Features Archives - TechGadgetsCanada.com https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/category/features/ Hands-on tech & gadget reviews Mon, 29 Jan 2024 22:19:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/cropped-IMG_6551-32x32.png Features Archives - TechGadgetsCanada.com https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/category/features/ 32 32 I rode the secret Las Vegas transport system: What it The Loop? https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/i-rode-the-secret-las-vegas-transport-system-what-it-the-loop/ https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/i-rode-the-secret-las-vegas-transport-system-what-it-the-loop/#respond Fri, 12 Jan 2024 21:40:08 +0000 https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/?p=37221 Want to know if Elon Musk's Loop tunnel transport concept is a viable idea? Take a ride on it yourself next time you're in Las Vegas. I did!

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LV Loop review

Hyperspace? A new immersive video game? Naw… something super cool that solves a big problem. In Las Vegas, you’re always walking across massive casino floors walking the strip, walking, walking, walking. Doing 15 or even 20,000 steps a day is about average. It gets tiring, but it’s also inefficient, since the distances at the Las Vegas convention centre aren’t just measured in steps. They’re measured in miles. And since power-assisted roller shoes aren’t quite available to everyone yet, there is another solution to get from A to B at CES a little faster and more efficiently.

The Las Vegas Convention Centre facility sprawls across multiple campuses and getting from the main or Central exhibition halls all the way over to the west exhibition halls can be about a 30 to 45-minute walk, and that’s the only way you can get there. Well… At least it was.

What is Las Vegas Loop?

LV Loop

There’s another almost secret option, but not a lot of people know about it. It’s called the Las Vegas Loop and for this, you need to go Underground…

You can thank Elon Musk’s The Boring Company for digging 1.7 miles of tunnel underneath the convention center. He built a dedicated closed road in a tunnel underneath the convention center. It only took about a year, and didn’t disrupt a single event or close a single road for construction. The result is this.

What is the point of the Las Vegas Loop?

LV Loop

The idea behind loop is to create a closed, private road system that eliminates traffic congestion. All the vehicles are electric, so it’s a cleaner, greener option, that’s also quick and efficient.

You’ll be ushered very quickly to a waiting Tesla electric car –no driverless option yet but my driver was friendly and knowledgeable, and told me the Loop is running about 80-90 electric cars through the tunnels at CES 2024.

For now Las Vegas Loop is just a small but tantalizing taste of what will revolutionize getting around Las Vegas. After a short drive, I was deposited above ground at the next stop. It was so cool, I decided to go for another loop.

How much does it cost to ride the Vegas Loop?

LV Loop

My fare was covered by my CES convention Badge, but if you want to go as far as Resorts World hotel there is an additional fee.

Today there’s only just under 2 miles of tunnel. And since it cost about $53 Million to make it may seem like a bit of a novelty at this stage. But in just a few short years, it will be so much more. Clark County has approved plans for 18 new stations and about 25 miles more tunnels, this thing looks like it’s about the get really real.

How many people use Las Vegas Loop?

LV Loop

The Loop opened in April 2021 and has been operational during all conventions, including CES. The Boring Company says LVCC Loop has transported over 1.5 million passengers, with a peak capacity of over 4,500 passengers per hour, and over 32,000 passengers per day, which is pretty incredible.

Watch my video about The Loop

This has to be one of the coolest experiences; from the comfort of the vehicle to the speed at which you can get that 2-mile distance and the cool light show this is an attraction I’d highly recommend next time you’re in Vegas.

 

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RoboUP Rhino 1 is a rugged robot lawn mowing machine https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/roboup-rhino-1-is-a-rugged-robot-lawn-mowing-machine/ https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/roboup-rhino-1-is-a-rugged-robot-lawn-mowing-machine/#respond Fri, 12 Jan 2024 15:38:41 +0000 https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/?p=37197 Robot lawn mowers are getting better and smarter. Meet one of the newst startups; RoboUp, and their flagship boundary-wire free Rhino1.

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RoboUp Mower CESFor a long time robot lawn mower selection has been limited. But RoboUP is aiming to change that. This startup has created an all wheel drive robot lawn mower, the RoboUP Rhino 1,  that runs completely silently and is able to tackle much steeper hills than others.

Meet RoboUP Rhino 1 smart lawn robot

Mr. Xu with RoboUP says, “Consumers say they want to have a robot lawn mower –  they don’t want to take time on the weekend to mow themselves.”

RoboUp Mower CES“We are a service robot company started in 2016 but our history goes all the way back to 1996 when we started to do intelligent control systems,” according to Nathan Lam, Brand Manager at RoboUP.

The RoboUP Rhino1 Is a really rugged bot. With chubby, grippy tires and front steering, it’s easily able to navigate tougher terrain…

8 blades, plenty of traction

“Our first-generation mower only had one cutting disk but now we have two,” says Lam. “With 8 blades in total now we have wider coverage of the lawn.”

RoboUp Mower CESBut the Rhino1 offers more than just traction, it’s got a host of clever technology, summed up in the acronym CPASS, which Lam explains: “C means core tech, P is precise, A all around and S is superb adaptability and strong processing using. With this technology we are able to create robots that target all our users pain points. We listen to our customers’ feedback. A lot of users have complex gardens and have a lot of different types of slopes, so that’s why we made Rhino.’

Wire-free boundaries for easy installation

RoboUP Rhino1 will recharge itself automatically, and unlike some competitors, it doesn’t need a long, complication installation.

“Uusually for traditional mowers you have to set up wire and set the border; our products don’t need that; we are boundary wire free… click a button and the mower will map itself.

Silent operation

RoboUp Mower CESThe mower can cut the grass all night for you since it runs silently and it’s got lights, meaning you never need to lose time in your yard. But if it is out at the same time, it has built in cameras that can see and avoid objects that may be in its path. Built in rain sensors and anti-theft features will also help keep the bot and your lawn safe.

What else sets RoboUP apart? “I think the design and the fact we have a strong environmental impact makes us different that our competitors,” adds Lam.

Watch my video about the RoboUP robot lawn mower

Learn more about RoboUP’s robotic lawn mowers on the company’s website

Also Read:

  1. Husqvarna Automower Fence Door: Review & Considerations
  2. Husqvarna Automower 415X at-home review

 

 

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What’s cool at CES 2024 https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/whats-cool-at-ces-2024/ https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/whats-cool-at-ces-2024/#respond Thu, 11 Jan 2024 10:28:12 +0000 https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/?p=36874 CES 2024 has some of the newest and coolest tech that will be coming your way later this year. Find out what's just been announced here.

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Flying cars, robot lawn mowers (robots of all kinds, actually!), everything to do with AI and lots of smart home gadgetry; that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what’s on show at CES 2024.

The world’s largest consumer technology show is on now in Las Vegas! CES 2024 features thousands of brands spread across multiple locations including the Las Vegas Convention Centre, and multiple hotels. Running January 8-12 it’s an opportunity for brands to show off their newest products to both journalists and buyers. Many brands choose CES as the moment to unveil their latest developments, or to wow the world’s press with stunning innovations.

