Gadgets Blog

Looking to get some quality time with dad?  With the new software coming later this year, you have just enough time to get hooked on Electronic Arts’ Left 4 Dead ($27.99), an interactive zombie shooter with great graphics and four campaigns.

You can play alone with three computer associates or online with three friends.  Fighting for your survival, you are surrounded by Infected and must shoot or blast your way out.  Dim lighting, creepy graphics and spooky audio make for intense exploration of dark rooms and corners that can very well be hiding a super mutant.

Make it to a safe house and take a break from this action-packed horror-filled universe, but guaranteed you’ll want to jump right back in.  No puzzling plot lines or deep character development, zombies are simple-minded folks.  They’re set to kill and their eyes are on you.  Get your shotgun and a couple friends and have a blast.  What better way to bond with dad than fighting your way out of a zombie apocalypse?

If you haven’t played this yet, you might be the only one.  I even know parents who have joined the virtual world of Paladins, Mages, Taurins and Undead because of this multi-player RPG.

The World of Warcraft Battle Chest by Blizzard Entertainment ($36.99) includes the base game software and the Burning Crusade expansion pack so it’ll keep you busy much longer than the 14-day guest pass that’s also included.  It allows for thousands of online gamers to interact and play in the same world at the same time.

Be warned though, WoW is addictive and you’ll find yourself coordinating schedules with your new online buddies to run instances, explore dungeons and battle with other guilds.  Choose your side, good or evil, and customize not only your character’s appearance, but his skills when you choose his profession.  This online gaming world will soon become your second life, especially if your aim is to work up through level 70.

Get them both from Amazon and get free shipping on purchases over $25.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more video games and software.

Apple iPod Classic 120 GB Digital Media Player
From: $206.95

They’re practically a must-have item for daily survival.  Car keys, check.  Cell phone, check. iPod, check.  It’s like having your own radio station that only plays your set list and has zero commercials.  What’s not to love?  It allows you to take a short break from the outside world and go to that happy place, even if it’s just for a few minutes.  And if you can get a discount iPod, even better!

This classic iPod Silver has 120GB and up to 36 hours of music playback.  That’s up to 30,000 songs or 150 hours of video (6 hours of viewing).  The Genius feature creates a playlist from your library of songs that complement each other.  Flip through album art with Cover Flow, select an album to turn it over and see the track list.

Additional features:

• High-gloss screen;
• Quick navigation using the click wheel to any of your songs,
• Videos, e-books, calendar events, and contacts;
• Built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery;
• 120GB storage; available in silver or black, anodized aluminum and polished stainless steel;
• Search by playlist, artist, album, genre, specific titles and artists;
• 2.5-inch display;
• Three iPod classic games included— Vortex, iQuiz, and Klondike — more games available for purchase from the iTunes Store;
• Sync your photos from iPhoto or Adobe Photoshop;
• 320-by-240-pixel resolution at 163 pixels per inch;
• 20Hz to 20,000Hz frequency;
• Earphones;
• Dock connect;
• 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack.

*Get it at B&H Photo and get free 3-day shipping (continental U.S. only), no code required.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more discount iPods.