Not sure what gift to get your loved one? Think technology!
Consider these fun and useful tech gift ideas. You do not have to be a high-tech expert to get excited about these gifts.
You may even find something special for yourself!
Note that all of the websites mentioned below offer international shipping. There may be additional shipping costs.
Mini Laptop Riser
If your loved one uses a laptop, you can make their computer time more enjoyable with a Mini Laptop Riser. Lift the base of the laptop off the desk at an angle to make typing easier.
This machine can put your image on your morning toast.You can bend the riser to the shape and height that works best for you. The riser is lightweight, so you can bring it with you when your away from your work station.
The Mini Laptop Riser is available from Etsy for $10.95. The device comes in a number of colors.
You can give one away and keep one for yourself!
Cablox Cable Organizer
If you have a problem with wires getting twisted or tied together, consider the Cablox Cable Organizer. These squares have a sticky side so you can connect them to almost any surface.
Put your cables through the pieces of plastic to prevent tangles.
Cablox Cable Organizers come in a set of 4 for $20 from Ippinka in black or white.
Google Cardboard
You can spend a lot of money getting a virtual reality viewer, and see life-like images. Or you can spend just a little money and get Google Cardboard. This viewer works with larger cell phones, letting you see the world in three dimensions with 360 degree views in all directions.
Many apps work with Google Cardboard and many of these programs are free. You can watch videos, play games and see the world in an amazing virtual reality.
Google Cardboard is available in many designs, beginning at $20, on the Google Cardboard page. You can also get one for under $2 on eBay.
If you like homemade gifts, you can even make one yourself using the directions given by Google on its Cardboard page.
Levitating Construction Blocks
Build a castle in the air with the Hoverkraft Levitating Construction Challenge. Part game, part toy, part educational tool, the challenge helps you understand the idea of balance while having fun.
Organize your building blocks on a floating platform while keeping it balanced. The platform floats over a magnetic base. If the blocks become unbalanced, the surface will tilt to one side and the blocks fall.
This video shows how the Hoverkraft Levitating Construction Challenge works.
This game is designed for one to eight players, ages 8 and up.
The Hoverkraft Levitating Construction Challenge is available for $29.99 from ThinkGeek.
Mini Quadcopter
Would you like to have a flying toy, but lack space to fly one? Consider a Mini Quadcopter that is small enough to fit inside your hand.
This Mini Quadcopter can be controlled to fly in any direction with its remote control. You can set the controls for your skill level.
This video shows the Mini Quadcopter in action:
The Mini Quadcopter is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $39.95.
Battery Cell Phone Charger
The Easy ACC 20000mAh battery lets you add electricity to four different devices at once. This battery has four ports for charging and is powerful enough to charge tablet computers as well as telephones.
You can charge this battery two times as fast with two cords for charging. You can fully charge the battery in six hours, according to the seller.
You can also use this power supply to light a room with its flashlight.
The Easy ACC battery is available from Amazon for $35.99.
Easy Twist Outlet Adapter
The Easy-Twist Outlet Adapter can make the most of any outlet around the world. This adapter lets you plug in up to four USB devices.
It also has different plugs that twist into place so you can use it in 150 countries around the world.
This video shows you how Easy-Twist Outlet Adapter works:
The Easy-Twist Outlet Adapter is available from Ippinka for $45.
Tablet Paintbrush
Using a finger on a tablet may not be good enough to make a true work of art. Be creative by using the Tablet Paintbrush.
This paintbrush has actual bristles just like a real paintbrush. So you can create artwork in different styles using apps on your tablet.
The other end of the paintbrush has a rubber tip that lets you write or draw.
The Tablet Paintbrush works on mobile devices, such as an iPad, iPhone, Samsung tablets, Kindle Fire, Nexus, and more.
Watch artists of all ages create using the iPad Paintbrush:
The Tablet Paintbrush is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $49.95.
Indoor Snowfall Light
Get into the spirit of the holiday season in your home with the Indoor Snowfall Light.
The light shows snowflake shapes in your room to give you the feeling of a winter snowfall. You can control the speed of the snowfall, unlike the real weather.
