Ah the holidays. The time when you remember that malls exist and are thankful for online shopping. Maybe most people dream of puppies and sugar plums, but our Emerging Technologies Council (ETC) has been keeping up with what’s cool in the tech world so you don’t have to. Below is a collection of some of the latest gadgets and gizmos available that might be perfect for your favorite geek (or a nerdy reward for yourself).
Jeff Odom
Tech Product: Ultimate Ears UE 7 CSX
Target Ages: N/A
Cost: $899 (currently on sale for $699)
Link to Buy: https://custom.ultimateears.com/products/earphones?p=ue-7
Comments: Designed for music lovers, Ultimate Ears are handcrafted to create the ultimate listening experience. Incredible sound, great isolation, comfortable fit, and wireless!
Jim O’Brien, SAS
Tech Product: Samuel L. Jackson voice for Alexa
Target Ages: All (voice option comes in Regular or Explicit)
Cost: $0.99 (one-time fee)
Link to Buy: www.amazon.com/Samuel-L-Jackson-celebrity-voice/dp/B07WS3HN5Q
Comments: My technology gift for the holidays is Samuel L Jackson celebrity voice for my Amazon Echo and Dot to help instill a sense of urgency in my children when it is time to get out of bed and get ready for school.
Jonathan Kraftchick, Cherry Bekaert
Tech Product: Amy or Andrew Ingram (a robotic meeting scheduler)
Target Ages: Anyone who hates scheduling meetings
Cost: $8-12/month
Link to Buy: https://x.ai/
Comments: One of my least favorite emails to respond to is “Let me know the times you’re available in the next couple weeks.” Enter Amy Ingram. This is hands down one of my favorite tools I use to get rid of the email ping pong and using AI to schedule your meetings for you. And, when people get emails from me copying Amy Ingram, they think I have some super responsive executive assistant.
Rick Parrish, Red Hat
Tech Product: Boeing 737 flight simulator cockpit for home or business
Target Ages: Everyone loves to fly!
Cost: $39,000 or best offer
Link to Buy: https://ebay.us/CRZ1QT
Comments: I think my holiday wish is for a technology-free day but I would settle for this.
Alex Lehman, MPC CPA’s
Tech Product: Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Target Ages: 30-50
Cost: $2,000 for the complete bundle
Link to Buy: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/surface-pro-7-intel-i7-512gb-ssd-type-cover/8n420xg1h2zx?cid=msft_web_collection&activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab
Comments: The new Surface Pro 7 is basically a 12.3” tablet with a detachable keyboard. The difference between this Surface and its predecessors is the introduction of a full Intel i7 10th gen processor. The processors in previous models were light-duty tablet processors, not heavy-duty laptop processors. I just bought one and it’s amazing.
Caroline Arden, NCACPA
Tech Product: LG Signature OLED TV R9 – 4K HDR Smart TV – 65” Class
Target Ages: All
Cost: note quite available but I am sure it will be $$$$$ and I will wait till next Christmas for it!
Link to Buy: www.lg.com/us/tvs/lg-OLED65R9PUA-signature-oled-4k-tv
Comments: Because I hate the look of a big TV dominating my living room (as it is right now) – this is on my (future) Christmas wish list!!
Christopher Smith, Schellman & Company
Tech Product: Apple Watch (Series 5)
Target Ages: 13+
Cost: $399
Link to Buy: www.apple.com/shop/buy-watch/apple-watch
Comments: Keeping things relatively simple with my wish list this year. An Apple Watch has been on my list for a while due to the growing number of apps and functionalities. If Santa thinks I deserve this, I would take advantage of the built in calendar for appointment/meeting reminders, use of the Silent Alarm (quit disturbing the wife with a loud alarm), health tracking (workouts, steps, etc.), along with other apps such as Sleep Cycle (track sleep patterns), Accuweather, Slice (automatic package tracking for online orders), and more.
Mark Soticheck, NCACPA
Tech Product: Powerbeats Pro – Totally Wireless Earphones
Target Ages: 13+
Cost: $250
Link to Buy: www.amazon.com/Powerbeats-Pro-Totally-Wireless-Earphones/dp/B07R5QD598?th=1
Comments: Whether I’m working in the yard or garage, and especially when I’m in a hotel gym, I hate when my earphones fall out or have terrible quality. I stumbled onto these and to my wife’s chagrin, added them to our amazon shopping cart as a present for myself. They come with a nice case so I can throw them in my computer bag when I travel. The other great aspect is that even though Bluetooth, you can use one earphone independently.
Jonathan Dallaire, First Citizens Bank
Tech Product: Wacom Intuos Pro Table
Target Ages: All
Cost: $329
Link to Buy: www.amazon.com/Wacom-Digital-Graphic-Drawing-PTH660/dp/B01MQU5LW7
Comments: I am a hobbyist photographer and have struggled with the lack of precision editing digital photos with a computer mouse creates. Tablet editing provides greater control, accuracy, and speed in post processing.