Time: 12/12/2016 02:00 PM EST
Episode Notes: Whether those on you list have been naughty or
nice doesn't matter. They are still expecting to get one and let's face it,
tech gifts or even more popular than diamons. TechnoGranny has picked some
great gifts to fit everyones pocket book, from the very generous down to
Scrooge or just someone with a large list and a budget. Listen in for great
tech gift ideas and hey, pass it on to those who have asked you what you want
for Christmas. Also if you listen right away and order, most can still arrive
for Christmas. But Hurry, you only have 12 more shopping days, 10 if your order
online. You just might be able to say at the end of the show "Ho! Ho!
Ho!" Instead of "No, No, No! I don't know what to get."
Listen to Podcast Here
2016 Christmas gift guide:
Techno Granny's Picks for
Coolest Tech Gifts
1. Microsoft Surface Book
Forbes
says: The
Stylish Laptop That Trumps
Your MacBook Pro
 |
| Surface Book |
If you've got deep pockets, then Microsoft's
recently refreshed Surface Book is a system well worth taking a look at.
You get everything that you'd expect from a
high-end system -- plenty of ports, a claimed 16 hours of battery life, an SD
card slot, and Nvidia GeForce GTX 965M graphics chip powering the graphics.
There's as a stylus and touchscreen display
for those who are artistic or just like jabbing at things with their fingers.
But as I've already said it's not cheap -- a 13.5-inch system
equipped with a 6th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB
SSD will set you back a cool $2,400.
Probably the laptop that most closely
resembles the MacBook Pro is Dell's XPS 13.
OK, you don't get a Touch Bar, but you do get a couple of things that Apple
doesn't offer:
-
7th generation
"Kaby Lake" Intel Core processors (a generation ahead of what Apple
has to offer)
-
A whole range of
ports, from an SD Card slot to USB 3.0 and USB-C ports
I think that it's also fair to say that Dell's
XPS 13 is affordable -- a 13.3-inch system running an Intel Core i3 with 4GB of
RAM and a 128GB SSD costs $800.
 |
| Dell's XPS 13 |
3.
GoPro Hero5 Black
 |
GoPro Hero5 Black |
According to Go Pro
HERO5 Black is the most powerful and easy to use GoPro ever, thanks to its 4K
video, voice control, one-button simplicity, touch display and waterproof
design ...
If you want a camera that you can take with you into the
outdoors without fear that you're going to break it, and bring back stunning
video, then this is the camera for you. Ultra-portable, fit it anywhere, and
immensely robust!
The new GoPro Hero5 Black is not only waterproof (so you don't
need to put it into a separate waterproof case) but can also be
voice-controlled.
4. Echo Dot (2nd
Generation)
·
Echo Dot (2nd Generation)
is a hands-free, voice-controlled device that uses Alexa to play music, control
smart home devices, provide information, read the news, set alarms, and more
·
Connects to speakers
or headphones through Bluetooth or 3.5 mm stereo cable to play music from
Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn
·
Controls lights, fans,
switches, thermostats, garage doors, sprinklers, and more with compatible
connected devices from WeMo, Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, Nest, ecobee,
and others
·
Hears you from across
the room with 7 far-field microphones for hands-free control, even in noisy
environments or while playing music
·
Includes a built-in
speaker so it can work on its own as a smart alarm clock in the bedroom, an
assistant in the kitchen, or anywhere you might want a voice-controlled
computer
·
Always getting smarter
and adding new features, plus thousands of skills like Uber, Domino's, and more
·
Amazon Echo is not
required to use Echo Dot
$50.00
 |
| Amazon Echo Dot |
More Info Here
5. Amazon Echo
Amazon Echo
Smart voice-enabled wireless speaker
Release Date: November 6,
2014 (Amazon Prime and invited members) June 23, 2015 (released in the U.S.)
