6 Holiday tech gift ideas for the techie in your life

With Black Friday right around the corner, it’s already time to start planning for the holiday season. Before you whip out the holiday decorations, you might want to start thinking about what to give your loved ones. Luckily for you, TDS is highlighting six cost-effective tech gifts to make the 2019 holiday season one to remember!

Cell Phone Central

1. The inCharge Ultra Portable Charging Keychain Cable, $13, Amazon

In search of the perfect stocking stuffer for literally anyone? Look no further than inCharge’s portable charging keychain cable. While portable power banks and cell phone cases with built-in battery packs can guarantee a full charge without an outlet or USB port, they are often clunky and expensive. Since everyone nowadays spends the vast majority of their time around USB ports, be they at school, work, or any modern building, this product gives owners a last line of defense against the dreaded dead battery. At just 1.5 inches long, the smallest key ring charging cable in the world also comes at a small price.

2. Lifeprint 2×3 Portable Photo and Video Printer, $83, Amazon

Smartphone photographers, travelers, and adventure seekers, rejoice! The Lifeprint Portable Photo and Video Printer gives iPhone and Android users the ability to make their travel photos, Instagram pictures, and Snapchats come to life at a size of 2×3 inches. Lifeprint’s complementary smartphone app allows users to seemlessly enhance, crop, and add captions to their photos before printing. After printing in fantastic quality, users can turn their photos into stickers by simply peeling off the paper on the back and exposing an adhesive surface–perfect for decorating walls, creating collages, or decorating a laptop. While the product retails for nearly $130 at brick and mortar stores, it’s yours for just under $85 on Amazon now!

Office Essentials

3. Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug, $72, Amazon

Whether your significant other is working at the office or curling up on the couch reading a good book, nothing is worse than cold, hot coffee. Ember’s Temperature Control Smart Mug allows hot drink connoisseurs to keep their beverages at the exact temperature they prefer.  Using the Ember app, owners can set a default drink temperature between 120 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit, with the ability to adjust up and down. While the mug lasts an hour on a single charge, the included charging coaster allows for constant, daily use.

4. Furbo Dog Camera, $199, Amazon

Is someone you care about constantly thinking about their furry, four-legged companion at work or on the road? Well, Furbo’s Dog Camera makes waiting to get home to interact with pets a thing of the past. Packing a 1080p full HD camera with night vision and a 160 degree wide-angle view, the Furbo app allows for constant livestream video connection to the entire living room. Just seeing the animal is only one of many features. Additionally, users can get alerts when their dog is barking, then calm them down with their voice. They can even electronically toss their pets treats through the app! This product is a must for dog lovers and owners in the process of puppy training.

Home 

5. TCL 5-Series 55-inch Smart 4K TV, $400, Amazon

With how incredible cinematography is getting these days, a quality television is essential. The TCL 5-Series Smart TV is an absolute steal for $400. With fantastic picture quality and a sleek design, it’s definitely worth a much higher price point. The product, powered by Roku TV, offers easy access to all streaming services right out of the box. It also has voice command compatibility with the Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

6. LBell Wake-Up Light, $45.99, Amazon 

LBell’s Wake-Up Light cannot be compared to a standard alarm clock. While serving the purpose of waking users up and getting them started on their day, it also helps them sleep better. The light can play soothing sounds during sleeping hours, like running water at night or singing birds in the morning. The wake-up light also gradually changes color and brightness from dark red at night to bright yellow, reminiscent of a sunrise, in the morning. This highly customizable and affordable product is perfect for anyone seeking better sleep. (Also not, if you have a larger budget, there’s one from Phillips that also is highly recommended but it’ll set you back $200)

Guest blogger: Garrett Seymour