There is little over a week left until Christmas, which means it is time to get those items on your holiday shopping list checked off as soon as possible. If you have a few Android owners on your list, we are here to help with a handful of hardware and accessory recommendations that’ll please even the seasoned Android veteran.
Recommended Medium-Sized Tablet: Nexus 7 ($199) The Nexus 7 is Google’s showcase Android tablet. It’s a perfect size for tossing in your bag and is a great tablet for using around the house. It is powered by the latest version of Android (Android 4.4. KitKat), which is ideal for Android users who like to be on the cutting edge. Hardware-wise, the Nexus 7 features a 7-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920*1200 and 323ppi, a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro clocked at 1.5GHz, and an Adreno 320 GPU. There is also 2GB of RAM, 16/32GB of storage space, dual-stereos with Fraunhofer virtual surround sound and a 5MP camera at the rear with a 1.2MP front-facing camera. Connectivity options include dual-band Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and LTE in select models. Other bonuses include a notification LED, optional wireless charging and a microUSB port.
Recommended Smartphone: Nexus 5 ($349) Like the Nexus 7, the Nexus 5 is Google’s showcase Android smartphone. It’s powered by the latest version of Android and it’s specs are in line with most smartphones in its class. It’s most attractive feature is its $349 price tag. Hardware-wise, the Nexus 5 comes with a 5-inch 1080p screen, 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM, 8-megapixel rear facing camera with Optical Image Stabilization, 1.3-megapixel front facing camera, 4G LTE support and lots more. It is available on the Google Play Store starting at $349 for the 16GB model. It won’t ship in time for the holidays, so you may have to search for it at Best Buy or carriers like Sprint and T-Mobile.
Recommended Oversized Smartphone: Galaxy Note 3 ($$ varies) The Galaxy Note 3 is Samsung’s solid offering in the oversized phablet market. A true in-betweener, the device is big enough to be a tablet, but it rocks a cellular chip allowing it to make phone calls like a smartphone. The full spec sheet of the Note 3 includes a Snapdragon S800 SoC in LTE markets, Exynos 5250 SoC in other regions, 5.64-inch Super AMOLED display, 3GB of RAM, 32/64Gb of storage space, 13MP camera with a CRI LED flash, Ultra HD video recording on selected variants and 1080p Full HD video recording at 60FPS on all variants, Ultra HD Audio quality with playback at 24-bit at 192kHz, enhanced S-Pen and all the usual other connectivity features such as NFC, GPS and Bluetooth 4.0 LE. The Note 3 is available on all major carriers in the US, including Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile.
Recommended Rugged Case: OtterBox ($25-90) Otterbox is known for its rugged and durable cases that’ll protect your Android devices from the elements as well as unexpected falls. They have a variety of options including the Armor series, which is crush-proof, waterproof and dust-proof and the more slim-fitting commuter series that is less bulky but still offers protection from a fall. The OtterBox cases are pricey, but they are worth the price if you are the type of person who works or plays in an environment where falls are common.
Recommended Case: Seidio Dilex ($35) Seidio offers several mid-range cases in a variety of styles. It’s most popular model is the Dilex case which is made of shock-absorbing silicone and offers an optional kickstand. Seidio cases are protective, stylish and won’t break the bank. Prices for the basic cases start in the $30 range.
Recommended Case: CruzerLite ($30 or less) CruzerLite has a variety of unique and affordable cases for the Note 3, Nexus 5 and other smartphones. The case maker is best known for its Androidified cases that sport the Android robot on the back. Most of the Cruzerlite cases cost $30 or less, so its a wonderful option for those on a tight budget.
Recommended Case Alternative: Invisible Shield ($49) If you prefer to go caseless, you still should consider an Invisible Shield skin to protect your device’s case and screen from unexpected scratches. The Invisible Shield is colorless and adds little to no bulk to the form factor of a device. It has a grippy feel which prevents a device from slipping from your hand. The Invisible Shield comes with a lifetime guarantee for the lifespan of your device. Recommended Android-Compatible Gadget: Pebble ($149) The Pebble Smartwatch went on sale earlier this year and allows you shuttle data between your phone and your wrist. You can see incoming emails, text messages and caller ID on the wristwatch. It also interacts with some apps allowing you to control music playback and more from the watch.
Recommended Personal Music System: Bose Soundlink Mini ($199)
Recommended Household Music System: Sonos Play: 1 ($199) The Sonos Play: 1 is an affordable option for people who want the Sonos audio experience without breaking the bank. The wireless speaker system is priced at $199, though you can get it cheaper if you shop around. It offers near perfect wireless streaming with support for services like Spotify, Pandora and Rdio. Pair the Sonos speaker with the Sonos Controller app to control all your Sonos devices from your smartphone or tablet. Recommended Home Entertainment device: Chromecast ($35) The Chromecast dongle connects to your HDTV and allows you to receive streaming content from a variety of sources including Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus and more. It also works with a growing number of apps, allowing you to watch their content to your TV. The dongle is simple to install — just plug it in and starting sending videos and more from your smartphone, tablet or computer right to your TV.
Recommended Miscellaneous Gift: Play Store Gift Card ($10, $25, $50) The Play Store Gift Card is the perfect gift for the Android owner who already has everything. This simple and easy gift will give the recipient a lump of cash that they can use to buy music, movies, apps and more. Available in a variety of denominations, the gift card can be purchased online from the Google Play Store and from retailers like Best Buy, Walgreens, Target, Walmart and more.
