Wish there was an app to do all your holiday shopping? Luckily, we’ve done the groundwork for you to please all the techies on your list. These innovative new products are changing the way we communicate, create and listen to music, work out, and even make tea.
1. Chromecast: Give the gift of streaming for less than $40. Plug this tiny device into your TV’s HDMI port to stream Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, Pandora, YouTube and more in 1080p right from your mobile device. $35
2. iKettle: Perfect for the caffeine addicts in your life, the iKettle is the world’s first Wi-Fi kettle, which will send a text to your smartphone to wake you up and let you boil water from anywhere in your home with the push of a button. $160
3. Withings Activité: Finally, a fitness tracker that won’t ruin an outfit. This luxe Swiss-made watch tracks activity, monitors sleep, and notifies you when goals are reached, all while displaying daily progress on a smaller analog dial and simultaneously syncing to an iOS device. $450
4. Kobo Aura H2O: Kobo’s brand-new e-reader is the first premium e-reader with a waterproof and dustproof design, so you can read by the pool, beach or in the bathtub worry-free. You’ll love the extra-large, no-glare screen and fully adjustable ComfortLight. $180
5. Ringly: Stay connected in style. Ringly connects to your phone via Bluetooth and discreetly alerts you when important emails, calls and texts come in. Control who and what comes through, and you’ll receive notifications via custom vibration patterns and colors. $195
6. jamstik: Turn your mobile device into an instrument with jamstik, a guitar controller that connects to your device so you can learn, play and create music. The jamstik uses infrared light to detect what your hands are doing so it knows your next move before you even touch the strings. Rock on! $300
7. Beats by Dr. Dre Solo2 On-Ear Headphones: Beats is back with a new and improved version of their über-popular Beats Solo Headphones. The Solo2 features a more comfortable fit, sleeker design and wider range of sound with increased clarity for easier listening. $200, Apple Retail Stores, Michigan Avenue, Northbrook Court and Westfield Old Orchard
8. Cord Taco: Wrangle wires in your purse, car or desk drawer with these premium leather pouches that secure with a gold snap. Perfect for travel, these tiny organizers secure headphones and chargers and are easy to toss in your bag. $29 for pack of 5
