is useful for outdoor travel and anywhere plug-in charging is impossible. The water-resistant cube that provides eight to 10 hours of power charging in bright sun.
• The Blavor Solar Charger Power Bank ($27) for iPhones, iPads and Samsung devices has a USB-C output and a lithium-cobalt battery that can run for up to six hours. It powers an iPhone 15 to 65 percent in half an hour and can charge three devices simultaneously. There's even a built-in flashlight.
• The Baseus Slim Airpow Battery Pack ($19) is a compact device that can fully charge most phones with power to spare. And thanks to a pair of USB-C ports and a USB-A connector, it also can power up wireless headphones or earbuds. A battery level indicator is in the black or white housing.

These earbud choices start with one that's wired, followed by two Bluetooth designs:

• MEE Audio offers a M6 Sport model ($16-$20) with around-ear loops and a USB-C connector to fit the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro, as well as the iPad, the Mac and their Android rivals, among many other. Features include a three-button remote and choice of clear or black housing.
• Anker's Soundcore Life P20i wireless model ($25-$37) has customizable sound via a companion app and comes in black, white or blue. They use Bluetooth 5.3 technology and have up to 10 hours of battery life.
• For those who prefer a neckband version, Sony's WI-C310 wireless model ($40) also has app-customizable sound, also comes in black, white or blue, and promises longer battery life of up to 15 hours.

Presents for gamers include:

• The PowerA Spectra Infinity wired gaming controller ($72), a reasonably priced gift for Xbox and PC players. The accessory has LED lighting, a multitude of modes, buttons and thumb sticks with mappable keys, and a volume dial. It carries a two-year warranty.
• For fans of old-school games your parents played, the My Arcade Retro Machine is a miniature arcade cabinet with 200 retro-inspired titles. Features include a speaker, joystick, standard A and B buttons for in-game actions, and a start button for pausing. It's six inches high, has a 2.5-inch color screen and uses three AA batteries or can plug into power via a MicroUSB cable.

Leather iPhone case: This slim accessory can guard an iPhone against 10-foot drops. It's $45 in black, brown, tan and a natural leather finish from nomadgoods.com, with sizes to fit any iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone 13 and the iPhone SE.

Charger plug: Since top-shelf phones aren't sold with a charging adapter, Anker's new Nano Pro USB-C charger ($14-$20) works with an iPhone or Android, as well as a tablet. It has a retractable plug and five colors (black, white, blue, green, lavender) to match a gift recipient's phone.

Bluetooth mini speakers: Wirelessly stream music from a phone, tablet or any other Bluetooth-enabled device with the JBL Go 4 model ($40) or the triangular Oontz Solo ($20). Despite their tiny size, they deliver powerful sound and punchy bass, the makers say. JBL's fully waterproof speaker has up to seven hours of battery life, a carry loop and nine color choices. The water-resistant Oontz version Solo is just four inches long, and weighs under eight ounces and has a battery rated to last up to 10 hours. Cases are black, red, blue or white.

Front Page Talking Points Archive

Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.