A Comparison of Amazon Prime Day Savings Savings and Amazon Kids Plus Service for a Home with More Than One Smart Speaker, Speaker, or Display
The third-gen Echo Dot may be one of Amazon’s older smart speakers, but it’s a great budget gift for those who have yet to dip their toe into the world of smart home tech. The Alexa-enabled also currently comes with a dimmable Philips Hue bulb, which makes it an inexpensive smart home starter pack for those who want set their bedroom light on a timer or quickly check the weather report with just their voice. Price: $17.98
Below, we’ve rounded up the best deals available on each device in Amazon’s Echo lineup. Many of the current discounts rival those we saw during Amazon Prime Day — which isn’t all that surprising given Amazon’s Early Access sale kicks off tomorrow, October 11th, and runs through October 12th. Best Buy often offers an additional $10 off the price of a pair of Echo devices, if you decide to buy a home with more than one smart speaker or display.
The Echo Dot isn’t the only Echo device with a kid-friendly design. The standard, second-gen, Echo Show 5 has the same features, only with a vibrant print on the back and a year of Amazon’s Kids Plus service, which grants your family access to a trove of videos, games, and other kid-related items. It even comes with a two-year warranty, providing a bit of protection from whatever your child might (literally) throw at it.
Like the Echo Show 5, the Echo Show 8 is available in two distinct models, both of which feature 8-inch displays and dual speakers. However, unlike the first-gen Echo Show 8, the newer model is equipped with a 13MP camera and some unique software tricks, one of which grants it the ability to keep the subject centered in the frame as they move around.
We recently saw the first-gen Show 8 drop to $54.99 ($55 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is the smart display’s current sale price. As for the second-gen model, it’s readily available at retailers like Amazon, Target, and Best Buy for $69.99, its lowest price to date. Amazon is also offering select customers six months of Amazon Music Unlimited with the purchase of either the first- or second-gen model, though, the retailer doesn’t stipulate how to qualify.
The Jall Digital Alarm Clock is $21.99$ and the Kasa Smart Plugs are $39.99 off Amazon, B&H Photo or Best Buy
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There are plenty of smart alarm clocks out there, but sometimes it’s preferable to go with something simple. The Jall Digital Alarm Clock has a sleek wooden look and lights up to display the temperature and humidity in addition to the time. It’s “simple,” but its minimalist aesthetic is nothing to scoff at. It is $21.99.
Speaking of turning the lights on with just your voice, TP-Link’s Kasa smart plugs can transform traditional gadgets into smart ones. As a result, your giftee can use their voice to control a wide range of devices, including lamps, fans, and humidifiers. You can control them using their mobile app, without them needing to be at home. They’re also compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Right now, you can buy a four-pack of the hub-less smart plugs for $29.99 at Amazon and B&H Photo or a three-pack for $19.99 ($5 off) at Best Buy.
The Roomba i3 Evo: A Smart Home Technology Kit for Decorating the Living Room with Star-Wars-inspired Light Bulbs
Help the obsessed Star Wars fan in your life level up to adulthood with something that still excites them. Many people might not even know these rugs have Star Wars designs on them, but they feature subtle designs that are sure to make them stand out. The rugs look sleek, no matter what the pattern is. A price of $109+.
Nothing helps set the mood or get you into the holiday spirit quite like a set of color-changing light bulbs. For those unfamiliar, the Philips Hue Smart Bulb Starter Kit remains one of the easiest ways to outfit your home with smart lighting, especially since the included A19 bulbs offer helpful timers and automation options on tap. It even comes with a Hue Bridge, giving you access to a range of additional features. The price is roughly 146 dollars.
The Roomba i3 Evo — or i3 Evo Plus, if you can afford the robovac’s auto-emptying station — is our favorite robot vacuum that doesn’t break the bank. It does a great job of cleaning and receives frequent software updates, which allow for new features like auto-mapping. You can send the robot vacuum to a specific room in your house using either the app or the voice assistant, but you need to map out your floors. The price is $279.99.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums
The Rebooter: A Great Gift for Low-Cost Smart Home Tech Holiday Guide 2022-Kitchen-Gadgets-Lights-Speakers-Vacuums
Have you tried turning it on again? It is bound to fall no matter how advanced your home network is. The gift of the Rebooter is especially helpful for family members who call on you for tech support, since it automatically does it for you. $54.95 is the price.
