Great Gift Ideas Under $50 For Xbox Owners | Dramel Notes

Whether it’s Christmas, a birthday, or any other holiday, buying a gift for an Xbox gamer can be tricky. Say you’ve got a budget of $50, but you know they have more than enough games.

What do you do?

The answer, of course, is to buy accessories – and there is a massive selection to choose from. While some hardware is of sub-par quality, usually these accessories are worth the money, as long as you buy the gear from Microsoft or reputable third parties.

We’ve collated the following list of sub-$50 accessories for Xbox One and Xbox 360 owners. You might just find that perfect gift right here…

Chatpad

Including a Chatpad and Chat Headset 3.5mm jack) that connects to the Chatpad, this full QWERTY keyboard plugs into the standard Xbox One controller to aid communication with fellow gamers in online play.

The keypad is backlit for nighttime gaming, and audio controls make it easy to manage volume and mute the mic. Also included are programmable X1 and X2 buttons that can be used to access game DVR or take screenshots.

Chatpad and headset are compatible with Xbox One and (X1 and X2 buttons notwithstanding) Windows 10.

Nyko Charge Base

A flat controller makes gaming pretty tough; you’re basically not gaming, unless there is a wired alternative. Having space to charge two controllers without the fuss of removing batteries is even better, so why not consider the Nyko Charge Base (a PS4 version is also available).

Design to sit two Xbox One controllers comfortably, with two rechargeable batteries included, the base makes charging convenient, enabling you to place the controller onto the charge point and quickly remove when done.

While other charge bases are available, this is a particularly popular option.

Nyko Intercooler

Again from Nyko comes this cooler, essentially designed to prolong the life of your Xbox One.

Featuring easy clip-on installation, and with a design that matches the contours of the console (comes in black, so beware adding to custom Xbox One consoles!), the cooler is powered by USB, and can be used in both horizontal and vertical orientation.

The USB connection means that it will automatically switch on when you boot your Xbox One, and reduces ambient temperature within by directing hot air away from the console, thereby improving gaming performance. Heat can have a negative affect on any PC or games console – the first generation Xbox 360s had a particular problem with ambient temperature causing the CPU and GPU lifting from the motherboard (one of the infamous “Red Ring of Death” issues), so having a cooler is a very good idea.

Afterglow LVL 3 Wired Headset

Three versions of this headset from PDP are available, with LVL1 and LVL3 both under $50. Officially licensed by Microsoft, the device uses finely tuned 40mm drivers, designed for a full stereo, superior audio experience.

Essentially, while this is a chat headset, and comes with a mounted, noise-cancelling microphone, it’s also a gaming headset – PDP want you to enjoy the best of gaming audio with this hardware.

Due to having a 3.5mm jack, this device is compatible with the second generation Xbox One controller. For first gen controllers, you’ll need to add a headset adaptor.

Xbox One Media Remote

Recipients of this dedicated remote control from Microsoft can take control of their media with an easy-to-use, compact IR device with a 30-foot range that controls video playback on Blu-ray or videos streamed to an Xbox One.

Also capable of switching on your TV and adjusting the volume, backlit buttons make it easy to use in the dark, and the intuitive controls make it easy for anyone to use, adult or child (although that might not be ideal!).

Requires 2 AAA batteries.

Hard Drive Enclosure

Now this accessory is more or less invisible. It’s a hard disk drive enclosure that slots onto the side/top of an Xbox One, ready to host a second HDD while offering three USB 3.0 ports.

A minimum 256 GB HDD of 2.5 inches in length is required to slot into the enclosure, no wider than 12mm, and once connected, the owner of the Xbox One will no longer be concerned about running out of hard disk space! This is particularly important if they like to record and upload gameplay for Twitch or YouTube – assuming they’re playing the right games!

The clever design of the enclosure means that it will be difficult to spot, thereby not ruining the sleek aesthetics of your Xbox One.

Thumb Sticks

Modding an Xbox One controller can make it more comfortable to use, potentially giving an edge in challenging games and online/competitive gaming scenarios. These E-MODS GAMING thumb sticks are just one example of the many thumb sticks that can be added to an XB1 controller, with a grippable, rubberized surface.

Comes with four thumb sticks, enough to replace the default thumb sticks on two controllers, but note that the controller must be open for the thumb sticks to be fitted.

These thumb sticks are also compatible with PlayStation 4 Dual Shock 4 controllers.

Xbox 360 Wireless Controller

The Xbox 360 remains a popular console. So if the target of your gift buying is still using their last-gen gaming machine – and let’s face it, there’s no reason not to as long as A-list games continue to be released – perhaps you’d like to treat them to a gold chrome wireless controller?

Shiny in a way that makes it look far more valuable than it really is, this controller is wireless, and therefore requires recharging regularly. Also, note that the controller is not compatible with the Xbox One, although you should be able to connect it to your PC with the correct receiver.

Xbox 360 Headset & Mic

From INSTEN, this headset connects to an Xbox 360 controller to deliver voice communication to discuss strategy with gaming team mates and trash talk opponents.

