Back To The Future Day was October 21st, so I’m a few days late writing this post. But October 21st 2015 was the day Marty McFly and Doc Brown travelled to in Back To The Future 2 in 1989. Marty Mcfly was obviously a teenager arrived in 2015 and it got me thinking were some of the predictions of the gadgets even remotely close to what there is available now? And would teen boys today want them?
A Hoverboard?
Firstly the Hoverboard. Marty Mcfly famously rides a hoverboard in Back to the Future 2. Unfortunately hoverboards aren’the quite available yet but there are some close imitations like the electric skateboard.
Electric Skateboard
This electric skateboard is so cool. Firstly with 2000 watts of power you may not be on a hoverboard but it certainly makes it easy to imagine being on one. It accellerates uphill and brake to a complete stop on the way back down. Great for city use, campus use, commuting or just for having fun.
It will set you back though (a mere $1499!!) Self Balancing Scooter
There are a number of self balancing scooters out there that also can make you feel like you are riding a hoverboard.
The one featured is the CoolReal self balancing two wheel scooter. It has a high speed of 12km per hour (7.45mph). It's recommended for ages 14 and up. Video Glasses
In the movie we see the future McFly family sitting down to dinner, Marty Junior and Marlene McFly are wearing video glasses where they can watch TV but also include the capability to make and receive phone calls. Marty Junior can only watch two TV channels at once.
Do we have similar technology today? You bet we do. There's google glass. Google Glass is effectively a wearable computer with an optical head-mounted display. The heads-up display coupled with voice activation allows users to see and interact with information in a smartphone-like hands-free format. On January 15, 2015, Google announced that it would stop producing the Google Glass prototype but remained committed to the development of the product. So, the technology is available but we will have to wait for it to be fine tuned. There are also virtual reality headsets that allow you to watch 3D movies as if you were watching them at the cinema as well as being great for gaming. There are many apps available for the virtual reality headsets too. The apps include things like rollercoaster experiences, mazes and zombie shooting. The range of virtual reality (VR) headsets is growing, There are very simple cardboard headsets with lenses to more advanced versions. They work with a smartphone which you put in the front of the headset and the lenses in the headset give you an immersive view. A good reality headset will blocks out all excess light so all you see is what is on the screen and you will feel like you are already there. Virtual Reality Headset - IncrediSonic VUE Series VR Glasses
The IncrediSonic Vue Series VR Glasses featured turn your smart phone into the ultimate 3D machine for 3D games and split screen movies. There are over 300 iOS/Android VR apps that the headset will work with.
The headset is comfortable with 3 adjustable straps. It also has a bluetooth remote which has many uses including a controller for VR video games, a selfie shutter controller and acts as a remote control for cell phone so will fast forward, rewind, pause and play movies. Tablets
There is a scene in the movie where it looks like Doc Brown is holding a tablet computer. Well, that certainly is a reality. And obviously many teen boys already have a tablet. And if they don't they will almost certainly appreciate one.
Check out our article on tablets for teens for some ideas. Hands Free Gaming
At the Cafe 80s Marty shows the little kids how the he shoots the gunman in the arcade game in the cafe. However, they criticize him as he is using his hands to use the gun, as it's like a baby toy. Atlhough they don't specifically mention hands free gaming, it could be implied. Of course with MIcrosoft Kinnect, hands free gaming has already been achieved on some level.
Microsoft XBOX 360 E 4GB Console with Kinect Sensor
For those who don't know, Kinnect enables users to control and interact with their console/computer without the need for a game controller, through a natural user interface using gestures and spoken commands. It's easy to use and fun, Kinect gets everyone off the couch. See a ball? Kick it. Control a HD movie with the wave of the hand. Want to join a friend in the fun? Simply jump in.
Obviously Kinnect has been around for a while now. So if a teenage boy wants one, he will probably request it. Smart Clothing
In The Back to the Future 2 movie there are quite a few examples of smart clothing such as trainers that lace themselves and an autoadjusting jacket. But in 2015 smart clothing is here and looks set to become even more useful than what is displayed in the movie.
