2017 [Mostly] Techy Holiday Gift Guide

I like gadgets, toys and generally cool tech gifts. I often get asked for ideas for these types of gifts by friends and colleagues, so here you go. Below are a list of things that have caught my eye whether for me or someone on my list. I will update it as Christmas approaches if I find any other good items. (Last Update 11/25/2017). Here's the link to the 2016 guide.

Echo Dot and Google Home Mini. Beyond the basic functions, these are the gateway to lots of cool home automation. If you get them this weekend (Thanksgiving weekend) they are only $29.

Bonx - cool outdoor hands-free walkie-talkie type communication device. Planning on these for the next family ski trip.

MTailor - Custom Men's shirts with an app to take your measurements. I had success with my first order. Not cheap, but not expensive (60-90 bucks).

Roli Seaboard Block: For your musically minded friends. Portable, flexible, and expandable.

Forever Labs: Want to be at the leading edge? Store your stem cells to be used in the future to help you with diseases you may face in the future. Sounds like science fiction but this stuff is getting pretty real. Not cheap ($2000+)

Lenora by Meural: With screens getting cheaper and cheaper, using them as variable artwork for your walls. I haven't pulled the trigger on this one yet as I'm waiting for competitor Depict to launch their 4K offering.

Paragon Smart Cooking System: A bluetooth enabled induction cooktop. As a lifelong griller, I can't beat the perfect medium-rare steaks (seared in a skillet) that I can make sous vide with my paragon.

Popsockets: You don't know what one is? Ask your teen or tween. They actually are a pretty clever phone accessory.

Tinitell: Is your kid too young for a cell phone (is there such an age?). Back when my son was about 10 and was getting home to an empty house for 20-30 mins, we bought a much more expensive, much less functional version of the Tinitell. Reasonable occasional use plans for $15/mo.

Phillips Hue Connected Lights: Good brand, app controlled home lighting. Get the starter kit.

S+ by Resmed: Trouble sleeping? A sleep tracker that sits on your nightstand rather than wearing it, S+ also does analysis and recommendations based on your sleeping patterns.

Stockpile: Buy individual stocks at a fraction of a share. Minimum $25 investment. Mobile app. Great way to intro kids into the market.

Nickelodeon Slime Kit: Safe, cheap and pretty good. My daughter is a slime-fanatic.

Amir Phone Camera Lens: Great stocking stuffer. Fisheye, Macro and Wide-angle clip on lens for your phone. Top Wirecutter pick.

Kano Computer Kit: Build your own computer. Targeted to kids in the 6-12 range. Good kid software (music, art, programming) included.

GoPro Camera Mount: For your dog.

Sonos One: I've long been a fan of Sonos. Just bought one of these for my office. Includes Alexa (and soon Google) integration. When the sound quality of an Echo or Google Home just won't do.

Philips Hue Smart Bulbs: If you haven't played with these or similar, you're missing out. Of course works with Amazon Echo and Google Home.

Nintendo Switch: Not as ground breaking as the Wii, but a pretty cool (and portable) system. Super Mario Odyssey rocks.

EcoVacs Deebot N79: A cheaper version of the famous Roomba automatic vacuum. I actually bought the Eufy Robovac 11 earlier this year, but this is essentially the newer model that is cheaper and adds wifi. Under $200.

Codenames: Fun, teaming family game. A hit for the Corless's during summer vacation 2017.

Apple AirPods: They really are pretty nice. They are finally available but at $159, they are steep. Chinese company Syllable makes a reasonable knockoff that comes in at under $25 for the same experience (good sound, bluetooth, charging case).

DJI Mavic Pro and Spark: The mid-range ($900) and low-end ($400) of the DJI drones. In my view, smaller means more portable means more usage. You can't go wrong with either. Parrot Mambo if it's for your kid ($100), but you can probably sell the boss that the Spark is for your kid too :)

Mixtape: A very retro gift for those of us who made a lot of Mixtapes back in the 80s.

C Seed 262: The last item is always something I would love to have if some billionaire decided he/she had to get me something

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." - Burton Hillis, American columnist