Apple has launched a holiday gift guide microsite today, featuring Apple products and accessories targeted at a wide variety of audiences. The list is separated into six main sections: Gaming, Photography, Music, Fitness, Learning and Travel. Naturally, Apple prominently features its own devices in the recommendations (iPhones, iPads, Apple TV, Beats headphones) alongside third-party accessories and suggested apps.
For example, in the Photography category of its gift guide, Apple lists the brand new iPhone 6s as the 'world's most popular camera' alongside silicon cases, the olloClip Active Lens telephoto mount, a Gorillapod tripod as well as apps like Instagram, VSCO and Darkroom. Also, check our own gift guide for photography here.
In the gaming category, Apple has focused on the new Apple TV and iPad in its gift guide. It recommends picking up the SteelSeries Nimbus Apple TV MFI game controller as well as Guitar Hero Live. Apple also pushes Beats headphones in this section, featuring the Beats Studio Wireless Headphones as an aside: "These headphones put the real world on mute and pull them even deeper into the game." The Gaming category even features more esoteric real-world toys like a Sphero BB-8 Star Wars robot and a Parrot Bebop Drone.
Unsurprisingly, the music category is filled with Beats products as well as iPhones — the new age iPod. This includes things like the brand new Beats Pill+, Beats Studio headphones and even an Apple Music gift card. It also recommends the Bose SoundLink and BeoPlay A2 Bluetooth speakers. Read 9to5's opinion on the best Bluetooth speakers here.
There's a good mix of consumption and creative products on display here. In the music recommendations, Apple also suggests picking up a MacBook, iOS and Mac compatible Apogee Mic and an iRig beat pad to create your own music through GarageBand.
Naturally, the Fitness category is a perfect opportunity for Apple to promote Apple Watch Sport and its Powerbeats earbuds, 'perfect for running'. Apple also features apps like Strava and Pocket Yoga for optimizing your fitness workouts.
The Learning category is perhaps the most interesting in the gift guide and resonates well with Apple's recent messaging around exploration and empowerment through their products. The page notably lists apps and products for teaching people how to code, explore the stars, educational tools for kids and much more.
For instance, Apple highlights the Osmo Genius Kit which uses the iPad camera and physical jigsaw blocks to create an interactive game experience that also helps teach children about basic geometry.
Links to the various sections:
- Gifts For Gaming
- Gifts For Photography
- Gifts For Music
- Gifts For Fitness
- Gifts For Learning
- Gifts for Travel
In general, Apple has suggested a varied mix of items across its iOS and Mac lineups although the iPhone/iPad options are somewhat prioritised. This likely reflects market demand. A survey conducted by Best Buy showed that once again Apple dominates the holiday gift list, with iPad hitting the #1 spot and MacBook at #3.
The Apple Holiday Gift Guide has been released as we enter the holiday shopping season and just ahead of Black Friday. Whilst Apple normally has a timid participation in Black Friday sales, third-party retailers are keen to attract buyers with deep discounts on Apple devices. Keep it locked to 9to5Toys for the best Black Friday deals.
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