CES Day 2 Highlights

CES SphereYou’ve heard of the Las Vegas Sphere—this is it—on a smaller scale and inside CES 2024 .

More of a showpiece than a screen with practical applications, its just one of the new technologies on display here today. That’s the thing about CES… you’ll see plenty of concept ideas and some that seem like more trouble than they’re worth.

Like this cocktail making machine called Barsys. You funnel your booze or mixers into a glowing loop and wait…

The machine comes with a special ‘electromagnetic mixing glass’ which will stir the cocktail as it adds the different ingredients. Then you serve it up.

While the lightshow and the shape is cool, I’m not sure this– plus fiddling with an app to make a cocktail is faster, or easier enough to justify the $475US price. Let me know what you think…

Barsys bartender.

Speaking of skeptical… there was a crowd gathered around this device. It’s not what you’re thinking, you perverts… It’s a hair dryer, of course! Interesting design though.

CES day 2 hairdryer

Pool cleaning robots are a thing!

Speaking of interesting… what’s bubbling up from the depths here? It’s not jaws… it’s an autonomous pool cleaning robot.

Pool robot underwater.

I saw so many pool cleaning robots. I didn’t realize this was a thing. They crawl around your pool, and even up the sides to suction dirt, sand and debris into an internal filter basket. These might be less popular in Canada, but I bet here in the southern USA they’re all the rage, so I might have to review one while I’m visiting.

New robot vacuum technology

From a robot vacuum for your pool to new technology in robot vacuums, Narwal had a pretty impressive demo for its new anti tangle technology.

Narwal anti tangle roller.Any fellow long-hairs out there know longer hair can really get wrapped around your robot vac’s brush, but this version features a floating roller that also suctions hair off one end of the roller and into the dustbin. Cool.

Smart lighting & smart home: Govee

I’m a huge fan of smart lighting and the Govee booth didn’t disappoint.

With all their new lights on display, as well as a lot of new smart home appliances too it was great to see everything in action.

Govee Rope lights CESThe Rope Lights have been improved, making them more flexible, so you can more easily draw with light if you’re artistic that way.

Or you can combine several Govee lights in your TV or media room for a whole-room glow that can match your TV.

There was also cool outdoor light options too. I’ll be hoping to do more Govee reviews later this year since it’s one of my favourite smart home lighting brands.

In-home composting

in home composter.There’s a tonne of smart home stuff here things you wouldn’t necessarily think you need, like a composter that can take food scraps and turn it into compost.

That all happens in this closed bin, right inside your kitchen. Cool idea I’d love to try out.

CES Day 1 highlights

From transparent TVs, to space-age coffee machines, smart toilets… yup… and robot window cleaners, CES 2024 kicked off with plenty of excitement…

CES 2024 iJustine

It’s the biggest opportunity in the world to show off the newest and coolest consumer technology and big brands spare no expense trying to dazzle media and product buyers. Plus there’s plenty of YouTube celebrities in the crowd, like iJustine – fangirl moment!

LG transparent TV

CES 2024 LG transparent TV

If you’ve always hated the way a TV looks in your space; kind of big dark scree, then LG has a new tv –a transparent TV that literally disappears..

LG showed off its transparent TVs on a massive scale, but these are now designed to be used in an average home. With a clear glass screen that can turn to a solid display panel in the blink of an eye, you can place them in front of a wall unit for example, and still see your stuff… until you switch on the TV.

CES-2024-LG-Duobo-coffee

Also at LG the company showed off a concept car, a smart trailer you could pull with the car and a really cool but kinda weird pod coffee maker called Duobo… while it looks like an alien robot spider, LG says this is designed to use multiple Nespresso pods to create custom coffee blends. This seems like it would use more pods than necessary, but if you guys out there are mixing your Nespresso pods wanted at a time and think this would be better, let me know in the comments.

New robots from Ecovacs at CES 2024

CES 2024 Ecovacs X2 combo

Ecovacs showed off its brand new DEEBOT X2 Combo; this unit combines my absolute favourite robot vacuum and mop system the X2, with a stick vacuum concept that’s built right in. Everything empties into the bin so you never have to touch anything. I’ll be hoping to get hands on with this one later this year so share any questions you have in the meantime.

Ecovacs is also about to enter some pretty cool new space with its robot lawnmower. Playfully called the GOAT, this fully automated lawn robot is a beautiful piece of machinery, and if it operates as easily as the company’s robot vacuums, this could be a massive game changer for yardwork.

CES 2024 Ecovacs GOAT mower

And not to be outdone the company also shared its automated window cleaning robot—the Winbot W2. With a companion water tank and cleaning system, it sections to your windows to clean them autonomously and also appears to master fleet get into corners.

CES 2024 Ecovacs Winbot x2

Ecovacs also announced a roving air purifier that will follow you around the house and keep your air clean.

CES 2024 Ecovacs roving

Over at the Tineco booth, there were three new vacuums and a smart oven. Check out more details in my full article here on the blog.

Smart bird feeders from Birdfy

CES 2024 Birdfy hummingbird feeder

I was also charmed by these smart bird houses and bird feeders from Birdfy… with cameras to capture your feathered visitors it’s a great way to learn about your environment. The Hummingbird feeder is particularly neat with not one but two cameras at different angles. I’ll be getting hands-on to review this one later this season…

Another cool gadget that caught my eye is these earring headphones from Yvnens. Possibly one of the most beautiful sets of earbuds I’ve ever seen.

Beautiful-headphones-earrings-YVNENS

This is just the most impressive stuff I saw on day one…

New TVs from Samsung: transparent TV, New Frame TV

CES 2024 LG transparent TV

Before the show even officially got underway, Samsung already announced some updates to what it calls its lifestyle TV category, which includes a product we’ve written a lot about: The Frame TV. Sadly though, the news seems to be more about software updates, as opposed to hardware improvements.

  • The Frame: Already the best-selling lifestyle screen product, The Frame comes with new enhancements to boost the art experience. Now with over 2,500 artworks from world-renowned museums and galleries in the Art Store, users can enjoy an Art Store experience that is even better than before. The Frame’s new art streaming feature gives users a taste of the Art Store’s diverse collection by providing them with free hand-selected artworks monthly. Moreover, the 2024 Frame helps reduce energy costs by up to 10% with the variable refresh rate adjustment available in Art Mode.8
  • The Premiere 8K Projector: The Premiere 8K is the world’s first projector offering wireless connectivity. Removing the need for cables, this solution allows consumers to keep their living spaces neat and tidy. The ultra-short throw projector comes packed with smart features — such as picture-off premium home audio, cloud gaming, always-on voice with far-field mic and four multi-view screen splits — to extend usability and provide almost increased use cases. The projector incorporates Samsung’s patented “Sound-on-Screen” technology, integrating the top speaker module and software algorithms for an immersive sound experience.
  • The Freestyle 2nd Gen: The second iteration of the portable projector features Smart Edge Blending, which supports seamless merging of projections from two The Freestyle devices to create a large screen for pictures and videos. It allows two devices to project an image as big as 160-inches with a 21:9 screen ratio, with no manual adjustment needed.

