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Fathers can be so difficult to buy for, unless you consider tech gifts. Whether or not your dad likes tech, he will enjoy these fun and useful gifts. You will probably find a gift or two you’ll want for yourself!
USB LED Light
When you need some extra light, this device can provide it. This USB-powered light can plug into a USB charger on your wall outlet, in your car, or on your computer to illuminate your life.
The light emitted from it is bright enough to read by. The stem is flexible so you can position it to point the light where you need it.
Use this light to illuminate your keyboard or find something in your dark car. This light comes in a package of three so you can keep one in your car and two in your home. Or you can give one to your dad and keep two for yourself!
The USB LED Light is available from Amazon for $6.49.
Keychain Speaker
Have a speaker handy whenever you need one with this keychain speaker. Attach this speaker to your keychain, pair it over Bluetooth with your phone and let the tunes begin to play.
This keychain speaker is available from Restoration Hardware for $20.
Audio Recorder Digital Pen
You could buy your father a nice pen for Father’s Day, or you could buy your father a nice pen that’s also a multi-function gadget. This pen:
- records audio
- has 8 GB of storage
- plays FM radio
- plays MP3 files
- comes with headphones
- has an LED screen
- supports 12 languages
- and is a pen you can write with
Take notes in class or a meeting and record what’s being said while you write. You can add your music files to listen to songs while you write. Listen to your favorite games on the FM radio while you’re writing.
The Audio Recorder Pen is available from Amazon for $34.99.
Sphero Star Wars BB-8 Droid Robot
If your dad is a Star Wars fan and/or a fan of robots, check out the Sphero Star Wars BB-8 Droid robot. Watch as the robot rolls around the room while you control it using touch or voice controls on an app.
Tell the robot to explore and see it roam around the room or have it obey your commands. The BB-8 can shoot video and play back holographic images on the app. Robotic Star Wars sounds play from the app while the Droid is at work.
This video shows you the BB-8 in action:
The Sphero Star Wars BB-8 Droid Robot is available from Amazon for $132.50.
ChargeTech Portable Outlet
If your father uses his tech when he’s away from home, or lives in an area prone to blackouts, consider the ChargeTech Portable Outlet for him. This 27,000 mAh battery is a powerful power source that can charge his laptop, phone, and tablet, all at once.
This battery has 2 USB ports and an AC outlet so you can plug in three devices at the same time. No need to be stranded when you’re away from home, this battery can provide your charge.
ChargeTech sent me a Special Edition battery on loan for review and I was impressed with the amount of power this battery has in such a small case. This battery measures 7.5 x 5.2 x 1 inches (19 cm x 13 cm x 2.5 cm), and weighs 2.4 lbs (1 kg), so could fit easily in my purse.
The box for the Special Edition is elegant, enough so that my husband, when seeing the box said, “Wow, what’s this?” He seemed a bit disappointed when I told him it was sent to me for an article. Hmm…
The ChargeTech Portable Outlet is available from the manufacturer, beginning at $185.
Self-balancing Personal Transporter
Help Dad get from Point A to Point B in style with the Self-balancing Personal Transporter. This vehicle can travel up to 9 mph (14.5 km/h) for up to 3 1/2 hours.
Use the app to adjust the settings between training, balance, remote or assist and track the speed. A display on the vehicle also lets you see the speed and settings.
The Self-balancing Personal Transporter is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $2800.
Lynx SmartGrill
If your dad likes to grill, get him a SmartGrill to give him more control over his cooking. This smartgrill can be controlled using voice or touch controls via an app. You can also set up the grill to send you a text as a reminder when it’s time to flip the burgers.
The grill also learns your preferences so knows whether you like your food rare, medium or well done and adjusts cooking accordingly. The grill is designed so you don’t have to hover over it while you’re cooking. A safety feature turns the grill off if it has been unattended for a while.
This video explains the features of the Lynx SmartGrill:
The Lynx SmartGrill is available from the manufacturer beginning at $5999.
Your Thoughts
Are you considering a tech gift for Father’s Day? Did you see any gift in this list you’d like for yourself? Do you have any suggestions for tech gifts for dads?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
* Father and child image (edited) courtesy of Pixabay
** Happy Father’s Day graphic courtesy of Pixabay
Voice of America Learning English
Learn tech and English at the same time by checking out my weekly personal technology column at Voice of America Learning English. This week’s article is: Changes to Twitter Let You Say More in a Tweet.
I think I need that Star Wars droid. Like now. 🙂
Hi Raymond, I hope you get one. Like now! 😀
Hello Carolyn,
Cool collection of Fathers day Tech Gift. Self-balancing personal transporter looks awesome and perfect for my day.
Thanks for sharing.
Hello Fakharuddin, I’m so glad you like these gifts. I hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful Father’s Day together!
Some great ideas there – I like the portable power outlet. That’s a pretty expensive self balancing transporter though. I’ve seen similar for cheaper. Segway have a new one called the Minipro which is only about $1000 although it’s only available to pre order at the moment.
Hi James, Thanks for sharing the information about the Segway Minipro. I guess those who want to get their dads a personal transporter for Father’s Day can’t afford to wait for a preorder.
I want to be the lucky dad that scores a Lynx SmartGrill!
Hi Eric, I hope you get your wish! You deserve it.
I love Wonder of Tech and appreciate all the great tips and ideas. I thought you might like to know that I actually purchased the mini laptop computer keyboard vacuum and it arrived last Friday to much dismay. This product does not perform well at all – meaning it does not have adequate sucking power. It literally is a waste of money. Additionally, it makes so much noise you would be advised to wear ear protection.
Hi Carol, I’m so very sorry to hear that. The vacuum was the best rated one at the time I wrote the article but has since received a bad rating. I do apologize and will update the article to delete that gift.