This year, give mom and dad their own IT geek. Instead of setting someone up on the top of your old bunk bed, BluePhone Personal Tech Experts are available 24/7 to answer your anyone’s personal tech needs.

So instead of calling you at work or at play, this at-home help desk can offer up hardware and software service. Some of the services provided include virus help, basic tune-ups, iPod downloads, help setting up home networks, and other random troubleshooting. Some services are delivered via desktop sharing or they can talk you right through the process.

“These devices are becoming much more critical to consumers daily life and thus, they need them to work correctly. When these devices break, customers ‘just want someone to fix it’,” said Matt Healey, research manager IDC’s Software and Hardware Support Services Program. “As consumers become more dependent on these devices, organizations that can distinguish themselves through superior support will be in a strong position in the hyper-competitive consumer market.”

BluePhone’s tech guys have an alphabet full of certifications, including A+, MCP, CCNA, MCSE, CCNP and Net+.

A $199.95 one-year membership allows your recipient to call day or night or both—the service is unlimited for up to three PCs, Macs or related devices. You can also sign up for monthly service ($24.95) or have them work per-incident, with calls costing $75 each.

Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer

Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.