The latest and greatest gadgets to give as gifts
Gift-giving season shouldn’t be confined to Christmas and birthdays, especially with tech as cool as this. There’s something for everyone in this rundown of the latest and greatest gadgets.
Rise and shine
Give your nose a reason to get out of bed with Sensorwake’s olfactory alarm clock, which emits aromatic perfume such as Seaside, Peppermint and Toast to start your day on the right note. $80. sensorwake.com
Smart speaker
It’s Siri, with a speaker. The HomePod is
Don’t be a loser
This one’s for the friend who’s always asking, “Have you seen my keys?” The Tile Pro tracker attaches to a purse, wallet or other valuables and alerts users of its location via sound or Bluetooth app. The new series features twice the range and volume of its predecessor. $35. thetileapp.com
Ding-Dong
Stop peeking out of your blinds every time there’s a knock on the door and grab the Ring Video Doorbell 2. The gadget captures the guests at your gate in 1080HD video, letting you answer the door via smartphone. $200. Ring.com
Streaming movies
From anime to art house, specialized streaming services are popping up everywhere. A subscription to FilmStruck — think Netflix for cinephiles — will be the perfect gift for the film snob in your life. Monthly plans start at $7. filmstruck.com
3-D printer
Action figures, chess pieces, knickknacks and more; a 3-D printer is the gift that keeps on giving — er, printing. Give someone the power to create whatever they want with Monoprice’s Select Mini 3D Printer V2. $220. monoprice.com
Get creative
Anyone with an imagination can find a use for the Wacom Bamboo Slate, which digitizes your handwritten notes or doodles and sends them to the cloud with the touch of a button. Gone are the days of messy piles of loose-leaf paper clogging your backpack or briefcase. Starting at $130. wacom.com
Alexa’s newest model
If you’re fearing an oncoming Orwellian surveillance state, the camera-equipped Amazon Echo Show isn’t for you. But if you’re looking for the best personal assistant Amazon has to offer, this one’s your bet. $230. amazon.com
VR headset
For those bored with reality, go virtual. Sony’s
Battle it out
Join the masses and check out PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, an online game that just broke Steam’s all-time record for concurrent players. The battle royal drops 100 players off on an island and makes them duke it out until only one player survives. $30. battlegroundsgame.com
iPhone X
The future is here, and it doesn’t have a home button. Apple’s new all-screen iPhone X comes equipped with a Super Retina display and facial recognition capabilities, though it’s still unclear if Siri will give compliments for pretty smiles. $1,000. apple.com
Throwback photos
Take a stroll back to the good ol’ days, where gas was under a buck and photos were physical objects. Polaroid can’t help with rising fuel costs, but its Snap Instant Digital Camera has a 10-megapixel camera and prints pictures immediately after you take them. $100. polaroid.com, samys.com, target.com and macys.com
It’s just ahead
Keep your eyes on the road and your phone in your pocket with Navdy’s display. The device’s sleek interface helps you keep track of incoming calls, texts and directions while you look straight ahead. $500. navdy.com
Facetime your pup
Spot will never be lonely again with Furbo’s Dog Camera, which lets you see and talk to your pup. If they’ve been a good boy, you can even throw them a treat with the flick of a finger. $200. furbo.com
Bluetooth headphones
The sleek design of Here One wireless earbuds puts ears in a world of their own, using sound manipulation to augment the audio around you. Audio filters like Airplane and City block out noises you don’t want to hear, while ones like Restaurant help you voyeuristically tune into the convo of the couple dining next to you. $300. hereplus.me
Gaming meets cycling
Hop on an indoor bike and into the world of Zwift, an online gaming platform where you’re working out your body instead of your thumbs. For a monthly fee, players can bike multiple courses, join up with a cycling group and even race other players, all from the comfort of their living room. $10 per month. zwift.com
Smart suitcase
Anyone forced to wear a few extra jackets out of their suitcase at the airport to avoid heavy baggage fees can appreciate a suitcase that weighs itself. The Bluesmart Series 2 suitcase does just that as well as tracks its location and charges devices. $375. bluesmart.com
Game console
The Switch, Nintendo’s newest console, lets players control their favorite Italian plumber at home or on-the-go. Trouncing the success of the Wii U, its predecessor, the Switch has met with positive reviews from fans. $299.99. nintendo.com
WI-FI Extender
You want apps in the attic. Browsing in the basement. Eero’s Wi-Fi range extender system is an easy fix for filling pesky dead spots in your home. Starting at $149. eero.com
Good night’s sleep
The Sleep Number 360 smart bed gives your slumber a stat line, adjusting itself to fit your night’s sleep and sending the numbers to an app. Plus, it warms your feet. $3,300. sleepnumber.com
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