10 gadget gift ideas to help you tech the halls this year
A sleigh-full of suggestions ranging in price from $29 to $1,399
‘Tis the season to start shopping for loved ones – family, friends and colleagues you care about – and perhaps putting something for yourself under the tree this year.
And if it’s a tech toy you want to give, there’s no shortage of sleek screens, great games and smart home-related gear worthy of your consideration.
The following are a few thought-starters to suit varying budgets and tastes.
For budding astronomers (or insomniacs)
Project an “out of this world” moving image onto your bedroom ceiling with the Govee Star Light Projector ($79). Capable of creating a stunning 650-square-foot image with a button press on the app (or on the unit itself), with 16 million colors, flowing aurora effects and 52 scene modes. There are optional white noise tracks, too, and it’s a Bluetooth speaker, if you want to play your own songs.
For avid readers
Gift the gift of reading with Amazon’s new Kindle Paperwhite (from $179) and Kindle Paperwhite Kids (from $199), both with sharp, anti-glare 7-inch screens. Now with 20% faster page turns, the new Kindles are also waterproof, so you can take it to the beach, pool or a bubble bath. An optional backlight lets you read in bed without disturbing anyone. The Paperwhite Kids model also includes a protective folio screen, parental controls and 6 months of the Amazon Kids+ service that offers a ton of free content.
For gamers on the go
The versatile Nintendo Switch ($299) can be played at home on your big-screen TV (in its dock, included), perhaps in a multiplayer match with the family, but it can also be played on the go, such as in the backseat of a car on a road trip, via its built-in screen. A holiday bundle includes the Nintendo Switch console, a digital copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and a 12-month individual membership to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service to play with others over the internet (a $100 value).
For online shoppers
After connecting the $29 Chamberlain Smart Garage Control to your existing garage door system, use the free myQ app (iPhone or Android) to open and close your garage door, anywhere in the world, so you’ll never have to worry about accidentally leaving the garage door open. Or set an open and close schedule. This small doohickey works with Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery, an exclusive Prime member benefit that protects your packages from porch pirates and increment weather.
For thrill-seekers
From $299 (for 128GB), the new Meta Quest 3S lets you experience mind-blowing 360-degree virtual reality content. Plus, this device also supports augmented reality (AR), too, since you can also see the real-world around you in some apps and games (like aliens hiding behind your sofa). Beyond games, Meta Quest 3S is also great for fitness and meditation exercises, chat rooms, virtual concerts and more. It includes a downloadable copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow.
For fitness and health nuts
Among several other features, Apple Watch can gauge your heart health, track sleep and fitness, show notifications, stream music, and lets you pay for items at retail by simply waving your watch over a contactless sensor. Apple Watch Series 10 (from $299) offers a thinner design, bigger and better display, new colors and band options. If you’re shopping for an Android user, the Pixel Watch 3 (from $299) is a stellar pick.
For AI lovers
Powered by Google’s ChromeOS, this 14-inch HP x360 laptop (from $399) delivers an enhanced Chromebook experience, with a vibrant touchscreen display that bends back to become a tablet - and twice the storage, speed and memory compared to a regular Chromebook. Google AI tools let you get more done in less time, including handy features like Help Me Write and Magic Editor to fix up your photos. The Intel Core-powered laptop has an all-day battery, B&O audio and integrated Google Play store.
For the person who has everything
The RayNeo Air 2S ($319) “XR” glasses house twin Micro-OLED 1080p displays that mimic a 201-inch picture for binging TV shows and blockbuster movies – on a plane, in bed, anywhere. And since these 16:9 screens each boast a 120Hz refresh rate, they’re also ideal for fast-moving video games and sports. Weighing 78 grams and with four integrated speakers, these glasses work with a host of USB-C devices, including newer iPhones, Android devices, computers and game consoles.
For nomadic TV bingers
For public viewing, on the other hand, the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 Portable Smart Laser Projector ($999) produces a super bright image, up to 1,000 lumens of color and white brightness – and no lamp to replace. The 360-swivel stand lets you beam the up-to-150-inch image against a wall or ceiling, or to the backyard for summer movie nights. The Google TV platform is built-in with thousands of apps, such as video streaming services.
For serious home theater enthusiasts
Available in six screen sizes ranging from 42 to 83 inches, and with multiple mounting options, the LG OLED evo C4 TV (from $1,399) features a stunningly sharp display, AI-powered upscaling and a Smart TV powered by webOS. Self-lit pixels create perfect black levels and luminous colors, and so it’s easy to see why OLED is the most desirable panel technology on the market. Along with being ultra-slim and light, the glare-free picture looks great from any angle, so there isn't a bad seat in the room.
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Follow Marc on X: @marc_saltzman. Email him or subscribe to his Tech It Out podcast. The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of Paste BN.