I thought that I wouldn’t be doing a 2015 Tech Gift Guide but then I thought back on all of the products that I have had the pleasure of reviewing over 2015 and decided I WOULD actually create a roundup of all of the tech that has entered my household this year. The products that I tend to review are ones that I feel bring important technology to the family environment. This is pretty much the premise behind why I created this site and what drives me to write. Not all technology works within a household. It all depends on what your family or household values are, what you believe to be important and if you view technology to be a helpful tool or not. Obviously, I value it, but I like to keep a critical eye open to what works and what doesn’t. Many of my reviews, those found here in my 2015 Tech Gift Guide, talk about how a particular product works within my family and how it may work within yours. Obviously, people find different types of value in technology, some things are great for some people and others could care less. Regardless, hopefully some of you will find my 2015 Tech Gift Guide helpful.
I realize that it’s pretty close to the deadline for holiday shopping, so forgive me for the lateness of this post. But for those of your still scratching your heads, here are a few products that I have reviewed in 2015 with links to the reviews of products worth mentioning and adding to your holiday shopping short list. These are listed chronologically (oldest reviews are first).
HighTechDad’s 2015 Tech Gift Guide
Here are the products that I selected to be in my 2015 Tech Gift Guide. These are all items that I have physically used so I’m not working off of a cheat sheet, a pitch or a press release.
- NETGEAR AC750 Wifi Range Extender
- NETGEAR Arlo Security Camera
- Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Instant Camera
- HyperShop Pearl Compact USB Rechargeable Battery Pack
- Adonit Stylus
- Chamberlain Garage Door Opener
- Turtle Was ICE
- Juiceboxx
- Mobile Edge Premium Backpack
- NETGEAR R8000 & R7500 AC WiFi routers
- 2015 Ford Transit Wagon XLT
- Razor BlackWidow & Deathstalker keyboards
- Toro UltraPlus Blower Vac
- Logitech Harmony Elite remote
- NETGEAR Nighthawk X8 WiFi router
- Schlage Sense lock
- Sphero Ollie Darkside
- Ring Doorbell
- Twelve South BookBook iPhone case
- Parrot Bebop & MiniDrone drones
The NETGEAR AC750 WiFi Range Extender Solved My Yosemite WiFi Problems
Review link –>The NETGEAR AC750 WiFi Range Extender Solved My Yosemite WiFi Problems
Summary: Review of the NETGEAR AC750 WiFi Range Extender which can help fix Yosemite WiFi issues. Learn how!
HTD says: With this device, you can easily extend WiFi connectivity to the various deadzones in your home.
NETGEAR Arlo Security Camera – Look Ma, No Wires and It’s Super Easy to Install
Review link –>NETGEAR Arlo Security Camera – Look Ma, No Wires and It’s Super Easy to Install
Summary: Review of the NETGEAR Arlo security camera – easy to set up with no wires, HD video and more.
HTD says: The Arlo is a very easy to install and use, wireless security camera that can easily monitor homes or businesses, inside or out.
What’s Old is New Again – Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Instant Camera Review
Review link –>What’s Old is New Again – Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Instant Camera Review
Summary: Review of the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 NEO CLASSIC instant camera which prints out fully developed photos from the camera.
HTD says: My kids absolutely love taking instant photos. This classic looking camera is great for this purpose.
Mother’s Day or Any Day: HyperShop Pearl Compact USB Rechargeable Battery Pack is a Winner
Review link –>Mother’s Day or Any Day: HyperShop Pearl Compact USB Rechargeable Battery Pack is a Winner
Summary: The HyperShop Pearl is a stylish & useful compact mirror with a built-in 3000 mAh battery pack & LED light ring. A great gift!
HTD says: My wife and kids use these everyday to keep their iPhones fully charged at all times!
Mother’s Day “Digital Tip” – Get Her an Adonit Stylus
Review link –>Mother’s Day “Digital Tip” – Get Her an Adonit Stylus
Summary: Review of 3 Adonit Stylus: Adonit Jot Script 2, Adonit Jot Pro & Adonit Jot Mini – great for creative tablet uses.
HTD says: Adonit has a nice collection of styli based on your needs.
Connecting your Garage Door to the Internet with Chamberlain
Review link –>Connecting your Garage Door to the Internet with Chamberlain
Summary: Review of the WiFi-enabled, 1-1/4 HP Chamberlain Garage Door opener (model #HD950WF) – controlled over the Internet.
HTD says: Having a WiFi connected garage door opener allows you to get notified when doors open or close, and you can close or open remotely.
Turtle Wax ICE Protects & Makes Your Car Look New
Review link –>Turtle Wax ICE Protects & Makes Your Car Look New
Summary: Making your car look new again after a quick waxing has never been easier with Turtle Wax ICE! See the results!
HTD says: Actually NOT a tech item, but for those who love protecting their car’s exterior, the Turtle Wax ICE line does its job well!
How to Prevent Frayed Wires on the MacBook with Juiceboxx
Review link –>How to Prevent Frayed Wires on the MacBook with Juiceboxx
Summary: Have a MacBook with a fraying wire? It’s dangerous but can be prevented with the Juiceboxx.
HTD says: I had tried to figure out a solution to protect my charging cable. Juiceboxx figured it out for me!
Mobile Edge Premium Backpack review – Ready for gadgets
Review link –>Mobile Edge Premium Backpack review – Ready for gadgets
Summary: Review of the Mobile Edge Premium Backpack – ideal for gadget-loving commuters and travelers with lots of room for all types of things.
