The holiday season is almost here! Whether you have that certain person who is difficult to buy for, or you have gotten distracted with all the festivities, time is running out to buy presents! If you are having trouble coming up with gift ideas, check out some tech that anyone will love. (Note: this time of the year causes prices of products to be extremely volatile — all these prices are subject to change.) 

For the Traveler: 

• Anker PowerCore 20,100mAh power bank ($30): This portable battery can recharge most phones at least four times, perfect for someone on the go and on their phone for the entire day. 

• EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter ($18): This travel adapter has all the US/EU/AU/UK plugs. It also is equipped with multiple USB ports, including one USB Type C port. For the world traveler, this will let them bring their devices anywhere, and charge them safely. 

• HP Sprocket ($90): This device is a portable photo printer, pairing modern technology with that classic polaroid thrill. The Sprocket connects to many smartphones, laptops, and other portable devices using Bluetooth; then, it can print photos any time and any place. 

For the Smart Home Enthusiast: 

• Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance Smart Bulb ($39):  Bringing smart-home devices to the mainstream, Phillips is known for their stellar levels of polish and quality control, albeit at a premium cost. Their smart bulbs follow this trend, providing a well-made app and bright colors with a price to match. 

• Logitech Harmony Remote ($99): Ditch all your remotes in favor of one Harmony remote by Logitech. By setting up activities, you can have a one-button shortcut to turn on devices, change inputs, and switch remote settings tailored to each device. 

• Samsung SmartThings WiFi Smart Plug ($18): Turn on and off your devices from anywhere using a smartphone or your favorite digital assistant. This smart plug is easy to set up and allows for simple home automation by scheduling commands. 

For the Gym Buff: 

• Fitbit Charge 3 ($129): A more affordable option over other smart watches and trackers, the Fitbit Charge 3 is a smart band with the ability to track heart rate, calorie burn, exercises, and sleep cycles. It also can pair with a smartphone to sync notifications and health tracking data.  

• Withings Body+ Scale ($99): This smart scale analyzes body weight, fat mass, muscle, bone/water mass, and more. By pairing with smart apps for both Apple and Android, keep and set health goals on the go. 

• Bose SoundSport Wireless ($129): Sweatproof and moisture-proof, the Bose SoundSport Wireless headphones provide excellent sound quality for the duration of your workout.  

For the Academic: 

• Rocketbook Smart Erasable Notebook ($21): This notebook syncs with Google Drive, Microsoft OneNote, Evernote, and more to keep track of your handwritten notes digitally. Erasable pens allow for unlimited uses, making this the last notebook you will ever have to buy. 

• LapGear Designer Lap Desk ($30): A cushioned lap desk allows for your desk to comfortably travel with you. A solid flat top provides a good surface to write on and provides good airflow for laptops and other devices to cool properly. 

• Audible Subscription – 3 months ($45): An Audible subscriber is given one credit for any audiobook per month, as well as unlimited access to Audible Original series. 

For the DIY: 

• Raspberry Pi 4 Kit ($85): The Raspberry Pi is a credit card sized device computer that can be programmed to do anything from acting as a standalone computer to controlling robots and creating an arcade machine. 

• UCTRONICS WiFi Smart Robot Car Kit ($99): Learn how to program by making a robot car! This kit has everything you need to complete the kit. A great project for anyone who wants to learn more about technology.

Authors: Grey Ruessler, IT User Services & Quinn Johnson, IT Tech Assistant