Mothers Day Electronics Gift Guide 2011

OK, it's Mom. We get it... she may not be all that technical - at least I know that my Mom certainly isn't. But isn't that the point? I mean, isn't that why YOU'RE around? If you're going to lift you Mom about of the retro state she's in, then you have to know what's out there and what are the key products for this year's Mothers day. Well we're here to help bring your Mom into 2011 with style. I mean, seriously, we can help. Whether it's a new TV, or a stereo system she can actually use, Audioholics has - for years - prided itself on keeping an eye to what's hot, and what's relevant in the entire realm of consumer electronics. Hey, we may be all cables, speakers, receivers and TVs by day - but we can also tell what the good cameras, mp3 players, headphones and gadgets are as well. And while my favorite fruit may be the Apple, I can hold myself over with a Blackberry from time to time. Read on and enjoy.

It's Mothers Day - or at least it's coming. And here are our annual picks for best electronics gadgets for 2011. These are what's hot, and what we think are the go-to items for this year's greatest gift ideas. And yes, they traverse the entire consumer electronics world, so if we're out of our element (or what you think is our element), then just stand back - we're professionals.

a-JAYS Four iPhone Earphones with Mic/Remote

Price: $69.99 | Buy it now

a-JAYS are really unusual headphones. They come with a unique flat rubberized tangle-free cables and a full-feature three-button remote for Apple’s iPhone. With the sound signature from a-JAYS tweaked to perform even better in the voice frequency ranges and a design made to match your iPhone 4, Mom can now be sure to get the most out of her music and calls. Just Walk. Talk. Listen. No more annoyingly tangled cables. JAYS newly-developed flat cable technology delivers precise, full-bodied sound with minimum tangle. As well as being extremely practical and flexible, this 5mm wide cable will definitely make you stand out from the crowd. Since being introduced, the earphones in the a-JAYS series have been getting loads of positive reviews and awards for their sound, sleek shape and flat tangle-free cables.

Able Planet LinxAudio Extreme XNC230P Noise Canceling Headphones

Price: $98.99 | Buy it now

Noise canceling headphones don't have to cost $350 and be a four-letter word. They are actually quite good to have around and they make air travel so much better. While it's true that in-ear phones can reduce sound by as much if not more, over-the-ear comfort is something to be experienced and Able Planet's XNC230P Headphones offer just the ticket. The XNC230 Extreme Foldable Noise Canceling Headphones provide decent sound quality and effective noise cancellation in a small, yet comfort-focused design. The headphones use the company's LINX audio technology to deliver ample volume while minimizing distortion. These headphones sound natural, immersive, and clean. As for comfort and adjustability, the padded headband provides a snug fit for practically any head size and thick over-ear pads let you wear them for extended periods of time. Active noise canceling technology uses a mic to analyze and eliminate environmental noise found on buses, airplanes and other environments where you want solitude. It takes just one AAA battery to power the system and when you are done they fold up for convenient storage in the included soft carrying pouch.

Apple iPad 2

Price: $499 (and up) | Buy it now

The second generation iPad 2 is 33 percent thinner than the original iPad. It's also 15 percent lighter and comes with a faster dual-core A5 chip that makes multitasking more efficient. It also makes the graphics system and processing noticeably faster - 9x faster according to Apple. And with the addition of a ton of new next-gen tablet games, this is going to result in some very impressive gaming experiences. The optional Smart Cover attaches magnetically (almost magicnetically, if you ask me) and auto-wakes the iPad up from sleep through the integration of internal magnets. It also folds over, giving you a convenient triangular stand. There are two cameras, so you can do FaceTime and use the iPad to take HD video and photos. The unit has a 10-hour battery life, the longest battery life you'll find in a touchscreen tablet.

Otterbox Reflex Series iPhone 4 Case

Price: $44.95 | Buy it now

The OtterBox Reflex Series case for iPhone 4 is compact and lightweight yet inside incorporates revolutionary, rule-defying technology. It's also available in pink - perfect for Mom. The case claims to surround your iPhone 4 with a cushion of air and was supposedly inspired by the crumple zone of a car. Consequently, this case can take a hit and keep your precious iPhone 4 as good as the day you got it. Plus, we love how easily the Reflex Series case snaps apart so that you can easily dock the phone to any device since the lower portion is fully exposed. In terms of the usability of the case, this means you're opening it up to solve one of the greatest problems inherent with combining a durable case with a usable one. The other thing is that the Reflex Series is one of the smallest, most protective cases we've yet used - so those looking for top-level protection in the smallest, most slim fitting form are sure to be pleased.

