A gift guide for the tech geek in your life
You might have no choice but to pay a premium for holiday gifts this year, but it’s still the season of giving, and the special people on your list are worth it. Though there have been microchip shortages that have slowed development in some areas, tech just keeps getting better. The gadgets in this year’s BOSS gift guide have the kind of impressive features that will make your friends and loved ones marvel at your gift-picking prowess and want to stay on your good side through the new year. You can’t put a price on that.
Ray-Ban Stories Wayfarer
The classic Wayfarers have always helped the wearer look cool while beating the scorch of the sun. Stories capture that cool in real-time, with a 5-megapixel camera that captures photo and video, touch control that lets the user switch rapidly between listening to music and recording audio, and open-ear speakers. With the Facebook View operating system, wearers can create and share content in real time, and the case charges your shades when you’re not using them. What a way to take in the world around you.
Moleskine Smart Writing Set
A more old-fashioned way to capture your thoughts and record your experiences, but with a modern twist. The smart notebook embraces the romance of jotting things down in a treasured journal but paired with the smart pen it makes a digital copy of every page the second you mark on it. Let your thoughts flow freely without having to worry about losing them. We all know inspiration can strike anywhere, and our best thoughts often come away from our desk. Connect the smart writing set to other apps and expand your doodles into bona fide works of art.
Oculus Quest 2
Meta is leaning hard into the metaverse, and VR headsets like Quest 2 can bring the experience to life. It delivers cinema-quality sound with 3D positional audio, and the Six Degrees of Freedom tracking keeps tabs on your head and body, making your moves integrate smoothly into the game you’re playing. Beat Saber, which comes standard, and other games put you in the heart of the action right in your living room. It’s like real life, only better.
DJI Mini 3 Pro
For a drone that weighs about half a pound, it sure packs a wallop. With flight time exceeding half an hour, the Mini 3 Pro can capture every view of your adventure, even as day fades to night, with clarity. Shoot in 4K HDR and relive every moment just as you remember it, or pop it in slo-mo to increase the drama. Dual-vision sensors in three directions and advanced pilot assistance systems keep the drone from running into obstacles that might prevent it from recording your perfect day.
Audioengine A2+ Speakers
Another small but mighty gadget, these 6-inch-tall speakers have a wireless range of up to 100 feet and connect to any music app or device seamlessly via aptX Bluetooth. Setup is quick and easy, and they deliver high-fidelity stereo sound that fills almost any room. These small-batch speakers are handcrafted and tailored specifically for home office/computer room setups. The only tough decision is whether to go with black, red, or white.
Logitech C920s Pro HD Webcam
Crisp 1080p HD video greets anyone you encounter in your virtual meetings to give you a polished, professional look. There’s auto light correction, and the sound is just as good as the look, with dual microphones for stereo audio. A universal mounting clip allows users to fit the webcam on a laptop, LCD, or monitor in a snap. A 78-degree field of view gives you a commanding presence in the frame, and when you don’t want to be seen, simply flip down the privacy shutter.
Fizzics DraftPour
Get the bar experience at home by turning it into a nitro-style draft. Place any can or bottle in the DraftPour, give it a pull, and see the machine convert it to a draft with tiny bubbles that enhance taste, aroma, and mouthfeel. Need more head? A gentle push beckons the microfoam technology that uses sonic waves to improve the beer’s natural carbonation. DraftPour plugs in via USB for home use and can run on battery power so you can bring it along to your next tailgate.
BioLite FirePit+
While you’re at that tailgate or out camping, enjoy a perfectly even fire without all the smoke. The FirePit+ burns wood or charcoal with airflow technology that ensures food is cooked evenly and everyone gathered around stays warm. The USB power pack keeps the fire burning for up to 30 hours when set low (7 when on high). Folding legs and a weight of just under 20 pounds make it easy to tote the FirePit+ around, and the grill grate makes for an easy hibachi-style cooking surface.
Ooni Koda 16
This outdoor gas-powered oven heats to 950 degrees Fahrenheit to cook a stone-baked pizza in 60 seconds. It’s large enough for 16-inch pizzas and can also handle meat, fish, and sides for a whole backyard party. The heating is consistent throughout the surface to guarantee an evenly cooked pie with all your favorite toppings. You can even bake bread in it for a fresh homemade taste.
Breo Box
If there’s someone on your list who just can’t get enough tech, this subscription service delivers between four and eight new gadgets every quarter. Want it to gift to yourself but not lose the element of surprise? Select the mystery box option and see what Breo Box curates for you. Items can be mini drones, mini projectors, smart mugs, or anything else good for work and play in the office and at home. With new gadgets every three months, you’re always discovering something new.
Leave a Reply