Top tech gifts for Christmas
Blayne Slabbert offers some gadget suggestions for your Christmas shopping.
Gadgets are a popular gift to give at Christmas but it can be tricky picking the right one. There are lots of choices to wade through, so here are some ideas to help you start. Unless stated, all these gadgets are available from major tech and camera retailers in New Zealand.
Smartphones
If you have a teenager who wants a phone, then take a look at the Nokia 3310 3G ($99 from Spark). It’s the revamped version of the classic brick phone but it’s now much lighter and has a colour screen. It’ll allow them to keep in touch but it’ll keep them off social media. If you want a good smartphone without spending too much, then the Motorola Moto G5 Plus ($400) is a good option for Android users. It’s faster than most other phones in this price range and it has highend features such as a fingerprint reader. For Apple users, look at the iPhone SE ($479). While it has a small 4-inch screen, it’s powerful and has a great camera. For something more upmarket but not too expensive, consider older models from top manufacturers. The iPhone 6s is still a capable phone but at $799 it costs a lot less than the latest iPhone 8. This is the same for the Samsung Galaxy S7 ($899).
Photography
The camera I enjoyed using the most this year was the Fujifilm X-T20 ($2300 including kit lens). It was small, powerful and easy to use, and it’s the kind of camera that you can grow into as you learn more about photography. If you have a child who is keen on cameras, then take a look at the Nikon Coolpix W100 ($198) which features a durable waterproof body and fun, easy-to-use controls. If you still like photo albums or putting prints up on your wall, then the Canon Selphy CP1200BK ($148) is a good option. It connects to your smartphone and prints 6x4 photos.
Headphones
If you are buying for a child, then take a look at the Puro OEH200 onear headphones ($65) available from nz.purosound.com. They limit the sound level to protect young ears and they have received excellent reviews. There’s also a wireless model ($155) which may be suitable for older kids. For adults, the Bose Soundlink on-ear wireless headphones ($320) offer a high-quality product. They’re not the best headphones Bose makes but they’re good enough for your average music lover.
Another option for those of you who prefer earbuds are the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 ($199). Reviewers say these are great for anyone who likes their music loud and with a lot of bass.
Music
If you know someone who loves music, then one of the best gifts is a subscription to a music streaming service. The downside of this present is that there’s nothing physical to give but the upside is that it lasts a year. Your two best options are Spotify ($14.99 a month) and Apple Music ($12.99 a month). They both charge half price for students. If you want to share your music with others then a speaker like the JBL Flip 4 ($119) is great. It’s waterproof and you can connect two phones at the same time.
Toys
Smart toys are becoming more affordable. One of the coolest available is the R2-D2 droid ($259) by Sphero. It’s controlled by a phone and it can do lots of tricks, including reacting to Star Wars films.
The Star Wars theme continues with a range of drones from Propel. There are three models, X-Wing, Tie fighter and Speeder bike, which all cost $220. The Nintendo Switch ($549) is great for any gamer. Its key feature is that it can be played at home by connecting to your TV and on its LCD screen when you’re out and about.
A lot of the games are multiplayer titles which makes it fun to play with friends.
Other gadgets
Keeping devices charged when on holiday can be a challenge. The PowerAll Supreme 16000mAh Power Bank ($199) does that as well as having enough grunt to jumpstart a car. It’d also be handy in a power cut as it can charge two devices at once.
If your loved one spends a lot of time at the computer, then consider getting them the Logitech’s MX Master 2S ($149). It’s a Bluetooth mouse that can connect to multiple computers and it tracks well on nearly every surface.
Amazon has just launched a high-end version of its Kindle. While it has lots of features, the more basic Paperwhite 3 model ($215) is good enough for most people. It has an integrated back light and enough storage for hundreds of books.
Apple is now the top watch seller in the world. While it recently released its third version of the Apple Watch, it’s a good idea to check out the more affordable Series 1 model ($399). It not only works as a watch but is also a fitness tracker, music player and can check your messages.
Remember you need an iPhone 5 or newer to make it work.