This week we continue our tech gifts suggestions list – with the second part of our list with a twist. The twist would be that for each category the tech gifts are meant to surprise in a certain way: either completing their functionality by a nice design, either bringing a new perspective or an extra feature.
We’ve reached the number six on our list (you can check the first part here).
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Fitness trackers as tech gifts
Fitness trackers are trendy and useful. There are numerous lists featuring the best trackers. Here’s an in-depth example; in most rankings Fitbit is by far at the top, which makes sense because this brand is also the market leader. In what functionality is concerned, the monitoring accuracy is very important, whether in relation with the wearer’s state (asleep or awake, while training etc.) or in relation with the body parameters such as the heart rate, the skin temperature or the blood pressure. A usual, but comprehensive fitness trackers buying guide covers the market prices, the features and compatibility issue – as this one does. Use this guide as well as a premise when making your choice, since there are many features to take into consideration and this might prove confusing.
Nevertheless, the twist in regard to this gift category consists in integrating such wearable devices into an elegant outfit. The answer comes from those who already took the style element into consideration and offer fitness trackers shaped like (or encased in) jewelry.
The Mira smart bracelet would be one of the available options. With an estimated final price of $169, you can check out this product’s Kickstarter page to have an idea of its capabilities.
For an extra touch of glitz, the Misfit Swarovski Shine might prove interesting. Its product webpage features pendants, bracelets and sets that give an extra choice, price-wise.
Another illustrated example comes out of the collaboration of Fitbit and Tory Burch. The Tory Burch Fitbit bracelets aim at being super-chic accessories.
Another notable entry in the smart jewelry category would be the Polar Loop Crystal ($159.95).
Those interested in the smart technology in exquisite form should also consult this dedicated page.
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Electric Unicycle or Hoverboard
Another type of gifts for the busy and trendy people would be innovative transportation tech items, such as the electric Unicycles or the hoverboards.
The details can be found in the product description webpage. Whatever brand attracts your eye, check for maximum speed, battery specifications (time to charge, autonomy), self-balancing features, and, of course, price range. From Airwheel ($280) to Ninebot ($859) the interested buyer has quite a few available options. These mini-vehicles are functional and hip, and may prove both useful and fashionable in the urban landscape.
The hoverboards on the other hand are a bit controversial, since 2015 has seen laws forbidding the use of such transportation means in certain countries (UK) or areas. The hoverboards are illegal on NYC streets, as well, so maybe this is not the best gift for your New York friends.
However there are hoverboards enthusiasts and the gadgets themselves resemble tech skateboards (although listed under “scooters” on product sites). Some of the variants available come with the self-balancing feature and may prove yet another trendy transportation method (where legally allowed). Check here the Amazon offer.
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Kinetic watches
Yes, you read this well. Although smartwatches are the trendiest pieces of wearable, this is an entirely different category. This gift better fits that people who do not enjoy staying connected with or without their will – it is all about the old-fashioned time-telling watches.
The twist here would be that kinetic watches do not need batteries or re-charging – their energy comes from the daily movements of their owners. While the wearer moves about his daily routine, a large rotor charges the watch’s battery. Seiko invented this type of watches and later remedied the issues encountered by the capacitor/battery system. The best current kinetic watches come from Seiko, Citizen and Casio. More expensive than the same-brand usual battery watches, the kinetic watches are the supreme time-measuring gift for the sporty, autonomous types and they are resilient when it comes to rugged activities.
Also denominated “automatic watches”, these kinetically powered devices come in many shapes and prices, as you can see here.
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Drones as tech gifts
Giving an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or a drone as a gift should come with an instructional material how to fly such a device in any public aerial environments. That is absolutely necessary because 2015 has seen a lot of controversial situations that involved drones. The legislation concerning UAVs has actually became harsher; therefore any drone owner should keep up to date when it comes to the related provisions – such as the FAA drones registration steps.
These being said, drones also come in many sizes (from the ones you could fit in your hand, to the delivery drones, capable of transporting and delivering merchandise), and in many types (the low-end, toy like drones, the medium quality devices that serve in flying a camera in order to take altitude shots or videos and finally the high-end devices that feature accurate sensors that measure chemical compositions, humidity, air pressure or other parameters.
You can browse commercial drones via an Amazon dedicated search page here, as we did, or you can search online for available products starting from the special feature you want them to have. There are agricultural drones available on the market (as an example of specialized devices), in a totally different, higher price range. Probably not what you had in mind for a present. Nevertheless it takes a small step to get used to the idea of big, revolutionary technology, so you never know what your small-sized drone gift might inspire your friends to engage into sometimes in the future.
You may want to check this hot drone’s gift guide coming from Wired. Moreover, here is a short insight into the regulations status to have in mind when considering drones.
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Tech-related experiences
For the last point of our list, we would like to suggest tech-related experiences as a concept. Instead of giving a certain product as a present, you might feel inspired to offer subscriptions, vouchers, coupons for your recipients to use according to their preferences.
Have you experienced a certain tech service that you feel extremely satisfied about in your professional capacity? You might want to share that experience with your peers or friends by giving them a limited time subscription to that particular service.
Alternatively, online courses may constitute nice gifts. A Mooc technology-related course could prove useful (an investment of $60 can translate into a diploma once graduating the course). Also check here some ideas of free courses built for success – for an inexpensive but nice gift.
The available tech gifts of today seem limitless, and so do the experiences related to the provided services or the places to visit. Any positive and unique experience you’ve had in 2015 can be easily shared via a recommendation, reservation, a ticket or a subscription – and maybe this proves the perfect gift for some of your contacts or friends. Perhaps it will prove a welcomed surprise, and a breath of fresh air pleasantly contrasting with the rest of the seasonal gifts.
