2024 Gadget and Gift Guide!
It's been a hot minute since I’ve assembled my annual holiday gadget gift guide. As always, these are tech and other items big and small, that I own, love and want to share. There's something here for everyone- from high flying drones to high-speed e-bikes, and everything in between. For a more comprehensive list, visit my Amazon store!
Small Tech- Big Smiles
Sometimes it's the little things that make life a little better. Two items that live on my nightstand that I rely on are my 3-in1 wireless charging dock and my Amazon Echo Dot with built in clock. By now everyone is familiar with all that an Echo device brings- from music, news, information, to smart-home control and so much more. The tiny Echo Dot 5th Generation with built in clock sells for $59.99, and is perfect for your nightstand. The clock reacts to ambient light and dims in the dark. This slim, modern and neat charging dock perfectly holds my iphone, airpods, and Apple Watch- with a single cable powering all of it. Keep your phone in nightstand mode for an easy to read night clock and alarm. It's all fully adjustable and folds up slate for travel.
A small, simple stocking stuffer gift is the YTT Touchscreen Mist cleaner for smartphones, tables and laptops. I absolutely love mine! I keep it in my bag for quick screen cleaning. It works amazingly well.
Speaking of keeping your devices safe and clean, the Magic John privacy glass and screen protector is hands-down the cleanest and easiest to install protector I've seen. This particular options offers off-axis privacy, keeping your screen safe for on-lookers. Just be mindful that this can be frustrating when taking photos and trying to see your screen on an angle. You might opt for the regular version. Be sure to double check which model phone you're buying it for!
In this hybrid work world, most of us are giving our webcams more of a workout that we even imagined we would. If you find yourself in the shadows or lurking in the dark, treat yourself to a small but efficient light! This small but mighty ring light rests easily on your laptop or external monitor. I use mine indirectly, shining off the walls and ceiling for a more even light without hurting my eyes with the glare.
Big Tech- Endless Fun!
Virtual reality is beyond a buzzword these days. Anyone that filled their lockdown time golfing, bowling, boxing or watching movies with friends in VR during covid will tell you: it's a great escape without leaving the room. With the world opened back up, the socializing aspect of VR has dimmed- but the fun continues thanks to new offerings from Meta via it's Quest 3 and new Quest 3S. Higher resolution, faster chips and more memory- plus full color pass through mode allowing you to interact with the real world while enjoying the virtual one. My cutrrent favorite is Supernatural Fitness, where I can do virtual cardio workouts head-to-head with friends or on my own. If you prefer to just chill, you can watch Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other streaming services on a giany virtual screen- and place it anywhere in your room. The sound is immersive and rich, making this a fantastic way to enjoy your favorite movies and shows. For $299 you can opt for the new Meta Quest 3S, which offers all of the power but some slight compromises on resolution. It's still an amazing experience.
Anyone that knows me knows how obsessed I am with my DJI Mini 3 drone. It shoots incredible video in a tiny form factor, weighing just 8.8 ounces! Take to the air- 400 feet off the ground- for stunning views of your surroundings. Tilt, pan, soar and dive as you bring an amazing new perspective to your personal or professional videos.
Perhaps the largest item I have on this year's list is the XP Lite 2.o ebike from Lectric. It's their most affordable offering, packed with power and flexibility. Be sure to check out their other offerings and do a little research before committing. They have a range of bikes in various sizes and features.
Anker is a company that makes a variety of items. I've mostly known them for their small phone charging power banks. More recently, they've been offering incredible battery power via their Anker Solix line of battery tanks. I purchased the Anker Solix C1000 as a storm-ready battery backup for my home's sump pumps, which I tested on stormy weekend and ran the pumps for nearly 3 days before needing to recharge.
That's pretty impressive- and take all of the stress out of a power outage. They have scaleable offerings from emergency lights and power for small items all the way up to whole-house battery backup generators. The C1000 is currently on sale for just $49, down from it's normal $999!! It puts out 1800 watts (2400 peak) for 1056 watt hours, and can be fully charged in an hour via your an outlet, included car adaptor or even solar via additional panels.
There’s a lot more to come… so check back in over the next few days for useful items for around the home and in the kitchen! - FV
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