Checkin’ it twice
There’s nothing like the impending doom of the gift-giving season to keep us up to date on all the coolest new tech. From home security to virtual reality and learning robots, this Christmas will certainly not be lacking in cool new gadgets. Give your family and friends tech gifts from our round up that will change their lives, or just buy yourself something fabulous. Either way, here are the top gadgets this holiday season. We want them all.
Video creation and entertainment
Snap Drone: $895
Snap drone is a foldable, packable, all-in-one video drone that tracks you via GPS and films you doing awesome stuff. Right now, it’s only available for pre-order (will ship early 2017) but it’s worth the wait. No other video drone comes close to this portability and price point.
Polaroid Cube: $70
The Polaroid Cube is a tinier and cuter version of a goPro. This screenless, one-inch cube shoots 1080p video on a wide angle lens, and is outfitted with a magnet so you can attach it to anything metal. Perfect for the photographers in your life!
360 degree 4K camera: $499
Make your own virtual reality videos with this 360 degree camera. Shoots in 4k, comes with a mounting system, and is ready to share your experiences with the world. Great for your favorite VR enthusiasts.
Safety tech gifts
Roav: $300-400
While Roav may not get there in time for Christmas (they’re taking preorders and shipping in the spring of 2017), this new dash top display is worth mentioning. Roav connects with your phone and displays your directions, texts, and phone calls on a transparent screen that attaches to the dash of your car. It’s a great gift even if it won’t arrive until May.
Silver Mother: $499
Silver Mother is a sensor tracking system that helps caretakers make sure their loved ones are staying healthy from afar. Monitor their meals, comings and goings, sleep habits, and medication so both of you can keep your peace of mind.
Ring video doorbell: $200
Ring is the video doorbell that lets you pretend to be home even if you’re not. See and talk to the people on your doorstep from your smartphone, monitor package delivery, and protect your home every time someone rings your doorbell.
Nest Cam: $200 plus $100/year
Give your loved ones the gift of safety this year. Help them keep tabs on their house with Nest Cam, an indoor security camera that can distinguish humans from animals or objects, and let homeowners know when something at home doesn’t look right. With the Talk and Listen button in the app, your loved one can tell burglars to get out of their house (or say hello to Puff Kitty), even if they’re a million miles away.
Home tech
Google Home: $130
Google home is the latest in smart home innovation, cheaper than the Echo, and with more potential. Stream music simultaneously to Chromecast speakers, make shopping lists, turn off lights, and even play trivia! Google home is perfect if you already have Google products and don’t have an Alexa yet.
TP-Link Wifi range extender: $100
Make sure wifi covers every part of your home with this range extender. It expands your wifi network, acts as a port for a wired device, and even helps you find the best place to put it with its signal strength meter. Anyone with wifi range issues or an upstairs TV that needs a hard internet connection would love it.
Alexa-powered Smart bulbs: $19.99-49.99
These smart bulbs are fully integrated with your smartphone and Alexa. Set light timers, change light colors (16 million color options), track energy usage, and turn on and off lights from anywhere using the app or Alexa. These light bulbs can even track natural light throughout the day and turn on when you need it most. Awesome for anyone on your list.
Tech toys
Samsung Gear VR: $60
Powered by Oculus, the Samsung Gear VR works with your galaxy smart phone to provide 360 virtual reality experiences. More high tech than the cardboard, GearVR responds to motion more accurately, and has a touchpad on the side of the head set for more control. Great for the kid on your list (or grown-up kid), Gear VR is this Christmas’s high tech View Master.
Xbox One S 500GB console: $299
Xbox One S will turn any TV into a smart TV with integrated DVD player and video apps. It’s not just for gamers (though the gaming is top notch), it’s for anyone who wants an integrated Blu-ray player, 4K content streaming, and high powered smart TV machine all in the same slim device.
Anki Cozmo: $180
Cozmo is your self-aware robot pet who learns as you play. With an app on your phone you can interact and teach Cozmo new tricks. See what Cozmo sees with streaming video, play games with power cubes, and unlock new tricks in the app. Perfect for the kid on your list who can’t stop talking about a puppy. You both might like this even better.
Fitness
iWatch: from $269
iWatch series 2 is water resistant to 50 meters and is your fitness band with all the benefits of an iPhone. It’s a step counting, work out coaching, Siri-enabled, heart rate sensing GPS watch with awesome apps and features. It even tells the time. Fitbits just won’t cut it this holiday season.
Lumo Run (smartpants): $100
Give your loved ones the gift that melds with their lifestyle. Lumo Run is a sensor you clip on your running shorts that monitors your running form and gives feedback straight to your smartphone. It can coach you on basic running technique, from bounce to cadence braking and pelvic movements. If someone you know wants to run their first marathon this year, or is picking up a new hobby, this may be the perfect gadget for them.
‘Tis the season
These gadgets are on the cutting edge of technology today, and they’re no match for a pair of socks and an orange. Gift the gift of innovation this holiday season. We know your loved ones will fall in love with anything on our totally-cool-never-fail-innovation-station tech list. We know we would be. (Hint hint!)