Apple’s base iPad from 2021 remains a multifaceted tool that’s worth having in the household, even if there is a newer model available. The affordable last-gen slate is great for streaming and giving control of various home tech to others, as well as entertaining children, and taking notes with optional accessories like the Apple Pencil. Price is $269.99.
A backup battery with surge protection may not be a particularly exciting gift, but your giftee will thank you for it when their power goes out and their router and desktop keep humming. The 450W offering includes nine outlets in total, as well as two ports for charging various electronics. The cost was $116.70.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums
Furbo’s Pet Camera, Eero 6 Plus, Ikea Symfonisk, HomeSmart Garden 3 and Google’s Nest Hub Max
Furbo’s interactive pet camera can keep an eye on the dog when you aren’t at home and can even be used to play with him. The little device can fully rotate, packs night vision and a wide-angle lens, and can toss your pup a treat to keep them entertained when nobody’s home. It works for cats too, so you don’t need to own a dog. The price is $137.
The latest Ikea Symfonisk is just as cheap as a connected speaker. It still sounds good for the money even though it’s cheap. The clever bookshelf speaker also comes in both a white and black finish, allowing it to match most home decor, and can be positioned either horizontally or vertically (no assembly required). Price: $119.99
It’s easy to blanket your home with a faster internet connection with a mesh network that’s reliable. The Eero 6 Plus allows you to cover a 3,000-square-foot home and achieve gigabit speeds without spending big money for Wi-Fi 6E support and cutting-edge features that may go unused by most. Price: $167
Amazon and Google are always slugging it out for smart thermostat supremacy, but Ecobee is a great choice if you’re looking to monitor the temperature in rooms with problematic insulation and keep things comfy. The premium version comes with a remote temperature sensor and a sleeker design than previous models, not to mention an easy-to-use interface. Price: $249.99
It’s 2022, meaning you no longer have to leave the comfort of your windowless apartment just to touch grass. The Grow Smart Garden 3 has everything you need to get started growing your own veggies and herbs indoors, including a handy LED light, a self-watering tank, and an expansive selection of pre-seeded pods that let you skip the nursery. Price: $74.96
Google’s Nest Hub Max is a terrific smart display for taking video calls, filling a room with music, and displaying shared photos in a never-ending slideshow. A recent software update allows you to call up Google Assistant just by looking at it, and a 10-inch display contains a wealth of smart home controls. It’s not so much for the “Hey Google” thing anymore. Price: $174.99
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums
An affordable smart-home tech holiday gift guide 2022 for kitchen gadgets lights smart speakers vacuums for healthy protein-rich breakfast and snacking
The Ninja Fit is perfect for blending up some healthy, protein-rich shakes for pre- or post-workout nutrition — or you can use it to make your own version of a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake. No judgments here, especially since the 16-ounce blender is the perfect size for just one person and can take on frozen fruit, ice, nuts, and pretty much anything you want to throw at the 700-watt motor. The price is $59.98.
Good coffee doesn’t need you to spend a lot on a fancy machine but there’s something to be said for spending some money for a method that looks good on your kitchen counter. Thankfully, Bodum’s minimalist French press is simple to use, relatively affordable, and looks stylish as hell in its all-black finish. Price: $16.99 to $23.11
An instant-read temperature is more useful for grilling food in the summer than it is for cooking ham in the winter. This simple one from Marsnolists a range of target temps along with the current one, so if you’re tasked with cooking this year you know what to expect. The price is $12.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums
The Baratza Virtuoso Plus: An All-Coffee USB-C Humidifier with Night Lights for Kids at Heart
A good coffee grinder is the key to success in the game. The Baratza Virtuoso Plus can grind bean for a cold brew, espresso or even a slow drip. The workhouse is built using commercial- grade components and has a simple digital timer, making it a good choice for a small office. $249.95 is the price
It’s important to take care of your nose, skin, and quality of life in the dry months. This adorable USB-C humidifier features the adventurous Dutch cartoon rabbit Miffy and a built-in night light — a handy feature given the ungodly hour at which the sun now sets. And you’d be wrong if you think it’s just for kids. I mean… it’s also for, like, kids at heart. It was $28.68
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums
Nixplay Frames, Amazon Echo Shows, and Garage Door Control for Forgiveful Types: An Apple Box or an Apple TV?
