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![iLuv i1155 Portable DVD Video Player]()
For the Family: I love my iPhone and there's no way I'd hand it to a child to play with. Fear not, the iLuv protects your precious gadget inside the portable case. Simply plug your iPod inside the device and voila! your content plays on a large 8.9" widescreen. It plays media from your portable mp3 player all with an easy to navigate touch screen. It's great for long family trips or simply laying around the living room. Bonus: It charges your iPod when docked. ($269.99, www.i-luv.com)![Xbox Live Experience]()
For the Family: Microsoft has done a great job with streaming media: No other device does what the Xbox can in the living room. You want to watch movies from your Netflix account? Go ahead and stream them using your Xbox instead of waiting for a DVD in the mail. You want HD movies? Visit the Zune marketplace on the Xbox and watch new releases. Surf your Facebook account, listen to music streaming, visit your Twitter account, all from the comfort of your couch. Oh and you can play games too! (prices vary, www.xbox.com/live)![Samsung HT-BD1250]()
For the Family: Audiophiles are weary of claims that all-in-one home theater set-ups can actually provide quality surround sound. But this one does just that. Samsung's HT-BD1250 is one of the most affordable, high-quality home theaters on the market. It comes with a built-in Blu-Ray player that's just as good as a standalone version. This home theater also let's you stream Netflix and Pandora in full surround sound. Gee, Netflix is everywhere! ($449.99, www.samsung.com)![Kodak Zi8 Camcorder]()
For the Family: Pure Digital may have started the cheap video trend with the Flip camcorder, but Kodak upped the ante. The Zi8 lets you capture HD-quality video and snap 5-megapixel still photos, all in one purse- or pocket-friendly device. Kodak lets you store the movies you shoot on memory card you can eject once you fill, unlike the Flip. But what really sets this camera apart is the external microphone jack for recording stereo sound in a loud room. ($179, www.kodak.com)![Asus Skype Phone]()
For the Family: Skype is the perfect way to bring families together for the holiday. But let's be honest, trying to explain to clueless relatives how to set up Skype on their home computer is an effort in futility. ASUS has built a simple device that plugs into your home network connection and makes Skype calls in a matter of minutes. Relatives don't even need a computer to use it! No fooling: My mom even managed to get it up and running with any help from me, and I've got the the video to prove it. ($199.99, www.asus.com)![Apple Nano]()
For Kids and Teens: This isn't your dad's MP3 player anymore. Apple's newest Nano shoots video, streams live radio stations (and even lets you pause live radio), tracks your workouts with Nike Plus, and comes in tons of great colors. Just walking around my office with one of these in my hand, I was stopped no less than five times with statements like, "Ooooo I want the red one." ($149, www.apple.com)![Kodak M381 Digital Camera]()
For Kids and Teens: You know what it's like to hand a camera to a kid: Plan on some terrible photos. Not with this camera. Kodak has done managed to make a camera that doesn't break easily, keeps the image stable, comes in a few nice colors and doesn't kill your wallet. It's easily my favorite kid-friendly camera, because the "Smart Capture" technology takes the guess work out of shooting great pictures. Simply turn it on and the camera figures out the most important subject in the shot. ($169, www.kodak.com)![Asus Disney Netpal]()
For Kids and Teens: Every parent is worried about their child surfing the Internet. Rest easier thanks to Disney and Asus. The two companies have come up with the perfect netbook for kids: The Netpal comes with preinstalled parental controls. The princess pink model is perfect for girls and the magic blue model will make your little boy happy. Don't worry about the music, the Netpal ships with Radio Disney pre-installed so your little ones can stream music straight from Disney. ($350, www.DisneyStore.com/netpal)![Apple Macbook]()
For Kids and Teens: This is Apple's most affordable laptop ever, and it's the perfect gift for a teenager heading off to college. The price may seem steep, but the bells and whistles alone make up for it. This powerhouse comes with a multi-touch trackpad, a beautiful back-lit LED display, and the full suite of iLife applications that make it a great all-in-one device. The movie editing and sound editing software alone make it worth the price. I switched to a Mac last year and I'll never go back. ($999, www.apple.com)Best Gadgets of 2009 for the Whole Family
This year why not get something the whole family can enjoy? Here are my favorite gadgets of 2009, both for the kids and the whole family. By Clayton Morris
Move Forward
- Best Gadgets of 2009 for the Whole Family