Ships from and sold by
Amazon Digital Services LLC. Gift-wrap available.
 |
| Amazon Echo |
Color: Black
·
Plays all your music
from Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and more using just
your voice
·
Fills the room with
immersive, 360ยบ omni-directional audio
·
Allows hands-free
convenience with voice-control
·
Hears you from across
the room with far-field voice recognition, even while music is playing
·
Answers questions,
reads audiobooks and the news, reports traffic and weather, gives info on local
businesses, provides sports scores and schedules, and more using the Alexa
Voice Service
·
Controls lights,
switches, and thermostats with compatible WeMo, Philips Hue, Samsung
SmartThings, Wink, Insteon, Nest, and ecobee smart home devices
·
Always getting smarter
and adding new features, plus thousands of skills like Uber, Domino's, and more
·
$139.99 & FREE Shipping
·
In stock on December 27,
2016.
6 Philips
Hue
Lights that you can control from a smartphone might seem
gimmicky, but these are a great way to not only create a mood, but to also help
simulate daylight if you're stuck indoors during the dreary winter months.
According to Hue:
Your personal wireless lighting that lets you esily control your
ligt from your device and create the right ambience for your every
moments. The world's most connected
light. TechnoGranny aside for you guys,
Straight out of a James Bond movie and you just might be able to control the
light from outside your door. Try it.
Be warned though -- as soon as you replace one light bulb,
you'll want more. These things are highly addictive!
Of all the systems the Philips
Hue systems seems to
be the best. Not only is the hardware
well made, but there are a variety of different starter packs and kits
available to get you going.
7. NomadKey
Free yourself from the hassles of carrying around long charging
cables by popping this tiny key-sized cable on your key ring. Key for iPhone & Android. The size of a
housekey, Key is the ultimate minimalist and portable charging cable.
Flexible design for hard to reach places and
made of durable material because your keys get dropped a lot.
NomadKey is
available for microUSB (Android) and Lightning (iOS).
$19.95 but there's a special right now with Best Buy
8. APC
BR1300G battery backup
 |
| APC Battery Back Up |
Carry on working or playing while others are taken out of the
game by power cuts and storms!
There are a lot of different UPS battery backup systems out
there (and you need to make sure it has the capacity to power your devices) but
I find you can't go wrong with an APC unit such as this APC BR1300G UPS. This is
good for a hefty PC, display, and peripherals such as router.
Rating: 4.5 -
2,114 reviews
When the power goes
out, an APC Back-UPS Pro Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) provides
guaranteed battery backup for computers, hard-drives and other electronics,
including your wireless router so you can maintain a network connection when
you need it most!
In Stock.
·
1300VA / 780W Battery
Backup Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
·
10 Total Outlets: 5
Outlets provide UPS Power Backup and Surge Protection; 5 Outlets offer Surge
Protection Only
·
Automatic Voltage
Regulation (AVR) maintains safe voltage conditions without using backup battery
power
·
APFC compatibility-
ensures electronics that have active PFC power requirements will not
unexpectedly shutdown when switching from utility power to battery power during
an outage.
·
When the power goes
out, an APC Back-UPS Pro Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) provides guaranteed
battery backup for computers, hard-drives and other electronics, including your
wireless router so you can maintain a network connection when you need it most!
·
$149.99 & FREE Shipping.
- Arrives before
Christmas.
9.
Ring video doorbell
See who's at the door before you get up with a Ring video doorbell that puts whoever is outside your door
on your smartphone or tablet.
The perfect high-tech way to keep an eye out for the pizza dude!
Also, a great security solution if you're away from home for extended periods.
A
New Approach to Home Security
Over 1 million
burglaries occur just in the United States each year during daytime hours, when
homes are usually unoccupied. Being home is often enough to deter a potential burglar.¹
Whereas traditional
security systems activate once a break-in has occurred, the Ring™ Video
Doorbell is designed to help you prevent a break-in from taking place at all.
Answer the door from anywhere using your wireless video doorbell. With Ring, you’re
always home.
199.00
10.
Ergotron 3-way LCD wall-mounted arm
 |
| Choose the Way You Stack Your Egotron |
Once you get a decent mount for a PC display you'll wonder how
you ever managed with the monitor sitting on your desk.
The Ergotron
LX arm, and it is truly awesome as it allows me to put the display
exactly where I want it, and move it quickly and easily.