With a noise cancelling microphone and stereo phones, the device also includes a volume control and mute switch, and is adjustable to fit most head sizes. As with many Xbox 360 accessories, this device is not compatible with other hardware, including Windows PCs and Xbox One.

Xbox 360 Speed Wheel

Xbox 360 gamers with an addiction to driving games might just find this gem of a controller useful. With rumble feedback to feel the bumps on the road, this wireless wheel controller from Microsoft is equipped with motion sensors and buttons for gaming functions.

Trigger buttons are also included for gas and brake controls, making this an ideal controller for digital speed kings. However, there are a couple of things to note. For instance, this controller cannot be easily used with the Grand Theft Auto series of games, as walking and shooting are a little difficult with a steering wheel.

And as with other Xbox 360 hardware, you won’t be able to use with the Xbox One, although it should be compatible with Windows 10.

Got Some Xbox Gift Ideas? Share Them!

That’s our list of 10 Xbox gift ideas for under $50. We’re pretty impressed with what is available in this price bracket, but you may know better. If so, tell us all about it in the comments.

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10 Great Gifts for Musicians | Dramel Notes

Holiday season is here and it’s time to finally work out what to get for those tricky musical geeks in the family.

Thankfully, you can stop fretting. These gifts will be useful and entertaining for all types of musicians.

For The Guitarist: Smartphone Support Stand

Almost every guitarist in every first world country has a smartphone and an app with a bunch of tabs on it. What’s really annoying is when you need to put your phone on the couch beside you while you play.

So, get rid of that little annoyance for your favorite guitarist by buying them a phone holder that clips on to their guitar. This device clips on at the bottom of the guitar, so it’s easy to read the phone, and they connect to almost any phone size and guitar type.

For Singers: iKlip Mic Stand Support for iPads and Tablets

If your singer ever uses a microphone stand (and they probably do), a tablet support that clips on to the stand is the perfect gift. Why? Lyrics. Lots of singers keep lyrics files and even sheet music on their tablets, and with tablets being backlit they’re perfect for reading lyrics in dark venues.

Even if the singer just uses it for rehearsals and not performances, this handy support will let them keep an occasional eye on the words they’re supposed to be singing. Genius!

For Electric Guitarists: Marshall Micro Amp

If your beloved guitarist loves electric guitar, they absolutely love a Marshall Micro Amp. This tiny 1 Watt amp looks exactly like a regular Marshall amp, but you can attach it to your belt or stick it in your pocket. This makes it absolutely ideal for teenagers and college students who might want to practice a little without waking up the neighborhood. You might also like to check out ways they can connect their guitar to their iPad.

For Pianists: Cashmere Keyboard Scarf

Your piano lover may not need a lot of gadgetry to make their lives easier, but since you probably can’t pay a teenager to be their permanent page turner, you may need to look for other options. In this case, a reminder of their musical passion to drape around their necks.

Not since Tom Baker’s Dr Who scarf has there been such a desirable geeky scarf. Get it!

For Drummers: Vater Drink Holder

If you’ve never watched a drummer in action for a long rehearsal or performance, you might not think of it as thirsty work. But trust me, it is. And while other musicians get the luxury of dropping out of songs occasionally, it’s really quite rare for the drummer to get a decent break.

So, these nifty cup holders that attach to the cymbal stand are absolutely perfect — and even if your drummer already has one they’ll be pleased they can now keep another drink on hand. Keep in mind that while there are dozens of alternative generic brands offering cup holders for stands, the Vater brand is known for drumming gear, and have built their cup holder to fasten to precisely the right size and with durability in mind.

For Musicians With Home Recording Studios: Shure Dynamic Microphone

There’s one thing singers work out pretty quickly and that is that every microphone is quite different and each one will be used for different purposes. As a gift buyer, this is great news, as it means even if your home studio enthusiast already has a microphone, this microphone has a place in their gear.

The Shure SM57 in particular is a small, durable microphone designed to isolate the main source and discard other sounds, so it’s perfect for both performances and recordings. In particular, this microphone is designed for vocals and drums. And you definitely can’t go wrong with Shure mics.

For Electronic Music Makers: Stylophone Retro Pocket Synth

Electronic music makers probably have most of the gear and electronic music software they want — and if they don’t have it, they’ll probably prefer to buy exactly what they’re coveting for themselves. So, it’s time to think about things they’ll be amused by and appreciate, but that won’t break the budget, like the Stylophone Retro Pocket Synth.

Yup, it’s cheap and it looks like a toy, but serious musicians have been rumored to use these (like Bowie and TMBG, apparently). You can plug an MP3 player into it and jam along with your favorite tunes, or you can actually use it to make fresh music that sounds a lot like old computer games.

For Choristers: Howard Goodall’s Enchanted Carols

If there’s one thing a chorister hates at Christmas, it’s terrible carols. So, surprise them with a CD of Christmas carols that doesn’t suck!

