Still looking for the perfect gift for that techy someone on your holiday list? Smart digital assistants, TVs, and laptops are high up on consumers’ tech wish lists this year, according to the Consumer Technology Association, but don’t forget those small tech accessories that make our lives easier. Whether you’re looking for a last-minute stocking stuffer or a high-tech surprise, we’ve pulled together some awesome gift ideas for everyone on your list.
For the person who needs real multi-tasking computing power on the road or at the office, the
Microsoft Surface Laptop is thin and light enough to carry around all day, with enough processing power to get the job done. It has a comfortable keyboard and a 13.5-inch high resolution screen, perfect for presentations or kicking back and watching a movie on a plane. And it will turn heads on the plane or in the office. It has an Alcantara fabric keyboard that gives it a luxurious look and feel, and comes in bold color options; Burgundy, Cobalt Blue, Platinum and Graphite Gold. The Surface Laptop comes loaded with Windows 10 S which limits you to Windows apps so we recommend taking advantage of the free upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for more flexibility.
If there’s a creative type on your list, or someone who frequently uses photo or video-editing programs, check out the
Logitech Craft Keyboard. It has all the great features of a Logitech rechargeable, wireless keyboard, with the addition of an input dial that adapts to the app you’re using. In programs like Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Excel, you simply rotate the dial to scroll through the commands and functions on the screen. The mouse and wheel work flow is a great combination for creatives.
If you’re looking for a Smart TV, TCL’s
55” Roku TV (55P607) has outstanding 4K picture quality, with HDR and Dolby Vision, at an affordable price tag. Streamers will find this Smart TV insanely easy to use, with Roku’s interface built right in. There’s access to streaming channels, gaming consoles and other devices right on the screen, without having to mess with a bunch of inputs. We love the wireless remote with voice search and headphones for private listening when everyone else is asleep.
This is the year people are trying out digital voice assistants. We already love the Amazon Echo for its ability to respond to voice command and play music, set timers, and answer questions about the weather, the commute and the sports scores. Amazon’s newest Echo is called Spot and has all the features of an Alexa-enabled device, along with a screen. It’s about the size of a clock, and is small enough to fit on a bedside table or on a shelf. You can make video calls, see your calendar, control smart home devices, and even show baby monitors and front door cameras.
Here’s one you can buy for the kids, but we’re sure you’ll be playing too.
Nintendo’s Super NES Classic Edition is a retro model of the original gaming console. It comes with 21 vintage games, including Super Mario Kart and Donkey Kong and plugs right into your TV’s HDMI port. It has two wired, retro game controllers, so you can join in the fun.
If you know someone who dreams of being in a lightsaber duel against Darth Vader and Kylo Ren,
Star Wars: Jedi Challenges can make that a reality. Sort of. Thanks to augmented reality, a smartphone-powered Mirage AR headset, a lightsaber controller and a smartphone app from Disney, anyone can be a Jedi Warrior. You don’t need a separate game console, just the included tracking beacon you place on the floor, which knows where you are in the room. The AR headset displays the games, and life-like images of your opponents, right before your eyes. The force is strong with this one.
We’re already huge fans of the rugged, durable OtterBox phone cases, and the Star Wars Collection gives us another reason to protect our phones in style. The new collection (for iPhone 7/8 and iPhone 7 Plus/8 Plus) is part of the Symmetry series of cases with a slim, sleek design and a raised edge, to protect your phone from harm during lightsaber battles.
Distracted driving is dangerous and in many states, illegal. For those friends who take calls on the road, get
Kenu’s Airframe Pro car mount. It attaches to the air vent and has an expandable grip, so it fits most of the latest phones, even with a case on. This is also great for using mapping apps since the grip pivots to widescreen mode and tilts to different angles, giving you easy access to your phone without you having to hold it.
Here’s a stocking stuffer your friends will get a real charge out of.
Nomad’s Key Lightning is a portable charging cable, perfect for plugging into a laptop or external battery to top off your iPhone. Slip it on a key-chain and it’s always with you. There’s a version for Android as well.
Know someone searching for their family history? Send them a
Living DNA test kit so they can trace their ancestry and learn more about their roots. Living DNA testing includes family ancestry as well as motherline and fatherline (for males) ancestry. The detailed results are easy to read and comprehensive; chock full of maps and historical background.
