Smart living
Small kitchen appliances, Wifi security cameras and top tech gifts
Looking for inspiration? Here are some of the top tech gifts around, says John Lewis’s Christmas buyer Dan Cooper
FOR HIM OR HER
1 Tile Mate, £29.95
A must-have gadget that ensures you never lose your keys or handbag again. Attach the tiny Tile to your belongings and track their location using a smartphone.
2 Google Home, £129
Who wouldn’t welcome their very own personal assistant? This smart speaker answers questions, as well as playing music. It recognises up to six voices for personalised playlists.
3 Twinkly, from £50
With this smart device you can personalise the lights on your tree using your smartphone and share effects on social media for others to use.
FOR CHILDREN 4 Littlebits Droid Inventor Kit, £99.95
To coincide with December’s biggest film – Star Wars: The
Last Jedi – children can create their very own R2-D2 and bring him to life. Using electronic blocks and the inventor app, this droid can be taught tricks and go on up to 17 ‘missions’.
5 Cozmo, £199.99, Anki
You’ll need a mobile device and app to play with this robot, whose personality evolves as you spend time together. Cozmo explores and plans and advanced tech even allows it to make decisions based on its mood.
6 Furreal Tyler the Tiger, £134.99, John Lewis
Ideal for younger ones, this lovable cub responds to sounds and touch and has 100-plus programmed sound and motion combinations. He loves to play with his chicken toy (included), be hugged and cuddled, and even roars back at you!