Gear Up: A 2021 Gadget Gift Guide

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By Lauren LouieFinding the perfect gift during the holidays can feel like a puzzle. Regardless of whether it’s sentimental or useful, sometimes the hardest part is buying something that’s new and different. Technology and gadgets guarantee something for just about everyone, but there are lots of options.As such, I've compiled a short list of gadgets that are either something they didn’t know they wanted or something to replace and improve what they already have!

(Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay)

• AirPods Pro
• For the traveler
• Price: $179.99 at Target
• People are starting to feel safe traveling by plane again, but the crying babies and chatty neighbors might take a little longer to get used to. Help your friends and loved ones travel easier with noise-canceling headphones. With an ergonomic, compact design, the AirPods Pro boast easy wear and easy travel. Unlike the standard AirPods, the AirPods Pro have a spatial listening option, a noise transparency option, a noise canceling option, Live Listen, and the new Conversation Boost option. Spatial listening has a surround sound effect and noise transparency will allow outside noise in. Live Listen enables your phone to act as a microphone that will play directly to your AirPods. Conversation Boost is a new feature that focuses the microphone on the person talking in front of you. The AirPods also come with three different sizes of silicone tips, so no need to worry about customizing the fit.

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• The Stagg EKG Electric Kettle
• For the coffee enthusiast
• Price: $159
• The coffee-loving community has no shortage of artistic, sleek, and inventive accessories, and the Stagg EKG Electric Kettle is at the top of any pour-over enthusiast’s list. This kettle has an ergonomic, wood handle and a gooseneck spout that controls the flow of hot water for an even and slow pour. Customer reviews report that it takes only an average of five minutes for water to boil and does so without any loud whistle. Don’t worry about forgetting, because it turns itself off after being on standby for 15 minutes. The Stagg EKG also has a 60-minute Hold Mode that keeps the kettle at a desired temperature so the water does not cool down while you drink your first cup. If you want to get really fancy, Fellow sells an EKG+ version that allows you to set the temperature and turn the kettle on or off using bluetooth. Whether it’s coffee, tea, or hot water for instant ramen, this is the upgraded and updated kettle that replaces the indiscrete screeching of yesterday’s stove-top flop.

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• Tile
• For the forgetful
• Price: $40 for 4 at Target
• Phone. Wallet. Keys. There are some essential items that you never leave the house without, even if it means arriving ten minutes late. Tile is a tracking device that can be used for phones, wallets, keys, and more. It comes in the form of a sticker, a keychain or a slim card that can fit into luggage or wallets without any noticeable weight. Just by tapping “Find” on the free-to-download Tile app, the keychain, card, or sticker will chime so you can follow its sound. It works the same way for your phone: use any Tile to make your phone ring, even if it is on silent. The app can also show you an item's most recent location or notify you when it is found. This is a great gift for anyone who appreciates convenience, but especially for those who have a habit of putting something down and losing it two minutes later.

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• Dyson V8 Absolute Vacuum
• For Everyone
• Price: $399.99
• Who would want a vacuum for Christmas? This is one of those gifts that fall under the category of “things you didn’t know you needed.” If you know someone with a Stone Age vacuum cleaner, this gift is a must. The Dyson V8 Absolute, which brags nearly 3,000 reviews and a 4.5 star rating, is adaptable, cordless, effective, and powerful. Unlike other models, the V8 Absolute is versatile and features an attachment for hardwood floor vacuuming and another for the carpet. It includes six attachments in total and easily converts to handheld vacuum for easy cleaning in the car or on stairs. Unlike upright vacuums, it is lightweight and compact in comparison, making vacuuming from room to room a breeze. It is considered less powerful, but not enough to be ineffectual. Peruse Dyson’s vacuum selection as some models specifically boast their facility for trapping pet hair. This may not be a gift that says, “you mean the most to me,” but it is a gift that will drastically change their life. And who wouldn’t want that?

Happy shopping and happy holidays from all of us at LMGPR!