Wednesday, December 9, 2015
It’s
that time of year again, and with that comes the joyous task of trying to
decipher everyone else’s wishes and wants so you can get the perfect gift.
After all, that is what the season is about, right? So you have finally gotten
everything together, researched relentlessly, and found the perfect gift for
everyone in your family…except one. We all have that one person in our lives
that is impossible to shop for. They either have everything, or want nothing.
That means it’s time to think outside of the box and get them something they
never expected. Fortunately, the research is done for you, and you get to sit
back and enjoy the fruits of the labor. Below is a compiled list of all of the
most popular gadgets, tools, and toys that are sure to impress even the most
fickle member of your innermost circle.
1.
Tile
Dongle
Amount:
Starting at $24
It’s 7:00 in the morning, and you can’t
find your keys. The kids are screaming, and you just know this is the day your
boss is going to get to work before you. Whatever will you do? Well, if you
have the “Tile Bluetooth Dongle”, this will never be an issue again. With a
simple click of a button, you can locate whatever device you have attached, ranging
from car keys to luggage and backpacks to kids toys. It is small enough to
connect to any item, and can even locate your lost phone with a simple push of
the button. For the price, this is a very convenient and practical gift for
anyone.
2. Misfit
Flash Link
Amount:
16.99
With the recent fitness craze that has
swarmed our culture, this product has come out at the perfect time. It’s small
enough to clip on your pocket, but powerful enough to accurately track your
fitness activities and assist in your regular workout regimen. You can even
swim with it. The blinking lights on top tell time, as well as measuring your
progress towards your set fitness goal. With a battery lasting the better of
six months, you will be hard pressed to find a more affordable fitness gadget
with this kind of capability.
3.
iDevices
iGrill Mini
Amount:
$39.95
For the griller of the family, you would be
at a loss not to consider this nifty little toy. By using the free smartphone
app included with your purchase, this probe can tell you when your food is done
cooking, based on the presets you define. For instance, if you want a medium
steak, set this option in your app, then put the probe in the steak, shove it
all in the oven (with capabilities to measure -22 to 572 degrees Fahrenheit,
you can rest assured the iGrill will not be harmed) and walk away. When your
food is done, you get an alert to your phone. With an estimated Bluetooth range
of 150 ft., you will no longer be tied to your oven during your favorite
sitcoms.
4.
Eton
Blackout Buddy H2O
Amount:
$9.99
Really, a flashlight? Yes, a flashlight.
But not just any flashlight. This is a light powered by water. This may not be
the gift you want for Christmas this year, but I guarantee you will be happy
when that next power outage hits. Approved by the Red Cross, this handy little
tool requires no batteries or electricity of any kind, and is instead powered
simply by the wonder that is water. This is a must have for any safety and
weather preparedness kit.
5.
Amazon
Fire Tablet
Amount:
$49.99
Ever since tablets hit the market, everyone
has wanted one. I am willing to bet you have a child somewhere in your group
that is begging you for a tablet of some kind, and you have probably been
apprehensive about dropping the money (I don’t blame you, they’re expensive).
But now Amazon has once again stepped up to the plate and brought us the
cheapest tablet on the market. At the low price of $49.99, you can have the fun
and joy brought to you by Amazon. Some features are lacking (for instance, most
apps/home screen are ad powered and you must pay to remove ads), but if you are
willing to overlook the shortcomings, this is a great tablet to get without the
risk of hundreds of dollars.
6.
Shutterball
Amount:
$29.99
Link to Buy (merchant website; also available on Amazon)
Its not just a teen thing; we all like
taking selfies. Go ahead, you can admit it. Nobody’s listening. One rather
undeniable phenomenon with the evolution of cell phone cameras is the almighty
selfie. So have you ever knocked your phone when trying to snap that perfect shot?
Never again thanks to the Shutterball. This handy little ball-on-a-cord will
take you back to the days of old-timey photography (without the horrible flash,
crackling, or black and white resolution) by connecting the ball to an app on
your phone via Bluetooth. You set up your phone in just the right angle,
squeeze the ball, and you now have your perfect picture. Works great for any
posed shots that require precision. This is a must have for any cell phone
picture takers in the family.
7.
Microsoft
Arc Touch Mouse
Amount:
$36.95
Possibly the niftiest accessory for
computers in years, the Microsoft Arc Mouse is the must-have computer mouse for
the techie on the go. To turn it on, you simply open the flattened mouse, and
arch it. Now it is turned on, and even formed to your hand. In addition, it
works on many surfaces, including glass tabletops. Compact and powerful without
costing an arm and a leg, this is an ingenious gift for any avid computer user.
8. Apple Core
Wire Organizer
Amount:
$1.99-$4.99 (depending on size)
Oh Apple Core, where have you been all my
life? This is the simplest, but coolest tool to have in any home. How many
times have you tried to unplug your phone and almost pulled the tv down with
it? With this handy little organizer, all of your cords will not only be
organized and separated, but also confined an easily identifiable. Never again
will you have to trace your wires back to find the one you need. And at such a
low price, you could afford to organize all of the wires in your home/office.
9.
Touch
Tonic – For Gloves!
Amount:
$20.00
Winter is a harsh mistress, especially to
those brave enough to text while out in the elements. Nobody wants to sacrifice
their fingertips in order to browse YouTube or text their loved ones. Now you don’t
have to, thanks to Touch Tonic. It comes in a variety of solutions, one for
fabric gloves and one for leather and other materials, and a single solution
will keep you connected for months on end. Just apply the solution to your
glove fingertips, and you are ready to text, smash, play, and watch to your
heart’s content, no matter what the weather is like.
10. Google Cardboard
Amount:
varies, starting at $20.00
Possibly the coolest unveil of the year,
Google Cardboard is guaranteed to impress even the least technical member of
the family. Imagine relaxing from work by taking a stroll through downtown
Paris. Now you can emulate that feeling with this simple headset. Using the
free app combined with Cardboard, you can view various areas of the world, and
Angry Birds has never been so intense. At such a low price point, you are
guaranteed to be volunteered as the family Santa Claus at next year’s Christmas
party.
