Best Technology Gift Ideas

It’s the Holiday Season, so what are the best technology gift ideas? For me, I use technology to support me. It’s seldom the next shiny object. I’m looking for technology that serves a purpose – to make me more productive and effective. I haven’t stayed on top of technology, so writing this post is a way for me to discover new tech tools and resources that can help me at work.

How do you use technology?

It’s interesting what you can find when you go searching. Below, you’ll find some of the best technology ideas for Christmas 2016.

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Best Technology Gift Ideas: Note Taking and Doodling Go High Tech

Many of you know that I take a lot of notes. And I use the Livescribe Echo Smartpen. I’ve been happy with my smartpen. It has forced me to pay attention to my writing so that it’s legible. I recently went to an Indian restaurant with a friend, where you had to write your order on a small whiteboard, which you gave to the cashier to get a number for your table. I’m telling you this because I’m the one who wrote on the whiteboard, and I was surprised to see how easy it was for me to write legibly.

I’ve had one major problem with my smartpen. The LED display stopped working, but the company happily gave me a new pen. The Livescribe Echo Smartpen may not be the best choice for everyone, but it works well for me since I need to upload my notes to my computer so that I can print them. This is appropriate for me who are participating in my Strategic Reading Challenge.

I’m getting into doodling because I want to be able take notes using images. I also want to create designs that I can use on t-shirts, or even in blog posts. If you have a doodler in your life he or she will appreciate the Wacom Bamboo Spark.

Echo Smartpen and 3 Subject NotebookWacom Bamboo Spark with Snap-Fit for iPad Air 2Wacom Bamboo Spark with Tablet Sleeve

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Best Technology Gift: Smartphone & Instant Printer – a Match Made in Heaven

I bought a new laptop about six months ago. Unfortunately it's not compatible with my laser printer. Though the printer is a few years old, it works very well. Whenever I want to print documents, I have to do so through my older laptop. I'm thankful for cloud storage.

I have a lot of really great photos that I took with my smartphone, and there have been times when I wanted to print a few to place on my vision board, but have been unable to do so because I do not have a color printer. And sometimes it's simply too much hassle to boot up my old computer. Man, am I glad that there are instant printers, for such a purpose. Haven't decided yet, which one I'd like to get for myself. This is a best technology gift that I would welcome.

Polaroid ZIP Mobile PrinterInstax Share SP-1 Smartphone PrinterHP Sprocket Portable Photo PrinterCanon Selphy Wireless Color Photo Printer

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Best Tech Gifts 2016: Headsets and Speakers

I know that lots of people love ear buds. But I must admit that I'm not one of them. I hate to have anything in my ears because it makes me uncomfortable. Since this post is not really about me, I have to include ear buds. I particularly like the headset that works with the iPad.

Noise Isolating In-Ear HeadphonesDr Dre Ibeats in Ear HeadphonesBose QuietComfort HeadphonesTitanium Magnetic Planar HeadphonesBang & Olufsen Bluetooth Speaker

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Best Technology Gifts 2016: Fitness Goes High Tech

I have a gym membership, but I also love to walk. I live in downtown Toronto, so I often walk everywhere. I used to measure my steps each day with a pedometer. However, all the ones I've purchased over the years have had a fast death. I downloaded an app on my phone to measure my steps, but it's never accurate. It's time for another solution. Perhaps Fitbit or the Fossil watch below could be the answer. What are your thoughts? Don't you think they would rank among the best technology gift ideas for those who are into fitness?

Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness WristbandFossil Q Grant Gen 1 Hybrid Smartwatch

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Best Technology Gift Ideas: Portable Smartphone Chargers

I always have the cables to charge my mobile devices in my purse. But not everyone is like that. During the summer when I went to Dallas for the conference, I shared my USB cables with folks who forgot to bring one. Below are different smartphone chargers, but one of the most interesting ones is also a key chain. That means it's highly unlike that you'll leave home without your charger.

KEY Cable USB Charging Cable with Key FobExternal Battery Portable ChargerSmart AC High Speed Travel ChargerExternal Battery Portable Charger

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Best Technology Gift Ideas & Virtual Reality

I've updated the reading challenge, so it aligns with the 10 skills needed for future job as reported by the World Economic Forum. Recently, I attended a Girl Geek Toronto session on Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. As I sat there listening to the speakers, it occurred to me that virtual reality should be built into the Strategic Reading Challenge. Although the reading challenge focuses on the 10 skills needed to thrive in the future, global reads is still a very important component.

Imagine if there was a way for participants to visit the country they are reading. That's where virtual reality comes into play. I'm still working on that part of the reading challenge. But while I'm working on that, it's time to get your virtual reality headset.

eDimensional 2.0 Virtual Reality Headset360° Viewing Immersive Virtual Reality HeadsetSamsung Gear VR – Virtual Reality HeadsetOculus Rift 3 Items BundleView-Master Virtual Reality Starter Pack

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Best Technology Gifts 2016: the Camera You've Been Waiting For

I use my smartphone a lot to take photos and record videos. However, I've been thinking of buying a camera. In Best Gifts for Bloggers, I include some options for cameras. Since then, I've come across a 360 Degree Video Camera that  I'd like. If you want a panoramic view, you don't have to stitch images together. Imagine what the images you produce using this video camera would look like in a blog post.

60 Degree Video Camera, Black

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Best Technology Gift Ideas & Apple Products

A few months ago, I purchased my first Apple product – an iPad. And I love it. I mentioned earlier on, that a few months ago, I also purchased a new laptop, but I'm not very happy with it. It crashes and freezes a lot. With the work I do, I need a computer that works well all the time. I'm seriously thinking about getting an iMac because I miss having a desktop computer. However some people may prefer a Macbook

What I've noticed, is that my friends, who are over 65, like the iPad, and that's all they need. So if you have friends who are older, I consider the iPad to be among the best technology gift ideas.

Apple MacBook ProApple iMacApple iPad Air

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Best Technology Gift Ideas for Those Who Have Everything

These are some gifts to consider for people who have everything, or almost everything!

 Apple 42 MMWatch Google Wifi system All-New Echo Dot Water Repellent Laptop Sleev Laptop Tote Men's Leather Durable Briefcase Kensington SecureTrek

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Other Cool Tech Gifts

GoPro HERO5 Black

Nintendo Switch

Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth speaker

Bose SoundLink Revolve Charging Cradle