Here in Minneapolis the snow and the temperature are falling and that means one thing; winter is here. With the arrival of the season also comes holiday shopping. If you have someone on your list that always seems to be in the know with the latest and greatest tech gadgets, it can be hard to find gifts that are sure to make their jaw drop, so here’s a guide with some great options to help you out.
UNDER $25
Virtual reality is seeing updates left and right, but for those just starting to garner an interest, Google Cardboard is the hilariously fun (and inexpensive!) way to get started in the immersive experience of VR.
Losing your phone, wallet, keys and other personal items has never been less stressful. The Tile Mate attaches to your items and when you can’t find them, simply use the accompanying app to alert the tile to play loud noises until you have the item back with you.
If you have a life full of travel like I do, you know that charging your devices can get tricky if you’re out of the country. The LOOP World Adapter Plug is a universal AC socket that can charge up to 3 devices at a time. Powering up on the go has never been so easy.
UNDER $50
Power, performance, precision: in four bold colors. Offering earthshaking bass and sweeping treble, the @udio Ultra prove big things come in small packages. Plus, hands-free call answering and microphone support make multitasking a snap.
The smart home revolution is upon us, and this small device packs a punch with the full capabilities of Amazon’s Echo, just in a smaller package and a basic speaker, rather than the Echo’s dedicated one.
Stream almost anything from this device that looks like a USB drive. With this plugged into your TV’s USB port you can access great content from anywhere, and control your TV with your mobile device with the Roku app.
UNDER $100
Go a step up from the Roku and pick up the Amazon Fire TV streaming device. With universal search results, games, Alexa enabled voice control and 4K enables picture, this is the new wave of entertainment technology.
For the Star Wars fan in your life check out this iconic drone that has no FAA registration requirements. Control the drone from up to 250 feet away.
With both of these VR headsets you can experience the fun of Google Cardboard in a comfortable and wearable option. Unfortunately, Daydream View is currently only available for customers with Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL phones, and Gear VR is only for Samsung Galaxy flagship phones. However, with that being said, if your techie has a compatible phone, this gift is really a head turner.
Featuring 20-20000 Hz of frequency response, the @udio Mix is all about supercharged sound. Not to mention the smooth surfaces and streamlined design, letting you look as good as you feel.
$150+
Defined as the first action sports smart watch Nixon’s Mission watch is attractive, but functional; with it’s capabilities seemingly unlimited. Calibrated for surf and snow, and powered by Android, this watch is more durable than it looks, and is water resistant up to 10 ATM, which is the highest rating of any smartwatch. Perfect for the person that craves adventure and innovation.
For those that have already embraced drone technology, this small but powerful drone is revolutionizing the way that videos are made. This tiny, portable and smart drone captures 4K video as it flies for 20 minutes, at speeds up to 30 mph. Snap can follow you via your smartphone’s GPS, and orbit the area you’re in and boomerang back to you for the most stunning aerial videos you can imagine.
There is nothing worse for anyone than having a hot drink that you forget about, or leave at your desk during a meeting only to come back to a cold drink when you finally remember it. The Ember Mug changes all of this, with their mug that maintains the temperature of your drinks for up to two hours on the go. This smart mug can be controlled by the base that changes your set temperature, or the Ember app that allows you to change the temperature remotely, create presets and get notifications. The sleek design makes this mug attractive even without the added benefit of continually warm coffee.
Technology moves fast, but your gifts can be just as quick to please. Share any other gift ideas in the comments section below. Happy Holidays!
