The Way to a Tech Geek's Heart is Through the Latest Gadgets: 10 Gifts for Techie Husband

While choosing any product, you might not be able to distinguish further than the basic functionality, but your techie husband knows them well. Suppose you want to gift him a tablet. Maybe this is his first tablet or maybe you’ve already owned a few. Perhaps you are looking to replace your laptop, or maybe you’re just looking for an extra screen for him to use when he is on the toilet or sitting on the couch. Whatever the reason, there are a lot of good options out there.

First you need to figure out what all he will be doing on this tablet? Is he hoping to watch movies? Type documents? Read articles? Use Photoshop? Does it need a keyboard? A stylus? A webcam? Much like smartphones and laptops, there are a ton of differently sized tablets on the market with a varying set of capabilities. Figure out what matters most to you and write it down. What you need your tablet to do will entirely determine what model you buy. Your decisions here will affect everything that is to come.

Once you have settled down with the purpose, you need to figure out the operating system. Android and iOS have dominated the tablet scene in recent years, but the Windows tablet category is growing. There are also some good tablets offered by Amazon and a few others that run heavily modified versions of Android.

The way these gadgets differ in their functionality, their prices also vary similarly. Depending on the brand and specifications, the prices have radical differences. It is always advised to compare the prices online before making a purchase. Microsoft Surface Pro 3 12.0 Tablet costs Rs.58,990 whereas Microsoft Surface Book costs Rs.98,999. Apple iPad Pro 10.5 is available for Rs.49,249 and Apple iPad Pro 12.9 for Rs.1,03,940. Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 is priced at Rs.29,900 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 at Rs.39,999. Similarly, Apple iPad Air 2 32 GB is for Rs.35,000 and Apple iPad Air 2 64 GB is for Rs.39,200.

Not just the prices but features will differ too; different stores may offer special deals or discounts. Before making a purchase check the price of the product on e-retailers so you can make sure you buy it at the best possible price offered on the market.

When you get down to choosing your device, there is no shortage of choices, but you cannot trust store employees to know what they’re talking about. Browse shopping websites and read reviews by people who have bought those gadgets, check product reviews and acquaint yourself with all the features so you can select a gadget based on your husband's requirements. For example if you are looking at buying a tablet you need to look for specific things.

The specs don’t tell the full story, though, so make sure you check out some reviews and look at benchmarks to see how the gadgets really perform. This is especially helpful if you are not very knowledgeable. Reviews can help you see if the item is really what it is made out to be, whether it is value for money or if there is a better alternative. They will help you make a more informed decision.

Touchfire Screen-Top iPad Keyboard brings the feel of a physical keyboard to your iPad. TouchFire fits right over the iPad's on-screen keyboard and is completely transparent, so you can always see the keys underneath it. It is stiff enough vertically to allow you to rest your fingers on the home row keys without accidentally triggering the touch screen. At the same time it responds to typing with just the right amount of resistance and spring-back to feel like a lively and responsive keyboard. When you want TouchFire out of the way, you simply fold it down. It has magnets that keep it neatly folded below the screen. TouchFire also comes with a pair of cover clips, which help secure it magnetically to your iPad's cover. You also get a thin storage case, should you ever want to store TouchFire off your iPad. It can be used with all 9.7 inch iPad versions. It is available for Rs.325 on amazon.com.

150 Mbps Wireless N Nano Router is a great gift for your techie husband. Its 150 Mbps wireless data rate is ideal for video streaming, online gaming and internet calling. It is powered through a micro USB port by an external power adapter or USB connection to a computer. TL-WR702N is the smallest wireless router in the world and very easy to use. A traveler needs simply plug a hotel room’s WAN cable into the port provided and enter a default password to instantly create a wireless hotspot in the room. Users can also plug the TL-WR702N into their computer’s USB port and share their Wi-Fi connection with family and friends. It is priced at Rs.4,400 on amazon.in.

Brookstone HDMI Pocket Projector connects to multiple devices for a big screen view of just about anything. Be it business presentations, movies, video games, web videos or sports and TV shows it’s simply brilliant-no matter how you use it. Pocket Projector's mega-bright lamp projects up to 100 lumens for up to two hours on a single charge. Its powerful 3800mAh battery recharges via USB and even doubles as a backup battery for your devices when fully charged. A built-in focus wheel lets you adjust the display for optimum resolution; while the dual speakers with volume control let you accompany your video with audio. You can add separate speakers using the 3.5 mm audio-out jack. Pocket Projector Mobile includes an HDMI compatible cable, MHL cable, 5- to 11-pin adapter and AC adapter. It is available for Rs.49,520 on amazon.in.

