The season of giving is here!
/Yes, it is here already. How did that happen? I have a few ideas for you to consider as you plan your gift-giving this year. Yes, they are tech-focused, but did you expect anything else from me?
Let’s start with lower-priced items and build to higher-priced items.
Apple AirTags
These are small disks about the size of a half-dollar that you can attach to stuff. What stuff? Well, you can attach them to your keys, your travel bags, to your car, your dog - anything that you either lose frequently or would be disastrous if you did. You can locate the disks with your iPhone or Mac. If they are “out of range” of your devices other iPhones in their vicinity can transmit their location (anonymously) to you. They run $29 for one or a 4-pack for $99. This weekend (Friday through Sunday) you can get a $50 Apple gift card with a 4-pack purchase from Apple!
You can buy AirTag holders for things like keys and dog collars cheaply on Amazon.
MagSafe accessories
If someone in your family has an iPhone 12 or 13 series, they have a magnet system on the back that can attach things like credit card holders, charging disks, car dashboard mounts, auxiliary batteries, finger holders, stands, and more! To make all this work with a case, that case must be a “MagSafe” case.
Apple makes some of these accessories: https://www.apple.com/shop/accessories/all/magsafe
You can also find less expensive MagSafe accessories on Amazon. Just be careful to specify the exact model of iPhone you are shopping for.
Apple Watch bands
If someone in your life wears an Apple Watch, getting bands for them would be a great gift. They are expensive from Apple but very inexpensive on Amazon. Apple Watches have come in two sizes over the years:
38 and 40mm (aka small)
42 and 44mm (aka large)
All of the bands for the small watch fit all years and models, same for bands for the large watch.
Device charging
I recently purchased a charging “block” that plugs into the wall that can charge my Mac (via USB-C) and 3 other USB-charged devices like iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, AirPods and more. This block is about the size of 3 iPhones stacked on top of each other and requires only one wall outlet. Great for hotel rooms or AirBnBs! Here is what I bought, but there are many others. I liked this one because it is UL certified:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08JPQ7CR8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
All models iPhone 8 and newer support wireless charging. Just lay the iPhone on the drink coaster-looking pad and it charges! I like these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07THHQMHM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
HomePod mini
This is a little ball of a product, commanded by your voice using Siri that has great sound for listening to music, podcasts, or even a phone call! The sound really is amazing for its size. Buy multiple ones to put around the house and have them all play the same music! Inexpensive at $99. They were just released so don’t expect huge discounts, yet.
https://www.apple.com/homepod-mini/
Apple TV
This is not a TV, but a small box that plugs into a TV. Apple TV operates very similarly to an iPad or iPhone, only on your giant TV. You already know how to use it. It has apps and an App Store just like your iPad or iPhone. You can get Netflix, Hulu, HBO, games and even live TV using apps like YouTube TV. You can see all of your iCloud Photos and even listen to your Apple Music on it and much more. It is one of Apple’s hidden gems. $149 or $179 depending on the model. $50 Apple gift card from Apple this weekend! This is the one I recommend:
https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-4k/
AirPods
Once there were just AirPods - small, white wireless earbuds that sound great and work with all of your Apple devices - iPhone, iPad, Apple TV & Mac. They still make these simple models, now in their 3rd generation, although they still sell the 2nd gen. Great sound, easy setup, and connection. They charge wirelessly in their case that also contains a battery to give the pods 3 or 4 charges between charges of the case. Like all AirPods when you get a phone call your music is paused and you use the AirPods to have your call, then your music continues when you finish.
https://www.apple.com/airpods-3rd-generation/
AirPods Pro - these are AirPods on steroids. Where the regular AirPods sit in your ear, the Pro models actually seal in your ear with silicone seals (they come with 3 different sizes in the box). Because they seal, they sound fantastic, much better than regular AirPods and they also offer noise-canceling, making plane rides virtually silent.
https://www.apple.com/airpods-pro/
AirPods Max - These are large, over-the-ear and over-the-head wireless headphones that can be worn for hours, have amazing noise canceling and sound like a concert hall. Totally and completely amazing. They are expensive, but, I believe, worth every penny.
https://www.apple.com/airpods-max/
All of the AirPods are on sale for the holidays, especially this coming weekend. Get up to a $75 gift card from Apple this weekend. Amazon and Costco have great prices. I recently bought the Maxs on www.microcenter.com for $450.
Get up to a $75 Apple gift card if you buy AirPods from Apple this weekend.
iPads
You can read about the new iPads in my recent blogs. Suffice it to say that I am not a huge iPad fan, although I certainly understand their appeal to most people. That said, I don’t recommend the expensive iPads (mini, Air, and Pro models) because, well, I just don’t think they are worth it. The basic iPad, simply called “iPad” is a great machine starting at a great price - $329 list. You can find it for less on sale, especially for the holidays.
https://www.apple.com/ipad-10.2/
Apple Watch
I have worn an Apple Watch every day for 6 ½ years now! I just love it and it keeps getting better and better. Not only is it very handy throughout the day with notifications, timers, alarms, and music, but it is now a very sophisticated health tool. It can track heart rate and rhythms, sleep cycles, workout and activity levels, and more. Heck, you can perform an ECG on your heart any time you want.
There are many models out there. The SE is a good, basic model ($279 list, before $50 gift card this weekend) and the Series 7 ($399 list) is the new and current model. Any model from the Series 5 on up is good, though. Stay away from Series 4 and earlier. Of course, you can find them on sale during the holidays. They come in two sizes depending on the wrist, lots of colors and even models with a cellular radio so you can make and receive phone calls without your iPhone, although I don’t recommend those models.
iPhones
You can read my recent blogs about the iPhone 13 series. Great devices in every way. I don’t think iPhones are great gifts - people have too many quirky likes and dislikes about them and use them in so many ways. It is hard to shop for an iPhone for someone else. If you want to, though, start here:
Macs
Now, to buy a person a Mac as a present, well, that person must be pretty special to you! Ha! But, Macs are probably easier to buy for someone than an iPhone!
Please read my blog about the brand new MacBook Pros: https://www.inhometechservices.com/garys-tech-blog/2021/10/21/new-macbook-pros
My most recommended Mac, however, is the MacBook Air with the M1 chip. Introduced a year ago (thus, now available as a refurb) this is a small, lightweight powerhouse of a Mac laptop. Weighing only 3 pounds and slightly more than a half-inch thick. This Mac is super-portable and a great travel companion (better than an iPad in my opinion). You can find basic models for $800 on sale or as Apple refurbs. They come in 3 different colors!
https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/
I have mentioned the Apple Refurb Store a few times in this blog, here is a link to it:
https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished
There you have it, happy giving. More importantly, I wish you good, quality time with your family and friends this season.