10 great tech Christmas gifts
After a very ordinary 2020 around the world, it’s good to have the festive season nearly upon us. If you’re looking for Christmas presents and are stuck for inspiration, here are 10 of the latest gadgets that will make anyone happy.
Belkin BoostCharge Wireless Charging Stand + Speaker
Belkin always calls a spade a spade when it comes to product names, and the BoostCharge Wireless Charging Stand + Speaker is exactly that. First off, it’s a case-compatible, 10W fast wireless charging stand for Qi-enabled smartphones and devices from Samsung, Apple, Google and others. Secondly, it’s a speaker that lets you amplify your playlist, podcast, or video. It also has a built-in microphone for phone or video calls. We reckon it’s be great for mobile-based Zoom meetings. Available in black or white.
RRP $99.95
Available from Belkin.com/au, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and other tech retailers
Bose Sleepbuds II earphones
These Bose earphones are specifically designed to help people fall asleep faster. They’re super-light and small for wearing in bed and mask noises such as snoring, barking and traffic rather than cancelling them, which is said to be better for sleep. Other sleep-inducing features are an anti-friction coating to prevent ‘squeaking’ against fabric, and a low-energy Bluetooth connection that’s more reliable against a pillow. The Bose Sleepbuds II can store up to 10 calming audio files from the Bose Sleep App library, such as Naturescapes – such as Country Road, Shore Line and Boardwalk – and Tranquilities including Lift, Drift and Dream.
RRP $379.95
Tivoli Go Andiamo speaker
It can be tough choosing a good Bluetooth speaker for Christmas from all the models out there. Tivoli Audio has a reputation for above-average audio products, like the dual-speaker Tivoli Go Andiamo. It has an aluminium housing (available in silver or black) with a wraparound stitched leather handle and embossed volume and Bluetooth pairing buttons. If you don’t want to go wireless, you can also plug in an audio source via an aux input. The Andiamo measures 135mm in diameter and 55mm high, and its battery gives up to 20 hours of playback time.
RRP $169
Suunto 7 smart watch
Finland’s Suunto is a brand long respected for its dive computers and for introducing the world’s first outdoor watch with altimeter, barometer and compass functions way back in 1998. More recently, it has become a serious player in the smartwatch field and recently updated its flagship Suunto 7. A great Christmas present for those with an active lifestyle, it takes smartwatches to the next level with over 70 sport modes, from running and cycling to skiing and surfing, plus exercise tracking, music controls and training insights. Heatmaps show where other people are exercising (so you can see the best spots – or avoid them in this COVID world) and offline maps mean you don’t have to take your phone with you. It’s shock-proof, waterproof (to 50m) and dirt-proof.
RRP $599
Audiofly AFT2 True Wireless In-Ear Headphones
These Bluetooth earphones are Australian designed and engineered for professional-quality sound by Perth-based Audiofly, which has a background in professional in-ear monitors (IEMs). The AFT2 True Wireless In-Ear Headphones passively dampen everyday noise but also have active noise cancellation that kicks in when you need to take or make a phone call. The water-resistant headphones will play your audio for up to 10 hours and come in a carry case that’s also a battery with enough in the bank for another 2.5 charges, or 25 hours. They come in four colours – Gum Leaf, Sunset, Sand and Granite
RRP $199.99
NutriBullet Juicer
The new NutriBullet Juicer is a compact 800-Watt model designed for everyday use – and perfect for Christmas breakfast. It has a wide 7cm feed chute which can accommodate many whole fruits and vegetables, and all its parts are dishwasher safe. It separates the juice from the skin and pulp, which can be emptied into an airtight container and refrigerated or frozen for future use – such as muffins, veggie patties, dips and sauces. It comes with a sealing juice pitcher that allows you to juice and store in the same container.
RRP $179
Available from retailers such as The Good Guys, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Target, Myer, Big W and Bing Lee or www.bulletbrands.com.au
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 speaker
Want a Christmas present for someone who likes getting outdoors or hanging by the pool and wants their beats to go with them? The Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2 is a portable Bluetooth wireless speaker that measures about 10cm high and wide and promises a “surprisingly big” 360-degree sound that’s “crisp and bassy as all get-out”. An Outdoor Boost mode gives an even bigger sound. It has an IP67 rating, which means it’s dust-proof and waterproof, able to survive 1m underwater for 30 minutes. The design is inspired by athletic leisure gear, with two-tone knit fabrics in black, blue red, grey and peach.
RRP $129.95
moto g 5G plus smartphone
Australian consumers are getting excited about the new, super-fast 5G phone networks and Motorola has made them more accessible with the sub-$500 moto g 5G plus smartphone. The Android 10 phone has a 6.7-inch Full HD+ CinemaVision display, four cameras on the rear of the ‘Surfing Blue’ plastic body and one in the front. And it has a bigger-then-normal 5000mAh battery, meaning you can go longer between charges.
RRP $499
From Vodafone, Telstra and motorola.com.au
Blue Snowball iCE microphone
In a world where microphones can break the bank for content creators, the Blue Snowball iCE mic is a Christmas gift that costs under $100 and gets rave reviews. It’s been certified by Skype for providing exceptional clarity and a guaranteed optimal Skype experience, and can also be used for podcasts, Zoom meetings, video recording and voiceovers. It’s USB-powered, so you can plug-and-play to your Mac or PC.
RRP $99
From Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and EB Games
Jays q-Seven Wireless headphones
The Jays q-Seven Wireless headphones use Bluetooth to give you a roaming distance of 10m from your phone or other audio source. They have Active Noise-Cancelling technology onboard to measure and reduce ambient noise. Integrated control buttons on the right ear cup let you take calls, skip tracks and control the volume. The over-ear cans give you 20 hours of use in noise-cancelling mode and up to 30 hours when it’s turned off. And if you run out of juice the q-Sevens come with an audio cable so you can wire up, old-school style.
RRP $299
