Cutting-edge technology isn’t just for big business. In fact, a lot of it is meant for everyday consumers like you and me, for students looking to get a foot into engineering, for moms and dads looking to fix up their homes. And the best part is that nothing has the wow-factor of a cutting-edge device.
For the special technophiles in your life, consider the gift of cutting edge consumer technology. We’re talking drones, 3D printers, virtual reality, wearable technology, and home automation. These aren’t just gadgets, they’re the future of innovation, and you can buy them now.
Everyone who owns a smartphone needs to install the virtual reality (VR) Google Cardboard application right away (available for Android and iOS). That’s because you can now turn any Android or iOS smartphone into a VR device with very little effort.
Most people don’t realize that the smartphone includes all the basic requirements of a head-tracking virtual reality device.
Aside from Cardboard, there’s no other consumer-ready VR standard out there. The only VR development kit out there is the Oculus Rift DK2, which is no longer being sold at this time, and the official consumer release won’t be here until 2016.
Google Cardboard is by far the cheapest and most consumer friendly VR package out there. It’s pretty simple to set up, as well. Just install the Google Cardboard application and insert your smartphone into the headset’s cradle. The Google Cardboard headset uses the phone’s sensors and screen to provide an immersive 3D experience.
The higher the phone’s resolution, the greater the realism. Here’s an example of what it looks like:
I also recommend pairing a Cardboard headset with a wireless Bluetooth headphone and either a Bluetooth remote or a gamepad. Keep in mind that many of these peripherals are manufactured by a single company, but rebranded and sold stateside by myriad marketing companies.
Google Cardboard Kit by D-scope Pro (TM) 3D Virtual Reality Compatible with Android & Apple Easy Setup Instructions Machine Cut Quality Construction 45mm Lenses HD Visual Experience Includes QR Codes
COMPLETE GOOGLE CARDBOARD KIT; D-scope Pro (TM) Google Cardboard set Fully compatible: Nexus 4/5, Moto X and Galaxy S4/S5/S6 | Partially compatible (No magnetic input): HTC One, Moto G, iPhone 5/5c/5s/6 | Limited compatibility (No magnetic input / headtracking & rendering issues): Galaxy S3 include everything needed to transform your Apple or Android smart phone screen into a super immersive VR experience including lenses, magnets and more!
Measy Latest Bluetooth 3.0 RC16 for Mini PC Android Box Player Windows PC
It makes you relax well, control you computer, TV entertainment easily.
Xiaomi Piston III Headset Earphones with Remote and Mic - Black
Won Reddot award 2015 in GermanyDrones caught consumer attention when the U.S. military initiated drone strikes throughout the Middle East, and later when Amazon popularized the concept of drone deliveries.
In short, a drone combines remote-controlled flight with video recording capabilities. There’s even some tie into virtual reality with Google Cardboard: with Google Cardboard, drones allow users to experience what the drone experiences, provided the drone possesses compatible hardware (depth-sensing cameras).
Drone prices range all over the place, from tens of thousands to the tens of dollars — but you get what you pay for. Enthusiasts, of course, should consider one of the higher-end models whereas entry-level consumers should wet their feet with one of the more inexpensive models.
Due to the nature of the spinning blades, drones aren’t suitable for all ages of children, unless supervised by an adult.
UDI U818A 2.4GHz 4 CH 6 Axis Gyro RC Quadcopter with Camera RTF Mode 2
6 AXIS GYRO with posture control - Integrated design guarantee the precise positioning of the aircraft.Right now the most important consumer drone is the DJI Phantom 3 (we reviewed an older DJI Phantom 2), which blends together high-end performance with mid-range pricing. Unfortunately, the Phantom 3 is almost impossible to find at present, but many alternatives exist:
3D printers allow consumers to download, design, and print out three-dimensional shapes using a variety of plastics (and sometimes metals or even chocolate). A conventional 3D printer melts down spools of plastic using fused deposition modeling and then extrudes the liquified material onto a tray.
FlashForge 3d Printer Creator Pro, Metal Frame Structure, Acrylic Covers, Optimized Build Platform, Dual Extruder W/2 Spools, Works with ABS and PLA
Full manufacturer's warranty fulfilled by Flashforge, and lifetime support provided by expert FlashForge techniciansA few 3D printers even include 3D scanners, which gets pretty close to a Star Trek replicator. Depending on the printer and size of the project, the process can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.
There are four primary kinds of consumer-grade 3D printers out there: PLA, ABS, exotic materials, and resin. Resin and exotic materials printers cost a fortune — I’d advise staying away from those kinds of 3D printers until the technology matures — but PLA and ABS printers are consumer-ready now.
Smart Home, or Home Automation, is the wireless control — and automation — of home appliances. In a Smart Home, everything from the smoke detectors to lighting can be remotely controlled and automated.
To illustrate, the Philips Hue line of smart lighting can change its brightness and color to better match one’s personal preferences. Smart Home products not only reduce the time users spend fiddling with their appliances, but can also improve standards of living, home safety, and even save money on heating.
Philips 455303 Hue White Starter A19 Kit, 2nd Generation
New and enhanced Hue white kit now upgraded from 750 to 800 lumens. with increased internal storage for added functionalityWe’ve already covered some of the best home automation gifts you can give, but there’s more to cover. Keep in mind that there are several competing standards for syncing all your home automation gadgets together.
Note that if you purchase a Smart Hub, make sure it’s compatible with all your smart home devices. The connection standards include openHAB, WiFi, Z-Wave, Apple’s HomeKit, and ZigBee. If you’re unfamiliar with the subject, check out which Smart Hub is right for you.
Amazon Echo
Plays all your music from Prime Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and more using just your voiceRight now, the hottest product in home automation is the Amazon Echo. I reviewed it myself and was extremely impressed by the Echo’s Smart Home flexibility and promise for future innovation (but not with its added NSA compatibility).
There’s all kinds of wearable tech out there, but as far as consumer-friendly smartwatches are concerned, there are three main categories: fitness trackers, personal assistants, and hybrids between two.
Apple Watch 38mm Aluminum Case Sport with Black Sport Band
Dimensions: Height: 38.6mm, Width: 33.3mm, Depth: 10.5mm, Case Weight: 25g (1.51 x 1.29 x 0.41 in inches, 0.88 oz)For the most part, people tend to buy fitness trackers and then forget them after the novelty wears off. Personal assistants provide a little extra utility, but even so, most people forget they’re even there. Hybrid devices are where it’s at.
We think the Apple Watch does it all and our Apple Watch review was positive. It combines a sophisticated biometric sensor with a halfway-decent personal assistant in Siri. On the other hand, the Android Wear series of devices (which Android Wear smartwatch is best?) provides superior personal assistant software but relatively weak health tracking sensors.
Polar V800 GPS Sports Watch with Heart Rate Monitor, Black
Heart rate and GPS enabled multisport training device for ambitious triathletes, runners and endurance athletesIf you’re a fitness nut, I recommend either the Basis Peak (for the lazy, which provides auto-magic biometric readings) or the Polar V800 Multisport Health Tracker (for hardcore fitness nuts).
With Amazon Prime’s two-day shipping, you can still get some of the sharpest bleeding-edge technology around before Christmas! My personal recommendation — for almost anyone — is Google Cardboard. It’s still an unheard of technology and it’s the most inexpensive in the tech world. Give it a shot, whether you’ve heard of it before or not.
Did any of these gifts catch your eye? What other cutting-edge gift ideas can you think of? Tell us in the comments below!
Image Credits:christmas tree by Petr Vaclavek via Shutterstock
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