No I’m not gonna talk about the iPhone 6 or the Samsung Galaxy Alpha, for they should already be on the buying list of each and every tech junkie. And if you are looking for a gift for your techy-geeky special someone, there’s no need to stay on the realm of smartphones. Thanks to the innovators and designers out there, we now have hundreds or even thousands of tech gear to choose from. Not sure which one to pick? Here are five of the most trendy gift ideas.
MOTA SmartRing
“One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them.” If the recipient is a Lord of the Rings fan, consider giving him or her the “one ring”. No, it’s not the evil artifact of Sauron, it’s actually the SmartRing announced by MOTA just ahead of IFA Berlin 2014. Compatible with Android and iOS, this ring vibrates whenever a call, a text message, or any social media update is incoming. Wear this ring on your finger, and you will be able to stay connected with Facebook, Twitter and Instagram wherever and whenever you are, even if your smartphone is not around. The SmartRing is expected to be available in Q4 2014, but pricing has not been announced yet.
Samsung Gear S Smartwatch
Move over iWatch, Samsung has already announced their Gear S in the last week of August. Beautifully crafted with a curved 2-inch Super AMOLED display with 480x360 resolution, an easy-to-use interface, as well as built-in connectivity with 3G, Wifi and Bluetooth networks, the Gear S is here to impress. Not only can it receive notifications and phone calls, it also comes with GPS sensors, UV detection, music player, Nike+ Running, and a QWERTY keyboard – literally a wearable smartphone. The Gear S is expected to hit the stores in October.
QBracelet
Looking for a stylish and practical piece of jewelry to impress your special someone? Consider the QBracelet by Q Designs. It looks nothing more than a minimalistic wrist wrap on surface, but it’s in fact a smart charger for mobile devices. Although its built-in lithium-ion battery can only deliver a maximum charge of 60% (as tested by Q Designs on an iPhone 5s), it can still serve as a nice boost for your smartphone or tablet when you don’t have an extra charger around. The QBracelet is available for pre-order on the official website of Q Designs now; each costs $79.99 and will be shipped winter 2014.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-KW11, aka the “Selfie Camera”
Gone are the days of asking strangers on the street for a helping hand when you wish to take a photograph. Announced by Sony in August, the Cyber-shot DSC-KW11 is beautifully packaged as a sparkling pearl perfume bottle with Swarovski elements. Geared with a 19.2 megapixels Exmor RS sensor, a 21-mm wide-angle lens that can swivel 180 degrees, a 3.3-inch touch-friendly OLED screen, plus four lovely colors (white, pink, violet and green) to choose from, the “Selfie Camera” will definitely be the perfect gift for geeky fashionistas. The Cyber-shot DSC-KW11 will be available this October in selected countries in Asia Pacific.
Hexo+ Camera Drone
Though on the expensive side, Hexo+ is a must-have for enthusiasts of active sports and outdoor activities. The smart drone does not require complicated piloting skills or excessive remote controls; once connected to a smartphone, it will automatically fly above the ground, follow the subject and film breathtaking aerial views. Be it snowboarding, skiing, surfing or mountain biking, your active moments can all be perfectly recorded and immediately streamed to your smartphone. Pre-order prices start from $949, shipping in May 2015.