Mobile Monitor Technologies has created a revolutionary new product category for mobile professionals and consumers alike. Monitor2Go is an ultra-portable, brushed aluminium clamshell display with a custom base to securely hold, lock, and mirror your iPad 2, iPad 3rd generation and iPad 4th generation, making client presentations a breeze. Use it in landscape or portrait mode and with connectivity for both USB and HDMI. With a crystal clear 15.6" Full High Definition display and built-in stereo speakers, this lightweight, ultra-portable, and durable monitor will ensure that you're as productive as you can be when you're away from your home or office, and entertain you along the way. It comes with a USB cable, AC power supply, HDMI male-to-male adapter and custom neoprene sleeve.

Plug and play your way back to the future with the Retro TV Games Controller. This handheld controller looks and feels like the gaming controllers we adored in the 80s, yet plugs straight into your modern TV for a gaming experience we could only dream of back then. Compact and ultra-portable, this retro controller is perfect for the whole family. You will get lost in endless hours of action and fun, playing a range of shooting, arcade, puzzle and sports based games. Plug the Retro TV Games Controller into your television and get your fingers at the ready with its integrated mini joystick and A, B buttons. Once plugged in you're all set for a nostalgic gaming session with the on-board retro gaming library with 200 games. It is available for Rs. 877.

The light wake up feature on Beddi Glow - Intelligent Alarm Clock is great. It's not overly bright and it wakes you up just fine. It turns on about 15 minutes before the set time and an actual alarm will go off at the set alarm time. This sound alarm feature can be turned up/down/off as desired. It has a Bluetooth speaker along with radio and everything is easily controlled with the app. You can also charge all of your devices with 2 high speed USB charging ports. It is priced at Rs.3,250 on amazon.com.

The Samsung Gear S3 Smartwatch has all the basic functionalities like texting and calling. What makes it stand apart is a distinctive steel bezel that you can rotate to access apps and notifications. You can also make payments with Samsung Pay almost anywhere you swipe or tap a credit card. With military-grade performance, the Gear S3 resists water, dust, extreme temperatures and the occasional drop. It is compatible with Android and iOS smartphones, however not all features are available with iOS paired smartphones. The speaker on the watch is great for all purposes and it also has features like biometric sensor, GPS, speedometer and altimeter. It is available for Rs.13,115 on amazon.com.

iHome iBT12SC Rechargeable Flask Shaped Bluetooth Stereo Speaker a wireless stereo system with built-in speakerphone capability. You can stream wireless digital audio via Bluetooth from your devices. It has dual coil speaker and amp for bigger, cleaner sound. Its built-in microphone has digital voice echo cancellation and answer and end controls make speakerphone use a pleasure. With the aux-in jack, you can play almost any audio device. Package comes with a custom carry case, bottle opener and carbineer clip to protect the unit while letting music through. It is available on amazon.in for Rs.3,169.

Skybuds revolutionize the way you listen and move with 24 hours of on-the-go charge and 4 hour playback using absolutely no wires, and can connect with any Bluetooth device. Skybuds are the next generation of truly wireless, perfect for the most active gym-goer or traveller. Skybuds have been specifically engineered to have a comfortable and secure fit ensuring they don’t fall out. It also has digital microphone for calling. It is available on amazon.com for Rs.9,685.

One of the huge difficulties is that most likely, he’s already bought everything he wanted. However, you can follow simple rules when buying tech for your techie. You can start off by knowing his tech. You should know his phone, gaming system, TV, and any other tech he has before gifting accessories to go with it. You should also know if he’s going to upgrade soon. There’s no point in buying a case for his phone if he’s planning to upgrade next week.

Pay close attention to what he needs. If you’re lucky, he may have already mentioned a particular item he wants but is too busy to get for himself. If you don’t feel that you can fulfill his specifications, don’t get it. Test any gadgets first. Some gadgets you simply can’t test but for high dollar items, try them first if possible. If someone you know has the item already, ask them in depth questions. You can also look for a store demonstration. Read legitimate reviews.

If you really have your heart on something you think would make him smile, read reviews from companies that specialize in professional hardware reviews such as industry magazines. It’s best to find an article that lists out pros and cons. Get small stuff he needs. Tools, earplugs, phone protectors, etc. are all little and affordable gifts that go nice around a big purchase and that he’ll actually use. Consider subscriptions and gift cards.