Arduino and other microcomputers
Perhaps the most welcome gift for the grown-up geek would a microcomputer. It is a peculiar designer for DIY’ers who are at least somewhat familiar with programming. It is better to give not one fee, and set that man immediately started to do something interesting, and was not condemned in the new year holidays to go shopping and look for expansion boards, wiring, LEDs and other details.
Arduino — today the most popular line of computers-designers. “Arduino” is very easy to start to work, you need to assemble the circuit, connect to the computer and write a simple program. Examples on the Internet — lots, and on the official website there is a good documentation. Arduino boards in nature now there are more than a dozen, all of them differ in their characteristics. For example, the Arduino ADK can manage Android devices (e.g. smartphone), the Arduino Leonardo has an Ethernet port, and Arduino Robot, as the name implies, suitable for Assembly robots. However, if you seriously get involved in the development of such projects, then you will need to buy a soldering station, learn to trace and bait boards, but that’s another story. The Arduino microcontroller is a very simple way to get into electronics and programming, and quite affordable.
Kit with Arduino you can order and abroad, and in Russian online stores. And the company “Ampere” collects kits, packages them beautifully and sells almost in bookstores. They are called “Matryoshka” and are from 3 to 6 thousand rubles, depending on the content of the box.
A set of “Matryoshka” with the Arduino Uno
Another popular option is the single Board computer Rapsberry Pi the size of a Bank card. Initially it was created as a lightweight and inexpensive system for teaching computer science but then went to the people to gather even the “smart house”. Options Rapsberry Pi too much, the cheapest and simplest version costs $ 5. The boards this line is a little more difficult to learn than the Arduino, will have to learn the basics and Linux.
Rapsberry Pi
Intel also has toys for those who want to create something with their hands. For example, Edison is a tiny but complete computer in a single chip: the processor and the memory, and the built-in flash and Wi-Fi module. And it works on Linux (special version, of course, is very compact).
Board with Intel Edison
The Sphero Robots
Geeks love to play. To take their can virtual not only fights orcs with the elves, but the high-tech toys from the real world — for example, tiny robots. Such on the market very much, and other famous gadgets startup Sphero.
Sphero
Just Arsenal company now has three models. The first and most popular toy — Sphero, a ball of white color, within which there is a gyro and engine, allowing it to roll in all directions. The Orb can spin on the spot, even a little jumping, and new versions and do not sink in water. However, if the gift recipient will want to perform some tricks, and not just to roll Sphero on the floor and scaring Pets, it is best to look at the model Ollie. It is already cylindrical robot with rubber pads, which is suitable for ski jumping and various acrobatic elements on the ramp.
Sphero Ollie
For the release of the film “Star wars 7: the force awakening” Sphero has released a miniature version of this robot, he repeats the coloring of the new droid space Saga, except that the functions he is smaller and can not talk. Otherwise it’s the same BB-8, where you saw (or will see) in the film. The truth is he’s in Russia now about 15 thousand rubles against $149 in the US, but what wouldn’t one do to see the genuine joy in the eyes kind of geek.
Gamepad for smartphone or tablet
Those who play on smartphones and tablets, handy wireless controller. Of course, in Angry Birds it houses pigs will not paratracheal, but it is not designed for this. But in racing and shooting games will be much easier than moving your fingers across the screen. In the market there are many models of both well-known brands such as Steelseries, and Chinese companies with unpronounceable names. The main thing to remember is that not all models universal, and often they are sharpened only on iOS or Android.
The Moga Joystick
There are those who have a mount for your phone, quite popular model of the company Color. They are within a couple thousand rubles. A bit more interesting accessories Moga, their price tag starts from 2,5 thousand rubles. If we talk about the gamepad without anchoring, many options have Nyko, Duo Gamer and the same SteelSeries. On average, this joystick will cost you one-four thousand.
Joystick Steelseries Stratus
3D pen
To 3D printer, this gadget far, but for entertainment and even as a way to create small plastic crafts very fit. These pens operate on the principle of the glue gun. Inside is a mechanism that pulls the rod out of plastic type ABS or PLA, and a heating element which melts the plastic.
