Insert your favorite holiday cliche here. Go ahead. Do it. I won't judge. 'Tis the season. Deck the halls with something something. It's that time of year again.
We're starting our annual holiday gift guides. And this year, we're personalizing them. Perhaps you've already seen Jerry's glazed ham? (OK, who hasn't seen Jerry's glazed ham.) Now it's my turn.
Read on for my must-have Android-related gifts for 2012.
The Google Nexus Q
I don't care that the Nexus Q was shelved before it ever really went on sale. I don't care that we don't know if it'll ever return in its current form. I do know that a few shipped, and I love this little orb. With it I can get YouTube, Google Play movies and Google Music piped into my home entertainment center. (And don't forget it'll serve as a standalone amplifier, too -- no TV necessary!)
You can still find the Nexus Q for sale online. EBay's got it for $200 or less. And for me, that's not a horrible price. A little bit of a splurge for something that might well be defunct. But, dammit, the Nexus Q still works, and it works well. If you can find one, get it. [Nexus Q on eBay]
SIM card cutter
These are cheap but indispensable. You might not think you need one -- until you find you need one. It's simple: Insert your mini-SIM card, and squeeze the handle. Out pops a micro-SIM. Or maybe even a nano-SIM, if that's how you roll. Your cutter likely will come with some adapters, too. Trust me, it's $4 or $5 well spent if you want to save time somewhere down the road. [Amazon]
Rechargable Bluetooth speaker
I'm still surprised at how much I use a speaker around the house. In the kitchen. Out back. On the front porch. And if you're not a Bluetooth fan (it can still be a little bit finicky), just plug in. No muss, no fuss. I've been using the Supertooth Disco 1 for what feels like forever now. If you've got some extra money to burn, step up and check out the ever-stylish Jawbone Jambox. [ShopAndroid]
Headphones
I'm a bit of a headphone hog -- different sets for different uses. Cans for desk work. Less comfortable noise-canceling plugs for long flights. But my day-to-day travelers are the Bose MIE2i headsets. Good sound, a comfortable fit, and a price that, while not cheap at a little more than $100, doesn't break the bank. Plus it's got the talk/end button for calls (and that button does double duty for music apps, too). [Amazon]
A major award
OK, this is only the 20-incher. (The full 45-inch leg costs three times as much.) But c'mon, it's a major award! [Amazon]
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
The latest Steve Aoki concert is even better in VR
Do you miss live concerts? Steve Aoki and Oculus are teaming up to help bring you an immersive live concert in VR on September 30 based on Neon Future IV, the 4th studio album launched earlier this year.
How to watch Google's Pixel 5 event livestream on September 30
Between new Pixel phones and an all-new Chromecast, we're expecting a few different hardware announcements from Google's "Launch Night In" event on Septemeber 30. Here's how you can tune-in and watch it!
Review: Until you Fall will punish you, but it's worth it
Until You Fall is a VR roguelite that'll challenge your skills with a blade, your wits, and your arm muscles. It's now available on the Oculus Quest, Oculus Quest 2, PlayStation VR (PSVR), and PC VR platforms including SteamVR and Oculus Rift.
Relax your grip with these Oculus Touch hand straps and grips
When using Oculus Touch controllers, you must constantly keep your fingers clenched to avoid dropping them. Thankfully, there are a few reliable mods that replace the built-in straps with more secure straps and grips, both for the original Touch controllers and the new Touch 2s.