Don't want to drill holes in the wall? No worries, Ergotron also
make a version that clamps to the desk.
Wall Mounts (2) ... LX HD Sit-Stand Desk Mount Arm with
Dual Monitor Kit ... Simply combine your notebook with an LCD display,
separate keyboard and ... This stand expands your computer desktop across three smaller displays
or two larger ...
Great Stocking
Stuffers
Can you
really get a good tech gift under $20? Yes, an this list is proof. We've
handpicked quality headphones, HDTV antennas, power packs and more that are guaranteed
to put a smile on their face while staying within your budget. You can even
give them a taste of VR for less than 20 bucks.
Here are
the top gadget gifts for less.
11. Jackery Giant+
 |
| Jackery Giant + |
When a
little extra power is needed for a smartphone, consider the Jackery Giant+. The
device is a portable battery charger that can work with iPhone 7s, Galaxy S7s,
and other devices. You can charge multiple devices at the same time. The
Jackery Giant+ costs $20.
When a
little extra power is needed for a smartphone, consider the Jackery Giant+. The
device is a portable battery charger that can work with iPhone 7s, Galaxy S7s,
and other devices. You can charge multiple devices at the same time. The
Jackery Giant+ costs $29.99
12.
Sentey Bullex Gold Earbuds
 |
| Sentey Bullex Gold Earbuds |
The Sentey
Bullex Gold Earbuds come with a stylish metallic design and fit comfortably,
thanks to small, medium, and large sizes. They also deliver solid audio quality
for their $10 price. These buds placed first in our roundup of earphones
under $20. Get them on E-bay for 13.29
13. Misfit Link
 |
| Misfit Link Fitness Tracker |
The Misfit
Link is the most affordable fitness tracker out there. The $15 wearable clips
to your belt and is capable of tracking your steps, distance, calories and
sleep. It also gives you information about your progress in an associated
mobile app. There's even a smart button to control smart home device
Key Features:
Smart button enabled
to control connected household devices
Automatically tracks
steps, distance, calories, and light and restful sleep
Splashproof disc with
red LED progress and time display
Wirelessly syncs with
paired smartphone to upload data
Non-charging,
replaceable battery lasts up to 6 months
In the box:
Misfit Link, Clasp, Battery and Quick Start Guide
Comes in turquoise and coca cola red.
14. Leaf Metro Indoor HDTV Antenna
When
cutting the cord, check out the Mohu Leaf Metro Indoor HDTV Antenna. The
antenna plugs directly into the television and is capable of getting
over-the-air broadcasts on a slew of channels beaming programming to you in a
25-mile area. The Moh
 |
| Leaf Metro Indoor HDTV Antenna |
The New Compact Addition
to Mohu’s Family of High Quality Leaf HDTV Antennas!
Sometimes smaller can be better. And that’s the
case with Mohu’s Leaf Metro paper-thin HDTV antenna. Leaf Metro delivers great
range in a small, discreet package. This compact HDTV antenna is perfect for
city dwellers, dorm rooms, workshops or just about anywhere you go like in your
RV or tailgating before the game.
All antennas are based on physics. Leaf Metro(Open Box) is the smallest size possible for high quality reception. Borrowing from the same advanced U.S. Military technology built into its bigger cousins – Leaf 30 and Leaf 50 – Leaf Metro(Open Box) reaches out in a 25-mile radius from your home to bring you the most popular TV shows, news and sports, on both network and local television in full 1080 HD – for FREE. No need for cable or satellite fees to watch stations like PBS, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox or your favorite local channels.
