Online Gift Guide Series: Technology and Entertainment
For kids, the excitement of holiday presents comes in the form of toys. For adults, the excitement can live on with toys—the much more expensive variety. If you’re looking for a gift for the gadget wise individual, or something with great entertainment value, this is the place to be. Here are a few of the hottest gifts, both great and small, that will put a real, genuine smile on the face of the person you want to give to—or it might even just make you happy instead.
Drones are not a new obsession, but over the past few years, the drones that were most popular were large and bulky. With the DJI Mavic Pro, things have slimmed down a bit. Way down. This unique drone is small and portable, but still boasts enough power as the previously popular Phantom drones. Get video in 4K resolution, and leave the massive number of carrying bags behind!
$904
HTC Vive Virtual Reality System
Virtual reality (VR) is the future. We’ve known this since the 1980s, but now we finally have the technology to make our wildest dreams come true. Although the selection of games that are virtual reality enabled is limited, there is plenty to look forward to with headsets like this one. Plus, if you buy this one for Christmas, you get a guaranteed preorder for Fallout 4 VR, as well as access to Google Tilt Brush.
$599.99
Sometimes, it’s good to separate yourself from the digital world and seek out classic forms of entertainment. Put down the phones, get away from your computer or tablet, and play an in-depth tactical combat board game. It’s one of the most popular board games of the year, and has been likened to the “choose your own adventure” books you used to read as a kid. Players take on the role of a wandering adventurer, seek out dungeons and forgotten ruins, and get loot.
$200
Video Games
Let’s face it, you can’t pick just one. Especially when there were so many Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals out there. This year, the following titles are most sought after: Destiny 2, Cuphead, Middle-Earth: Shadow of War, Assassin’s Creed Origins, South Park: The Fractured but Whole (for those looking for an adult-only comedy adventure), Super Mario Odyssey, Wolfenstein: The New Colossus—we could go on, but you get the idea. We were going to put Star Wars Battlefront II on this list, but due to the recent uproar about the game’s current pay-to-win strategy, many players are waiting until EA announces a fix to the current transaction system.
$20+
Gaming consoles, unlike the games themselves, are not as common. New consoles don’t come around that often, but earlier this year the Nintendo Switch released. It’s the ideal situation—you get to play some of the most nostalgic, great games that everyone loves (and a few for the hardcore players as well), and it can be played both at home or on the go. What more could you ask for?
$299
Made popular by the original BB8 Sphero a few years ago, this time around Sphero is modeled after everyone’s favorite, beeping droid. This unique remote-controlled device connects directly to your phone, making it easy to maneuver this little guy around your living room. Plus he makes a lot of his traditional “beep-boop” sounds a lot. It’s the perfect gift for a Star Wars lover, especially with the new movie, Star Wars: The Last Jedi coming to theaters in mid-December.
$179.99
Fitbit Ionic™ Smartwatch
Many people think technology is bad, but this smartwatch is one way to confirm how technology can help humanity. For those who are athletic, or are trying to get into shape, this is the perfect gift. It can monitor your heart rate and distance traveled, stores over 300 songs, has battery life that lasts for multiple days before needing a charge, and of course, tells time.
$299
So maybe you’re on a budget, this is the perfect gift for basically anyone with a cell phone who is known to post on social media sites a lot. There are many versions of this product out there, but essentially they all have the same function. Just clip it on to your phone, plug it into the USB port on your phone, and take all the pictures your little heart desires.
$12.99+