The Indoor Snowfall Light is available from Sharper Image for $59.99.
Selfie Toaster
Does your sweetie like taking selfies and eating toast? Well, why not combine the two with the Selfie Toaster?
The Selfie Toaster creates an image on the piece of toast so you can smile at yourself every morning.
The Selfie Toaster is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $69.95.
Sidewinding Circular Skates
Who said you have to skate forward? Sidewinding Circular Skates let you move sideways, like a skateboard but with skates.
This video shows you how you can roll to the side using these skates:
The Sidewinding Circular Skates are available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $99.95.
Amazon Echo
Give the knowledge of the world with the Amazon Echo.
The device can answer questions, tell you about weather conditions, tell jokes, play music and more.
The Echo also acts as a Bluetooth speaker so you can connect your phone and listen to your favorite songs.
The Echo is available from Amazon for $179.
Apple Watch
If your loved one has an iPhone, consider the Apple Watch as a gift. This watch lets you send and receive phone calls and texts.
You can also use apps to see the latest weather conditions, control your music, get directions on a map and much more.
The Apple Watch is available from Apple for prices beginning at $349.
Arcade Mini Roadster Simulator
Get a jump-start on teaching your children to drive with the Arcade Mini Roadster Simulator.
A 48 cm video screen shows games while the car moves up and down, and side-to-side while the games are played. The car even moves as the game hits bumps.
Your child can use the steering wheel and pedals just like a real car. There's even a jump button to avoid things in the road, unlike most real cars.
On second thought, this may not be the best teacher for actual driving!
The Arcade Mini Roadster is for children ages 4 through 12 and is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $6,900.
Solar Velomobile
Finally, make your travels even more fun with the Solar Velomobile. This is powered both by the sun and your pedaling.
You can travel at speeds up to 32 kmh on solar battery power and up to 48 kmh if you add pedal power.
Leave it parked in the sun or plug it into a wall outlet to charge it. You can travel up to 72 km on a charge or 177 km if you pedal.
You can carry up to 159 kg in the back of the vehicle.
This video shows you the Solar Velomobile around town:
The Solar Velomobile is available from Hammacher Schlemmer in white, green or orange for $9,900.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.
Which of these tech gifts would you like to give? Which ones would you like for yourself? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below or on 51VOA.COM!________________________________________________________________
Words in This Storytech – n. informal : technology— often used before another noun
mini – adj. a very small version of something
laptop – n. a small computer that is designed to be easily carried
cable – n. a group of wires, glass fibers, etc., covered in plastic or rubber and used to carry electricity or electrical signals
tangle – v. to become or cause (something) to become twisted together
sticky – adj. having a substance (such as glue or honey) on it that things easily attach to : covered in a substance that things stick to
viewer - n. a device that is used to look at photographs
cardboard - n. a stiff and thick kind of paper that is used especially for making boxes
virtual reality - n. an artificial world that consists of images and sounds created by a computer and that is affected by the actions of a person who is experiencing it
levitate - v. to rise or make (something) rise into the air in a way that appears to be magical
construction - n. the act or process of building something
platform - n. a usually raised structure that has a flat surface where people or machines do work
quadcopter - n. an unmanned helicopter having four rotors
remote control -n. a small device that is used to operate electronic equipment (such as a television) from a distance by using electronic signals
battery - n. a device that is placed inside a machine (such as a clock, toy, or car) to supply it with electricity
outlet - n. a device in a wall into which an electric cord can be plugged in order to provide electricity for a lamp, television, etc.
adapter - n. a device that is used to connect two pieces of equipment that were not designed to be connected
bristle - n. a short, stiff hair, fiber, etc.
indoor - adj. done, living, located, or used inside a building
selfie - n. a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media
toaster - n. an electrical device used for toasting bread
skate – n. a kind of shoe with blades or wheels on the bottom that allow you to glide or roll on a surface
solar- adj. of or relating to the sun
pedal – n. a flat piece of metal, rubber, etc., that you push with your foot to make a machine move, work, or stop