CES 2024 LG transparent

Samsung has also announced the new Transparent MICRO LED TV, saying it offers “infinite possibilities with its modular design and…clear, unobstructed pictures for various applications”. The screen, which Samsung claims looks like a piece of transparent glass,  that eliminates seams and light reflection.  What does this magical TV look like, how close to consumer reality is it, and is it really cool as it seems? We will check it out in the coming days at the show.

Sennheiser announces new headphones

Sennheiser flung out multiple media releases this morning, announcing new headphones and earbuds.

MOMENTUM Sport integrates both a photoplethysmography (PPG) heart rate sensor and a body temperature sensor that can each output critical data to popular fitness apps and devices. It’s no secret that the right playlist can make or break a workout—a high-energy soundtrack can motivate when the finish line feels impossibly far. Now, the power of Sennheiser Sound is optimized for sports and supercharged with real-time biometric feedback for workouts that are far more efficient than a pure-adrenaline approach. As the inner ear is an optimal, dark location with a low degree of light pollution and is one of the most stable areas of the body during physical activity, MOMENTUM Sport can offer consistent biometrics, even at the peak of a workout.

There’s also now a MOMENTUM True Wireless 4. MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 features all-new internals and over a dozen improvements including Snapdragon Sound Technology with Qualcomm aptX Lossless Technology, Auracast, and ultra-low-latency mode, the portable powerhouse series brings uncompromised sound to the high-performance audio enthusiast.

“The Qualcomm S5 Gen 2 Sound Platform and Snapdragon Sound will deliver premium sound experiences for music, calls, and gaming with lossless music streaming, ultra-low latency and robust connectivity,” according to Mike Canevaro, Director of Marketing, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “We have a long history of collaboration with the Sennheiser brand, and we are excited to see them integrate our latest Snapdragon Sound technology to help deliver amazing wireless audio on their latest MOMENTUM True Wireless 4.

MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 also boasts up to 7.5 hours of battery—extendable to 30 hours with the charging case—and quick charging capability where you can get up to 1 hour of additional listening from just 8 minutes of charging, and it’s also Qi wireless charging compatible. Sennheiser has also upgraded the earbuds’ long-term battery performance with a battery protection mode that optimizes charging cycles.


Samsung bot chef, ces 2020

Samsung’s Bot Chef kitchen robot; CES 2020.While the show is open to members of the media like us, it is actually closed to the general public, meaning you’ll have to follow news and announcements on your favourite tech websites. Of course we will have the latest updates right here and on video at YouTube.com/ErinLawrenceTV

Watch my video about CES Day 1 Highlights

For consumers and gadget lovers you can expect to hear about the coolest tech and gadgets that have just been released or will be coming later this year.

Without a doubt there’s going to be a lot of Artificial Intelligence at CES 2024. AI is already a buzzword, and brands have been slapping it on every gadget with a chip (in some cases disingenuously, in our opinion). The Consumer Technology Association, the entity that holds CES, expects over 130,000 attendees at the show with over 3,500 different brands or vendors — including companies like Sony, ECOVACS, Samsung, Canon, LG, Lenovo, etc…

You can expect without a doubt to see all manner of new and exciting developments on the Television front. From room-sized TVs to ones that can morph and change and even disappear, plenty of overseas Electronics brands are keen to show off what they can do to make a homes most important Central gadget more useful and more beautiful.

Vehicles tend to be another set of surprises at CES; a couple of years ago I saw a life-size prototype of a flying taxi. Sony also revealed it’s getting into the car business as well… That as far as I know we are yet to see any of their offerings hit the road. Hyundai also likes to share what it has going on in the innovation space plenty of interesting transportation options to come out of the show.

Whichever tech you’re most interested in, let us know and if we should be on the lookout for something for you, post your wish list in the comments.

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Tineco unveils new floor cleaners at CES 2024 https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/tineco-unveils-new-floor-cleaners-at-ces-2024/ https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/tineco-unveils-new-floor-cleaners-at-ces-2024/#respond Wed, 10 Jan 2024 21:26:28 +0000 https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/?p=37161 Tineco announced three new floor cleaning devices as part of CES 2024. With more focus on design and price, they are enticing for consumers.

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Tineco booth

This has to be the cleanest booth at CES 2024! This is the Tineco booth and over here it’s non-stop vacuum and mop. And some of it is even steam-powered…

Tineco announced three new products at this year’s CES 2024 they are the Pure One Station, S7 Steam, and Steam Pro kind of the flip side of the same product and the Floor One S7 Switch.

Tineco Pure One Station – vacuum self-emptying elegance

Tineco Pure One station

Let’s start with the Pure One Station… this cleaning tower This is a 4-in-1 Clean Station; it will automatically self-clean, recharge, and store your vacuum but it also automatically empties the vacuum’s dustbin into a sealed canister with HEPA dust filtration, which will hold up to 60 days of dirt.

The other key innovation here is it’s not just emptying the dustbin…

“Every time we put the vacuum back, onto the station is will clean from the brushes through the tube, then into the overall station,” explains Romeo Luo, Tineco General Manager, International Business.

Suctioning out the entire vacuum; from the brush head, to the tube, all the way to the bin, helps the whole vacuum stay clean.

The Pure One station is a bit more design-forward and elegant with a sapphire colour and lean profile. It looks a lot nicer than some others I’ve seen and it’s got a much lower price too; it’s supposed to be available at $799US.

Tineco Floor One S7 Switch – floor washer + vacuum

Tineco Switch

Floor One Switch S7 is a brand new announcement; it’s a dual vacuum and floor washer in one device.

Tineco is really big on combo products, that is products that do more than one thing for someone and that was definitely evident here as they unveiled their new lineup for CES 2024.

“We have the Switch – It’s actually a floor washer plus a stick vacuum,” says Luo. “It uses the same source of power so with the money we buy one and get two products; floor washer plus stick vacuum.”

Just by switching the motor from one to the other you get two machines in one package.

When you’re using the wet-dry vac-mop; the S7, it also cleans itself and uses what’s called the FlashDry system, which cleans and dries and disinfects the brushes in 5 minutes.

“Tineco actually we are the inventors of the floor washer itself. Before us, there was nobody doing those kinds of floor washers. As an industry leader, we are always leading new trends in technology. We are always trying to learn the main pain point and complaint of consumers when they are cleaning their homes,” Luo shares.

Floor One s7 Steam – now cordless

Tineco S7 Steam

Tineco also showed off its new cordless Floor One S7 Steam wet-dry vacuum. The newest floor washer heats the water in the tank to 140C to produce fluffy clouds of steam which can power away dirt, stains, and germs. The big upgrade here is that this version is now cordless, but still just as powerful as the previous version.

This is the ultimate floor washer for cleaning geeks, since it’s self-propelled—meaning less effort from you, but it’s also a great way to sanitize floors. It also keeps itself clean with Continuous Clean-Brush Washing where it removes dirty water with an internal brush squeegee then washes and rinses the brush with fresh water.

Watch my video about Tineco’s 3 NEWEST vacuums

And Tineco is also expanding it’s offerings in smart kitchen devices with the Oveni One smart oven. It bakes, steams, and air fries but will also defrost, ferment and more. With a big touchscreen on the front it can give you step-by-step instructions with video and is linked to online recipes by pro chefs.

