The top professional gift and gadget ideas this year [Gift Guide 2013]

Gift: Thinktank Photo Retrospective 7

Price: $162.75

The Retrospective 7 carry case from Thinktank Photo is a handy gift for the photographer who has delicate gear to protect -- but doesn't want to advertize to the world what they're carrying. 

Designed to carry and protect a DSLR, the low-key bag also has a rear slot which fits an iPad or 11-inch MacBook Air, a padded shoulder strap and can accommodate two or three lenses. 

Via: Thinktank Photo

Image credit: Thinktank Photo

Gift: Doettling Guardian

Price: $18,000+

The Guardian case from Doettling is a high-tech way to keep your valuables secure.

The 14.5 inch-long case, made from leather, also has a double-walled polycarbonate tube which the manufacturers claim can withstand drills and saws if someone attempts to get to the jewelry, documents or money within. To open the Guardian, you need to input a three-digit code. When locked, the 'door' mechanism, made from four high-carbon steel locking bolts, denies sticky fingers entry.

If you're unfortunate enough to have the case stolen, then a GPS transmitter can tell you precisely where it is. 

Via: Doettling

Image credit: Doettling

Gift: Voyager Legend Bluetooth headset

Price: $99.99

The Voyager Legend Bluetooth headset from Plantronics saves you having to pick up and answer your smartphone manually -- a useful gadget if you're in a communication-heavy job. 

If worn, the headset, once paired via Bluetooth to your device, will announce who is calling -- then you can choose either to 'answer' or 'ignore' the call through speech alone. You can also tap the command button at the front of the thin, silver part of the set to check the battery level, connection status and to test speech quality. 

If you want to check your emails in a hurry, you can also dial to listen to them without lifting a finger. If you happen to mislay the headset, if you have an Android phone and have downloaded the company's app, you can ask it to track last usage or send a tone to hear the set. 

Via: Plantronics

Image credit: Plantronics

Gift: Roco Verre Time Zone 5 Clocks

Price: $298

So many businesses and employees now have roles that run based on international timezones, and so to keep track of the time, Roco Verre's Time Zone 5 Clocks would be a thoughtful gift and would look good on an office wall.

The standard time zones included are Los Angeles, New York, London, Hong Kong and Sydney, with the choice of four different types of clock dials -- but you can also customize them to your own city names. 

Each clock has an 18cm dial. 

Via: Contemporary Heaven

Image credit: Roco Verre

Gift: Thinktank Photo Retrospective 7

Price: $162.75

The Retrospective 7 carry case from Thinktank Photo is a handy gift for the photographer who has delicate gear to protect -- but doesn't want to advertize to the world what they're carrying. 

Designed to carry and protect a DSLR, the low-key bag also has a rear slot which fits an iPad or 11-inch MacBook Air, a padded shoulder strap and can accommodate two or three lenses. 

Via: Thinktank Photo

Image credit: Thinktank Photo

Gift: The Intuos pen and touch

Price: $99.00

The pen and touch from Intuos is a smart graphics tablet device, allowing you to doodle, draw, edit photos and create images using digital versions of thousands of traditional brushes and pencils -- a great distraction from our busy lives.

There is a lot of software on the market which can be used in conjunction with graphics tablets -- and in the Intuos model, full versions of Adobe Photoshop Elements 10, Autodesk Sketchbook Express, Artrage 3 Studio and Nik Color Efex are included. 

Via: Wacom

Image credit: Intuos

Gift: Apple iPhone 5s

Price: $199+ (contract)

The iPhone 5s, one of the latest mobile gadgets produced by tech giant Apple, is an improved version of the iPhone 5 and comes equipped with an improved processor and speed, fingerprint scanner -- as an alternative to the standard PIN code -- and a redesigned camera which is equipped with a larger sensor.

The technical bit:

• iOS 7 operating system
• Apple A7 64-bit processor with M7 motion coprocessor
• 1GB RAM and 16/32/64GB flash storage memory options
• 4 inch 1136x640 pixel resolution display at 326 ppi
• 8 megapixel rear camera
• 1.2 megapixel front facing camera
• Fingerprint sensor under the home button
• Estimated 1,570 mAh non-removable battery
• 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 low energy
• Sensors include proximity, accelerometer, finger print, and gyroscope
• Dimensions of 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm and 112 grams (3.95 ounces)

The smartphone comes in silver, gray or gold. 

Via: Apple | ZDNet

Image credit: Apple

Gift: Mugenizer N11 Portable Wireless Charger Power Bank

Price: $69.95

Even if you don't realize it yet, if you have a mobile device, you will need or wish for an external charger at some point. The Mugenizer N11 Portable Wireless Charger Power Bank from Mugen is a good option, especially if you're constantly on the road or worry about your phone running out of juice in an emergency. The charger supports wireless and standard USB charging for your devices. 

The charger is equpped with a 4800mAh rechargeable battery.

Via: Mugen

Image credit: Mugen

Gift: Mojo refuel battery case for the iPhone

Price: $74.95

The Mojo refuel battery case for the iPhone from iBattz is a cleverly designed method of keeping your smartphone charged while on the go. The case, apart from protecting your phone against knocks and shock, uses standard I9300 battery modules to provide you with extra power. 

The battery capacity is 2200 mAh and takes less than five hours to charge. 

Via: ibattz.com

Image credit: iBattz

Gift: Smythson iPad folding case

Price: $526

A luxury iPad case from Smythson's Mara collection is a great gift idea for the professional in your life. Manufactured from printed calf leather with a camel nubuck lining, this luxury case is a good option if you're willing to spend a little extra this year. 

Via: Smythson

Image credit: Smythson 

Gift: Taktik extreme

Price: $124.95

The Taktik extreme iPhone cover from Lunatik provides high levels of protection for the iPhone 5s, complete with Gorilla Glass that protects your gadget from impact, drops and screen damage. It's pricey, but this rugged case doesn't affect touchscreen capabilities.

Via: Lunatik

Image credit: Lunatik

Gift: Roku 3 HD Streaming Player

Price: $160

When the professional in your life gets home and wants to put their feet up, perhaps an HD Streaming Player from Roku would be a gift to be appreciated. The device streams video in 1080p HD resolution, and is able to show you over 450 channels ranging from popular television channels to music and sports -- streaming media from placed including Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Spotify. The Roku 3 is also equipped with ethernet and USB ports. If you don't want to disturb someone at night, you can plug headphones in to the device's Wi-Fi remote. 

Via: Amazon

Image credit: Roku

Gift: Ooma

Price: $209.98

A smart phone manufactured by Ooma is a modern take on the traditional home line -- once you have bought the Ooma Telo and handset, you can make free calls, set up voicemail, caller-ID, call-waiting, 999 service and a call log -- all supplied through the Web. 

After connecting the device to your Wi-Fi and landline, you can either transfer your current number or request a new one. 

Via: Ooma

Image credit: Ooma

Gift: A smartwatch

Price: $300 (approx)

If you want to connect smartphone capabilities to your wrist, a smartwatch might be the next gadget to buy this year. As the smartphone and tablet industry becomes saturated, a number of well-known firms have begun exploring the possibilities of wearable technology -- and the 'smartwatch' is the result. 

Several firms have already released watches on to the marketplace, including Samsung's Galaxy Gear for $300, and Qualcomm's Tog.  

Via: ZDNet

Image credit: Qualcomm