9 Toys to Buy for Your Business this Holiday Season

If you’re like me, you’re busy making your holiday list and checking it twice for everyone from your customers to your in-laws to your kids. But you’ve worked hard this year, so don’t leave yourself off the list.

Here are some of the cool gadgets and tools (OK – toys) I found  – some free, some not – that are on my wish list for “work.” I think you might enjoy checking them out as well.

www.instapaper.com

Instapaper – I’d love to be able to sit around and read news articles and blog posts for hours, but I don’t have time. Neither do you. With Instapaper, you can flag articles to “read later” – and when you’ve got a few minutes to read a while, all those articles and blog posts are laid out for you in newspaper format. It’s free, too, which makes it even better.

Gizmodo.com

PowerMat Charger –This all-in-one charger looks like a black mat and costs just $50. You can lay up to three devices on the mat at the same time, and it will charge them simultaneously.

http://www.Apple.com

Tablet Computer – These are fantastic for client meetings, to show presentations or get quick and easy access to the Internet. Their portability also makes it easier to access work email and open files, so it can help improve productivity. I’m eyeing the iPad 2.

http://www.visioneer.com

Visioneer Road Warrior Scanner – If you’re on the go like me, this machine is a hero.  Instead of trying to hold onto and organize dozens of receipts from business expenses, I could use this compact scanner.  It weighs less than 11 ounces, scans receipts on the go and plugs into any USB port for power. Plus, I won’t have to hear my bookkeeper sigh at me when I pull crumpled receipts out of my pocket anymore – Win!

http://.motionx.com

MotionX GPS App – I’ve read several articles lately about how GPS phone apps may one day make in-car navigation systems a thing of the past.  The MotionX GPS app for iPhone is less than $15 a year and does everything that a traditional navigation system does, and is reportedly very reliable.

http://www.wunderlist.com

Wunderlist –Got Post Its and lists everywhere? This program is an app and a website; it consolidates them all in the one place. Now you can manage all your lists with this “completely-free task manager” keeps track of multiple lists, and syncs with all of your devices – from your phone to your tablet to your computer.  You can even send an email to create lists and tasks while you’re on the go.

HP TopShot LaserJet Pro M275 – This isn’t something I could use for my business, but thought you might find it interesting.  This new all-in-one printer from HP has a “scanning arm” attached so that you can put objects on the “stage” below the arm and the camera takes six images in succession and combines them into one.  If you have an online retail site, this could be a real asset – from what I’ve read, you can get professional quality pictures, without the expense of a professional photography studio.

http://www.sonos.com/

Sonos Wireless Sound System – Here’s a digital music system that gives you (or your office manager) control over sound in every room inside your building.

www.ThinkecoInc.com

ThinkEco Modlet – I hate big electric bills. This device helps eliminate wasteful energy use by automatically turning off power to appliances when they are not needed, so you can effortlessly save on your power bill.  You just plug it into an existing outlet and plug your appliances into it, and wirelessly monitor and manage your power consumption over the Internet.

There are so many cool gadgets out there these days! What’s on your wish list for your business this year?  Any great gadgets you’ve found that you can share?