Tineco Oveni One

And best of all it cleans itself… it will also run a high-temperature self-cleaning and disinfecting cycle after every use

I’m hoping to get hands-on with each new product over the coming year to see firsthand what they’re like to use in a real home. So be sure to check out the YouTube channel Erin Lawrence TV for future reviews.

You can also find more about the new products at Tineceo’s website.

Also Read:

  1. CES 2024 Pepcom Tech Preview
  2. What’s cool at CES 2024

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CES 2024 Pepcom Tech Preview https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/ces-2024-pepcom-tech-preview/ https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/ces-2024-pepcom-tech-preview/#respond Tue, 09 Jan 2024 19:19:18 +0000 https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/?p=37130 I went to CES 2024 Pepcom - here's the sneak preview of the hottest home tech and gadgets and coming out for this coming year!

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Erin at Pepcom

Fighting robots…A drone that will hover in midair and capture everything you do. Roller Shoes to make your feet walk faster. And a robot that will perfectly paint your nails… all by itself. That’s just a few of the most innovative technologies on display at the Pepcom showcase ahead of CES 2024 in Las Vegas. Pepcom is kind of a first look for media, content creators and influencers at all the cool stuff they’re going to see throughout the week at CES.

So while you get a sneak preview tonight, we get to get into a lot more detail as the week goes on.

Mirage and the media lineup

At the Mirage hotel on the Las Vegas strip Media line up by the hundreds to get a glimpse of what’s ahead and I was one of the lucky ones to be admitted.

First look and first impressions

Ecovacs is one of the big brands showing off its new flagship cleaner; the Ecovacs X2 Combo. This version builds on the popular X2 OMNI, but adding on a dual handheld and stick vac, right onto the robot vac-mop base station. It will even auto-empty both the bot and the stick into a closed bag.

Cosori air fryers

Smart cooking ovens are all the rage this year—this one not only air fries but pseudo-souvides with steam. A personal fave brand, COSORI, was showing off its new lineup of air fryers and smart home gadgets.

Smart glasses visually impaired

There’s also all kinds of technology to help those that need it. Like an automated translation system that can listen to what’s being said and simultaneously translated into multiple languages at once, or this camera you wear on glasses which will read or describe what’s in front of it for the visually impaired.

 

Smart litter box

And speaking of helpful there’s also an automated litter box that is possibly the nicest poop receptacle I’ve ever seen. You’ll see more common technology like robot vacuums, but there’s also things like an ultralight aircraft that’s ready for market at only about 100 grand.

Some featured products coming up…

Here are just a few of the highlights as we start in on this week!

Wearable air conditioner

From giant full body massage chairs, and even what’s called a personal air conditioner which you wear around your neck, there was a lot to check out.

Nimble robot manicure

I stopped to take a look at this manicure robot from Nimble; just slide your mitts in, and the machine scans your nails, then the robot arm inside paints your nails one at a time from a tiny bottle of polish. When it’s done, it’s like an instant manicure. This machine is ready for home use and costs about $599US. Pricey yes, but if you get weekly manicures, this could pay for itself fairly quickly.

Hover drone

The machine I want to call hover-drone is something I’d love to try; technically called the ZeroZero HoverAir X1, it’s a completely hands-free way to get really cool panoramic video. And if you connect your smartphone it can even record clear audio too.

Want to thrill your mouth? There’s also a new take on the ultrasonic toothbrush from a company called Laifen, which makes a smart toothbrush that doesn’t just vibrate, or oscillate.

Nextbase was showing off its new ultra smart 4K dash cam, which I already have for a full review, so stay tuned for that.

Govee tv sync box lights

There’s power technology on display – Bluetti was showing off some of its portable power solutions, and some other brands I appreciate were on hand too, like Govee showing off its newest lighting for gamers with its sync box…

Speaking of familiar brands, Roborock which is debuting a couple of newer more advanced robot vacuum-mops with a new look and even more features, like a levered, reaching corner brush. I’ve got a full video on this coming later this week.

Dreame robot mower

There are also several options at the show for robot lawn mowers which are going down in price and getting easier to set up. Dreame, the vacuum brand has one, and so does RoboUp, which I’ll share more about in an exclusive story later this week.

Watch my video about the CES 2024 Pepcom Tech Preview

Let me know which technology you’re most interested in learning more about make sure you post in the comments…and watch for all kinds of additional fun technology later this week

For now, the cyborgs are calling……

See you soon!

Also Read:

  1. What’s cool at CES 2024
  2. Tineco unveils new floor cleaners at CES 2024

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The Top Tech I reviewed in 2023 https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/the-top-tech-i-reviewed/ https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/the-top-tech-i-reviewed/#respond Fri, 15 Dec 2023 23:38:34 +0000 https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/?p=36812 We covered a lot of tech this year - here are the greatest gadgets that we reviewed, from vacuums, to tablets, phones and robots!

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This year I made 140 videos about dozens of gadgets and devices. Some are clear winners while others definitely did not get my stamp of approval. So which things that I reviewed am I still using because they’re the best of the year, and which ones need to go back to the drawing board? Full reviews of every device are available on the channel here and at techgadgetsinternational.com

Let’s check out my top tech of 2023.

Govee Curtain Light

Govee Curtain Light

Govee Curtain Light was my favourite smart light this year. With its unique string design, it’s able to create animated patterns and light shows making it perfect for gaming rooms, movie night or holiday decor. These are available on Amazon and Walmart.

Jabra Elite 8 Active

jabra, elite, active, 75t, 85t, review, how, earbuds, headphones

Jabra’s newest sport earbuds are actually the best all-around pick for anyone looking for new earbuds. With water resistance, the ability to connect to multiple devices, great noise cancelling plus lots of easy-to-use features and great sound quality PLUS killer battery life, these are the only earbuds you’ll need in 2024 and beyond. These earbuds are available on Amazon.

Pixel Watch 2

Google Pixel Watch 2 review

 

Just because the new Google Pixel Watch 2 doesn’t work with my iPhone at ALL doesn’t make me love it any less. With a beautiful stylish design, cool faces, smart features including safety options, and solid battery life it’s a gorgeous smart watch. And with Fitbit fitness tracking smarts fully integrated, it will also be your activity tracking best friend. This smartwatch is available on Amazon.

ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 Omni

ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 Omni

If you want the Cadillac or would it be the Porsche of smart robot floor cleaners, this is the only one to pick. The Ecovacs Deebot X2 OMNI does it all; top quality vacuuming and mopping, it cleans and dries itself with warm air and hot water. Plus with a built in voice assistant that’s actually smart and can hear you call out to it and will come and clean where you are, it’s freakishly clever. Plus the overall design is nice too.
Full disclosure, while Ecovacs has been a sponsor of the channel, that’s not why I’m picking them – truth is this is the best floor robot I’ve tried all year. This vac is available on Amazon.

