Gifts for Techies

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By Andru Edwards

“Apple’s new HomePod mini looks to change the game in the small smart speaker arena by focusing on amazing sound. It’s got Siri built-in, allowing you to start your favorite music playlist or podcast with the sound of your voice, while also letting you control your smart home devices as well. Pick up two, and you can create an even more impressive stereo pair.”

“The newly-updated version of Google’s Chromecast is an easy recommendation for anyone looking to get into streaming video (and even cutting the cord.) It includes a remote for the first time, along with the new Google TV software, which aims to recommend content that you’ll like. You can even add stuff to watch directly from your Google search results, thanks to the tie-in to Google’s ecosystem.”

“Next-gen gaming consoles have arrived, and the Xbox Series S is the most affordable of the bunch. With a focus on digital downloads and 1440p resolution, it’s a perfect option for anyone looking to do away with game discs but who haven’t yet made the jump to 4K. For those who have, you can go with the more powerful (and more expensive) Xbox Series X instead.”

“Sony has been the leader in noise-cancelling headphones for a few years now, and the new WH-1000XM4 continues that tradition. These add multi-point Bluetooth pairing to connect to two devices at the same time, adds in better voice-calling capabilities, and dials in the noise-cancellation even more. On top of that, whether noise cancellation is turned on or not, these are one of the best-sounding pairs of headphones out there.”

“This year, the iPhone takes a huge step forward in the camera department with the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Thanks to the larger size of the device, Apple was able to build in a much more powerful camera system. The result is pictures that are sharper and more detailed, even in low light and night time environments. There’s even a new ProRAW feature that lets you really take control of your end result.”