It’s that time of year again. Everyone is trying to find the perfect gift for their friends and family. With all the tech options out there, it can make it even more challenging. If you are looking for a gift for someone who enjoys tech, here are some of the hot items for this season.
Apple’s new wireless AirPods Pro earbuds boast silicone earpieces that stay put better and are noise canceling. In addition, they are water-resistant, charge faster and last longer than the first version. These are going to be a popular gift for all ages, especially audiophiles, as they aren’t cheap!
If you are looking for a deal, there will likely be great prices on the older generation AirPods over the holidays. Watch for those on Amazon and at Apple’s website Black Friday through Cyber Monday (the only days Apple itself discounts for holiday shopping.)
The Apple Watch has been on our list for the past few years for good reason. It gives you access to so much just by lifting your wrist. You can view texts, reminders, weather, fitness goals and so much more. It also lets you easily and securely make purchases with Apple Pay, with just a double click of the side button. The series 4 and 5 are ECG-enabled and have fall detection to make them better this year.
For those who have trouble sleeping, especially during these short winter days, the Philips SmartSleep light is a gift they will be thankful for every morning. The LED light glows from red to orange to yellow over 30 minutes to simulate the sunrise. The sunset setting reverses the color range to prepare you for bed.
According to their website, it is “clinically proven to improve your general wellbeing after waking up. Several independent studies have shown that our wake-up light improves the quality of waking up, improves your mood and makes you feel more refreshed in the morning.”
There are many great outdoor camera systems available. I like the RING doorbell because is a straight-forward doorbell/camera with an easy-to-use app. You can see who is at your door and talk to them from the safety of inside your home or from anywhere around the world. This provides younger children or older adults a layer of safety when home alone, and is perfect for frequent travelers who want to keep an eye on their home while away.
For the reader, the Kindle Paperwhite is always a great choice. With this one lightweight device, you can have multiple books in your arsenal. It allows you to read in low light and sunlight, and keeps a charge for weeks. The latest version is now waterproof for those who like to read at the beach or the pool. I love having a separate reading device that isn’t full of social media, text messages, or games that can pull your attention away.
For those on your list who are into fitness or are looking to improve their health, FitBit has great affordable options. The watch monitors your heart rate, the calories you’re burning, how far you run or walk, and more. It even tracks sleep patterns. Being aware of these things can help encourage healthier habits. FitBit works with Android and Apple, making it a sure-fire recommendation.
If you are looking for a fun, unique gift for a techie that they probably don’t already have, check out the new Bose Bluetooth Audio Sunglasses. They use Bluetooth to connect to your phone’s music without having to use earbuds, or annoy people around you. A bonus is that the lenses won’t easily scratch or shatter.
A great stocking stuffer is a portable charger, something everyone can use. They come in all shapes and sizes depending on how many charges you want to get out of it or how light and compact you want it. Anker is a high-quality manufacturer that offers several models of chargers and cables that are among my favorite. The PowerCore 1000 gives you multiple high-speed phone charges. For a smaller device, with almost as much charging capacity, the PowerCore 5000 Ultra Compact charger is a great lightweight pocket or purse option.
Do you have lights outside you want to control? On at sunset off and a chosen time? I love the meross outdoor outlet. I’ve been using one since summer when we installed patio lights. It does a great job. It’s grounded, easy to set up and get going and each plug is separately controllable.