15 Tech Gift Ideas for 2015

Not sure what gift to get your loved one? Think technology!

 

Consider these fun and useful tech gift ideas. You do not have to be a high-tech expert to get excited about these gifts.

 

You may even find something special for yourself!

 

Note that all of the websites mentioned below offer international shipping. There may be additional shipping costs.

 
Mini Laptop Riser

I

f your loved one uses a laptop, you can make their computer time more enjoyable with a Mini Laptop Riser. Lift the base of the laptop off the desk at an angle to make typing easier.

 

You can bend the riser to the shape and height that works best for you. The riser is lightweight, so you can bring it with you when your away from your work station.

 

The Mini Laptop Riser is available from Etsy for $10.95. The device comes in a number of colors.

 

You can give one away and keep one for yourself!

 

Cablox Cable Organizer

 

If you have a problem with wires getting twisted or tied together, consider the Cablox Cable Organizer. These squares have a sticky side so you can connect them to almost any surface.

 

Put your cables through the pieces of plastic to prevent tangles.

 

Google Cardboard

 

You can spend a lot of money getting a virtual reality viewer, and see life-like images. Or you can spend just a little money and get Google Cardboard. This viewer works with larger cell phones, letting you see the world in three dimensions with 360 degree views in all directions.

 

Many apps work with Google Cardboard and many of these programs are free. You can watch videos, play games and see the world in an amazing virtual reality.

 

Google Cardboard is available in many designs, beginning at $20, on the Google Cardboard page. You can also get one for under $2 on eBay.

 

If you like homemade gifts, you can even make one yourself using the directions given by Google on its Cardboard page.

 
Levitating Construction Blocks

 

Build a castle in the air with the Hoverkraft Levitating Construction Challenge. Part game, part toy, part educational tool, the challenge helps you understand the idea of balance while having fun.

 

Organize your building blocks on a floating platform while keeping it balanced. The platform floats over a magnetic base. If the blocks become unbalanced, the surface will tilt to one side and the blocks fall.

 

This game is designed for one to eight players, ages 8 and up.

 

The Hoverkraft Levitating Construction Challenge is available for $29.99 from ThinkGeek.

 

Mini Quadcopter

 

Would you like to have a flying toy, but lack space to fly one? Consider a Mini Quadcopter that is small enough to fit inside your hand.

 

This Mini Quadcopter can be controlled to fly in any direction with its remote control. You can set the controls for your skill level.

 

Battery Cell Phone Charger

 

The Easy ACC 20000mAh battery lets you add electricity to four different devices at once. This battery has four ports for charging and is powerful enough to charge tablet computers as well as telephones.

You can charge this battery two times as fast with two cords for charging. You can fully charge the battery in six hours, according to the seller.

 

You can also use this power supply to light a room with its flashlight.

 

The Easy ACC battery is available from Amazon for $35.99.

 
Easy Twist Outlet Adapter

 

The Easy-Twist Outlet Adapter can make the most of any outlet around the world. This adapter lets you plug in up to four USB devices.

 

It also has different plugs that twist into place so you can use it in 150 countries around the world.

 

Tablet Paintbrush

 

Using a finger on a tablet may not be good enough to make a true work of art. Be creative by using the Tablet Paintbrush.

 

This paintbrush has actual bristles just like a real paintbrush. So you can create artwork in different styles using apps on your tablet.

 

The other end of the paintbrush has a rubber tip that lets you write or draw.

 

The Tablet Paintbrush works on mobile devices, such as an iPad, iPhone, Samsung tablets, Kindle Fire, Nexus, and more.

 

Indoor Snowfall Light

Get into the spirit of the holiday season in your home with the Indoor Snowfall Light. 

 

The light shows snowflake shapes in your room to give you the feeling of a winter snowfall. You can control the speed of the snowfall, unlike the real weather.

 

The Indoor Snowfall Light is available from Sharper Image for $59.99.

 
Selfie Toaster

Does your sweetie like taking selfies and eating toast? Well, why not combine the two with the Selfie Toaster?

 

​The Selfie Toaster creates an image on the piece of toast so you can smile at yourself every morning.

 

The Selfie Toaster is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $69.95.

 
Sidewinding Circular Skates

 

Who said you have to skate forward? Sidewinding Circular Skates let you move sideways, like a skateboard but with skates.

 

Amazon Echo

 

Give the knowledge of the world with the Amazon Echo.

 

The device can answer questions, tell you about weather conditions, tell jokes, play music and more.

 

The Echo also acts as a Bluetooth speaker so you can connect your phone and listen to your favorite songs.

 

The Echo is available from Amazon for $179.

Apple Watch

 

If your loved one has an iPhone, consider the Apple Watch as a gift. This watch lets you send and receive phone calls and texts.

​You can also use apps to see the latest weather conditions, control your music, get directions on a map and much more.

 

The Apple Watch is available from Apple for prices beginning at $349.

 
Arcade Mini Roadster Simulator

 

Get a jump-start on teaching your children to drive with the Arcade Mini Roadster Simulator.

 

A 48 cm video screen shows games while the car moves up and down, and side-to-side while the games are played. The car even moves as the game hits bumps.

 

Your child can use the steering wheel and pedals just like a real car. There's even a jump button to avoid things in the road, unlike most real cars.

 

On second thought, this may not be the best teacher for actual driving!

 

The Arcade Mini Roadster is for children ages 4 through 12 and is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $6,900.

 

Solar Velomobile

 

Finally, make your travels even more fun with the Solar Velomobile. This is powered both by the sun and your pedaling.

 

You can travel at speeds up to 32 kmh on solar battery power and up to 48 kmh if you add pedal power.

 

Leave it parked in the sun or plug it into a wall outlet to charge it. You can travel up to 72 km on a charge or 177 km if you pedal.

 

You can carry up to 159 kg in the back of the vehicle.

 

Words in This Story

 

tech – n. informal : technology— often used before another noun

 

mini – adj. a very small version of something

 

laptop – n. a small computer that is designed to be easily carried

 

cable – n. a group of wires, glass fibers, etc., covered in plastic or rubber and used to carry electricity or electrical signals

 

tangle – v. to become or cause (something) to become twisted together

 

sticky – adj. having a substance (such as glue or honey) on it that things easily attach to : covered in a substance that things stick to

 

viewer - n. a device that is used to look at photographs

 

cardboard - n. a stiff and thick kind of paper that is used especially for making boxes

 

virtual reality - n. an artificial world that consists of images and sounds created by a computer and that is affected by the actions of a person who is experiencing it

 

levitate - v. to rise or make (something) rise into the air in a way that appears to be magical

 

construction - n. the act or process of building something

 

platform - n. a usually raised structure that has a flat surface where people or machines do work

 

quadcopter - n. an unmanned helicopter having four rotors

 

remote control -n. a small device that is used to operate electronic equipment (such as a television) from a distance by using electronic signals

 

battery - n. a device that is placed inside a machine (such as a clock, toy, or car) to supply it with electricity

 

outlet - n. a device in a wall into which an electric cord can be plugged in order to provide electricity for a lamp, television, etc.

 

adapter - n. a device that is used to connect two pieces of equipment that were not designed to be connected

 

bristle - n. a short, stiff hair, fiber, etc.

 

indoor - adj. done, living, located, or used inside a building

 

selfie - n. a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media

 

toaster - n. an electrical device used for toasting bread

 

skate – n. a kind of shoe with blades or wheels on the bottom that allow you to glide or roll on a surface

 

solar- adj. of or relating to the sun

 

pedal – n. a flat piece of metal, rubber, etc., that you push with your foot to make a machine move, work, or stop

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