To work with handle is quite simple, but first a little that will turn out. You will have to start with flat patterns on a sheet of paper, and then move on to three-dimensional figures and sculpting in the air. After a few days (or weeks) of training he will be able to do the Eiffel tower and other intricate objects. The most notable was the pen 3Doodler, “the graduate” Kickstarter. But in the market there are other models, for example, firms Myriwell or Real Easy. The device itself will cost $ 3 to 6 thousand rubles. But don’t forget to buy for the gadget set plastic, and the knob is completely useless.
A virtual reality helmet
Yet professional virtual reality helmets not so much (think at least a couple of models, but Oculus Rift does not count), and those that are on sale, are fabulous money. But there is a great budget alternative, is it enough just to view the video with 360°. The easiest and cheapest accessory to watch a video made in Google called Cardboard. It is made of cardboard, a pair of Velcro and two lenses. Simply insert the phone, open a special section on YouTube and enjoy various panoramic views. Is this box from 500 to 1000 rubles, depending on the store.
Google Cardboard
If you think this is too simple an option for the boom, i.e. the model of the Russian company Fibrum. There are already plastic, not cardboard case, design is much safer and more convenient. But the principle is the same. But to these points you can buy all sorts of accessories, for example, the gun that connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth and allows you to play some shooting games. But will cost such a hat in 7 thousand roubles.
Helmet Fibrum
Such a helmet is, and Samsung, but it is suitable only for smartphones of the same brand, and not for all, but only for Galaxy Note 5, edge S6+, S6 and S6 edge. It costs about 10 thousand rubles, but this is the best option for the owner of the Korean phone.
Samsung Gear VR
Smart watch
Of course, this is not a cheap gift, but — the squeak gadget-fashion. The main thing here is to know in advance what the smartphone the recipient. If it’s an iPhone, then the selection of watches produced in small quantities: only expensive Apple Watch. Other gadgets if it can work with iOS, it is in reduced functionality mode.
Huawei Watch
And here if on Android, here is where carousing. Hours on Android Wear in the market a great variety and there is for every taste and budget. The most complex will cost 35-40 thousand rubles (Huawei Watch), but the same Moto 360 is the first generation can now be found in Russia for 12-14 thousand. Have a watch with a round display, square, leather, metal and silicone straps. But filling in all about the same (except that the heart rate monitor is not in all), so the price often depends on the design and use of records. You should look at ASUS ZenWatch, LG Watch Urbane, as well as the Sony SmartWatch 3.
Alcatel OneTouch Watch
However, to dwell on the clock with the operating system from Google is not worth it. There are many cheaper models on proprietary systems. Yes, they are inferior to the gadgets for Wear, but they also have many skills. We wrote about Alcatel OneTouch Watch — they are 8 thousand, look good, and even with iOS can work.
Portable battery
Every geek has a gadget that needs to be charged: tablet, smartphone, or even a player — and most often the battery sits at the most inopportune moment. For such cases and invented portable chargers. There are miniature models that fit in your pocket, but they have a small capacity — 1000-2000 mAh, enough for one full charge the phone. There are options and more powerful up to 40 000 mAh, but these units already have to carry in your backpack if not in a separate bag. On the other hand, they will feed not only a phone but also a laptop, if a suitable adapter.
Portable charger for Xiaomi 10 400 mAh
In such devices should pay attention to the number of USB outlets: better if their will be a couple to simultaneously charge more than one gadget. And, of course, the most important parameter is the capacity, it depends on the price. Small batteries cost from five hundred to two thousand. But for a model with 20 000 mAh will have to pay 5-7 thousand rubles.
LEGO
Everyone knows LEGO. Not everyone knows that adults play with LEGO. And that’s fine. Probably.
We have already reached dozens of series designer, and some of them are generally focused only for Mature audiences. For example, LEGO Architecture Studio, from which you can gather famous buildings: the Sydney Opera house, Empire state building, Brandenburg gate and others.
A robot from LEGO
But the boom is more appropriate a series of LEGO Technic, in which have elements to create simple mechanisms, and programmable robots, or even small vehicles. By the way, this constructor is used in the Massachusetts Institute of technology to build models-miniatures — totally not a children’s lesson.
The Death star from LEGO
I have LEGO sets and Star Wars figures storm troopers, Jedi, Darth Vader and other characters. And collect the meccano, at least the walkers at-at, though the “Death Star” — depends on the purchased set. Are the LEGO sets from 1 to 20 thousand rubles. “Falcon of the Millennium” (the ship of Han Solo), for example, costs 13 thousand rubles.