The Apple 4K Streaming box is the best yet, with a much improved remote, more base storage, support for Dolby Vision, and more. It can act as a hub for Apple’s HomeKit as well as being the same processor that powers last year’s iPhone 13 ensures that it will work great for years to come. It was $129.99.
A Nixplay frame is the ideal smart photo frame if you’re someone who prioritizes clean lines and subtlety over something more flexible, like an Amazon Echo Show or Google Nest display. They come in a variety of sizes and styles, helping them to blend in with any regular frames in your home, and they allow you to cycle through both personal and shared photo albums. The price is $119.99.
Another good gift for the forgetful sort? There is a garage door controller. Your friend or loved one can use the useful invention to remotely close their garage door using their phone, which is a capability that comes in handy when they are rushing to work and forget. Walmart and Amazon both have delivery services that the controller works with. They can ask that Amazon and Walmart packages be kept out of the garage to keep them safe and secure. You can buy Chamberlain’s myQ Smart Garage Control for around $29.99 at Best Buy and Lowe’s.
Grid Studio: a kitchen gadget for smart home technology holidays gift guide-2022 Smart home tech gifts for kitchen gadgets lights smart speakers vacuums
DrinkMate’s no-fuss OmniFizz is a great alternative to a SodaStream, as it allows you to use more options for CO2 and fizz up water, iced tea, juice, and just about any drink you might want to consume with a hint of bubbles. It’s not right to do milk. Don’t drink milk. Price: $110.99
If you enjoy watching the technology and gadgets that were on stage, then you should consider having your walls decorated with some high-end artwork from the real thing. Grid Studio deconstructs and frames all kinds of cool devices, from the original iPhone and Nokia 3310 to the classic Game Boy Color of the late 1990s. Price: $199
Look, we know an air fryer is just a small convection oven on your counter, but they’re still super handy for cooking small meals in little time. Cosori’s jet-black Pro model features a wide, shallow basket and easy presets for all kinds of foods, not to mention a more compact footprint than similar models from other brands. Price: $94.49
Everyone can appreciate making peeling vegetables quicker and easier around the holidays, since nobody likes peeling vegetables. Even if for very specific tasks, the company’s twin-bladed Swivel Peeler is a quality kitchen upgrade. The price was $11.80.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums
The Blink Video Doorbell is a Small, Promising, Low-Cost, and Stylish Techie Gift for the Home
Sometimes it is okay to have form over function. The Tidbyt smart light board is part weather updates, part stock ticker, part clock, and all vibes. The desk accessory is attractive but doesn’t have much to offer and if your giftee is prone to doom, perhaps the lack of thereof could be just what they need. Price: $179
A Blink Video Doorbell can help keep your loved ones safe and provide them with some extra peace of mind, regardless of whether they’re home or vacationing elsewhere. They can easily keep track of who knocks on the door via an app, thanks to the camera that has a 1080p resolution, and it also has night vision, motion- activated recording, and two-way audio for up to two years. So long as they’re okay going without smart alerts and some of the bells and whistles found on more expensive video doorbells, the Blink Video Doorbell is a good camera that’ll get the job done. You can purchase it at Amazon, Best Buy and Target for just $49.99 a piece.
What’s a better techie gift for the home than your own personal astromech droid? Lego sets like the Imperial Star Destroyer and Eiffel Tower may receive a lot praise for their gargantuan size, but this 2,314-piece replica of R2-D2 is a lovingly detailed showpiece that stands a respectable 13 inches tall — which is just small enough that you won’t be left wondering if even have room for it. It was $239.99.
Most of us at The Verge are hooked on coffee, and the winter months are a terrible time to be surprised by a cold cup of the black stuff. Thankfully, Ember’s ceramic Smart Mug keeps your beverage heated to your preferred temperature for up to 80 minutes (or indefinitely when it’s resting on the included charging coaster).Price: $119.95
Budget-friendly Tech Gifts Under-50: From Cameras to Garage Doors and Garage Doorbells, and Game Passages to Audiobook Subscriptions
If “budget-friendly” and “high-quality” sound like oxymorons to you, you’re in for a surprise. As it turns out, you can buy a number of great gifts without completely draining your savings account, which makes it easy to pick up a present for your anniversary, a birthday party, or one of the many other gift-giving occasions strewn throughout the year.
