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Videophone Touch AiGuru SV1T (Novice, Under $500)

For the grandparent who has neither the time nor the interest in learning to use a computer, the ASUS Videophone Touch ($299) makes an amazing gift. Essentially, the all-in-one device allows the user to make unlimited video Skype calls, without using a computer or other hardware. The 7-inch touchscreen, built-in camera, and speaker make the whole process incredibly straightforward; assuming they have an available Wi-Fi or Ethernet Internet connection (which could be your bonus gift), you simply set up their contacts once and it's smooth sailing from there on out, thanks to an intuitive icon-based interface. Nothing quite matches the intimacy of seeing your parents or grandparents (or, for tech-savvy seniors, your grandchildren) face-to-face, of course, but video chat makes a much better alternative than the standard telephone.