With this being my 100th official article with Daves Computer Tips I have decided to write one that’s fun. Not only will this be my 100th article, but this month I turn the big 4-oh. Yes, this Tech is at the top of the hill but we all know the downhill part is the most fun (think roller coasters). What better way to celebrate these two achievements then writing an article on my favorite new tech gifts I think everyone should have. Plus this is great way to hint to the wife on what I would like her to buy me for my birthday and Christmas (or any other time she wants to buy me a present 😉 ). I pulled out my trusty computer and did some detailed research to find the tech gifts that everyone would want. So, it is time to sit back, find the credit card, and start shopping.
Best Tech Gifts For 2017
I broke these down into four categories:
- Outdoors
- Home
- Gaming
- Car
OUTDOORS
Being outside does not mean you have to give up on your tech. These five gadgets will make any outdoor adventure a little more bearable:
Big Turtle Shell – Loud Bluetooth Speaker
Who doesn’t need a speaker that has these features, especially when you need to take it outdoors:
- The Big Turtle Shell provides a full wireless audio experience using Bluetooth 4.0 which connects to most audio devices, bringing you 110 decibels of auditory bliss
- Rugged and water resistant to IPX-5 standards, the Big Turtle Shell is the loudest, toughest and best looking Bluetooth speaker on the market
- Internal powerful and rechargeable Lithium Ion battery gives you 16 hours of party time as well as serves as a backup power bank for your other electronic devices
- Portable as can be with strong handles for carrying, or mounting to things
- An integrated microphone along with external controls to adjust volume and tracks, allows you to be a “Master of the Universe,” minus all the bulging muscles and weird swords, spells and such
https://vimeo.com/109251391
Kodiak 2.0 – 6000 mAh Portable Charger
When out and about you need to make sure you can charge the important things in your life. This little buddy will help you do that:
- Pocket-portable 6000 mAh power bank recharges small and medium-sized personal devices-from phones to cameras, tablets, and more
- Waterproof, dust-proof, shock-proof, and functional down to -4 degrees F
- Dual charging outlets for simultaneous device charging
- 6-LED flashlight with three settings: high 100 lumens, low 65 lumens, and emergency strobe 100 lumens
- LED fuel gauge gives you real-time charge and/or battery capacity
Casio WSD-F10 Smart Outdoor Watch
You will never get lost in the wild wearing this:
- Amazon Exclusive Red Smart Outdoor Watch with Android WearTM – round 56.4mm case in resin bezel case featuring a monochrome LCD and color LCD screen, and a soft urethane band with buckle clasp
- Compatible with smartphones running Android versions 4.3 and later and iPhones 5 and beyond running iOS 8.2 or above (limited functionality with iPhone)
- Built-in quad sensors provide real time notification of activity tracking, altimeter, barometer, and compass readings without the need for a phone
- Military standard MIL-STD-810G compliance in environmental performance. Water resistant to 50m (165ft: in general, suitable for short periods of swimming, but not diving or snorkeling
LifeStraw Steel Personal Water Filter
Need a drink of water while hiking in the woods? Don’t want to be poisoned? This straw is what you need:
- Stainless steel LifeStraw water filter features 2-stage filtration system that eliminates contaminants as well as odors and tastes
- Durable and compact food-grade stainless steel straw meets FDA standards and is ideal for hiking, camping, backpacking, travel, and outdoor survival
- Removes minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites, and filters to 0.2 microns; surpasses EPA filter standard
- Replaceable carbon capsule provides 2-stage filtration that reduces chlorine, organic chemicals, odors and bad tastes
- Filters up to 1,000 liters and does not require batteries, pumping, or chemicals; measures 9 x 1 x 1 inches and weighs 4.2 ounces
Verloop Trio Touchscreen Gloves / Texting Gloves Warm Knitted
You ever try to use your phone or iPad with your gloves on? All you are doing is cleaning the screen. With these gloves you can keep your hands warm and use your touch screen at the same time:
- Works with Touch Screens, Smartphone, iPhone, iPad, Androids, GPS, etc
- Thumb, index and middle fingertips made from nano-metallic conductive yarn for use on touchscreen devices
- Three interchangeable matching gloves that can be worn on either hand, so don’t worry if you lose one
- Knitted with Lycra® so stretches for a snug and comfortable fit. One size fits most: 8.25″ H, 3.5″ W
- 89% Acrylic/ 7% Lycra, 4% Tech Yarn
HOME
Why not buy some fun tech gifts for your house? These 5 would make anyone smile. I even threw one in for the family pet.