Finding the right gift is not easy when there is a lot of budget-friendly items to choose from. We tested all of the techy gift ideas and have received as gifts ourselves. Gifts that range from entertaining picks like disposable cameras and wireless earbuds to more practical ones like video doorbells and smart garage door openers. We’ve also highlighted an assortment of last-minute gifts that are more unique than your run-of-the-mill gift card — including game passes and audiobook subscriptions.
A great pair of wireless earbuds are the perfect gift for music lovers, and Skullcandy’s new Jib True 2 boast a nice combination of features for the price. Both earbuds have a water resistance rating of IPX4 that makes them waterproof when it rains, and they both feature a surprising amount of passive noise cancellation. If you misplace your earbuds, you can find them via the Tile app on your phone. Right now, you can buy the Jib True 2 in a variety of fun colors at Amazon, Skullcandy, and Macy’s for around $28 ($10 off).
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23161828/best-cheap-tech-gadgets-under-50
A Streaming Device Included in a Gift: A Review of Kodak’s DSLR, PlayStation Plus Essential, and PS Plus Essential
It is a good thing that a streaming device like the Chromecast is included with a present. That’s because it grants your giftee access to every major streaming service while offering support for Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and a wide array of apps. The gadgets has a variety of streaming services to recommend and also provides an assessment of how well a show is received by its audience. You currently can buy Google’s 4K-ready Chromecast for $49.99 from Best Buy, Target, and Google. It’s a good time to read our review.
There is something charming about disposable cameras. Kodak’s pocket-size M35 offers all of the charms single-use cameras do except for one thing: it can be reused again and again with 35mm rolls of film. The M35 is a great introduction to analog photography and can be a creative gift for a sentimental person. It’s normally priced at $28, but you can get it at B&H Photo for as little as 17.99.
Sure, you could gift the gamer in your life a game for under $50, but a pass to one of the more prominent gaming subscriptions offers a lot more value for your money. More than 100 games are available for PC and Xbox consoles, including older titles such as GoldenEye 007, and exclusive discounts. A one-month digital subscription is usually free but you can purchase a three-month pass for about $25 from CDKeys or Eneba. You can also buy it for $41.66 ($3 off) on Amazon or at its full price of $44.99 at Best Buy.
Alternatively, you could also gift PlayStation Plus Essential if their primary console is the PlayStation 4 or 5. They can get a free download of a game every month and enjoy online discounts and cloud storage for saved games. Until May 9th, there are games for the PS5 such as God of War and The Last of Us that you can play from the PS Plus Collection. You can get the three-month subscription for $24.99 from PSone, but it’s not cheaper than PS Plus Essential.
If you have a membership to the PS Plus you can play online, download free titles, use cloud save backups, and even take advantage of PS Store discounts.
Finally, for gamers who prefer playing on the Nintendo Switch, there’s the Nintendo Switch Online membership. More than 70 games from the Nintendo catalog can be accessed with the digital subscription. It also gives subscribers the chance to play with friends and back up game data online. You can purchase a one year subscription from Target, Best Buy and Amazon.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23161828/best-cheap-tech-gadgets-under-50
Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand and Tracker for a Beach-Going or Just on the Move (Memories of Android and iPhone Users)
Anker’s Magnetic Wireless Charger is one of our favorite magnetic chargers and a useful gift to buy if your loved one uses an iPhone. They can throw it in their bag because it’s tiny and lightweight and they also get a five-foot cable. It can be used to fully juice a phone overnight or give it a quick top-up while you’re out and about. Right now, it is available at both Amazon and Newegg.
If your companion is an Android phone owner, you might want to check out theBoostCharge Wireless Charging Stand. It’s capable of providing Qi-enabled devices with up to 10 watts of power but also doubles as a stand, allowing your giftee to view notifications with ease. At Best Buy, it’s $34.99 and at Belkin, it’s free.
If your giftee is an avid beachgoer or someone who is always on the move, the JBL Go 3 is worth considering. The small speaker can be attached to a bag through a loop, and it’s waterproof so you can slip it into your pocket before heading out the door. It offers 10 hours of battery life on a single charge and is available in a vibrant red color and other fun colors, so it’s sure to impress no matter where you set it. The Go 3 is available at a number of stores.
