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Tech Finds Worth Knowing About
31
items Tech finds for everyday life—from tablets and earbuds to smart-home gadgets, charging accessories, gaming and retro-inspired tech.
Sections
5
Phone & Charging Helpers
Smart Home Made Simple
Tech for Grandparents, Parents & Gifting
Desk, Work & Creator Gear
Games, Music & Retro Fun
Phone & Charging Helpers
The little things that keep your phone alive and your stuff found. Chargers, cords long enough to reach the bed, and backups for the days your battery quits before you do.
Noise cancellation that quiets the lawn mower, the airplane, or the kids' cartoons. They pair with an iPhone in seconds and fit right in your pocket.
Earbuds That Shut Out the Noise
A 3-in-1 stand that charges your phone, earbuds, and watch at the same time. One spot on the nightstand instead of three tangled cords.
Set It Down and It Charges
A slim 10,000mAh power bank that fast-charges your phone on the go. Keep it in your bag for road trips, ballgames, and hurricane season.
Backup Battery for Long Days Out
Pop one on your keys, purse, suitcase, and the dog's collar, and your iPhone will walk you right to them. Four in a box makes it an easy gift to split up, or keep all four. I won't tell.
For Anyone Who's Ever Lost Their Keys (Again)
About the size of a sugar cube and it fast-charges an iPhone or Android. Throw one in your purse or travel bag so you're never stuck begging the front desk for a charger.
The Tiny Charger That Fits in Your Purse
Ten feet means you can charge your phone and still scroll in bed or from the recliner. Two in a pack, so maybe this time the teenager won't take yours.
Cords Long Enough to Reach the Bed
A strong magnetic mount that holds your phone right where you can see the map, no more phone sliding into the cup holder on Expressway 83. Made for MagSafe iPhones, and other phones can use it with a magnetic ring.
Hands-Free Directions on the Expressway
Smart Home Made Simple
Comfortable over-ear headphones with noise cancellation and long battery life. Great for the teenager on your list or for long road trips.
Ask it for the weather, a kitchen timer, or your favorite 80s station without wiping off your hands. An easy first step into smart home for anybody, including the folks who swear they don't do gadgets.
The Little Speaker That Answers Back
Plug it in, plug your lamp, fan, or Christmas lights into it, and control them from your phone or by voice. Set the porch light to come on at dusk, and nobody has to remember. No hub needed.
Turn Off the Lamp Without Getting Up
A small plug-in camera for checking on the dog, the house, or whether the kids actually came home after school. It has night vision and two-way talk, so you can tell the cat to get off the counter from across town.
Peek In on the Pets While You're Out
Plugs into the back of the TV and puts all your streaming apps in one place, with a voice remote so you can just say what you want to watch. A good fix for the guest room TV, or for parents who are tired of juggling remotes.
Make Any TV a Smart TV
A battery doorbell camera, so there's no wiring. Your phone alerts you when someone is at the door, and you can talk to the delivery driver without getting up.
See Who's at the Door From Anywhere
Tech for Grandparents, Parents & Gifting
Tech that brings the family closer and doesn't need a grandkid to set it up. Good gifts for Mom, Dad, Grandma, and the ones who still print pictures.
Big, clear letters that spell out the day, date, and whether it's morning or night. A sweet, practical gift for an aging parent or grandparent, and honestly handy for anyone who's lost track of what day it is since retiring.
The Clock That Tells You What Day It Is
Big screen, easy to use, and perfect for video calls, reading, recipes, and streaming. The newest standard iPad comes with twice the storage of the old one.
The iPad for FaceTime With the Grandkids
A slim tracker that counts steps, tracks sleep, and keeps an eye on your heart rate. A nice, gentle nudge to get moving.
Steps, Sleep, and Heart Rate on Your Wrist
Read your books and jot notes, lists, or journal pages right on the screen with the included pen. Great for readers and list-makers alike.
A Kindle You Can Write On
Everybody in the family can send pictures straight to it from their phones, so the latest grandkid, pup, or porch sunset just shows up on Mom's counter. No subscription, and you can load photos before you wrap it. That's my kind of gift.
The Photo Frame the Whole Family Fills
A sunrise alarm, sound machine, and soft reading light all in one, so the phone can stay in the kitchen at night. Waking up to a gentle glow instead of a blaring alarm is gentle accountability for your sleep.
My Phone-Free Bedtime Helper
Remember waiting for a picture to develop right in your hand? This brings that feeling right back. Great for holiday get-togethers, and for showing the kids that not every picture has to live on a phone.
Real Snapshots, Just Like the Old Days
Desk, Work & Creator Gear
For working from the kitchen table, hopping on video calls, or filming your next video. Practical upgrades that make you look and sound better without spending a fortune.
Kitchen-light shadows don't do anybody any favors on camera. This gives you soft, even light for video calls, reels, or product photos, and the tripod and remote let you film without asking anyone to hold the phone.
Good Lighting for Calls and Videos
Two tiny clip-on mics that plug right into your phone, so people can hear you instead of the wind, the traffic, or the dog. Great for anyone filming recipes, how-tos, or family interviews.
Sound Clear on Every Video
Raises your laptop or Chromebook up to eye level so you're not hunched over all afternoon. It folds flat, so it's easy to put away when the table goes back to being for dinner.
Save Your Neck at the Kitchen Table
A glowing button that sits on your desk and mutes you on Zoom, Teams, or Meet with one tap. Red means muted, so no more wondering if everyone heard the dog.
The Mute Button You Can Actually Find
A big 15.6-inch screen and easy Chromebook setup for email, browsing, and video calls. A good budget pick for students or anyone who doesn't need anything fancy.
A Simple Laptop for Email and Everyday Stuff
If you've ever reheated the same cup of coffee three times before 10 a.m., this one's for you. It keeps my coffee at the exact temperature I like, so I can finish a cup while it's still warm, even with the phone ringing and the dog barking.
Coffee That Stays Hot (Even When Life Interrupts)
Bins, spice jars, cords, Christmas totes: if it sits still, I want a label on it. It's easy to use with a real keyboard, and the labels hold up, so it makes a perfect stocking stuffer for your organizing friend (or for you).
Pantry Chaos, Meet Your Match
Games, Music & Retro Fun
The fun stuff: game consoles, headphones, and a little old-school style. Great for family game night, the teenager on your list, or the Gen Xer who still misses the boombox.
If you need to tune out a loud house or a long flight out of McAllen, these Bose are the ones everybody raves about, with over 22,000 ratings. The noise cancelling is the real deal, and they go on sale a lot around the holidays, so grab them when the...
Over-the-Ear Headphones With Big Sound
Fast, powerful, and plays games in 4K. If someone in your house has been dropping hints, this is probably the one they mean.
The Big Gift for the Gamer in Your House
Play on the TV or take it along in handheld mode. The OLED screen is bright and sharp, and there are plenty of games the whole family can play together.
Family Game Night, Anywhere
Put it on and you're in a whole other world, from games to workouts to virtual travel. Fair warning: everybody will want a turn.
Virtual Reality the Whole Family Will Want to Try
Retro look, modern Bluetooth. A fun little speaker for the patio or the kitchen that will make any Gen Xer smile.
A Little Boombox Throwback