1. EGO 21″ 56-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Self Propelled Lawn Mower
Ever get tired of running to the gas station for your mower? I do, and now you don’t have to. Battery powered mower:
- Compatible with all EGO Power+ arc lithium batteries; Battery and Charger Not Included
- 21 in. cut capacity. Weather-resistant construction
- 3-in-1: mulching/bagging/side discharge. Folds easily for compact storage
- Push-button start. Single-lever, 6-position deck-height adjustment
- Easy-access. 2-bushel grass collection bag; LED headlights
Now, I did have this on one of my other lists but it still earns it’s place here. A great device for any home:
- Plays all your music from Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and more using just your voice
- Introducing Alexa calling and messaging, a new way to be together with family and friends. Just ask Alexa to call or message anyone with an Echo, Echo Dot, or the Alexa App
- Fills the room with immersive, 360º omni-directional audio. Play music simultaneously across Echo devices with multi-room music (Spotify and Sirius XM support coming soon; Bluetooth not supported)
Hears you from across the room with far-field voice recognition, even while music is playing.
3. Mophie Powerstation XXL External Battery for Universal Smartphones and Tablets
Even the house needs a charger for all those devices your family has. Every one of my boys has a device so you know I need this:
- Rechargeable 20,000Mah universal battery
- Triple-tested battery ensures peak performance and safe operation
- 2.1 amp output-charge smartphones or tablets
- Slim, easy-to-carry design and aluminum finish
- Charges your mobile devices such as your smartphone, smartwatch and more
4. SkyBell HD Silver WiFi Video Doorbell
This is something that I would love to install at my home. Always like to know who is coming to my door. Let’s me know if I want to answer it or not. You know who I’m talking about Girl Scouts:
- See your visitor up to 1080p HD and 5x zoom
- Alerts you even if visitor doesn’t press button – providing additional security
- Monitor your front door at any time by starting the video from the App
- Can record each video so you download or watch them at any time
- Feel safe knowing you can see a visitor at night – in full-color HD video
5. Furbo Dog Camera: Treat Tossing, HD Wifi Cam, and 2-Way Audio
OK, This is weird but in a cool way. If your dog is home alone it might be nice to say “Hi” and give a treat remotely:
- Fun TREAT TOSSING – TOSS a treat to your dogs via the free Furbo iOS/Android app. Fill it with your dogs’ favorite treats & play a game of catch
- Full HD Camera & Night Vision: livestream video to monitor your pet with a wide-angle view, day and night
- 2-Way Chat & BARKING ALERT: Furbo’s BARKING SENSOR is MADE FOR DOGS. It sends push notifications to your smartphone when it detects barking. Know what’s going on at home and talk to calm them down via the App
- Easy 3-Step Setup: 1) plug in to a power outlet using its USB cord 2) download the Furbo app 3) connect to your home Wifi
- Stable internet connection and Wifi signal are recommended for best performance
GAMING
How could I leave gaming tech off this list. If you have been following my writings then you know gaming is in my blood. These are a must-have for me.
1. Razer BlackWidow X Chroma Gaming Keyboard
As you know every gamer needs a good keyboard. I really like the way this lights up. Yes I’m a visual person so my keyboard has to POP:
- Designed specifically for gaming, Razer Mechanical Switches actuate at an optimal distance, giving you speed and responsiveness like never before
- With end-to-end in-house manufacturing and design, Razer ensures that even stricter requirements are met for each switch produced, resulting in a life-span of up to 80 million key strokes
- With ten key rollover, never miss a single key, or ten for that matter. The Razer BlackWidow X Chroma lets you perfectly execute up to ten commands at the same time, every time
- The Razer BlackWidow X Chroma features individually programmable back-lit keys with 16.8 million color options, all easily set through Razer Synapse
- You can synchronize all your Razer Chroma-enabled peripherals so you can watch your keyboard, headset, mouse, and even mouse mat come to life as one
Virtual Reality (VR) is here and this headset is the way to play. Eventually we will have the Holodeck (dreams).