Shark Detect Pro with AutoEmpty

Shark Detect Pro auto empty

Initially I wasn’t expecting much from this stick vac, but Shark blew me away with its outstanding cleaning ability, lightweight and auto-emptying charging station. Plus, it cleaned way better than some other vacuums I’ve reviewed this year that cost a whole lot more. If you need a highly portable stick vac that has a compact storage footprint and outstanding vacuuming power, you will not be disappointed with this one. It’s available on Amazon.

Pixel Fold

Google Pixel Fold smartphone

My first review of a folding phone was a winner—but I’m not surprised. Google makes outstanding and beautiful smartphones and the Pixel Fold is a multitasking marvel. With a slim front cover screen that opens up to a big beautiful alphabet-style widescreen interface when you unfold it, this phone is the ultimate in versatility. Plus with all Google’s ultracool software and features and a killer camera, this is a great phone if you’re looking for a new Android option. Yuu can find it on Amazon and the Google store.

Cosori TurboBlaze air fryer

Cosori TurboBlaze

I was slow to take up the air fryer craze, but when I had the chance to try the larger format Cosori TurboBlaze, which can roast a whole chicken, I was hooked. This multi-talented air fryer allows me to make perfect roast veggies and potatoes, crispy granola —even dehydrated citrus slices for cocktails. Plus the fact it’s non-stick and cleans up with a wipe makes it a winner in this house.
While Cosori has been a sponsor of the channel as well, the TurboBlaze makes the list because it’s a helpful device that works really well. It’s available on Amazon and Walmart.

Tula Mic

tula mic

This handy little gadget is my sleeper hit of 2023; this dual purpose recorder and microphone is ideal for content creators who are always traveling. With a built-in stand and folding footprint, it can go anywhere with you. And with outstanding sound quality it checks all the boxes—including retro-chic good looks! It’s available on Amazon.

Google Pixel tablet

Screenshot of a video call using the Google pixel tablet

I was not expecting to be so wowed by a tablet, but Google made some pretty clever design choices here, essentially creating a breakaway tablet on a small but great sounding speaker and charging base. Use it on its own to read, surf the web or watch videos or enjoy it as a music centre and smart home hub to control everything in your house. It’s available on Amazon.

Kindle Scribe

amazon kindle scribe with packaging and charger

Kindle’s e-reader and digital notebook concept is so clever. You can read all the books you want on this large-format e-reader, or just use it to jot notes, make lists and keep your productivity up. With the ability to accurately convert your handwriting to text, and to send or store your notes across many other platfoms, this is a digital notebook concept for the ages. It’s available on Amazon.

Husqvarna Automower 415X

Husqvarna automower

In 2023 I stopped cutting the lawn and got a robot to start doing it for me. The Husqvarna Automower 415X is one of my favourite gadgets this year because it frees up so much of my time. It runs completely silently and on a schedule you set, and because it mulches tiny bits off your lawn constantly, it keeps it looking tidy 7 days a week. With complete app control and pet and animal safety features I don’t know how I could ever go back to a push mower again. It’s available from Husqvarna, Walmart and Amazon.

Juiced Cross-Current

Juiced e-bike review cross current x

2023 was the year I got my first e-bike, and I was a huge fan of the Juiced Cross-Current Step through. With loads of style and power to get me up big hills and to keep me going for miles, this bike is a powerhorse. It’s super comfortable and easy to ride and control, and the battery lasts practically forever. It also comes with plenty of racks and brackets for you to easily transport stuff you need to. It’s available from Juiced.

Those are my picks for my favourite tech and gadgets of the year.

What didn’t make the list?

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows on the tech review front. There were a few gadgets I tried that just didn’t live up to either their promises or their prices. I tried a robot vacuum that just didn’t cut it— a couple actually. Check out my full reviews of the Narwal Freo and Bissell Spinwave. And I was pretty disappointed with one of my favourite brands, Dyson with its new Dyson submarine—mainly because it doesn’t do what you think it will do. I also had major struggles with the LG Cord Zero, and because of its high price and the fact it didn’t clean one particular type of floor for me, I can’t recommend that either.

If you want to see why it doesn’t always go perfectly in the tech review world you can check out some of those reviews here on the blog.

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

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Tech Stocking Stuffers for under $50 https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/tech-stocking-stuffers-for-under-50/ https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/tech-stocking-stuffers-for-under-50/#respond Wed, 29 Nov 2023 21:28:03 +0000 https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/?p=36617 Filling a stocking can get expensive, but what if there's a tech lover in the family. These small but mighty gadgets are under $50 each!

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Looking to buy some last-minute Christmas gifts to throw in your stockings? You have a ton of options in front of you even if you’re on a budget. A simple search on Amazon or your favorite online marketplace using the appropriate filters should narrow your selection down to some potentially decent choices. But if you’re that kind of person who wants to be a bit more unique and gift something that is a little out of the ordinary, this list is for you!

As someone who spends a lot of time using PCs and laptops, all my stocking stuffer recommendations under $50 are accessories rather than standalone products. However, given how versatile these products are, I’m confident these products will serve as great gifts to anyone. I’ve personally used all products in this list and continue to use most of them today so feel free to ask any questions about these picks if you wish to learn more.

A teeny tiny speaker

We love the look of the EWA Travel A106 Pro Portable Bluetooth Speaker. Smaller than a lime this is the ultimate emergency backup speaker you can truly bring anywhere… and it it gets lost, well, you’re only out $26! Weighing just 6 ounces, the A106 mini speaker is conveniently small but boasts clear sound with impressive bass and room-filling loudness. Use it for streaming music or internet radio services such as Pandora and Spotify from your Smartphone, iPhone, or via other audio device with Bluetooth.

Tech Touch Gloves

Ordinary winter gloves aren’t just going to cut it when it comes to using a touchscreen. Only specially designed gloves like the TRENDOUX Winter Gloves use special conductive material adding a great deal of convenience when the environment gets all chilly! They also make for great driving gloves!

Portable Apple Watch Charger

I know nobody should own any microUSB devices in 2023, but this unique portable Apple Watch Keychain charger is too unique to not consider! The tiny, built-in 1000mAh battery is just enough to add about 2 hours extra airtime to any Apple Watch making it a perfect add-on gift to that Apple Watch gift you bought on sale!

Cords and Cables

Cords and cables make for great equalizers when adding to the value of a stocking full of goodies! Native Union is a good brand to start with because they make all sorts of cables in assorted colors and materials to mix and match with other accessories in the stocking. A personal favorite is the weighted cable that stays put on any desk or bedside table, and its extra long length means you can still use it in bed. From Lightning cables to USB-C, these cords are reliable and come from a trustworthy brand. Be sure to check out this cords and cables guide for some other recommended brands!

Bluetooth Trackers

Apple Airtags, worth it, review, waterproofThere are a lot of folks out there that simply think Bluetooth trackers aren’t worth the price, especially when you factor in battery replacements. Buying one as a gift is one thoughtful way of saying that valuables and personal possessions do matter and could be real saviors when the unexpected happens! Air Tags are the obvious Bluetooth tracker choice for Apple fans because of their tight integration with iPads and iPhones. For those Android loyalists, consider getting a Tile Pro as that tracker has a replaceable battery.

