People start the new year with hopes and ambitions for reaching a lot of goals. Technology is one of the things that can help people accomplish more in less time and make their lives a little easier.
Many people that now work from home, and technology to optimize the home office will continue to be a big seller in the new year. This includes everything from wireless headsets (so you can get coffee while still listening to an audio conference) to new Wi-Fi mesh systems that can help families keep up with the increase in internet demand.
Smart home TV and stereo systems are also becoming very popular, especially with the pandemic-fueled trend of new movie releases coming to streaming services.
So where should you get started with your tech buying for the new year? We’ve done our research to bring you a list of some of the hottest gadgets for 2022.
Apple AirTag
If you know someone that continuously loses their keys, purse, or backpack, then an Apple AirTag might be the perfect new year’s gift. It starts at just $29 and is a small round “tag” that can be used to track items.
You can get one that doubles as a keychain or that can easily slip inside a wallet. You’re able to connect to your AirTags via a mobile app to quickly locate a lost item.
Case-Mate Power Pad Pro
People are getting tired of cords, new wireless chargers make it easier to charge multiple items at once, like a phone, smartwatch, or wireless earbuds.
The Case-Mate Power Pad Pro provides 3-in-1 wireless charging and includes a USB-A port on the back.
4th-Gen Echo Dot from Amazon
Amazon’s Alexa voice speakers have become the most popular on the market. The 4th Generation model is between $30-$50 (depending upon sale offers) and includes multiple features in a single round smart gadget.
Echo Dot can be used for things like:
- Music
- Setting timers
- Controlling a smart home
- Getting information
- As a home intercom
- Getting news
- And more
Apple AirPods Pro
There are many types of earbuds out there, but Apple AirPods continue to be at the top of the reviews lists. You can find the newest versions for between $220 and $250, depending upon the retailer.
These wireless speaker and headphone earbuds are water-resistant, have noise-canceling technology, and can last up to 4.5 hours on a charge.
Aura Carver Smart Digital Picture Frame
This is a gift you can give anyone, even those in your friends and family group that are not particularly tech-savvy. Aura’s Carver is a digital picture frame with a clear design to fit in with any décor.
It will pair two related photos in your photostream intuitively, and it comes with unlimited photo and video storage via the cloud. It can be controlled through an iOS or Android app.
Sonos Roam
Sonos is a well-known smart speaker brand and one that we often install in home entertainment setups. You can give someone the gift of great sound quality that’s potable by choosing this indoor-outdoor portable speaker.
Sonos Roam is waterproof, drop resistant, voice-enabled, and can connect to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It’s easy to connect to a laptop, smartphone, or tablet and take along anywhere.
Canon IVY Mini Photo Printer
We’re all used to accessing photos on our smartphones now, but there is still something special about having a photo printed out so you can display it in a frame or on a bulletin board.
The Canon IVY Mini Photo Printer connects to a smartphone and can print out a small-sized version of an image you have stored. It’s about $100 and makes a fun gift for teens or 20-somethings who want to capture the moment and share it in real life.
TP-Link Deco W7200 Mesh Wi-Fi System
This is a great tech purchase for your family if your Wi-Fi is suffering from device overload during the pandemic. The TP-Link Deco W7200 is one of the best-priced mesh Wi-Fi systems that is also a Wi-Fi 6 router.
It starts at about $230 and includes two units, which cover about 5,000 S.F. of wireless range. Mesh networks can easily be extended by adding another unit to increase the signal throughout your house and yard. They’re great for improving internet reliability for multi-level homes or large homes.
Wi-Fi 6 has better device handling, speed, and security than the former standard, Wi-Fi 5.
Need Help Choosing and Setting Up New Technology?
Two River Computer can help you navigate the complicated world of technology gifts, so you know which are the best value. We can also do a full setup of smart home technology and new devices.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Call 732-747-0020 or reach us online.