- Contains: PlayStation VR headset, Processor unit, PlayStation VR headset connection cable, HDMI cable, USB cable, Stereo headphones, AC power cord, AC adapter, PlayStation VR Demo Disc
- Games Come First – With gamers in mind, PlayStation delivers a new world of unexpected gaming experiences through PlayStation VR
- Just Plug and Play – Getting into PlayStation VR couldn’t be easier. Just plug the PlayStation VR headset and your PlayStation Camera into your PlayStation 4 system. Sold separately
- Advanced VR Display – Seamless visuals keep you connected to the virtual world through an expansive 5.7” OLED 1080p display running at up to 120 frames per second
- 3D Audio Technology – 3D Audio with PlayStation VR means that you’ll be able to pinpoint sounds above, below, and all around you
I know this is not out yet but it is good to flag it. When the NES Classic Edition came out a year or so ago, they had very few to sell. So, best to be on top of this one:
- The Super NES Classic Edition system has the original look and feel of the ’90s home console, only smaller. Plus, this one comes fully loaded with 21 games
- Get your hands on some of the best 2-player games of the era, including Super Mario Kart and Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting
- The Super NES Classic Edition is compatible with the Classic Controller and Classic Controller Pro accessories. Just plug it in and play
- From your first ride on Yoshi to the final heart-pounding escape from Planet Zebes, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System is pure 16-bit retro gaming perfection
4. Seagate Game Drive Hub for Xbox 8TB Storage With Dual USB Ports
Who doesn’t need one of these? With games looking better and taking more storage this add-on is helpful. Plus this device can charge your other devices:
- Official Designed for Xbox accessory – 8TB capacity with storage for 200+ Xbox games
- Dual front-facing USB 3.0 ports
- Easy setup within minutes
- High-speed USB 3.0 performance
- Connect and charge your Xbox accessories and mobile devices
5. CORSAIR ONE Compact Gaming PC
When you need a gaming PC that is compact and powerful this is what you are looking for:
- The power of ONE: We’ve taken fast, quiet, and small PCs to a previously impossible level with full custom liquid-cooling technology and a design to maximize cooling efficiency
- Enabling the future: Powered by an MSI GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card, an INTEL Core i7-7700 Processor, and CORSAIR’s award-winning DDR4 memory
- Powerful components, faster: Delivers a true 4K and VR experience with the power of liquid cooling
- Seen, not heard: Operating at 20 dBA at idle, CORSAIR ONE is quieter than a whisper and virtually inaudible in the living room or den environment.