Tile Tracker

Have you ever heard any stories of folks saying they won’t ever need a Tile tracker, but suddenly wished they purchased one after an unfortunate incident of losing a valuable? The thought of losing luggage sure gives me the chills so be that cool Santa and gift a Tile tracker or two to allow proper tracking of these valuables no matter what mobile device they use.

Check out Erin’s full hands-on with all the Tile trackers so you can better decide which one to gift.

Anozer Tablet Stand

Putting a tablet such as an iPad on a stand is something you must experience to appreciate the benefits. The stand props up your tablet and lifts it up so you see its screen directly without tilting your neck down. This improves your posture while reading content while saving you the extra burden of holding your tablet.

Why does this matter to me? Because all my tablets have casings which add a bit of weight. This also adds an extra use case as well – using the tablet as a computer when you pair it with a Bluetooth keyboard. Yes, using a laptop might be more ideal depending on your use case, but based on my experience with both setups, I always found a tablet + keyboard combo more pleasant to work with on surfaces with minimal space.

I’ve tried a few tablet stands including one from ORICO and another from BAVIN. At least so far, the Anozer Tablet Stand is my favorite. The entire stand is made of aluminum and the back of the holder has four rubber pads to keep the tablet in place. The rigid construction is durable enough for the stand to hold an iPad Pro 12.9 with a case and unlike plastic stands, the Anozer Tablet Stand keeps the tablet steady and secure. Then when you are done using it, you can simply fold it and stuff it away in a bag.

Logitech K380 travel keyboard

Full disclosure, the keyboard I personally use is an Anne Pro 2 simply because it’s a mechanical keyboard and after going mechanical, I simply couldn’t go back! Unfortunately, that keyboard is more than $50 so my next personal pick is the Logitech K380 which I tried for a bit before I gifted it.

Priced at around $39 or lower, the Logitech K380 is a fantastic budget Bluetooth keyboard and a terrific companion to my tablet stand recommendation. The keyboard is small enough to fit in a bag and it can pair with just about any Bluetooth-enabled device from an iPad to a Raspberry Pi!

Even if the person you are gifting to lacks a tablet, he or she can still pair the keyboard to a phone. Considering how large phones are nowadays, using a keyboard to send a long text message or perhaps an email is a nice convenience. With the keyboard paired, the phone won’t bring up the onscreen keyboard leaving you with more screen real-estate for composing lengthier messages.

The neat little feature of this keyboard is its ability to pair up to three devices making this a versatile peripheral as well. The Logitech K380 is a travel-friendly keyboard which you can pair with your phone, tablet, or laptop, but you can use it at home too as you can pair it with any desktop computer you have with Bluetooth or even your Smart TV! The K380 comes in various colors as well.

Logitech G502 Mouse

If you have a friend or loved one who spends a lot of time on a computer or laptop, gifting a Logitech G502 is simply a no-brainer. Don’t be fooled by the fact that this peripheral is a gaming mouse either because you can use it as a productivity mouse as well. I’ve used a lot of mice from different brands and the Logitech G502 offers the best feature set for a wired mouse while it’s on sale for a sweet slice of the regular $70 price.

For me, the best features of the G502 are its software and 11 reprogrammable buttons. The Logitech G HUB software allows you to remap any of the buttons to various things such as a keyboard shortcut or a macro. For instance, I configured the two side buttons to change virtual desktops while the thumb button takes screenshots. Logitech’s non-gaming mice have fewer buttons, cost more, and offer less software customization which is why I picked this over other office mice.

Ringke Folding Stand 2

The Ringke Folding Stand is a nice, inexpensive stocking stuffer for that person who loves to travel light with a laptop. Unlike most laptop stands, the Ringke Folding Stand 2 has a flat form factor and feels like a piece of rubberized cardboard. Straight from its name, you can fold the stand into a tent-like shape which you can place the laptop on giving it an angle which makes typing comfortable while lifting it slightly for better heat dissipation. Although the stand feels light, it can hold heavier 16-inch laptops just fine. Not only does the stand offer two angles but you can flip it over flat and use it as a mouse pad too!

8bitdo Zero 2 game controller

Gifting to your kids or younger relatives? I wholeheartedly recommend the 8bitdo Zero 2! This tiny little stocking stuffer is a fully functional game controller that is surprisingly versatile. PCs, laptops, Smart TVs, tablets, phones, and modern game consoles all have built-in Bluetooth and each have their own gaming libraries. As long as the game supports controllers, you can play it  game with an 8bitdo Zero 2. Just keep it mind that it won’t work with a PlayStation.

What surprised me most with the 8bitdo Zero 2 is how usable it is despite its small size. It works best with retro titles and 2-D platformers as it lacks trigger buttons and analog sticks. While I don’t recommend this controller for prolonged gaming, it’s impossible to complain especially when getting one as a gift simply because of how cute and tiny this controller is!

Got a cool stocking stuffer find under $50 you’d like to share? Post your pick in comments below.

Also Read:

  1. Best Tech Stocking Stuffers for Christmas 2023

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Review: Lego Friends Advent Calendar 2023 https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/review-lego-friends-advent-calendar-2023/ https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/review-lego-friends-advent-calendar-2023/#respond Mon, 27 Nov 2023 16:18:41 +0000 https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/?p=36630 If there's a Lego lover in your life, you'll want to know about the new Lego Advent Calendar for 2023. We tried it and here's what we think.

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Lego Advent calendar reviewAs someone with a MUCH larger-than-normal Lego habit, I’ve had Lego Advent Calendars in my home for years. They make the lead-up to Christmas fun, with a new window to open each day. This year, I’ll be reviewing the Lego Friends Advent Calendar. I’ve only had the Friends Calendar once in the past, as I tend to lean more towards the Lego City Calendar, and my sons prefer the Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Marvel Calendars.

Lego Friends 2023 Advent Calendar
3

Summary

Avoid looking at all of the advent gifts all at once; it makes it more obvious that you’re paying quite a bit for not that much in the way of Lego. Having said that, you get a couple of mini dolls, and eight different animals here, along with a few small models you’re unlikely to keep around .

Pros

  • Lots of animals
  • A couple of interesting Mini Dolls
  • Fun builds on some of the days

Cons

  • Some days there’s almost nothing to build
  • Model variety is lacking
  • Day 17 and 19 might be the same?

Review: Lego Friends Advent Calendar 2023

The box has a flap that can be used as a play area, and each of the doors is open by pushing in on the perforated cardboard. The doors are numbered one through twenty-four, and the back of each door has the building instructions/completed model. Each day’s model is generally fairly simple to build, and by the 25th, you’ll have a small collection of extra parts. In my house, we have Ziploc bags for each calendar’s models, and another small bag for the extra parts. With three or four calendars on the go at any time, there are a lot of small models around.

Every day will offer up a new model, or minifig. Sometimes, there will be parts of a larger build over a number of days, like train cars. The parts are in a small plastic bag nestled into its slot within the box. Spoiler warnings: we’ll be revealing the contents of each day’s model. Let’s see what the Friends Advent Calendar has in store for us.

