Anyone celebrating a first Mother’s Day will enjoy capturing the important moments with a 10-megapixel Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG10 HD Digital Video Camera ($200), or displaying still photos in a seven-inch Kodak Pulse digital frame with an LED backlit display ($120). To make sure baby’s in the right mood for all this picture-taking and movie-making, get the WhyCry Baby Crying Analyzer ($40), which claims to be able to decipher a child’s cry and tell you what they’re really saying.
If the mom in your life needs a sturdy point-and-shoot, there’s the Casio Exlim EX-G1 ($300). Its dust-proof, water-proof, freeze-proof, and shock resistant—the perfect camera for anyone wary of kids breaking things. If mom is interested in taking her photography to the next level, but wants something smaller than a DLSR, the interchangeable-lens Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 ($900) offers a happy medium. For the newly serious photographers, there’s the Sony A230, a great entry-level DSLR with a reasonable price-tag ($450). If you’re shopping for someone who already has the camera kit, grab an Eye-Fi card. This nifty accessory uploads images directly from the camera to a computer or photo sharing site.
If your mom loves to read, but would also find other uses for Apple’s latest creation (e-mail, Internet, Plants vs. Zombies), surprise her with an iPad ($499 and up). The iBookstore and other ePub apps will give her instant access to a wealth of books, as well as news and magazines. If mom just wants to read books, and nothing else, consider picking up the the $300, e-Ink Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-600 e-reader. And if she listens to more books than she reads, Audible.com has audiobook plans starting at $8 a month.
If your mom loves music, get her some ear candy with the compact Logitech’s Squeezebox Radio ($200), which plays wirelessly streamed online music, as well as music stored on a computer. To help her keep up on the latest new bands, give her the gift of Pandora One ($36 a year), the ad-free version of the popular music recommendation and internet radio service. And to help her complete the audiophile experience, there’s Bose’s battery-operated QuietComfort 3 Acoustic Noise Canceling headphones ($350), which block unwanted outside noise.
Here are some ideas for the Martha-eque mom who packs a glue gun and knows her way around a Michaels: First there is the Epson Artisan 810 All-in-One printer ($300). With the Artisan 810, mom can print directly from a Mac, a memory card, or even an iPhone. It can also be used for scanning or making copies.
Another gift option is a copy of Apple’s iLife suite ($79). She can organize photos with iPhoto’s Faces and Places features, edit home movies with iMovie, and share her crafty side with friends and family online using iWeb. If your mother is the more hands-on type, there’s this pair of laser guided scissors ($16), which will help her cut only the straightest of lines.
Does mom like to unwind at the end of the day with some quality TV time? A Netflix membership starts at just $9 a month and includes unlimited streaming of TV shows and movies on her Mac, or directly to a TV through a Wii, PS3, or XBox 360. If she likes to load up on episodes from the iTunes Store, get her an iTunes gift card for the cost of a season of one of her favorite TV shows. A gift card can also be sent via e-mail through iTunes.
Did you inherit your geek gene from your mom? She might enjoy a fun gadget like Liquid Image’s Explorer Series Video Swim Mask ($90), which features a 3.1 megapixel camera that shoots underwater video (down to 15 feet). If she’s a numbers fan, get her the Math Quiz Wall Clock ($35) from Decor Craft. And if she loves the newest gadgets but still has a retro aesthetic, consider the handmade iRetrofone Base ($195) that will charge and sync her iPhone, while disguising it as a classic telephone.
Improve the traveling experience of your globetrotting mom with an 8GB iPod touch ($199). She can fill it up with her favorite music, TV shows, and games for long plane, train, or car rides. If she lugs around a laptop on her journeys, we suggest Melissa Beth’s Pocket Full of ‘Puter laptop tote ($198), which protects laptops with a thick foam interior and leather-trimmed exterior.
With a pocket-sized camera like the 12.1 megapixel Casio Exilim EX-S8 ($149), she can capture touristy photos and share her fun with the family back home. Finally, you can help her learn that language she always wanted to know—whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or a business necessity—with the poplar language-learning software, Rosetta Stone (prices vary).
Does your mom like to work out? Does she have an iPod nano, iPod touch (second gen), or iPhone 3GS? Then get her the Nike + iPod Sport Kit ($29), which tracks stats like time, distance, and calories, and then syncs that information with iTunes for evaluation. If she’s a runner, you can help improve her fitness training with Polar’s FT4 portable heart rate monitor ($100), which displays how fast her heart’s pumping and calories burned. For something less intense, consider the WiiFit ($100). Its interactive workout training games are perfect for anyone who wants to get their heart rate up and have fun at the same time.