SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Looking for a gift idea for the holiday season?
And are you tired of iPhones, netbooks and x86-based PCs? Try looking at Android phones, Cell-based TVs, E-book readers, GPS phones and even personal TVs.
During the past week or so, Amazon.com, Garmin, Qualcomm, Samsung and Toshiba have separately announced new products. Here's some ideas for the early shopper:
Amazon.com
This is not a new product, but Amazon.com announced that it is lowering the price of its Kindle E-book reader to $259, down from $299. Amazon.com did introduce a new addition to its family of portable reading devices: Kindle with U.S. & International Wireless. Kindle with U.S. & International Wireless now enables readers to wirelessly download content in over 100 countries and territories.
Readers can pre-order Kindle with U.S. & International Wireless starting today for $279. It ships Oct. 19. The product can be seen here.
Garmin Ltd.
AT&T and Garmin recently announced the Garmin nuvifone G60. The G60 integrates a GPS navigator with voice, data and mobile web capabilities. It comes preloaded with maps and millions of points of interest for North America. Customers who purchase a G60 will have everything that they need to use the device as an in-car navigation unit including a dashboard and windshield mount.
The G60 will be available in AT&T stores on Oct. 4 for $299 with a two year service agreement after $100 mail-in-rebate. The device can be seen here.
Qualcomm Inc.
FLO TV Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm, has unveiled the FLO TV Personal Television. This gadget allows users to watch their favorite TV shows via a dedicated handheld device. The FLO TV Personal Television utilizes a capacitive touch-screen for easy navigation. Users can channel surf with just a swipe of their finger.
The device has a 3.5-inch diagonal screen and measures 4.4 inches by 3 inches by 0.5 inches and weighs just over 5 ounces. FLO TV Personal Television subscription service starts as low as the equivalent of $8.99 per month. The device will be offered at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $249.99. The device can be seen here.