Twenty Tech Gifts for the Holidays

Look at them go!

Look at them go!

It’s that magical time of year again; when shoppers around the nation line up to shove, kick, trample and stampede with all of their might in the spirit of a Black Friday deal. Rather than risk your life this holiday season, join millions shopping from the comfort of their homes as Cyber Monday lies just around the corner.

Starting with stocking-stuffers and working our way up to trust-fund-toys, I’ve complied twenty of the best tech gifts from across the internet, guaranteed to put a smile on any geek’s face. Make sure to look out for these awesome items as you shop for the holidays.

 

  1. Sandisk Ultra Fit Flash Drive $8.25 – $52.95These ridiculously tiny flash drives are the perfect companion for your key-chain, and sporting USB 3.0 and storage sizes up to 128 Gigabytes, you’ll be transferring huge files in the blink of an eye.
  2. Music Subscription Service

    If you’ve never used a music subscription service, you are definitely missing out. Instant access to millions of tracks, as well as the latest and greatest from your favorite artists is an experience like no other. Today, there are several great options to choose from:
    A) Google Play Music $10/month – Includes Youtube Red
    Probably one of the bang for your buck options and my personal service of choice, Google Play Music has several tiers of offerings that work across all platforms. The first option is a free lock-box type solution where you can upload your personal library of songs, up to 50,000, and stream or save them from Google’s cloud on any device you choose. The free tier also includes curated radio stations similar to Pandora which are subsidized by advertisements.For $10 a month, you are stepped up to the “All Access” tier which bundles recently launched Youtube Red, usually $10 a month on it’s own, at no additional cost. All Access, as the name implies, grants you access to all songs hosted on the service as well as the removal of advertisements from radio. Youtube Red adds the ability to listen to Youtube videos in the background on mobile devices, the removal of all ads, and the ability to download and watch Youtube videos offline.
    B) Spotify$10/month for Premium $5/month for Students
    By far the most popular Music Subscription service, Spotify offers an immense array of tracks to select from, and works across all platforms. Because of it’s popularity, playlists can easily be shared and exchanged by friends, building a unique social music experience. Similar to Google’s offer, Spotify allows for users to upload their own music locally and boasts one of the best free radio platforms to date.
    Yet, the most enticing aspect of Spotify comes from it’s student pricing, just $5 compared to the competitions $10.  You can net this awesome deal by entering any valid student email and following the directions on the site.
    C) Apple Music – $10/month + 3 month free trial
    Soon to rival Spotify in sheer size, Apple Music is the newest service on this list and is perfect for those already invested in Apple’s ecosystem, with limited access for PC and Android users promised in the future. Apple music offers a wealth of curated radio stations, exclusive tracks from artists, and a huge library borrowed from iTunes.
    Apple Music is no doubt one of the best options for IOS users with integration working deep into the OS. Users can grab a 3 month trial from Apple right now for free, with a $10 recurring subscription automatically renewing afterwards.
  3. DBrand Skins$8+

    A simple and easy way to customize your device, DBrand vinyl skins allow you to change the look of your phone, laptop, or even gaming console to better suite your style. The skins come in an array of options and colors, even allowing for you to mix the materials included to find the perfect match.
  4. Tempered Glass Screen Protector – $20-$40
     A great way to protect your device without ruining the look or feel, a tempered glass screen protector adds an extra layer of defense against scratching and shattering of your screen. While not a replacement for a real case, they are great adding light weight protection for the in-between. Prices and styles will vary across different phones and manufactures but they are guaranteed cheaper to replace than your phone screen.
  5. Wireless Charging Pads$20+
    galaxy-note5_charging_kv
    For phones that support it, wireless charging is a god-send. To not have to worry about finicking with a cable, and simply placing your phone on your desk to get a charge out of it is one of those small details that you would never expect to make a difference until you try it. The convenience of a wireless charger is unparalleled and is a key feature to look for when it comes to buying a phone.
  6. Portable Battery Pack$30+

    Along the same thread, a portable battery pack is one of those comforts that are hard to give up once you have them. A portable battery pack eliminates the constant worry over battery life and you won’t have to slide your phone brightness just to make it through the day ever again.
  7. Chromecast And Chromecast Audio$35

