There’s no better feeling than unwrapping a present only to find it’s exactly what you wanted. But unless you’ve got a family full of mind readers, your loved ones could probably use a hint or two.
From the hottest game consoles to Shaw’s new BlueSky TV, here are 10 picks for the top tech gifts to ask for this holiday season. Whoever said it’s better to give than receive clearly forgot to add these to their wish list.
HP Sprocket
Share your latest Insta-worthy masterpiece IRL with this portable photo printer that transforms digital pictures into 2×3 prints. Customize photos through the app, then wirelessly print them via Bluetooth or Near-Field Communication (NFC).
Shaw BlueSky TV
Spend less time searching for your favourite shows and movies and more time watching them with Shaw BlueSky TV. Thanks to a voice-powered remote that turns channel-surfing into channel-soaring, now you can simply say the name of the show you’re looking for, or ask for recommendations to find more series like the one you just finished. You can even search by movie quote, for when that pesky title is just on the tip of your tongue. With Shaw BlueSky you can record your favourite shows and with Netflix fully integrated, you’ll be able to binge your favourite Netflix originals faster than ever. Meet the future of TV.
Nintendo Switch
Play at home or on the go, thanks to Nintendo’s revolutionary new gaming system that goes from console to handheld in a snap. The Switch is guaranteed to be an in-demand gift this holiday season, so make sure to ask for it early (and often).
iPhone X
Apple’s flagship smartphone got a complete redesign for its 10th anniversary. Gone are the home button and Touch ID, replaced by cutting-edge facial recognition and a 5.8-inch OLED display that adds inches to the screen without adding bulk to the device. And thanks to the seven-megapixel TrueDepth camera, your selfies will look better than ever.
Amazon Echo Show
In the market for a voice-activated virtual assistant that can do more than just tell jokes or order paper towels? The Echo Show takes everything you already love about Alexa and adds a seven-inch touchscreen. Make hands-free video calls, play movies, call up recipes, and even check who’s at the door (by connecting to compatible smart home products). All without lifting a finger.
Panasonic OLED 4K Pro HDR TV
If you’ve been especially good this year, and you’re looking for top-of-the-line picture quality, it simply doesn’t get any better than an OLED screen. This one comes with a 4K processor specially tuned by Hollywood colourists to ensure A-list picture quality, plus all the functionality you’d expect from a Smart TV.
Google Daydream View
Essentially a cozier, more comfortable version of Google Cardboard, with soft, breathable fabric and an adjustable strap, Daydream allows anyone with an Android phone to slide their device into the headset and instantly immerse themselves into stunning virtual reality worlds.
Amazon Kindle Oasis
The Kindle Oasis is Amazon’s thinnest and lightest e-reader to date, with a new ergonomic design and improved battery life – making it the perfect gift if you’re more of a binge-reader than binge-watcher. It’s even waterproof. Plus, with 8 GB and 32 GB models, you’ve got room to fit the entire unabridged works of William Shakespeare. Or Stephenie Meyer. No judgment.
Fitbit Ionic
Help start your New Year’s resolution off on the right foot with the latest from Fitbit. The new smartwatch has all the fitness tracking capabilities you’d expect, along with a few you wouldn’t, like 2.5 GBs of storage for your favourite workout playlists and Fitbit Pay so you can leave your wallet at home.
Xbox One X
With six Teraflops of processing power, true 4K gaming, 326 GB/sec of memory bandwidth, and one TB of storage, the One X is the most powerful gaming console on the market. And if you understood any of those numbers, it’s probably already on your list. Sure to be one of the hottest gifts of the season.
No matter your interest or hobby, there’s a shiny new gadget to help you experience it better this holiday season.