Undoubtedly, technology devices were at the top of many gift wish lists this holiday season. According to the Consumer Technology Association, about 75% of U.S. holiday shoppers planned to purchase some sort of consumer tech this holiday.
[Related: 10 Budget-Friendly Secret Santa and White Elephant Gift Ideas]
The top 10 tech devices people planned to buy were:
Headphones
Tablets
Bluetooth speakers
Smartphones
Notebooks/laptops
Gaming consoles
Wireless speakers
TVs
Multi-function printers
Multimedia streaming devices (Apple TV, Roku, Google Chromecast)
Many staffers at Black Enterprise also received or gave tech gifts. These gifts stacked up fairly consistently with holiday tech spending forecasts:
Shelly Jones Jennings, VP/Director of Digital
Received: Apple Watch Sport
Shelly says: I love it!
Image: Apple
The Apple Watch sport is an Apple watch and fitness tracker that is as beautiful as it is feature-packed. Made from anodized aluminum, durable Ion-X glass, and a retina display, the Apple Watch Sport is the result of Apple’s meticulous attention to detail. The watch’s functions include a heart rate sensor, accelerometer, and gyroscope—and with support for Apple’s watchOS, there are a number of apps that can be installed on the device.
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Seimond London, Chief Copy/Editor
Received: Canon Rebel T5 digital camera
Image: Canon
Canon’s Rebel T5 camera is described as an ideal starter digital SLR for photography enthusiasts. It captures videos as well as photos and features a 3.0-inch LCD screen, intelligent, automatic shooting, as well as various shooting modes and other functionality.
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Cristie Leondis, Associate Editor, Digital
Received: Beachwaver PRO curling iron
Cristie says: It’s a tech beauty item. It’s a special curling wand that you select either L for left or R for right, you put your hair in it, and it curls it by itself, you don’t have to do anything! I love it.
Image: Beachwaver.com
The Beachwaver PRO is a high-tech curling iron. It rotates in both directions, and will automatically rotate with a touch of its “GO” button. The device also has an LED temperature dial and other cool features.
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E’lisha Holmes, Digital Media Producer
Received: FitBit
Gave: Hoverboard
Image: FitBit
The FitBit is the top-selling fitness/activity tracker of 2015. There is a range of FitBit products: some are only activity trackers; others will monitor heart rate, sleep patterns, and more.
Hoverboards were another big holiday item, despite reports of injuries and boards exploding into balls of flames. The top-selling hoverboards actually don’t hover; they have wheels and include boards from Razor, Swagway, and Glyro.
(Image: Razor.com)
There are Hoverboards that do hover, although they are quite expensive and limited in functionality. Lexus and Hendo hoverboards only work on special surfaces. The Arcaboard can hover on any surface, but only for about five minutes, and costs over $19,000.
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Sonja Mack, Digital Content Manager
Gave: Samsung Galaxy tablets
Image: Samsung
Tablets were hot this year. Sonja Mack gave two to her boys, 11 and 16. Samsung Galaxy Tabs range from portable 7-inch screens to 18.4-inch work screens. They are versatile since both Wi-Fi and 4G LTE connection models are available. The Galaxy Tab is an affordable yet powerful option to the iPad.
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Carolyn Brown , Senior Editor, Small Business
Gave: Bluetooth Stereo Neckband, iPad Mini
Carolyn says: I gave a friend a Bluetooth Stereo neckband for the iPhone 6 and iPad, and I gave my mom a mini iPad (Apple) to play casino slot games, although I am hoping, before 2016 is out, to get her to use it for other applications. She is a senior citizen but slowly moving toward using new gadgets and technology. Her group of senior friends is slowly starting to use smartphones, iPads, and other devices with the aid of their grandchildren helping them to understand the technology and, in some ways, helping them to connect/feel connected to younger generations.
Image: Amazon
Wireless neckbands are ideal headphones for music lovers on-the-go or those who want a headphone to stay in place while working out. Prices vary from about $10 to almost $50 for a top-of-the-line pair.
The iPad still reigns as tablet supreme. The mini iPad is sleek and ultra-portable—measuring 6.1 mm wide and .65 pounds.
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Kandia Johnson, Writer
Received: Mighty Purse wristlet, crossbody bag
Kandia says: I received two (yes, two…lol!) smartphone charging purses. One is a wristlet/clutch. The other is a crossbody bag featuring a hidden charging component for both my iPhone and Samsung Galaxy—I LOVE them!
Image: Mighty Purse
The Mighty Purse wristlet is a gorgeous leather purse and a high-tech charging device on the sly. It has a carefully hidden, lightweight battery that can charge most micro-USB devices. You can also buy an iPhone adapter which is sold separately. Mighty Purse also makes crossbody bags in an array of colors and designs that also have charging capability.