    The Chromecast and Chromecast Audio are two of the least expensive streaming solutions and as such make wonderful gifts for people without a entertainment system already. Simply plug these little hockey pucks into a TV or Speaker and stream your content straight from your device over WiFi.
  8. Nano-Drone$50

    There ‘s really no justifying this purchase, but look at it. It’s adorable.
  9. Bluetooth Speaker$50+

    When you’re not in range of WiFi, a simple Bluetooth speaker will do the trick for all your on the go musical needs. Boom boxes may look cooler, but they’re so three decades ago.
  10. Fallout 4$60

    Fallout 4 is probably the most anticipated game of the year, and with countless hours of open world exploring to do, a definite pick up on any techies wish list.
  11. FitBit$70+

    Fitness trackers in general make great gifts around the holiday season, and work as a both a helpful tool to help accomplish New Years resolutions as well as a gentle reminder to work off that Thanksgiving Turkey.
  12. SSD$80+

    Often, the only thing an old PC needs to make it feel fresh again is a small upgrade, and nothing makes more of an impact than an SSD. Solid State Drives are worlds faster than the traditional Hard Disks and can allow you to boot in seconds rather than waiting half an hour to get past the log in screen (Cough, FCPS, Cough).
  13. Mechanical Keyboard – $100+

    More of a luxury item than anything else, mechanical keyboards are a more customized typing experience. With a variety of different key-switches users can find the typing experience they like best. Ranging from easy to press linear switches, to type-writer-like tactile ones the customizations of the mechanical keyboard are nearly infinite. And then there’s my keyboard, which is complete overkill.
  14. Audio Technica ATH M50x$160

    The original Audio Technica ATH M50’s, priced within $10 of their successors
    , were widely regarded as the best headphones under $200, even beating out the $500 priced Beats Pros in some reviews. The “x” branded variants are no different when it comes to sound quality, offering only slight aesthetic changes and the addition of a removable cable. If studio-level sound is what you’re after, these are the headphones for you.
  15. Jaybird X2 Wireless Headphones$180Replacing Jaybird’s Blue Bud X headphones from a few years back, the new X2 release improves upon the old model boosting bluetooth range, improving battery life, and smoothing out the overall aesthetic. This pared with a life-time warranty against sweat and 8 hours of audio playback make the X2’s a compelling option for any athletes on your gift list.
  16. Adobe Creative Cloud$192/year for students $10/year for teachers

    The Adobe suite of products is one of the most powerful set of tools for anyone who uses a computer to do work. Ranging from professional photo editing tools like Photoshop to movie grade editing platforms like Premiere Pro, there’s likely something in the suite that is helpful to anyone creating digital media. While nearly $200 seems like a lot for software, the latest and greatest tools from adobe are well worth that price tag. If that’s still too much money, grab the shiniest apple you can find for one of your teachers as they get access for just $10 a year.
  17. Ultrawide monitor $200+
    activitiesThere is no practical use for an Ultrawide monitor. While some people might tell you that the extra screen real-estate allows you to get more done at once, we all know that’s code for being able to watch Netflix AND play 2048 side by side. No one said that was a bad thing though, and if you’re in the market for a monitor you should really check out an ultrawide. Plus there’s so much more room for activities!
  18. Huawei Watch – $350+

    Smart watches are quickly gaining popularity, but often they look more like computers strapped to your wrist rather than an actual watch. The Huawei Watch, running Android Wear and working on iPhones as well as Android devices, does an excellent job of maintaining the look and feel of an actual watch. The watch packs in a heart beat sensor and comes in three color options Black, Silver and Rose Gold as well as a choice between metal and leather straps.
  19. iPhone 6s -$750+

    Let’s be honest, if you’re giving a phone as a gift, this is what you want to put under the tree. With 3D touch, a new processor, and a camera that is finally capable of shooting 4K the newest iPhone has a lot to offer, if you’re willing to stomach that price tag.
  20. Surface Book – $1500+

    People have begged for a Microsoft made laptop from the beginning of time, and the Surface Book is the closest we’ve gotten yet. With stellar reviews, this laptop-tablet hybrid seems to be the first one to get it right and offers the most complete Windows 10 experience available today.