2020 [Mostly] Techy Holiday Gift Guide

Happy Black Friday! Because I like gadgets, toys and generally cool tech toys, I often get asked for ideas for these types of gifts by friends and colleagues, so I've created this list for the last few years. The vast majority of these I own personally or have at least tried (a few are exceptions). I will update it as Christmas approaches if I find any other good items. Feel free to add your own finds in the comments.

If you want to see some old stuff that may still be relevant, here are the links to the, 2019 guide, the 2018 guide, the 2017 guide and the 2016 guide.

Want a bigger monitor with all your working from home? Or maybe that super-immersive Fortnite experience? Check out Samsung’s 49” ultra-ulra-wide monitor. Did you drool when you saw the image in the banner above? I'm hoping Santa leaves this under the tree for me. ($1190)

A great computer speakerphone is a necessary item for 2020 – I can only wear headphones for so long. Anker has a great one – it connects via USB or Bluetooth – I keep it connected to the computer by USB and to my iPhone via Bluetooth ($129)

If you’re a techie and want enterprise class home Wifi, go with Ubiqiti. It’s not a cheap router and has sophisticated software to measure and control your airwaves.  Start with the Unifi Dream Machine. Trust me, it’s a big upgrade. ($299)

The Sonos Move. A great sounding portable speaker. Great quality, use it indoors or outdoors. Portable and has a clever charging ring. Does Alexa and Google, too. ($299)

This is the ideal nightstand wireless phone charging stand. I liked it so much a bought a second for my home office desk. Fast charging (15W) and quiet (some wireless chargers have a fan). ($36)

It’s likely that video conferencing is going to stay popular beyond our pandemic. Here’s a cool 360 video camera that switches to the current speaker. ($799)

Have you tried sous vide cooking? It can be pretty amazing, especially for steaks (after a cast iron pan sear, of course). You can get a great device that’s accurate, works with your smartphone, or on it’s own. If you like it you’ll probably have to add a vacuum sealer. ($130).

No power needed, but if you’re a biker, you’re probably often frustrated by the bulk of your bike helmet. Closca has made a safe, collapsible bike helmet. ($48)

I have skin cancer in my family so I'm pretty cautious. Lots of things I like to do require outside-ness. Here is a wearable that uses an app to help you track your UV exposure. It’s a V1, but pretty cool.

Depending on the age of your kids, it seems every few years the Rubik’s Cube gets pretty popular. Since my parents are useless in helping with this task, there are GAN has smart cubes that tie to an app to teach you. And now GAN has released a robot that solves their puzzle in less than 6 seconds. ($55 and $70)

I like to listen to podcasts and audio books when I work out, but I don’t like Airpod or other in-ear buds. These Aftershokz workout (rubberized) headphones work via bone conduction, so leave your ears open to outside sounds. ($99)

I met the founder of Oura a few years ago. They make a ring which is a health-wellness-sleep tracker. It does blood oxygen levels, so it has been a hit in the COVID era. I don’t wear mine much (not a jewelry guy), but it’s pretty cool. ($299)

Star Wars? Check. Robot? Check. Learning to code? Check. If you have a budding young techie, try the littlebits Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit. ($82)

I did just order, but not take possession of a new electric car – the Rivian R1S. I was an early adopter of Tesla, have a model S and a model 3, but I love the looks of this new SUV. 7700lb towing capacity and 0-60 in 3 seconds. ($80,000)

Speaking of the Teslas, did you see the footage of the full self-driving pilot? Not for the Tesla, but I was more impressed with the autonomous drone that was following the car, the Skydio 2.  I’ve been partial to DJI drones (I’ve owned 2), but this is where I would go next. ($999)

Like classic (e.g. Atari 2600) video games? Check out the Evercade handheld console that can also connect to a TV. Missing some key titles (no Pitfall), but there are sets of cartridges you can buy. ($100)

Raspberry Pi has released a pi with the computer built into a keyboard. I haven’t come up with a great use case for it but it’s cool and cheap. The missing killer feature would be wireless HDMI to your big screen TV. ($100)

Somehow, I didn’t even know this product existed. A small, handheld battery than you can use to jump-start your car when another car is not available. ($80)

Do you want to extend your Alexa network? The new Amazon Flex is not meant for music, but has a speaker on microphone to interact with the ecosystem. Cheap, good stocking stuffer. ($9)

Are you looking for an excuse to by a VR headset system? Well, you should get an Oculus Quest 2 (no wires is key). But the reason you should get it is exercising, and the answer is Supernatural. Fun, great workout. ($299 + $19/mo)

You want to upgrade your online security? Of course you already have unique passwords from a good password manager (LastPass). You use 2 factor authentication, right (with an authenticator app, not SMS). You can go to the next level with a secure dongle as a second factor – go with the Yubikey 5 NFC. ($60)

Got real young kids? Stroller age? The first e-stroller (self-powered) is here. I’m not in the market, but the key feature will be autonomous (go 18 inches in front of me – hands-free!). From Cybex. ($1000)

If (when?) I live in a city, I’d sure be tempted to get a City Transformer – city friendly, single person electric vehicle that can park in a motorcycle space. ($13000)

”It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” Mother Theresa