Partial Spoiler Alert

A note about spoilers… Yes we are about to reveal some of the contents of this surprise advent calendar. We’re only going to go up to Day 12 of 24, so we’re not going to reveal everything yet. If you do you want to see more information about what’s in here please share your thoughts in the comments. We’ll update this later as the holiday nears.

Day 1

Lego Advent calendar reviewThe first advent package contains a mini-doll. A little research tells me her name is Autumn, and she was born without the lower part of her left arm. Lego Friends has added a number of new characters with diverse backgrounds and physical and mental differences. Autumn comes with a snowboard and helmet and has her winter sweater on. (Personal pet peeve: you’ll have to choose between Autumn’s hair or helmet, and the other will need to be placed somewhere so it’s not lost.)

Day 2

Lego Advent calendar reviewDay two contains a winter festive arch. This build has a decent number of pieces for an Advent Calendar pack, and of note are the (fairly) new 2/3rd high plates. The back of the door walks you through putting together the arch, and you’ll be left with a few extra pieces. You’ll have a few extra pieces when you’re done (Lego includes these in case the smaller pieces go missing.)

Day 3

Lego Advent calendar reviewDay three is a pretty small bag containing a puppy, a plate for it to sit on, a shovel, and two, well…. Poop pieces. I didn’t love this bag for a number of reasons: First, as mentioned, it’s a pretty small bag, and there’s very little to build. Second, I don’t like it when parts of the bag don’t somehow attach to the other pieces. You have a shovel and two poop pieces and nowhere to secure them.

Day 4

Lego Advent calendar reviewDay 4 is another structure, this time a small dog house (we assume it’s  for the puppy from Day 3?) It’s a quick but simple build that reminded me of really old-school Lego, as it uses the red sloped pieces for the roof. No leftovers; everything fits together. I like it.

Day 5

Lego Advent calendar reviewIf Day 3 was disappointing due to size, Day 5 is even more so. It’s a kitten and a 2×2 plate for it to sit on. It will take you about 3 seconds to build this, and while the kitten is cute, it’s a bit underwhelming. Seems odd to have two really small bags so close together in the calendar. On the plus side, this is a great calendar for you if you love the Friends animals.

Day 6

Lego Advent calendar reviewA classic staple of the Lego Advent Calendar the snowman. This one makes use of white globe-type pieces, and a red clip serves as a scarf. You get an awesome top hat as part of the deal.

Day 7

Lego Advent calendar reviewAnother animal! This one is a small lizard sitting on a few leaf pieces. I have to admit, the new leaf pieces are some of my favorite of all the Lego pieces, so I’m not sad to see them here. The lizard is pretty cute as well. Doesn’t seem super Winter/Christmas-themed; perhaps the leaves and red flower are meant to be holly?

Day 8

Lego Advent calendar reviewNot 100% sure what this model is supposed to be? Perhaps a hoop for the animals to jump through or a playground piece? The build is fun, and I like the curved hoop pieces and the use of the red and blue pieces to keep the structures themed.

Day 9

Lego Advent calendar reviewDay 9 is a larger dog with a 2×4 tile with 2 studs. That’s it. Again, if you like the animals, this calendar keeps delivering. If you’re looking for fun things to build each day, not so much.

Day 10

Lego Advent calendar reviewDay 10 is another structure. Is it a plane? Is it a see-saw? Is it a dog agility structure? Unclear. So, it can be whatever you want! That’s the great thing about Lego. The box shows it being used as a see-saw, so it’s probably that.

Day 11

Lego Advent calendar reviewDay 11 is the second mini doll. I think this one is Leo, who is an athlete of Mexican heritage. If I’m incorrect, drop a comment below. Leo comes with a snowball.

Day 12

Lego Advent calendar reviewDay 12 is a Christmas Tree. Over the years, I’ve amassed a large collection of Lego Christmas trees, from Winter Village sets to Advent Calendars. This one uses a center post with 1×1 bricks with posts and four identical sides that attach to that piece. Simple, looks great.

Our Verdict

You may want to avoid looking at all of the advent gifts all at once; it makes it more obvious that you’re paying quite a bit for not that much in the way of Lego. Having said that, you get a couple of mini dolls, and eight different animals here, along with a few small models you’re unlikely to keep around for long. Is that worth $40ish dollars? That’s up to you to decide. It’s a fun activity that stretches out over the month and something to look forward to each day. Lego Friends isn’t really my thing, so I’d be unlikely to buy this Calendar going forward, but if you have a Lego Friends fan in the house, this might be a great early gift for them.

You can get your Lego Advent calendar from many retailers who sell Lego. Worth noting is that there are several versions of Lego Advent calendars each year, and you can even pick up past year calendars on Amazon if you want to go back in time. You can get this year’s Friends calendar from Amazon.com or Amazon.ca.

Visit Tech Gadgets Canada to read more review like this.

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Best Tech Stocking Stuffers for Christmas 2023 https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/best-tech-stocking-stuffers/ https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/best-tech-stocking-stuffers/#respond Sun, 19 Nov 2023 12:35:45 +0000 https://www.techgadgetscanada.com/?p=26846 Need some ideas to fill a tech-lover's stocking? These gadgets are small, affordable - and they'll arrive before Christmas!

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Holidays are just around the corner and whether you do most of your shopping during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s totally normal to miss out on a few things and resort to stuffing stockings with gifts at the last minute. Fortunately, there are still plenty of decent products I can share that ship quickly and make your stockings feel nice and hefty. Whether you like to stuff stockings with cheap and cheerful small goods, or go big and expensive (some of us do stockings only at Christmas!), we’ve got suggestions for you. Also, if you need the best tech stocking stuffers that arrive before Christmas, most of these are available on one or two day shipping from Amazon, so we’ve posted those with prices here too.

Earbuds

The coolest thing about buying a pair of earbuds is how they easily fit into the smallest stockings! Just make sure they don’t have any holes because some of these stuffers are north of $300! For your special someone with an iPhone or a MacBook, the Apple AirPods Pro is a terrific gift. Yes, they are a bit pricey at $329 CAD but we have the one-year hands-on experience and they remain highly competitive against other top picks!

Bowers & Wilkins PI7 or PI5

For an alternative that plays nicely with devices across the spectrum, the Bowers & Wilkins P17 impressed us with great audio quality, noise cancellation, and build quality. But before you pony up $399 USD / $499 CAD, make sure the lucky person doesn’t mind frequent charging as the earbuds’ battery life is on the average end.

Amazon Echo Buds

If you need to stretch your budget to buy earbuds for several people, consider the Amazon Echo Buds! Priced at around $154 CAD for the USB-C wired charging version, you get plenty of nifty features and decent audio quality even when not taking the Amazon-specific features into account.

Jabra Elite 4 and Skullcandy Push Active Earbuds

The Skullcandy Push Active Earbuds is a great budget sports earbuds recommendation because of its rather low $79 USD / $99 CAD price. Audio quality is nothing to write home about but fitness buffs will appreciate the long battery life, sweat resistance, and secure fit thanks to those built-in hooks.

