Being ultra-mobile gets easier each year as laptops and tablets get thinner and lighter yet more powerful, smartphones get smarter, and batteries last longer. Whether you’re shopping for a frequent traveler or an entrepreneur who runs things from the corner café, these gifts will keep those on your gift list productive wherever they are.
Laptop Accessory:
Blue Microphones Tiki
Need to record podcast-quality audio while on the go, or need a mic for Skype and other VoIP calls that delivers interview fidelity sound? Then the Tiki is a must. This compact mic plugs in via USB and is ready to go. The Tiki filters out background noise and focuses on one voice, mutes automatically, and records a wide range of audio, from vocals to acoustic guitar. $59.99; www.bluemic.com
Bluetooth speaker: Braven 650
Bluetooth headsets don’t suit everyone. This small, light speaker from Braven is perfect for those who do most of their conferencing from the privacy of a hotel room or at home. It’s small enough to carry in a laptop bag, yet offers rich, rounded audio. Listeners on the other end of the call will hear you loud and clear through the integrated microphone. And when you’re ready to relax, it makes music and video sound great. The battery lasts up to 20 hours, and it can charge your smartphone and other USB-powered gadgets as well. $189; www.braven.com
Scanner: IRIScan Express 3
Although it’s possible to “scan†documents with a smartphone camera, if you want a quality scan or the ability to turn paper documents into digital, a real scanner is your best bet. The IRIScan Express 3 comes with Readiris Pro 12 software for OCR scanning (image to text), translation to multiple languages, and output to MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, and more. It’s not bulky or heavy, and it’s powered by USB, so there’s no need for multiple cords. $129; www.irislink.com
(Continued on next page)