All antennas are based on physics. Leaf Metro(Open Box) is the smallest size possible for high quality reception. Borrowing from the same advanced U.S. Military technology built into its bigger cousins – Leaf 30 and Leaf 50 – Leaf Metro(Open Box) reaches out in a 25-mile radius from your home to bring you the most popular TV shows, news and sports, on both network and local television in full 1080 HD – for FREE. No need for cable or satellite fees to watch stations like PBS, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox or your favorite local channels.
o Plug the included 10 ft.
high-performance digital cable into the back of your television
o Place Leaf Metro(Open Box)
in a desired location
o Scan for channels in your
television menu
o Try a few locations,
scanning each time
o Enjoy HD programming for
free
o Most popular & best
rated indoor antenna on the market
o Developed from U.S. Military
Technology
o Reversible and paintable to
match dรฉcor
o Complements any streaming
device for maximum viewing options
o 25-mile range
o Made in the USA
o Same warranty policy as
new antenna!
15. Google Cardboard
 |
| Google Cardboard |
If your
friend or family member is into virtual reality, check out the Google Cardboard.
You can get a viewer for just $15. After that, insert a smartphone into the
viewer and boot up some virtual-reality apps and 360-degree videos and you'll
be totally immersed.
Immersive experience
Step into stunning environments that stretch all around you.
No matter where you look, it’s as if you’re really there.
Lots of content to explore
Discover thousands of VR apps and games, and a variety of
captivating YouTube videos made to view with Cardboard. Travel the world, go
onstage with your favorite artists, experience thrilling simulations, and more.
Works with your smartphone
Cardboard
supports most Android or iOS phones with screen sizes from 4 to 6 inches.² It
also has an interactive click button that works with all compatible phones.
$15.00 in
the Google Store
Innoo Tech Oil Diffuser
Why not
give the gift of relaxation? The Innoo Tech Oil Diffuser comes with seven LEDs
that can change colors and emits a mist designed to make users relax. It also
comes with support for e-books, so you can listen to books while relaxing.
About
the Product
·
Ultrasonic Technology
– Add the water and 2 to 3 drops of Essential Oil simply, ultrasonic vibrations
diffuse the water and oil into the room for relaxing aromatherapy. And just
enjoy the aromatherapy experience with your favorite scented essential oils in
this essential oil diffuser, that helps revitalize your spirit and nurture
relaxation.
·
Nightlight & Auto
Shut-Off -- The diffuser's 7 color LEDs can create a wonderful, calming
atmosphere or be used as a nightlight. The Auto Shut-Off function gives you
peace of mind when using the diffuser, as when it is detected that there is no
more water, the diffuser will automatically power off.
·
Best Gift Idea --
Perfect gift idea for family and friends who love aromatherapy or can benefit
from Aromatherapy healing. Portable for Gym, Yoga, Baby Room, Office, Bedroom.
Envelop a space up to 200 sq feet of your favorite scent anywhere you go.
·
Noise Reduction
Technology -- With Advanced Ultrasonic Diffusing and Noise Reduction
Technology, noise level is less than 35 db.
·
An Ironclad 100%
Satisfaction Guarantee! -- We're confident that you're going to love this
Essential Oil Diffuser, so Innoo Tech is offering it with an ironclad
satisfaction guarantee. If you have any problems with your Aroma Diffuser, at
any point during its lifetime, simple let us know and we will refund every
penny of your purchase OR ship you another brand new home tool absolutely free.
Techno Granny Show Hosted By:
Joanne Quinn-Smith is the Creative Energy Officer of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and an expert on Web 2.0 Branding, 2009 National SBA Small Business Journalist of the Year, Author "Folly of Marketing Plan in Your Head, 101 Compelling Reasons to Write One." Available at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DHKVJOG
This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:
© Joanne Quinn-Smith, Techno Granny Show™ 2007-2016 All rights reserved.
Dreamweaver Marketing Associates | (412) 444-5197
Listen at: http://tinyurl.com/TechnoGrannyShow OR on its unique radio channel at:http://tinyurl.com/pospittlivemag
Additional blog posts at: http://technogrannyshow.com
This blog post can be reproduced in its entirety with the following information:
© Joanne Quinn-Smith, Techno Granny Show™ 2007-2016 All rights reserved.
Dreamweaver Marketing Associates | (412) 444-5197
Listen at: http://tinyurl.com/TechnoGrannyShow OR on its unique radio channel at:http://tinyurl.com/pospittlivemag
Additional blog posts at: http://technogrannyshow.com