XtremeMac Luna SST iPod Alarm

Price $129.99 | Buy it now

Xtrememac’s Luna SST is an alarm clock that does a whole lot more. It’s a home audio system that allows you to create the ideal sleeping and waking environments. The clock is unique in that it has a detachable speaker, so you can set the main system next to your bed and place the other stereo speaker on the opposing night stand. So you can achieve some level of stereo separation in your room. Snooze and alarm activation controls are present on both the main and detachable speaker. While your Mom may not care, it's still pretty cool. In addition to this, each alarm can be set independently of the other for true dual sound. The Luna SST has an easy to read LED with brightness control so you can set it as bright or dim as you prefer. It also includes a free XtrememMac alarm clock app that fully integrates with the product to enhance and personalize alarm clock functionality. The alarm can be set to wake to iPod/iPhone, FM radio or even chime. A line-in jack gives you easy connection of other audio devices, so it's quite flexible. For consistency you can set the clock automatically from your iPhone or set it manually from the unit.

Samsung LED 8000 Series 3D Smart TV Television

Price: $2799.95 | Buy it now

Earlier, we did a video review of the Samsung Smart TV technology with the LED 8000. Mom is going to love this TV. It might be outside your budget - but for some, this may be just what the doctor ordered. Samsung Smart TVs allow you to easily search for movies, TV shows, browse the web, explore Samsung apps, chat with friends and find many other types of new interactive TV content. Samsung Apps is a growing collection of premium apps specifically built for your TV that connects you to your favorite digital content such as movies from Netflix or Blockbuster, TV shows from Hulu Plus, videos from YouTube, Next Level sports information from ESPN, Music from Pandora, and social updates from Facebook or Twitter. The Samsung LED 8000 series also includes a Full Web Browser to navigate the internet, a Search All feature so you can find videos via apps or other connected devices and a recommendation engine which suggests movies you might like from your Video-On-Demand services. This is a sexy TV - it's super thin, with a bezel that's only 1/4-inch thick, making the screen look like it extends all the way to the edge of the screen.

Whirl Mini Notebook Laser Mouse

Price: $49.95 | Buy it now

For mom's laptop, it’s time to get rid of that old-fashioned “mini mouse” and upgrade her to the comfort of the Whirl Mini Notebook Mouse with ErgoMotion. The company claims to have the world’s first truly ergonomic compact mouse. We like the feel of this mouse, and actually have it's larger counterpart. When they released it in its micro form, it just made sense that it would make a great gift - especially if you want to help someone prone to repetitive stress injuries. Whether you are right- or left-handed, you can enjoy the unique on-the-go experience of Smartfish's Award Winning computer mouse that they claim will forever change your mousing experience! The  portable Whirl Mini Notebook Mouse combines the remarkably natural comfort of the patented ErgoMotion pivot system with the three most sought-after computer mouse features: Up to 800-dpi hi-def laser sensitivity, 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity and extra long battery life. Go get one, she'll love it.

Handstand 2 iPad 2 Case with Integrated Hand Strap

Price: $49.99 | Buy it now

Hub International's sleek yet durable HandStand2 will bring your Apple-fanatic mother a revolutionary, rotational accessory that allows her to effortlessly spin the device 360 degrees for quick transition from landscape to portrait viewing and back again. It's very cool and makes it super-easy to use and protect the iPad 2 at the same time. Also available for the iPad 1, the HandStand2 iPad holder (which must be pre-ordered at this time), users can comfortably use the iPad 2 while turning it for optimal viewing and easy manipulation of the touch screen without accidentally launching apps or randomly scrolling.  An integrated iPad stand with a slight incline allows for effortless typing when placing the unit on a stable surface. The protective and durable HandStand2 case comes in pink, black and white for $49.99 and will be available for purchase in early May.

Fanny Wang Headphones DuoJack 1002

Price: $169.95 | Buy it now

These on-ear premium headphones are tuned to deliver natural, thumping bass with crystal clear mids and highs. Sound balance and clarity are what's prioritized with the Fanny Wang audio experience. The company aims to bring consumers a truly versatile and beautiful sound. In addition to Fanny Wang's focus on technology-based audio engineering, the company's head designer paid equal attention to the headphone exterior. The iconic Wang design features a svelte, classy yet modern headband, duo-fold structure with sturdy aluminum hinges, a removable cord, and ear cups that combine supreme functionality with comfort. Perfect for the international jetsetter, iTunes connoisseur, on-the-go audio engineer, and professional DJ. The sturdy, tri-fold design makes Fanny Wang headphones easy to stash, stow, and most importantly, protect. They just look cool, and the duo-jack design means that others can tap into your tunes as you listen.