If audio performance matters more than the other features, you only have to spend a bit more for the Jabra Elite 4 earbuds. These earbuds don’t last as long as the Skullcandy earbuds on a single charge, but you get Active Noise Canceling! The newer Jabra Elite 8 Active are also Erin’s newest best pick so those are a great gift buy too.

Echo Dot with Clock

Amaszon echo dot with clock 5th gen, review

You can’t go wrong with a cute-looking ball that shows the time and plays whatever beats you tell it to! Not to mention these Echo Dot smart speakers are priced frequently below their $59 retail price and you can get it bundled with add-ons in case you want to treat yourself or another loved one as well!

For the Music/Podcast Addicts: Bose Soundlink Micro and JBL Go 3

JBL Go 3 speaker reviewAll modern tiny speakers sound fuller and better than the speakers built into your phones making these Bluetooth-powered treats great stocking stuffers for your audio-loving friends and relatives. How much of an audio quality boost you want depends on how much you’re willing to spend!

The JBL Go 3 and Bose Soundlink Micro are our top ultraportable speaker picks for 2023. For the budget-conscious, we recommend the JBL Go 3 as it offers decent audio quality for a sub-$50 USD / $60 CAD price. It also feels rugged and comes in various fun colors that even younger folks will appreciate.

Bose Soundlink micro reviewThe Bose Soundlink Micro costs more than double the price of a JBL Go 3 for a reason – the audio quality is much better while still sporting a small form factor. The design and micro-USB port does make the speaker look a bit dated, but I’d wager anyone wouldn’t mind when he or she pumps up the speaker volume to 70% (Hint: it gets loud!). Remember, this is a Bose product!

Wyze Cam v3 Mini

Wyze Cam v3, review

A security camera might not be the most glamorous stocking stuffer but the Wyze Cam can serve as a handy first line defense in a tiny 2-inch package! In case he or she already has an outdoor camera, they can easily use it as a baby or pet monitor or just a simple indoor surveillance piece that can capture motion. Plenty of versatility here!

Abode Smart Light Bulb 

The key to a good stocking stuffer light bulb is something that is inexpensive, easy to set up, and has that fun color-changing property—and one that you don’t need to buy an extra hub or bridge for. The Abode smart light bulb ticks all those boxes as it doesn’t require a hub for setting up and offers a simple app interface. The fact that it works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant is a nice extra!

Amazon Smart Plug

Unsure what type of smart home accessory to buy for your friend or relative? Go for a smart plug like the Amazon Smart Plug and let that person decide! The package doesn’t scream Christmas gift as loudly as others, but it is one of the most useful low-cost accessories for turning any AC-powered device into a smart one where the power state can be controlled by a simple Alexa voice command. We also love the GE Cync Smart Plug too. Watch for a full review coming soon.

Earbuds Cleaning Kits

Cleaning kits are inexpensive products that can add significant life to any gadget so why not include them with your main gift? All it takes is just $7 to add a capable earbuds cleaner kit complete with a brush, sponge, and metal tip for getting stubborn dust and dirt out of those tight crevices. If you’re feeling more generous, you may include the Kickstarter-funded PurePort Multi-Tool kit which does a great job cleaning earbuds and can clean both cables and connection ports alike as well!

Bluetooth Trackers

Apple Airtags, worth it, review, waterproofThere are a lot of folks out there that simply think Bluetooth trackers aren’t worth the price, especially when you factor in battery replacements. Buying one as a gift is one thoughtful way of saying that valuables and personal possessions do matter and could be real saviors when the unexpected happens! Air Tags are the obvious Bluetooth tracker choice for Apple fans because of their tight integration with iPads and iPhones. For those Android loyalists, consider getting a Tile Pro as that tracker has a replaceable battery.

SD or microSD Cards

Whatever gift you want to stuff in a stocking, you want to make sure that person can use it to the fullest right out of the box! SD and microSD cards are prime examples and they are so cheap to the point that there is no excuse for adding even the smallest capacity! Go for the SanDisk, Samsung, or KOOTION brands and head to this buying guide if you don’t know which type to get.

For the Budding Content Creators

Have a friend or loved one frequently uploading content in TikTok, YouTube, or maybe livestreaming on Twitch? Stuff up the stocking with a few small, but meaningful upgrades!

Joby GorillaPod Mobile Rig

The Joby GorillaPod Mobile Rig is a handy and inexpensive upgrade for entry-level vloggers. It may not offer any professional features like image stabilization, but the lightweight, flexible tripod legs allow you to use it as a monopod for self-videos as well as a standard tripod for filming all sorts of other scenes. The clamp keeps the mobile phone securely in place on the tripod while the arms allow you to mount other accessories such as a light or microphone. If getting the kit is a bit much for your stocking budget, any of the various components can be purchased individually including the small Beamo light, and even the wireless shotgun microphone.

Check out Erin’s Joby vlogging gear review for other Joby accessories you can add to your stocking.

Tula Portable Microphone & Recorder

If you want to be that extra cool Santa this year, a Tula Microphone is one potential ticket. Stuffing this retro-looking bad boy in a stocking will add a whopping $349 CAD to its value. When it comes to media, most consumers prefer better audio fidelity over video quality, making this microphone a great and highly noticeable upgrade over a smartphone or laptop’s built-in mic. What’s even cooler is the 8 GB worth of flash memory built right into the mic allowing you to use it as a standalone voice recorder. Perfect for podcasting on the go! If this one seems a bit out of stocking budget range, the microphone makes a fantastic gift also. Erin picked one up this year and it’s become her new go to microphone.

For the Globetrotters

When the occasion calls for gifting to frequent flyers, stocking stuffer gifts are the right approach because small gifts don’t add any extra bulk to their travel gear! Here’s some easy recommendations.

For the Wellness Buff

usmile Y10 PRO

usmile y10 proI personally find electric toothbrushes to be a bit of an unnecessary luxury and that’s probably because I tried using a cheap one and came away a bit unimpressed. As they always say, you get what you pay for!

But after I read Erin’s review of the usmile Y10 PRO and how she gave it a perfect 5-star rating with no cons of any kind, I can’t help but be curious with this sonic electric toothbrush. But as a gadget-lover myself, I can see from a mile away just how cool this electric toothbrush is. It has a built-in screen that keeps track of your brushing, has an IPX8 waterproof rating so you can use it in a shower, and it can even measure how hard or soft you brush. Everyone needs to brush their teeth making this a great $100 USD gift for anyone!

Ninja Blast

Ninja Blast personal blender reviewA blender in a stocking? No, this isn’t a joke! I can totally confirm that you can fit this compact, portable blender in a perhaps larger stocking because I have one myself. What surprised me with this product when unboxing is the blender’s cylindrical packaging, so it won’t really give that large stocking a bulging look.

As for the blender itself, it’s a joy to use as I can just charge it with my phone charger for a couple of hours and then fool around with some blends here and there. I use it for making smooth protein shakes, cucumber shakes, and strawberry almond milkshakes. It had no trouble crushing ice as long as you add water and I found it really easy to clean. Ninja did a terrific job designing this blender and Erin agrees; read here review!

Have any gadgets you plan on stuffing in your stockings? Do comment and share away!

 

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