Best bets in holiday tech

I do my Christmas shopping all year long. The stuff just keeps pouring in — new and improved smartphones, powerful laptops, nifty tablet computers, video games, and all kinds of audio gear. It’s like having a direct pipeline to Santa’s workshop.

Not everything I’ve seen this year has earned a spot under the tree. But I’ve laid hands on many giftworthy items, including smarter smartphones, cheaper tablets, and a videogame console that’s smart enough to do what it’s told.