Tech gadget gifts for $299 or less

Video cameras have seemingly been added to every handheld device recently, but few cell phone cameras have the clarity and ease of use of a Flip video camera.

The cool new Flip cameras sport just a few buttons, enabling users to simply point, shoot, and start recording hours of video. Want that video in high definition? $50 more will get you a Flip Ultra HD.

When you're done, you can flip the USB connector, plug the camera into your computer, and load your videos onto your computer in minutes. As a result, consumer electronics analysts say the Flip will likely drive the nail into the coffin in what was once a popular camcorder market.

But the Flip hasn't yet won the battle for home movie making. With phone camera resolution steadily improving, multi-use devices like iPods now sporting video cameras, and smartphones gaining the ability to edit videos, it is still left to be seen whether consumers will continue to shell out funds for a separate device.

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