Father's Day Tech Gift Ideas
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littleBits+KORG Synth Kit
Whether your dad is a renegade musician or just loves to build his own toys, this DIY set of easy-connecting components allows anyone – even if they possess no knowledge of electronics and synthesis – to build their own synths. It's pretty cool, with shiny colors and bits of electronics connected together using magnets. It's pretty much a Peter Pan dream come true, with half-a-million design combinations. ($159, littlebits.cc)
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Olympus Tough TG-3 Digital Camera
Part of Olympus' rugged camera lineup, it features a 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor and 25-100mm equiv. F2.0-4.9 zoom lens with IS, plus a 3-inch LCD, GPS (with landmarks and e-compass), and Wi-Fi -- but the best news for you is that the camera is waterproof to 15m/50ft, shockproof to 2.1m/7ft, crushproof to 100kgf/220lbf, and freezeproof to -10C/+14F. This means, unlike prior gifts you've invested in, it will not be dropped or flooded and destroyed a week later. No matter how hard he tries. ($349.99, GetOlympus.com)
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Scooba Floor Washing Robot
Gone are the days where fun cleaning devices was solely a mom's gift territory. Scooba will automatically sweep, wash, scrub and squeegee away dirt, grime and bacteria, neutralizing up to 99.3% of common household bacteria and leaving only clean floors behind. Plus, it's so easy to use he can set it up while he's watching the game. ($599.99, iRobot.com)
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Simplicam
We're all about gifts that are techy AND practical. Simplicam is a home-monitoring camera that lets dad record, view and edit live video of what’s happening at home while he’s at work, on vacation or traveling for business – all from his smartphone. Basically, he’ll feel like James Bond. ($149.99, Amazon.com)
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Google Chromecast
Browse for what to watch, control playback, adjust volume using your device. Your dad will be into it because there's nothing new to learn. Just plug into any HDTV, connect it to WiFi, then send videos and more from your smartphone, tablet or laptop to your TV. ($35, RadioShack.com)
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HP Pavilion x360
Lets you easily convert from notebook to stand to tent to tablet mode. Perfect for the dad, who like any man, isn't quite sure what he wants. ($399.99, HP.com)
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UP by Jawbone
A wristband and app that tracks how you sleep, move and eat, taking a holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle. ($129, RadioShack.com)
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Autographer
Autographer is a wearable camera which uses five different built-in sensors to automatically capture images hands-free so users can live in the moment rather than behind a lens. No more timers that might miss the perfect shot, or having to fiddle with any buttons at all. Autographer is so intelligent, it knows how best to capture your daily activities without you having to do anything! Just like dad likes it. Just turn it on, clip it to your shirt and go about your day. When you’re done, connect the camera to your laptop or smartphone to upload your images and share with friends and family. ($349, BHPhotoVideo.com)
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Adorne Wave Switch
Dad will want to show this one off when guests visit. Simply wave your hand in front of the switch to turn lights on and off. ($49.98, legrand.us)
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Logitech UE BOOM
Does your dad like to show off his groovy moves? Give him the gift of music with the first-ever social music player. The UE BOOM lets your pops take his beats wherever he goes. This wireless speaker offers a 360-degree experience, blasting bold, immersive sound in every direction and he can even pair two BOOMs together through the free mobile app for double the sound. ($199.99, Crutchfield.com)
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Wi-Fi Smart Plug
Does your dad have control issues? If it's related to the energy costs within the home, he probably does. This gadget allows him to control and monitor the home's electronic devices from anywhere, anytime. It also has advanced power and scheduling features, which means he can set power on/off schedules, turn devices on and off remotely and monitor energy usage at home or on-the-go. It also has a cool built-in thermal sensor (get it?!) that will automatically shut off connected devices if they overheat. ($49,99, Amazon.com)
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Flight 001 4-in-1 adapter
Works in over 150 countries, so he never has to pack more than one if his business trips call for a multi-country itinerary. This is the first product utilizing the JA/C READY Adapter system, a color-coded world adapter system that makes finding the right plug for your trip as simple as matching the colors. ($25, Flight001.com)
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Panasonic Arc5 Men's Shaver
If you want to show your dad you think he's a really big deal, this may be akin to the Rolls Royce of electric shavers. The sensor determines differences in beard density at different locations, so he can have pinpointed cutting where scruff is heavy and soft cutting where it’s thin. This is a 5-blades cutting system with Nanotech blades that works both wet and dry. ($499, Panasonic.com)
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Kobo Arc 7HD Android Tablets
In a day and age that none of us are hoarding a stack of books in our carry-on, an e-reader can make his next flight a lot more bearable. This device has a huge library with access to more than four million books, magazines, comics and kids' titles, and also has access to millions of apps and games through the Google Play store. ($199, BestBuy.com)
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Keurig Rivo
Why should mom be the only one to receive a breakfast-in-bed surprise for her special day? The Rivo brews espresso and froths any type of fresh milk – from whole milk to skim milk and even non-dairy options – at the touch of a button, with three frothing modes for cappuccino, latte and more, hot or cold, every day – a practical gadget dad (and you, when you visit) will actually use. ($229, Keurig.com)
