Over the weeks leading up to Christmas, WiFi HiFi will be publishing a series of holiday tech gift guides, including items to suit everyone on your list. From gadgets and gizmos, to products for audio and videophiles, we have you covered.
Apple iPhone SE
Chances are, if a parent has decided that his teen or tween is old enough for a smartphone, he will gravitate toward the relatively simple an affordable iPhone SE. It has a 4" screen, A9 chip, 12MP camera, and the ability to capture 4K videos, and capture Live Photos. It's light and compact, making it ideal for young ones. And the FaceTime HD camera has Retina Flash for improved selfies. It starts at $579 off contract, or grab a good deal from your current carrier. Apple.ca
Lumee iPhone SE Case
Which case do you get? Given kids' affinity towards taking selfies, the Lumee case (Atlantia) is a neat option. Only the original model is available for the iPhone SE, but it has all of the features a pre-teen would enjoy, including LED lighting on both sides of the case to allow for better selfies. A dimmer switch controls lighting, and there's a rechargeable battery and charging cord. Plus, it's impact-resistant so you can breathe a sigh of relief that the device is protected against those inevitably drops and falls. (You might still want to get a screen protector, though - just in case!) About $50 Lumee.com
House of Marley Nesta In-Ear Headphones
House of Marley's Nesta in-ear headphones (HoMedics Canada, Hitfar Concepts) are made using zirconia ceramics and stainless steel to allow for a minimalist style. The noise-isolating design features 6mm drivers, and they come with a durable and tangle-free woven cord, three-button remote and inline microphone, and two sizes of ear gels. The ergonomic angled nozzle helps ensure comfort. Grab then in Hematite (black), gold, and white with rose gold; the stereo plug is gold-plated. And keep them protected when not in use in the recycled PET bottle stash bag - something any eco-conscious teen will appreciate. $80 Thehouseofmarley.com
JBL Clip2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Clip the JBL Clip2 (Erikson Consumer) to your bag, clothing, bicycle, wherever you want to rock out, then play back your favourite tunes while on-the-go. Available in black, blue, red, grey, and teal, it offers longer battery life than its predecessor, the Clip+ (8-10 hours versus five), and a higher water-resistance rating at IPX7 versus IPX5 in the Clip+. That means it can be immersed in up to one metre of water, so there's no worry if you get caught in the rain, it falls in the snow, or takes a quick dip in the pool. Plus, you can wirelessly daisy chain multiple speakers for surround sound. $80. JBL.com
Braven BRV-1M Bluetooth Speaker
Music is a big part of entertainment outdoors in the summer, as well as while you're cozying up inside during the winter. The Braven BRV-1M Bluetooth speaker (Erikson Consumer) is waterproof (IPX7-rated), and thus able to operate on the beach or by the pool, and even in the sweltering heat. The impact-resistant housing can also withstand bumps and drops. Ideal for cyclists, bikers, snowboarders and hikers, it can be secured onto a surface with integrated tie-down bars and heavy-duty strap. There's also an Action Mount accessory that's compatible with GoPro and other popular sport mounting systems. Listen to music for up to 12 hours per charge, and even recharge your mobile devices through the speaker's 2,200mAh power bank. The built-in noise-cancelling mic means it can also function as a speakerphone for incoming calls. $150. Braven.com
Muzik One Headphones
Not only are they wireless, but the Muzik One headphones (Dream Team Americas) have hot buttons on the right earcup that you can program to do certain things once you press or swipe on them, like upload what you're listening to directly to social media via integration with services like Spotify and Twitter. With IFTTT, you can also use the hot keys to do things like control the lighting in your home. The ear cushions pop on and off easily so you can go from on-ear to over-ear depending on the setting, and the headphones have dual mics for making calls as well as using voice control with a connected smartphone. Use the Muzik Connect app to adjust settings and hot keys to your liking. The headphones can run for up to 30 hours per charge, and can be used wirelessly or with a wire. US$300 Muzikconnect.com
Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker
The latest version of the Tile Bluetooth tracker, the Tile Mate, (Dream Team Americas) is 25% smaller than the original, and now comes with a key ring hole. Attach it to a backpack, camera, or the laces of those sick new kicks, and it will communicate with your smartphone app via Bluetooth to help you locate the item if it's lost. The best part: your smartphone doesn't have to be in range in order for you to find the lost device. The system uses a network of Tile users from around the world to identify where your item is, and report its location back to you via the app. US$25, or US$70-$90 for a four-pack. Existing Tile owners can upgrade for US$15 as part of the retile program that offers a new Tile annually for up to half off the original price once the battery dies. Thetileapp.com
Logiix Blue Piston tuneFREQS Share Headphones
