CHRISTMAS TECH GIFTS – LIFELINE IT CHRISTMAS STOCKING FILLERS

Now that Halloween and Bonfire Night are over attention turns to the next calendar event of the year – Christmas.

Whilst it’s often seen as one of the biggest celebrations of the year, it can also be stress-inducing, especially when it comes to Christmas presents.

To help ease this festive burden and hopefully provide you with some inspiration, our tech twosome Adam and Daniel have come up with the wish-list of gadgets they’d like to find in their Christmas stocking.

Kindle Scribe

A major update to the original Kindle, the Scribe allows you to not only read, but also take notes, which are automatically organised in one place, so you can browse, review and export them via email. Available from November 30 but can be pre-ordered now. https://amzn.to/3FDiEZW

Daniel’s verdict: “This is completely new from Kindle – they’ve never done anything like it before. It’s not a tablet as you can’t run it for gaming or other applications and it doesn’t have cellular data so you need Wi-Fi, but it’s perfect for reading and note taking. I read a lot of non-fiction so to be able to scribble notes as you go along is a real advantage. Plus the battery life is much better than an iPad, and it has the Paperwhite display which makes reading a lot easier than on an iPad.”

Nothing Earbuds

A rival for Apple’s Airpods but at a lower price point, Nothing earphones are a popular choice for the tech-savvy consumer. There’s the entry-level £99 Ear (Stick), which gives up to 29 hours of listening time, or the Ear (1), which has up to 34 hours and active noise cancellation. https://bit.ly/3FDfup3

Adam’s verdict: “These are an excellent budget option for around the £100 mark, when you consider that Apple Airpods can be as much as £250. I’ve got a pair and they’re pretty good – especially the noise cancellation.”

Ring Doorbell

Video doorbells that allow you to see who’s calling and communicate with them from your smartphone are fast becoming a must-have home accessory. The brand Ring is one of the leaders in this sector and its battery-operated 2nd generation video doorbell costs £89.99. https://bit.ly/3Uc35wE

Daniel’s verdict: “This is a great present as it’s suitable for everyone. It would be a good option for someone who lives on their own – perhaps an elderly parent – and wants to have that added security of knowing exactly who’s calling. Or an avid online shopper who wants to communicate with the delivery person if they’re not at home. And because it doesn’t cost a fortune it makes a perfect Christmas gift.”

Robotic Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuum cleaners have advanced a lot since they first came on the market – many map your home, avoid obstacles and can tell where stairs are. Most are controlled via an app, so you can see if they’ve got stuck and give them some human help. There’s a plethora of models to choose from, ranging from a basic one at just over £200 to high-performing versions that cost close to £1,500. As with any home appliance, the best option will depend on your type of home, floor surface and of course budget, so it’s always best to do your research.

Adam’s verdict: “Maybe this is more of an ‘under the tree’ present than a stocking filler, but either way, I’d be delighted if I got one for Christmas. As you know I love a good tech gadget and this for me is the ultimate – being able to vacuum your home from the comfort of your sofa, giving instructions from your phone. Tech doesn’t get much better than that!”

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