1 Amazon Echo, Second Generation
For any techies on your list who somehow don’t already own a smart speaker, this is a good time to rectify the issue. Amazon recently came out with this second-generation model of the Echo—the speaker powered by the Alexa virtual assistant—and it’s now both less expensive and more compact in design. Alexa can answer questions, manage calendars, play music/radio/podcasts and accomplish a wide variety of other tasks. The Echo also connects over Bluetooth to mobile devices, and with this latest generation, the Echo can connect to a more-powerful speaker over 3.5mm cable or Bluetooth, as well.
2 Google Home Mini
This Google Assistant is terrific at executing searches and other tasks. And the new Google Home Mini is the least expensive way to get the Google Assistant as a smart speaker. It’s also ultra-compact: the Home Mini has a diameter of just 3.86 inches and a height of 1.65 inches. In addition, the Home Mini is enclosed entirely in fabric, and works with Chromecast.
3 Chromecast Ultra
Chromecast enables users to easily stream Netflix and other media to a TV—a must-have for many households these days. Google’s newest version of the device, Chromecast Ultra, is faster than the original and can also provide 4K Ultra HD and HDR picture quality. Chromecast Ultra works with Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) as well as Android devices, Windows devices, and Chromebooks.
4 Samsung Fast Charge Wireless Charging Stand
It’s not often you find a cool gadget that works across the Apple and Samsung ecosystems, but Samsung’s Fast Charge Wireless Charging Stand does just that—which ought to make it a popular gift this holiday. The device will charge up any Qi-enabled smartphone, which includes this year’s iPhones (X, 8 and 8 Plus) and Galaxy phones (S8, S8+ and Note8). While it’s specially tuned for the Samsung devices—it charges Galaxy phones up to 1.4X faster than other wireless chargers, according to Samsung—and works perfectly fine with iPhones, too. The charger can also switch between two modes, allowing users to lay their phone flat on the charger or prop up their phone in stand mode.
5 Anker PowerCore 10000 10000mAh External Battery
For those techies who are always on-the-go and have tons of gadgets and doohickeys, battery life can sometimes bring the party to a halt. As such, this external battery charger may be just the thing that certain techie in your life needs to keep their gadget party going! And for the price, you really can’t beat it.