HTD says: I love having backpacks with storage for lots of gadgets and devices. This Mobile Edge backpack truly delivers.
NETGEAR Gear Running my Net – Two NETGEAR 802.11 AC WiFi Routers: R8000 & R7500
Review link –>NETGEAR Gear Running my Net – Two NETGEAR 802.11 AC WiFi Routers: R8000 & R7500
Summary: Review of two NETGEAR 802.11 AC WiFi Routers: R8000 & R7500, one dual-band and one tri-band. Both Wi-Fi routers deliver superior performance.
HTD says: Both of these 802.11 AC routers are fast and furious in delivering high-speed WiFi throughout your home.
A Surprisingly Good Vacation Van: 2015 Ford Transit Wagon XLT
Review link –>A Surprisingly Good Vacation Van: 2015 Ford Transit Wagon XLT
Summary: Review of the 2015 Ford Transit Wagon XLT which turns out to be an incredibly capable, comfortable & useful van which holds lots of passengers and luggage.
HTD says: This huge van is absolutely awesome for large families who travel and those who need lots of storage.
Non-Gamer Review: Razer BlackWidow & Deathstalker keyboards
Review link –>Non-Gamer Review: Razer BlackWidow & Deathstalker keyboards
Summary: Review of the Razer BlackWidow & Deathstalker gaming keyboards from a non-gamer perspective.
HTD says: My wife likes “clicky” keyboards and is not a gamer. These are really cool, colorful keyboards!
Becoming a Backyard Archeologist with the Toro UltraPlus Blower Vac
Review link –>Becoming a Backyard Archeologist with the Toro UltraPlus Blower Vac
Summary: Using the Toro UltraPlus Blower Vac, I was able to remove years’ worth of leaves, grinding it all up into mulch!
HTD says: Want to clean up your yard quickly and compact all of the yard waste? This Toro is powerful and does the job!
1 Remote for all A/V & Home Automation – Logitech Harmony Elite
Review link –>1 Remote for all A/V & Home Automation – Logitech Harmony Elite
Summary: Review of the Logitech Harmony Elite remote control which can control home entertainment and home automation devices.
HTD says: With this remote, you can throw away all of your other remote controls and even control other connected home devices as well.
NETGEAR Nighthawk X8 WiFi Router Review: Fast Inside & Out
Review link –>NETGEAR Nighthawk X8 WiFi Router Review: Fast Inside & Out
Summary: This is a review of the NETGEAR Nighthawk X8 WiFi Router is a top-of-the-line tri-band, 802.11ac, quad-stream, WiFi router with an active antenna array.
HTD says: This router is a beast! Fast and currently powering my complex wired and wireless networks at home.
Review: Schlage Sense Secures your Door without Keys
Review link –>Review: Schlage Sense Secures your Door without Keys
Summary: Review of the Schlage Sense – an iOS-connected, motorized touch-screen security dead bolt with a backlight keypad.
HTD says: My front door now has a modern look, is secure, and I can even tell Siri to unlock or lock it for me. Easy to install as well.
Sphero Ollie Darkside: Getting In Touch with your Rollie Pollie Dark Side
Review link –>Sphero Ollie Darkside: Getting In Touch with your Rollie Pollie Dark Side
Summary: Review of the Sphero Ollie Darkside – a bluetooth controlled programmable robot that you can drive indoors and out. Do tricks, change colors, spin and more.
HTD says: This programmable rolling “robot” is fun to play with as a kid and has programmatic features to make it more than a toy.
Ding Dong: Ring Doorbell Brings Wireless Video & Voice to your Door
Review link –>Ding Dong: Ring Doorbell Brings Wireless Video & Voice to your Door
Summary: Review of the Ring doorbell which gives you a motion detection video camera with 2-way voice dialog and a doorbell that rings anywhere you are connected.
HTD says: I love being able to chat with the person ringing my doorbell, even if I’m miles from home!
Twelve South BookBook iPhone Case Review – Made For Book Lovers!
Review link –>Twelve South BookBook iPhone Case Review – Made For Book Lovers!
Summary: Review of the Twelve South BookBook iPhone case which looks like a vintage, antique book but provides protection and security to your iPhone.
HTD says: My wife has declared this iPhone case her most favorite one ever!
Parent & Child Drones, Drone Safety Tips & Parrot Bebop & MiniDrone Review
Review link –>Parent & Child Drones, Drone Safety Tips & Parrot Bebop & MiniDrone Review
Summary: Review of the Parrot Bebop & MiniDrone as well as drone safety tips. The MiniDrone is ideal for learning & teaching while the Bebop is more advanced.
HTD says: These two Parrot drones are fun and will give you hours of entertainment.
There you have it — HighTechDad’s 2015 Tech Gift Guide of products that I have reviewed over the course of the year. Do note, I received many of these products as samples and each review has disclosure text. Some of the product links also have some affiliate links so that I might make a few pennies off of any that I refer. You can read more about my product review and disclosure policies here.
What tech gadgets are you giving or getting for the holidays? What things should I look at next year? Any important products? Leave a comment and let me know. Happy Holidays and be safe!
HTD say: Giving technology can be just as much fun as getting it. Make sure that it integrates well into your household first. If it does, it can make your life a bit more fun, safe and even free up some time!