If your loved one is a frequent traveler or just misplaces things, they will appreciate a tracker. It will allow them to leave claim a lot faster, by keeping tabs on everything from keys to suitcases. Both an AirTag and the Tile Mate are good options; however, Apple’s location tracker may be better for those deeply embedded in Apple’s ecosystem given how well it pairs with the iPhone. If your giftee wants to attach it to a bag or key, they’ll need to spend more money than the $29 AirTag that you can get at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.
If you have no idea what device your giftee uses, it is better to just pick up a Tile Mate, which does many of the same functions but works on both the Android and Apple platforms. Right now, you can buy the 2022 model for $19.99 instead of its typical retail price of $24.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. Read our AirTag review.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23161828/best-cheap-tech-gadgets-under-50
Low-Cost Smart Notebooks for Home Entertainment Using the Wi-Fi of the 8BitDo Pro 2 and the Rocketbook App
The 8BitDo Pro 2 offers many of the same features as the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller but at a far lower price point. It can be used with Windows, macOS, and mobile devices and it can pair with them via radio waves.
When you’re curled up on the couch watching a movie, the last thing you want to do is get up and turn off the light. With Wyze’s color Wi-Fi bulbs, however, your loved ones won’t have to. The LED bulbs are compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, so all they need to do is use their voice to turn the lights off. The smart bulbs are bright and can provide a variety of lighting in the home. You can buy a pack of two bulbs for $26.98 at various stores.
Gifting a bookworm something that grants them access to thousands of books is obviously a good idea. More than 3 million titles are available in the Kindle library and an annual subscription costs $9.99 a month. If you would like to provide a gift for someone that is more into audiobooks than traditional reading, you could gift them a subscription to Audible Premium Plus. That way, they’ll be able to enjoy thousands of audiobooks and podcasts as well as one premium audiobook every month.
If your giftee takes a lot of notes for school or work, Rocketbook’s smart notebooks will surely come in handy. The notebooks are erasable and, thus, reusable, so they don’t have to keep buying (and wasting) paper. Also, they can use Rocketbook’s companion app to access all their major cloud-based services, including Apple’s CarPlay and Microsoft’s Office suite.
There is a wide range of Rocketbook notebooks currently available, with some offering lined or dot grid paper and even preexisting templates like calendars. For a limited time you can buy the Rocketbook Core with 32 dot grid pages and a microfiber cloth for $23.03 on Amazon, $24.49 on Target, and $12 off from Rocketbook.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23161828/best-cheap-tech-gadgets-under-50
Best Cheap Tech Giggles Under 50: How to Stream Netflix, Amazon, and Disney Bundle with a Razer DeathAdder Mini
If your giftee uses a PC, Razer’s DeathAdder V2 Mini can make gaming (and working) more enjoyable. The smaller version of one of our favorites, the wired mouse, was praised for being very comfortable and supportive. It has the same design, but it doesn’t feature the two buttons that are present on other gaming mouse, and it only has a single button for the 8,500dpi sensor. In recent months, the price of the Mini has dropped to as low as $14.99 at Best Buy, but it is still currently available for $49.99.
You can’t go wrong with a gift card for one of the major streaming services, which can be used to binge countless hours of entertainment. The most well-known is the fact that you can get access to popular shows like Wednesday and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery on netflix for $6.99 a month. Right now, you can buy a digital Netflix gift card at Target, Best Buy, and Amazon or order a physical gift card from Best Buy.
Alternatively, you can gift multiple streaming services in the form of a Disney Bundle subscription. The three-in-one package caters to a variety of interests, from family friendly content to sports, and it includes Disney Plus, which is a subscription streaming service. The plan is ad supported, and it will cost $12.98 a month.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23161828/best-cheap-tech-gadgets-under-50
The Anchor Pro: A Backpack to Keep Headphones and Keys in the Way of a Super-Constant Concentrator under a Desk
The headphones can make it harder to concentrate when you aren’t using them, but their sheer size can make your desk look bigger than it is. The Anchor Pro acts as a backpack and holds headphones under the desk to keep cables out of the way. The handy contraption is sturdy enough that it can feasibly hold two gaming headsets or pairs of headphones, no matter their size or weight, with a hook that’s also suitable for hanging your keys. You can buy the anchor pro hanger on Amazon for a low price.