Kindle Fire
Price: 199.00
Rating: All Ages
Recommended by: Trina

The Kindle Fire has amazing specs for a tablet that is only $199. If you can do without a camera, this may be the best tablet for your dollars. The Silk Browser will provide even faster web browsing and while the tablet has a dual core processor, it works faster by storing things on the cloud for easy accessibility. I also like the User Interface on the tablet, something tablets other than Apple’s have not been able to master.

iPad
Price: Starting at $499.
Rating: All Ages
Recommended by: Trina

How can you not recommend an iPad for anyone that may not have one yet. Yes, a competitor is on this list, but if you really want something that is established, has a great apps and games library. It’s easy to use and from what I see, kids quickly know how to use it. Throw some educational games on there and pretty soon you’ll have them entertained and learning!

Griffin Crayola Trace & Draw Case:
Price: 39.95
Rating:  All Ages (Designed more so for children)
Recommended by: Netzach

Whenever I talk to parents about the gadgets they they buy, other then the “I use it for work.” statement that I get, the second statement that I get is “My kids can play with it.” For those gadgets lovers with kids, this is a case is great for you. This cases not only protects the IPad, but it turns the IPad into a art table for you little one.The case snaps around the IPad with ease of getting it off and on for kids use. The case comes with a free trace and draw app for the IPad. Best part, it has been kid tested!

Skullcandy Headphones
Price: 29.99-149.99
Rating: Pre-Teens-Teenagers
Recommend by : Netzach

I don’t know about you, but I see more and more teenagers and preteens walking about with headphones either in their ears or around their ears. Down the hall way, sitting at the bus stop, or even walking through the mall in packs.  Trust me, I was one of them while I was in university. But since I have been working at Gaming Angels, I understand the need for a great pair of headphones. Skullcandy headphones are a great brand of headphones, that offer great sound quality. The designs and styles range so that you can pick out a pair that really show off the wearers personality.  Not to mention that it

Note to parents: Please talk to you child about the volume levels of their music. I spend a lot of time in my profession telling kids that if I can hear their music half way down the hall, it is too loud. I would suggest that if they won’t turn it down, then opt for a set of headphones that do not go directly into the ear. Though most headphones that go over the ears now are a little more pricer then in ear headphones.

Turtle Beaches:

Price: 29.99-270.00
Rating: Everyone
Recommend by: Netzach

Now, from music headphones to gaming headphones. I recommend the Turtle Beach brand of headphones. I have been using these headphones for the last little while and were introduced to them while playing Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.  The sound quality is superb, and I found that not only could I hear all the action within game, but I was able to block out the external sound around me. No more distractions while trying to get that last kill.  Also, the headsets are comfortable, and hardly any sound escapes. Which means that someone can watch a movie in piece while someone else plays their  games. These headsets come in varieties for the Playsation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. If you are ordering for a person with all systems I would suggest to get a headset that is compatible with all systems. If not, look under each headset type and see what you believe you need.  Remember, some headsets are used to amplify the stereo sound and other have soundround sound build into them. It depends on price range, and what you think would be best for you gaming geek.

Mimobot Flash Drive
Price: 19.95-22.95
Rating: Everyone
Recommend by: Netzach

You got that techy person for secret santa? No problem! I don’t know how many time I can recommend these awesome little USB drives of style. These drives come in a variety of popular culture reference (Batman, Transformers, Star Wars, Hello Kitty, and Emily Strange), and artistic renditions. (Tokidoki etc.) There is really something for everyone when it comes to these cool little flash drives.

To begin with, the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Collectors Edition controller for the Playstation 3. Would be
considered one stylish controller. This controller features analog sticks which are concave  and a D-Pad which is fully functional. The style is much like the “old school” D-pads, of earlier controller of the gaming era. Not only are the gamin button features there, the style is beautiful with the black and carbon colouring, grips on the handles, and the “night vision” green glow of the MW3 logo.  The controller retails for 49.99.

The Call of Duty: Black Ops Collectors Edition wireless headset for the Wii is another addition to the gaming gear spectrum. This is a sleek and sexy looking black headset with the Call of Duty logo on the ear piece. The headset is suppose to provide clear sound, for while you are playing these first person shooters.  The headset also works with both Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and Call of Duty: Black Ops.

According to a press release

Statement by Apple’s Board of Directors

CUPERTINO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today.

Steve’s brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.

His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.

Apple has also posted on their website of Mr. Jobs’ passing stating,

Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius.