- Refined elegance: Built with premium bead blasted aluminum and highlighted by subtle ambient lighting effects, CORSAIR ONE is the center of every room
CAR
If we are going to cover the Home then you must have a list for your second home (the car). Since we spend about as much time in our home as we do in our cars then these five items are sure to make travels more enjoyable:
1. Navdy – Heads Up Display & GPS Navigation
In my neck of the woods laws have changed to where you can not touch your phone at all when driving so this little gadget will keep me safe from accidents and from getting a ticket:
- Stay connected while driving with maps, calls, messages, music and car info projected directly in front of you using augmented reality technology
- You’ll never miss a turn again or the information that matters with Navdy full Color, fully transparent image that is completely visible in direct sunlight
- Use natural hand gestures to answer a Call and get messages with a Wave of your hand
- Find your Destination with search powered by Google maps and avoid Traffic
- Control your music on Pandora, Spotify, Apple music, Google play and more
I have always been wanting a camera in my car. With so many weird things that can happen (car crash, meteor crashing to earth), it would be nice to record it:
- 1080P Full HD – Records the road ahead in 1080P Full HD Video
- iRadar Community – Bluetooth-enabled alerts to Red Light Cameras, Speed Cameras, Live Police Locations, and Shared Radar Alerts
- Bluetooth®-Enabled GPS – Embeds exact location and time into video recordings. Free PC software allows you to view video along with location and G-Sensor information
- 160° Viewing Angle – Ultra wide viewing angle films the entire road and your peripherals
- Easy to Use – Simply mount, power, and drive! The intuitive user interface makes setup and control a snap
3. Magnetic Mount, WizGear [2 PACK] Universal Air Vent Magnetic Car Mount Phone Holder
This might not look too “techie”, but just like the gloves above, this helps. I always have my phone sliding all over the place and a magnetic mount would help:
- 2-PACK MAGNETIC MOUNT, EASY TO USE – This air vent universal smartphone magnetic car mount holder is 10 times easier to use than any other magnetic car mount holder due to its simple and complementary design. It has a sturdy rubber base and a powerful magnetic head for holding smartphones. Car Mount iPhone 6, Car mount iPhone 6 Plus, Car mount holder
- STURDY BASE – The high quality rubber construction of the base of the mount is unique and very functional as well. It guarantees that the base of the mount will solidly hold the magnetic head of the mount to help keep your smartphone in place regardless of road vibrations or impacts
- SWIVELS YOUR DISPLAY – Rotate your smartphone and swivel your display as you please. The base of the mount remains fixed in the air vent of your car and does not move no matter how much swiveling or rotation you do. This guarantees that your smartphone will always remain in your preferred position
4. Car Vacuum, LOLLDEAL 12V 75W Black Car Vacuum Cleaner
Who doesn’t need a vacuum for their car? If you ask my, wife I need to use one every day (I’m a little messy). This plugs right into your car so no need to pull the house vacuum out:
- ★POWERFUL & PORTABLE CAR VACUUM – 12-volt 75W 3200PA suction, super-mini hand-held automotive/vehicle vacuum cleaner with pivoting nozzle. It is so easy to clean the deep places. The nozzle is slim and can get into crevices without worries
- ★CONVENIENT & LONG CORD – The power cord of this handheld auto vacuum cleaner is 4.5 meters(14.8 feet) long, It can clean anywhere in your car, but most power cords of other car vacuum cleaners are just 3-4M, which is not enough long
- ★WASHABLE & REMOVABLE HEPA FILTER – This filter can be taken out and can be washed with water. You can use a toothbrush to gently wash it, so the filter of LOLLDEAL hand vacuum is washable and reusable. See ASIN B06XGYNLHC to get your alternative filter
5. NutriChef Portable Electric Cooler Fridge / Food Warmer
Out of all my list, this one is the most fun to me. Who wouldn’t want to impress their friends with this car add-on:
- RAPIDLY COOLS & WARMS – This portable energy efficient electric dual cooler/warmer for travel quickly chills those refreshingly cold beverages and warms food before serving. It’s the best all-in-one mini-cooler warmer
- PERFECT FOR TRAVELING – Often used as a 12v thermo-cooling and warming mini-fridge for car, boat, office, dorm room, beach days and more. Chill drinks when having fun in the sun and then warm food when ready to eat
- REMOVABLE STRAP – Our thermo cooler warmers come with a removable strap, allowing you to carry it wherever you please. Put it on the deck/patio and then take it on road trips, beach, party
- COOLING CAPACITY – 40ºF-45ºF below ambient temperature; Warming Capacity – 122ºF-144ºF
So there you have it! The 2017 Tech gift list that we have all been waiting for. Now, go make somebody happy this year, even if it is you.
Which item do you want?
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Congrats on the 100th article, Jason. And for your 40th..Young chap !!
Oh to be 40 again. 🙂
Nice to see some toys and some practical ideas for Xmas.
That “Life Straw” could be good.
It’s a good read through out.
Thanks Colin! The Life Straw was a cool find. I’m Glad You liked my list.