Howard Goodall is known for writing music for shows like Mr Bean, Blackadder and Red Dwarf, and he has won the British Composer of The Year award. His choral works are amazing, so if they haven’t already heard of him, you’ll be doing your favorite chorister a favor by introducing them to Howard Goodall. The Enchanted Carols CD in particular has some incredible re-works of a few carols, plus some more familiar, yet unique, arrangements of many popular carols.

(Note: the price you see below is crazily high as it’s for a new import. If you click through you’ll see it’s actually possible to buy it for a much more reasonable price)

For Orchestra Types: Circle Of Fifths Wall Clock

Every professional classical musician has studied the circle of fifths, and will appreciate the chance to remind themselves of this masterpiece of musical genius every time they need to know the time. This is essentially the periodic table of musicianship.

Now, there’s a whole bunch of different designs to choose from, but this particular model manages to clearly show all the important information, while still looking classy and not too fiddly. If you think your orchestra geek is more of a perfectionist, there are some other models available showing staves with the sharps and flats noted, but I’m sure most musicians would not require the added information.

For Musicians Who Have Everything: Drumstick Salad Spoons

If the musician already has everything they need to make music and more, then it’s time to look outside the box. And since everyone needs to eat, a set of musical salad spoons with drumstick ends is about as music-geeky as you’re going to get. They’ll be the talking point of every dinner party and give your favorite musician a great excuse to talk music with their guests.

What’s Your Favorite Musician Gift?

If you’ve been buying gifts for music lovers in your life over the years, maybe you’ve come across some more great ideas. What’s your go-to gift for musicians? Tell us!

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How to Sideload Apps on Windows 8 & 10 | Dramel Notes

Windows 8 saw the introduction of apps to Microsoft’s operating system, but they were a bit tricky to install if you weren’t getting them from the official store. Happily, that process has been made much easier with Windows 10.

With the quick change of a setting, you’ll be able to store apps from anywhere. Of course, that does come with a minor risk. We’ll cover how to do this on 8 and 10, along with what it means.

Be sure to pop into the comments following the article to let us know about your experience of app sideloading.

What are Universal Apps?

Universal apps were introduced in Windows 8. They were introduced because Microsoft is keen on promoting its cross-platform ecosystem. For example, the idea is that you’d use a Windows desktop, phone, and tablet – then you’re truly a Windows users.

These apps are an easier way for developers to create something that can reach across all of those devices. It’s easier to support things like different screen sizes or input methods. And they can be bundled up and downloaded from a single, official store.

This is a good thing for users because it means that the programs and tools they use will be supported across all of their devices and they can share data across all of them seamlessly.

However, Microsoft were strict with how apps could be downloaded on Windows 8, only allowing users to get them from the official store. If you wanted to get around this and install third-party apps, a process called sideloading, it wasn’t intuitive. With Windows 10, they’ve become more lax and have made the option to sideload apps available within the Settings area.

What are the Risks?

By downloading your apps through the official Windows Store, you’re ensuring that they’re coming from an official source. Microsoft is meant to vet everything which appears on their store, thus there’s supposedly an increased level of security and protection for the end user.

If you enable sideloading, you now have the ability to install your apps from anywhere. This opens up a risk to downloading something that might infect your system with malware, tracking, or some other malicious kit.

However, this is the same risk that comes with downloading any standard desktop program, so don’t sound the alarm. You need to be vigilant in where you’re downloading from and only take from trusted developers; whether it’s an app or a program, the same rules apply.

How to Enable Sideloading on Windows 8

On Windows 8 you can sideload apps if you have a developer license. A developer license is used to work on and test an app on your own system. It’s possible to acquire a developer license, though Microsoft warns they can revoke it from your account if they find that you’re not actually a developer.

To get a developer license, do a system search for PowerShell, then right-click the result, and select Run as administrator. When PowerShell opens, input the following:

Show-WindowsDeveloperLicenseRegistration

And then press return. A notice will pop up explaining what the purpose of a developer license is. Click I Agree, if you do. You’ll then need to input the email and password for your Microsoft account, which your developer license will be linked to.

Now, to sideload an app you need to install it through PowerShell. Open it up again and input the following, switching out the second part for the location and name of the app file:

Add-AppxPackage C:AppName.appx

With thanks to How-To Geek for this method.

How to Enable Sideloading on Windows 10

First, press CTRL + I to open the Settings menu and then click Update & security. Once here, click For developers from the left-hand navigation.

Select Sideload apps and read the message warning you about installing from outside the Windows Store, the risks of which we’ve covered above. Click Yes to enable sideloading.

And that’s it! You can now install any app on your device, regardless of its source.

Sideloading Awaits

If you’re on Windows 10 then there’s no doubt that sideloading apps is a much easier and more reliable process. While it’s not impossible on Windows 8, it’s not fool-proof and isn’t really supported by Microsoft.

Remember, as you would with a traditional desktop program, remain cautious when downloading an app from a third-party site away from the official Windows Store. The in-built malware protection that Windows offers will help, but nothing will ever catch every threat.

Will you be sideloading apps? Are there any non-official apps that you would recommend?

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