We here at Gaming Angels.com send our condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Steve.
If you wish to send any memories, wishes or condolences, please send them to  rememberingsteve@apple.com

Thank you IGN for the link to the press release information.

The FragFX Shark 360 is one of those high end controllers designed for the Xbox 360. The controller is a combination of an analog stick and a mouse to play first person shooters. The controller’s buttons can be customized to your personal gaming preference, and can also be customized in terms of layout and sensitivity on the fly. Meaning in the middle of match, you are not wasting those precious seconds that can mean the gaming winning kill or your death.

According to press release the key features of the controller are:

One of the greatest features about the Splitfish is the fact that you can use the same controller on your Xbox 360 to play shooter games on your PC or Mac. This means you do not have you make a secondary purchase to play your favourite shoot on you personal computer.  I believe this is a great option because the calibre of quality that you would expect from a Splitfish controller, can be experience on the computer.  It is also another bonus that this controller is wireless.

Those of us in North America can obtain this new controller now, while Europe will have to wait until the 10th of October. To obtain this controller and other Splitfish controllers, visit the official website.

Ladies and gents, you can’t beat that price….unless you were giving something back. In a way, Valve is.

As seen though the new website that gives you the link to download either the Mac or PC version of Portal for free, Valve is promoting “Learning with Portals,” which uses the game to teach math, logic, physics and engineering concepts. (I get the warm and fuzzies when education and gaming are combined.)

This is not the first time that I have heard that teachers are using video games within the classroom. (I wrote an entire master’s education paper on such a concept, I should know.) This is the first time that a company as huge as Valve has provided their game for free for education purposes.

Now, don’t be tardy with the download, unlike the last high school assignment that you might have handed in. This offer ends September 20.

So get your learning on, and maybe a little cake, too.

Learning with Portals

You can begin your custom order now. Evil Controller

“The wait is over,” said Sonomax President and CEO Nick Laperle. “Ever since we introduced sculpted eers custom earphones this winter, people have been clamoring for them. We wanted to make sure that this exciting product fully met Sonomax’s and our customers’ high expectations before releasing it to the general public. That time has come. We are excited that customers who are near Airport Wireless and Tech Showcase stores, located in most major U.S. airports, Boutique Tone in Montreal and HearAtLast stores in Canada, will be able to buy sculpted eers there soon.  While we will continue to pursue other retail and OEM opportunities, we wanted to give customers who are not in those markets the option of pre-ordering.

The beautifully crafted earphones are considered the first and only self-fit earphones to date, where it only take four minutes for you to create earphones which will fit perfectly into you ears to provide you with quality sound. The feature which really pleases me is the fact that because the earphones are designed to fit your ear, you can listen to you music, and audiobooks at a fraction of the volume level. This means preservation of your hearing.  Sculpted Eers are currently in the pre-order stage and will be retailing for 199.99. The shipping of the headphones will begin in August.

PDP offered the following products for viewing during E3 this year.: A new version of the Mortal Kombat Klassic Fightstick, The Afterglow controller and communicator,and My First Remote. Though the company has many other products including a number of licensed merchandise from, I will be focusing on the new gaming pads and controllers.

To begin, PDP created a fightsticks controller for both the Playstation 3 and the Xbox 360 styles. This is so that many players can experience the new Mortal Kombat game, in the classic arcade sense, with a joystick and six buttons. The redesign of the Mortal Kombat Klassic Fightstick also had a throw back to the classic Mortal Kombat arcade game cabinet, which I must admit, ate a good many of my quarters.  For those of you that are playing a little multiplayer action, then the Versus Fight Pad which will be available for all current entertainment systems.

Let’s move to a new instalments in the Afterglow collection. The afterglow collection which we did a preview of on the Gaming Angel’s website, is introducing the first rechargable wireless controller and the Afterglow communicator. The Afterglow’s first wireless rechargeable controller is only available for the Playstation 3. Though this is the case, it will still be a wonderful addition to any Playstation owner’s collection of controller. What is really big in Afterglow line is the new Afterglow communicator. This is a headset which will be coming to the Xbox 360, and the PlayStation 3. Currently there are no more details about the headset available at this time.

Finally, the last controller is for those kids within the gaming household. Many children find many of the controllers designed for systems too big and clumsy. My first Remote, a Wii remote, is a micro sized remote that is designed for Wii players with tiny hands. With this remote, the whole family can join in. What makes this remote special is the fact that it features interchangeable Disney artwork for the remote. This way kids can customize their remote, and can tell the difference between theirs and another My First Remote.