The season of goodwill is nearly upon us, meaning it’s time to start thinking about what to give to the special people in our lives… and maybe pick up a little something for ourselves too. At FluidOne we cannot help but love gadgets and gizmos, so to help you with your Christmas shopping we have put together a few ideas of tech-y treats to help jumpstart your gift search.
Note: We are not in any way affiliated with the displayed products and their associated companies. Readers should do their own research to ensure the product is suitable for their intended recipient.
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Smart Tech
Technology is getting smarter exponentially and lots of the items out now even have the word “smart” in the name. These are perfect for levelling up your home office environment, from smart thermostats to lights to security cameras. For something a bit more fun, however, our pick of the bunch is the smart speaker. The physical home of an AI assistant, smart speakers can make calls, read out weather forecasts, answer your questions, and of course play music. These can range anywhere from as low as around £30 for a mini version to hovering close to the £500 mark. Our pick is the Sonos Era 100, coming in at the slightly pricey £200-£250 range, but bringing with it integration of both Amazon Alexa and Apple AirPlay 2, a simple yet attractive design, and among the best sound quality on the market.
Secure Tech
Cyber security gift ideas tend to appeal to those with a deep interest in computers – think a super expensive bit of tech or a cyber-themed piece of merchandise. For an exception with broader appeal a favourite of ours are RFID-blocking wallets. RFID stands for radio-frequency identification and refers to the chips that are used in many modern credit and debit cards to enable contactless payments. Unfortunately, devices exist that people can use to scan and clone your card and accompanying personal data with this chip. RFID-blocking wallets protect this data by blocking the frequencies, all while looking the same as normal wallets – existing wallet designs and materials are catered for, including leather for classic tastes. We cannot help but think this is a good opportunity to try a new design, which is why we’re partial to the minimalist metal creations of the Ridge Wallet, typically priced a bit under £100 as an investment in your security.
Ergonomic Tech
It’s no secret that most of us spend most of our time sitting down. This is the case not only for work, but also how we spend a lot of our free time – do any of you have a gamer in your life? The problem is that this lifestyle can cause a lot of discomfort, such as aches and pains, that can make the same activities less productive or enjoyable. Bad posture is one example of an issue impacting a lot of us, though there are plenty of ways to tackle it, such as posture-correcting chairs, standing desks, ergonomic keyboards, and shoulder straps. Something that we particularly liked is the Upright Go S Lite posture corrector trainer, which costs a bit over £50. It is a small device that you either wear as a necklace or stick to your back with adhesive strips, which then vibrates when you start to get too hunched over. It also is linked to an app that provides useful data around your slouching habits, to promote a general awareness of one’s posture.
Sustainable Tech
The average person has at least one good cause that resonates with them. For a lot of us environmental causes have moved towards the front of our priorities, such as climate change, waste reduction, animal welfare, or habitat protection. There are plenty of ways for us to do our bit for the planet, such as by purchasing more sustainable technologies. One that took our notice was the idea of solar-powered chargers. We cannot deny our reliance on mobile devices, even when we take outdoor adventures, so why not take care of two issues at once: having access to power no matter where you are; and guaranteeing the use of a sustainable energy source. These chargers come in all shapes and sizes, but we are fans of those produced by BLAVOR, which are easily handheld and come with various accessories useful in the great outdoors, such as torches and compasses. Ranging from £20 to £70 depending on the model, they are also among the most affordable on the market.
Housework Tech
Recent years may have brought greater work-life balance, but it’s still all too easy for us to get the feeling that there are not enough hours in the day. There are simply too many jobs to get done! This is particularly true for those pesky chores around the house. However, this is an area of life where technology has helped us out a lot and luckily this pattern is continuing. One of the best editions in recent years is the robot vacuum, which has a self-explanatory name, but several perform additional tasks like mopping – keeping floors spotless while you get on with other things. The Eufy Robovac X8 is our choice, taking care of all the essentials while registering a tad above the not too eye-watering £200 mark.
Season's Greetings!
The team at FluidOne wish you all a very merry festive season. Be sure to take care of yourselves and stay safe, and if you need to get in touch for any Business IT guidance – from IT security to Managed Services – our experts are here to discuss your challenges and needs.
