Yes, we know that the Halloween decorations are still on display and the candy corn is in full effect but after years of entering mid-December panic mode, we know that it is never too early to get a head start on your holiday shopping. Even more so if you’ve got more than a few tech enthusiasts among your gift recipients who are trying to tap into the smart home movement. With IoT connoisseurs in mind, BDG Studios recently compiled a custom list that has some of the latest and greatest gifts for those home tech adopters, all easily accessible through our partners at Amazon.
If you’re looking for a video conferencing device that’s going to give true connectivity within your smart home network no matter the service, Facebook’s latest version of Portal is a workhorse with a camera that follows your movements while on screen, equipped with Alexa and able to connect with others via Zoom as well as Messenger and WhatsApp, even if the other party doesn’t have a Portal.
Amazon’s latest version of the Echo Snow has a robust upgrade with a 13 MP camera to go with its 10.1 inch HD smart display screen. The motion settings have also gotten a boost to allow it to follow you around the room on a call or to ensure you don’t miss the next step in your streaming recipe tutorial. It’s also set up with Alexa Guard, which can help you screen visitors outside of your home and keep an eye indoors.
These days, it’s understandable to find that you’ve misplaced something important around your home or left something important behind. The best solution is to grab a device like the Tile Mate that can connect to your smartphone. The Tile Mate can even sync with your smart network at home as well through Alexa with a range of 200 feet.
Apple’s AirTag is another excellent device to keep track of your items, with a compact design that doesn’t have much weight to it and allows for users to find what’s lost with high precision. The AirTag is also built with a waterproof exterior that can withstand heavy downpours and other elements. Another bonus is that whatever it is connected to can also be easily discoverable by your friends who have the “Find My” feature enabled, and the setup is absurdly easy.
Arlo has introduced the latest version of their home security camera with a ton of nifty updates that include 160-degree video in 2K resolution along with the ability to take full color images even at night. It’s compatible with all of the current smart home hubs on the market, has instant motion alerts and it comes in a pack of three for full coverage outside.
Since you might not be venturing to the movie theater right away, it’s the right time to elevate your home theater experience with this speaker by Samsung that techies can get exclusively through Amazon. Designed to fill the entire room thanks to its optimized SWA-500 wireless subwoofer, the Exclusive S Series Soundbar also offers one-tap mirroring from your Samsung smartphone running on Android 8.1.
This new version of Google’s Nest thermostat has a built-in compatibility checker and can be easily installed in a half-hour but the standout feature just might be its the ability to monitor your entire HVAC system and provide alerts if there’s something off. The accompanying app also has a Savings Finder feature that pinpoints exactly where you can reduce your energy usage to cut your costs down.
Been grooving to that one playlist and don’t want to let go of that feeling even when you need to get away? This new portable speaker from Bose that’s a smaller version of their most popular model will give you that powerful audio and even has a party mode. Another key aspect is that the wireless Bluetooth connectivity allows users to link up hands free with a virtual assistant while taking calls. And users can pair it with other Bose audio products in their home using their SimpleSync technology.
