2016 Holiday gift guide: Tech gadgets for non-techies

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  • Amazon Echo dot

    Amazon Echo dot

    I have a love/hate relationship with voice-controlled devices, but the Amazon Echo Dot is an exception.

    The Echo Dot is small, unobtrusive, adorable, easy to use, and very flexible. And once you master a few commands, it's actually very powerful.

    Excellent bit of kit, especially for those who are subscribed to Amazon Prime, and it's only $50.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Amazon Fire HD8

    Amazon Fire HD8

    A powerful and fully-featured tablet for $90 would have once been unthinkable, but the Amazon Fire HD8, with it's 8-inch display, 1.3GHz quad-core processor, and 12-hour battery is a force to be reckoned with.

    The ideal tablet for someone who just wants to keep things simple.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Sony PS4/Microsoft Xbox

    Sony PS4/Microsoft Xbox

    Console gaming is PC gaming without all the hassles of drivers and system specs and patching. Sure, a console can never match the performance and graphical quality you can get from a PC, but for the price they are unbeatable.

    When it comes to the PS7 vs. Xbox One, I really can't play favorites - to me they both feel just as good, and in the end the choice comes down to personal preference.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Apple TV

    Apple TV

    One of the easiest-to-use home entertainment hubs out there, the Apple TV is a great way to get an existing television to do a lot more. And it's not bound to the Apple iTunes store either - with apps such as Hulu, Netflix, HBO Now, Watch ESPN giving access to a whole raft of entertainment.

    And starting at $149, the Apple TV is one of the cheapest things you can pick up at the Apple Store!

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Backblaze

    Backblaze

    Give the gift of safe, secure, and easy-to-use off-site backup to someone who doesn't know how to back up their data.

    With a Backblaze subscription, you're not giving a thing, you're giving them piece of mind, all for as little as $5 a month or $50 annually.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • 1Password

    1Password

    You definitely know someone who reuses passwords or who writes others on notes stuck to their PC?

    1Password is the perfect way to protect passwords across all devices.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Ring doorbell

    Ring doorbell

    See who's at your door without opening the door (or even getting up). Ring is also great when you're away from home as it allows you to communicate remotely with the people at your door.

    Setup is easy - you might have to drill a few holes, bit it works both as a wired and wireless solution, and there's a built-in battery that's good for weeks of use.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • HP Chromebook 14

    HP Chromebook 14

    If games consoles are for people who don't want to have to futz about with drivers and patches, Chromebooks are the laptops for people who don't want the hassle or expense of a Windows or Mac laptop.

    Another advantage of Chromebooks is that all the hard work of backing up your data, patching the operating system, and keeping it safe from hackers and malware, is all handled for the owner in the background.

    And with a system like the HP Chromebook 14 starting at $300, it's an affordable way to give the gift of a laptop.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

    Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

    The Kindle Paperwhite is the best way to read books on an electronic device. The screen has no glare so it's easy on the eyes, and you can read it anywhere from the dead of night to bright sunshine.

    And with a battery life that measured in weeks, no hours, the reading doesn't have to stop.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Tile

    Tile

    Tile is a tiny Bluetooth tracker that's great for people who lose things. Attach a tile to keys, luggage, wallet, umbrella or even bicycle, and find it quickly and easily.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Logitech Harmony Companion

    Logitech Harmony Companion

    Get rid of your remote control clutter by replacing them all with a single, programmable telly gun such as the Logitech Harmony Companion.

    This one remote control works with over 270,000 entertainment and smart home devices right out of the box. From TV, cable and gaming console, to AV receiver and the Roku media player, all the way to smart lights, locks, thermostats, and even Alexa.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

  • Nest Protect smoke + CO alarm

    Nest Protect smoke + CO alarm

    This is ideal for those of us where every cooking session seems to end with a few minutes of frantically waving a dishcloth at the smoke alarm.

    The Nest Protect alarm combines a high-end smoke and CO detector with handy features such as an automatic path light and the ability to hush it remotely using a smartphone instead of a dishcloth.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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1Password

You definitely know someone who reuses passwords or who writes others on notes stuck to their PC?

1Password is the perfect way to protect passwords across all devices.

Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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