As a follow up to last week’s first in the series“It’s Okay to Love Freebies” article, I’d like to bring you even more great tech websites and gift ideas for that special mom, dad, or grad in your life.

MySpace
Do you have a MySpace addict in your life? Well, MyMiniPC might just be for them. Designed around an Intel Pentium Dual core 1.86GHz Pentium T2130 processor, GMA950 integrated graphics, 512MB of DDR2-667 RAM, a 120GB hard drive, a DVD writer, Gigabit Ethernet, DVI and S-Video out, FireWire, and a 4-in-1 card reader. Everex claims the MyMiniPC is “exclusively created for the +100,000,000 MySpace users of the world” The icons on the left side of the dock are MySpace, News, Photos, Videos, Music, TV, Tools, and Fun. On the right side, four brand new MySpace Apps are featured: Mood, Clock, Graffiti, and Quotes - one app for each face of the desktop cube. Many people are just happy it is running a version of Linux. The system sells for $499

iPod
Have an iPod? Want wireless freedom? The Monster® iSoniCast turns your iPod into a wireless jukebox, so you can easily enjoy all your iPod music on your home stereo system. With the iSoniCast, you use the iPod itself to control playback with full access to all the familiar iPod controls! You don’t need to turn on your TV to view menus or use a clunky separate remote to control your iPod. Even better, the iSoniCast is also incredibly easy to hook up and no batteries are needed: the smart low-power consumption lets you listen for extended periods. The device transmits at 2.4 ghz up to 30 feet though real world testing is closer to 20-25 feet. It streams 4 megabites per second and sells for $100. It is compatible with any iPod with a 30-pin connector that fits in a dock. It is not compatible with the iPhone.

Smartphone
A Smartphone is always a wonderful gift. Some of the top smartphones include AT&T Tilt. The Nokia N95, the Treo 750/755, the iPhone (Though I would strongly encourage waiting until the software update comes out or even if possible until the second version of the iPhone comes out if this is the phone you have your heart set on. People who currently own an iPhone will be able to upgrade their software to version 2.0). The various flavors of Motorola 9Q and of course the magnificent BlackBerry series.
 
Amazon Kindle
If I wasn't back in school reading so many textbooks, the gift I'd want would be an Amazon Kindle. Aside from being an eReader with an excellent high contrast screen and a huge availability of books, Kindle also offers access to newspapers, magazines, and blogs. Newspaper subscriptions are delivered wirelessly each morning; most magazines arrive before they hit newsstands.

Amazon even lets you download the beginning of a book for free to see if you like it. All of this is available through Amazon's familiar online store, or you can purchase and download material anywhere thanks to the built-in free wireless "Whispernet" data network—no PC required. The wireless network uses Sprint's high-speed EVDO network.  The Kindle supports up to 2GB SD Cards, but unfortunately the slot is located beneath the removable back plate and is not readily accessible.  BlackBerry does this too and I find it annoying.

While some people say it is not “pretty,'” the attention to detail in its design is stunning. It makes it a pleasure to hold and read from.  Most of the Kindle books sell for $9.99. The Kindle also reads Audible.com's protected audiobooks, HTML and Word documents, and several image formats (through Amazon's email-based conversion service). It includes very limited MP3 music support, as well.

If you're the type who reads a lot of books, or wants on the go access to blogs, magazines and newspapers but doesn't want to carry around the library with them you should consider the kindle. Every Kindle comes with a customizable e-mail address, which allows you to e-mail Microsoft Word, plain-text, HTML, JPEG, GIF, PND, and GMP files. All of this tech goodness doesn't come cheap though. The Kindle sells for $399. For a long while, there was a Kindle shortage, but Amazon has announced they are now back in stock with ample supply. For the home theater lover, there is always the universal remote. My personal preference is for ones with color screens and English words. A new one from Acoustic Research can actually be programmed without a computer: a huge plus. The ARRU449, uses a home wireless network to upgrade its software automatically and send additional information to the remote’s screen. Once the remote finds the network, it presents a list of cable and satellite carriers available in the area. Type in the brand of each device and the remote scans a list of codes until it finds the right one. The remote runs about $200.

Another nice remote is Logitech Harmony 1000. It is a tablet style remote that uses infrared and radio frequency and includes a rechargeable battery. It has both touch screen and hard buttons. It is Mac and PC compatible and requires a bit of programming to get set up. Once done, nothing is nicer than hitting “watch DVD” and having all the right components turn on. It sells for about $370.

Nintendo Wii Fit
There is one new item my family and I are literally counting down the days until it’s release. What could cause so much excitement across the generations? Wii Fit! The Wii Fit is a pressure sensitive board Similar in appearance to a step aerobics board, but is much, much more. It is easily capable of supporting weights up to a maximum of 300 pounds, it is sturdy and precise, able to measure weight and register pressure accurately when placed on a variety of flat surfaces. This advanced level of sensitivity allows for both the wide range of activities found in the Wii Fit software as well as the board's amazing ability recognize individual players by their weight alone. Aside from allowing Yoga and Aerobics, strength training, balance games, and measuring BMI, you’ll be able to play sports games in a whole new way. Feel like skiing?  Look for more when I actually get my hands on one. The screams you’ll hear will be the children and I fighting over whose turn it is!

Don’t forget things like digital picture frames, laptops, and digital cameras as they are always popular favorites.