We’re tech journalists. We have a lot of opinions. Throughout the year, we’re constantly trying out new products, and trust us — we’re a hard crowd to please. So if we really like something, it’s probably good! That’s why we’ve assembled a list of our favorite things, spanning computer accessories, headphones, productivity apps, and odd little knick-knacks.
Sure, we can be tough critics at times. But we’re in this gig because we truly love technology, and every once in a while, we stumble upon an app, gadget, or piece of hardware that we’re dying to talk about. Our recommendations aren’t your typical gift guide fare — everyone already knows that AirTags are useful! — but we’re hoping that we can help you find something a little different and delightful. Whether you’re looking for the satisfaction of setting up your own at-home media server, or if you’re trying to stay cool in a crowded subway, we’re sure you’ll find something you like.
These open ear, bone conduction earphones allow me to listen to music while running but they don’t cover or insert in the ears, so I can still hear the environment: bikes wanting to pass, cars or people behind me, etc. They deliver shockingly good sound quality (pun intended) without having to fuss about getting them in a perfect spot on the outer ear. They work great with sunglasses and a hat, all adjacent to each other. And they don’t leave me with that uncomfortable am-I-losing-my hearing feeling from earbuds that pipe sound directly into the ear canal.
Image Credits:Brain.fm
A Brain.fm subscription is the perfect gift for the easily distracted. It’s a streaming service that plays scientifically engineered music – with no distracting lyrics – that helps my scattered mind stop bouncing between tasks and stay focused. Extra points for the timer function so I can combine it with the Pomodoro Technique!
Image Credits:Focus Friend
Hank Green’s Focus Friend is Google Play’s app of the year – and it’s also one of my favorite finds. It’s the perfect balance of silly and useful to keep me focused, and the free version is enough to get started, but as a gift, I’d recommend splurging on the lifetime version.
Image Credits:Omnilux
The Omnilux Contour is one of my favorite things. It’s a red-light therapy mask that reduces redness, improves overall skin texture and tone, and is supposed to also reduce wrinkles (but I haven’t been using it that long to see whether that’s true). It’s cordless so I can walk around and do stuff and the charge lasts for a really long time. I keep it at my desk and can use it while I check emails in the morning.
Image Credits:Audio Hijack
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