TruLink USB 2.0 to HDMI and VGA with Audio

Price: $119.99 | Buy it now

This isn't something you'd get your Mom without help, but if you want to enable her to watch PC content on her new HDMI-equipped TV, this might be the ticket. The Trulink USB to HDMI (and VGA) Adapter is a flexible solution for connecting laptops or desktops to monitors and/or displays using both analog (VGA) and digital (HDMI) signals. You can even connect both HDMI and VGA to view the same content across two displays using the included USB cable, while enjoying stereo audio through the HDMI and/or 3.5mm audio connection.  The adapter supports primary, extended, mirror and rotated displays modes and allows for the addition of up to 6 displays with minimal configuration and without any additional graphics cards.  Not only is the adapter simple to use and cost-effective, it's also bus-powered so an external power cord is not required. Its compact size also makes it portable so you can use it anywhere. Hook your Mom up this Mother's Day.

SuperTooth BlueTooth Disco Portable Speaker

Price: $149.99 | Buy it now

The Supertooth Disco Bluetooth A2DP Portable Stereo Speaker will let your Mom listen to her favorite music anywhere. It is a Bluetooth multimedia speaker which can be connected wirelessly to a Bluetooth mobile phone, a PDA or to a Bluetooth enabled computer. Once connected, you can stream stereo music from your phone or from your PC/Laptop to the Supertooth Disco. The Supertooth Disco can also be connected to devices used to play music that require a cable or a wire. Plug in your MP3 music player to the stereo line input at the rear side of the Supertooth Disco. The speaker is very easy and convenient to use both indoors or outdoors - and the volume was impressive. It's not complex to use and you can play your favorite music from your mobile devices to the Supertooth Disco and experience clear sound and fairly impressive bass.

Moshi Cardette Ultra Red

Price: $35 | Buy it now

Redesigned from the inside-out, the new Cardette Ultra is a huge step up from its popular predecessor both in terms of looks and function. Its sleek aluminum exterior complements the new line of iMac and MacBooks exquisitely. It's actually the most attractive external USB card reader we've ever seen. The unit is just over a half-inch thick, measuring 4.3" x 2.4 " x 0.65" and works, as you'd expect, on Mac, PC and Linux. Furthermore, it is equipped with the most advanced memory controller IC compatible with next generation high speed/high capacity memory cards. Unlike other generic card readers, Cardette Ultra supports all existing memory card types (except Sony SxS/KxS and Panasonic P2 memory cards) with just 3 slots; making it easy to identify the correct slot for your memory card. Cardette Ultra conveniently links to your Mac/PC via USB 2.0 and draws power directly from it, so there are no external power adapters required. It also comes integrated with two USB 2.0 ports so that you actually gain one extra USB port while plugged in. Cardette Ultra is one of the very few future-proof card readers available today supporting the following memory card formats: all series of CompactFlash (CF) and MicroDrive, all series of Memory Stick (MS,MS Duo, MS PRO Duo), M2, MultiMediaCard (MMC),SecureDigital (SD), micro SD / TF, eXtremeDigital (xD-Picture), and SecureDigital High Capacity (SDHC).

Moshi iLynx 800 Silver

Price: $75 | Buy it now

We couldn't help it - this Moshi product also caught our eye. Preserving the aesthetic design of its predecessor (the iLynx), the iLynx 800 boasts FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394b) speeds under its sleek hood. When plugged in to your iMac, iLynx provides four downstream USB 2.0 ports (backward compatible with USB 1.1) and two FireWire 800 ports (backward compatible with FireWire 400). Equipped with a proprietary DPS (Dynamic Power Sharing) technology, iLynx 800 claims to be the only FireWire/USB combo hub that can support simultaneous operation of high power peripheral devices such as external hard disc or DVD drives without the need for a power adapter.

Hopefully there were at least a few good suggestions in here for your beloved Mom. We certainly try to elevate the technical prowess of our parents every chance we get and Mother's Day and Father's Day is the perfect opportunity to splurge, gadget-style!