There are examples of sportswear that measure your heartbeat. Check out Athos clothing to see this in action. There are also lots more examples of wearable technology such as the apple watch and fitbit monitors. Apple Watch
The Apple watch works with an iphone. You receive alerts on the watch of texts, e-mails, social network notifications and lots more without having to get your cell phone out from your bag (although it does need to be in range). This can be useful when you're in class or another place where you can't look at your cell phone. You can also use it to dictate texts from your watch to your phone. It also works with apps such as run keeper.
It’s so hard to buy for a teen boy. Not only are his likes and dislikes constantly changing, so is all the popular technology, the gadgets and fashions that they like.
The holiday season is still a few months away which is great news. There is plenty of time to research and buy something he will love and appreciate. Whatever his likes and dislikes and whatever your budget this article should give you some brilliant ideas. Filled with some of the newest and hottest toys, gadgets and gifts for Christmas 2015. And explore the rest of the website too. There really should be a cool gift for every teen boy in your Christmas list. Anki Overdrive
Build the track called a battlefield in a matter of seconds. Download the Anki app and connect his phone or other mobile device to the car. Then he has control of the supercar. He can challenge his friends and one of the game modes or race against the AI controlled commander.
This toy is one of a number of smartphone controlled toys. Super cool and great fun. I want a go! Apple Products
Apple products are always going to be one of the most popular gifts in 2015. The new mini ipad 4 has just been released and is the thinnest ipad available yet. It’is highlights include a vibrant screen, excellent battery life, great app support and an 8mp rear camera.
One to look out for is the new Apple TV which is set to bring about a change in how television is watched. It’is due to be released at the end of October. Some of it’is highlights include a loaded app store and a remote control that works with Siri and as a games controller. Of course there is also the Apple watch which has been hot selling. It will allow him to sync his watch to his iphone so he can receive his texts, notifications of calls, e-mails and social media on his arm. He will also be able to dictate texts to send via his watch. The apple watch also works well with apps such as runkeeper. Additionally he can change the design of the watch face. There are tons of designs to choose from. Bluetooth HeadphonesHeadphones without the wires. Brilliant! He can walk around listening to his music without disturbing anybody else. Wirleess headphones that connect with bluetooth are commonplace now and there are many bluetooth headphones that do the job. They will connect to a phone or any device which has bluetooth so you can listen to your music through the headphones without wires. However if you want to spoil a teen with high quality sound, its difficut to go wrong with a set of Bose bluetooth headphones. Bose are well known for their excellent sound quality. Their headphones are comfortable and should offer a long battery life and easy bluetooth connectivity. If Bose are a bit too pricey most teens who love listening to music will appreciate a set of bluetooth headphones in the lower price range just as much. Kindle Fire - $49.99
The tablet war is very much hotting up in 2015 with the release of the latest and cheapest Kindle Fire tablet being only $49.99. If he wants a tab primarily for surfing the web, listening to music, checking e-mail and watching videos it’is hard to go wrong with this tablet.
Even the next level of pricing takes you to $69.99 with the new range of Kindle Fires. This will offer you a HD screen for all of your viewing. Bluetooth Speakers
There are tons of portable bluetooth speakers. They are great for streaming music wirelessly from his phone or other bluetooth gadget and listening to music either at home, in his dorm room, at friend’s houses, in the car, or outdoors (perhaps at a barbecue, party or in the backyard).
They range from inexpensive (around $20) to a couple of hundred dollars. It depends on the quality of sound you wish to get from the speaker. There are some really fun bluetooth speakers which are water resistant and will also work in the showers. They come in a wide range of colors, sizes and designs. Go Pro Hero 4
There were rumors that the update to the go pro hero 4 (go pro hero 5) would be released in time for Christmas but it doesn’the look like this is the case and a release date of 2016 looks likely. This means that the go pro hero 4 is likely to be the top selling action camera this Christmas. It’is great of an action loving teen.
The Go Pro hero is a small camera that is dirtproof, shockproof and waterproof and is perfect for shooting video during action sports. He can film action while hes biking, skateboarding, swimming, surfing or whatever activity he can partake in. Get the mount to go with the go pro hero and this small camera can easily attach to a bike helmet, skateboard, bike or whatever equipment is needed for the sport or action. It’is also fantastic for filming footage at events such as music concerts or even parties at the beach. |