What do you do with two people and only one music source? The Logiix (Atlantia) Blue Piston tuneFREQS Share headphones come with a built-in aux splitter for sharing. The earbuds boast noise isolation technology, and include an inline microphone and controls (compatible with Apple and most Android devices), a gold-plated auxiliary jack, and three sizes of comfort tips. Using the splitter built-into the cord, you can listen to tunes on your own, or plug in a second pair of headphones so your friend can listen, too. In fact, you should be able to connect up to five of them to a single device. Black, turquoise, pink, white, or purple, $30 ea. Logiix.net
Google Chromecast Ultra
Stream content in 4K and HDR (including both HDR10 and Dolby Vision support) with Google's Chromecast Ultra, which also has Ethernet support for wired connections. Google says the device boasts improved Wi-Fi connections to help reduce or prevent latency, and an improvement in the time it takes to load content. You can stream a growing list of 4K content from various sources, including fare from Google's own Movies app. This ways, teens can watch their favourite Netflix content on the big screen instead of a tiny tablet. $90 Google.ca
Xbox One S
If the kids have been extra good this year, consider upgrading their gaming console. The Xbox One S is slimmer than the Xbox One, and comes in a "robot white" finish. Those who use one for video viewing as well will appreciate the 4K Ultra HD playback support for both UHD Blu-ray discs and streaming content from partners like Netflix, as well as High Dynamic Range (HDR) support for video and gaming - something mom and dad will enjoy as well. 2TB version for $500. Xbox.com
Netflix Subscription
A great gift that the kids will benefit from as well is a family subscription to Netflix. For $11.99/mo., you can sign up for the 4-screen plan, which allows you to watch content on up to four screens at a time, with both HD and Ultra HD content available. This means mom and dad can binge Stranger Things while the kids enjoy the latest season of Fuller House, or check out a movie like Zootopia or The Good Dinosaur. Netflix.ca
Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate Fitness Tracker
A fitness tracker is a great idea for a kid, even if just to help them keep track of their daily steps and sleep. The Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate is a comprehensive option that they'll love way beyond the teen years since it helps you track everything from steps to sleep, calories in and out, exercise, heart rate, and even hydration. Plus, it delivers smartphone notifications, prompts you when it's time to move, includes breathing exercises to help you wind down from a workout or calm down after a particularly stressful day. And it's pretty stylish, with a number of band colour options available and customizable faces. Check out our full review at WiFiHiFi.ca. $200. Fitbit.com
Epson EcoTank Printer
You're probably knee-deep in homework assignments, which costs a ton of money in paper and printer ink. The Epson EcoTank printer will come in handy so kids won't have to worry about sending mom or dad to the store to grab ink because it's run out just when they're getting ready to print out their latest book report. While EcoTank printers require a higher upfront cost, the ink only needs to be replaced every two years (!), eliminating both the recurring cost of ink cartridges, and the need to go out and buy them - two advantages any student can appreciate. Epson.ca
WowWee Coder MiP
If they've expressed an interest in coding, there's the WowWee Coder MiP, a robot that responds to movements, sounds, gestures, and commands sent to it from a smartphone app. Kids can program basic drag-and-drop commands in the app to have MiP bring something over to them on its tray, for example, or drive over a ramp. They can also set specific codes, telling the robot to move forward each time you swipe yur hand in front of it, for example. $110 Wowwee.com
Me to We School Supplies
Me to We school supplies provide a gift to a child or family in a Free The Children community overseas with each purchase - a great way to give back. And they make great stocking stuffers. Through a partnership with ACCO Brands, the trendy and colourful line includes backpacks, lunch bags, water bottles, and notebooks. With each item, you receive a code that allows you to track exactly where the purchase has made an impact. For example, buying a water bottle or storage pouch will provide clean water to one person, a new backpack purchase will afford school supplies for students overseas, and notebook and journals equate to health care for a child. Additionally, each product itself is environmentally-friendly, made from materials like recycled plastic bottles and post-consumer paper. Pricing varies; Metowe.com
Ogio Soho Backpack
Style is just as important, if not more important, to students than function when it comes to a backpack. Female students, in particular, will appreciate stylish options like the Ogio Soho (Xcel Source), which features a padded laptop compartment, and several zippered compartments to organize all of their gear. Ogio.com
Shopping for more? Check our other WiFi HiFi Gift Guides to suit everyone on your list.