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Paul Mah

Christmas is a time of giving, but sometimes it can be difficult figuring out exactly what to give your friends and family. If you’re stuck for ideas but you know the sort of hobbies your “giftee” is into, here are six practical gadget ideas that might help you on your present-buying way this festive season.

For the gym rat
The AirFly Pro is perfect for gym fanatics or frequent travellers with wireless headphones. The Pro, Twelve South’s most recent update of their wireless headphone adaptor, can be plugged into in-flight entertainment systems or exercise machines at the gym, which does away with having to bring an extra set of wired headphones anywhere.
Unlike the original AirFly, which only connects one set of wireless headphones, the Pro can handle two devices, which means couples can listen to the same music or show without wires. To enable this, double press the power button when the AirFly Pro is in pairing mode, and pair the second wireless device the same way you do the first.
The Pro can also be used in cars or on non-Bluetooth speakers to turn them into wireless audio output devices, simply by toggling the Pro into Receive Mode.
The AirFly Pro comes with a non-removable headphone cable and a beefy battery that gives it 16 hours of use before it needs to be recharged. For devices that need a USB-C input, like the iPad Pro and the Macbook Air, the USB-C version of the AirFly (AirFly USB-C) can be chosen instead.
Price: US$54.99

For the bookworm
The Kobo Forma is the perfect gift for the reader in your family. This lightweight e-reader, with its generous 8-inch e-ink display, means they will no longer have to lug heavy books around. It has an adjustable colour temperature and can survive a two-metre dip in water for up to 60 minutes – so if it drops into the bath, there is no cause for concern.
The device can be used in landscape and portrait mode, and the text automatically changes orientation depending on how it is held. The pages can be turned by swiping the touch screen or pressing the quiet “soft touch” button.
Unlike the Kindle range from Amazon, there is no discernible lag on the Kobo Forma when waking it up from its sleep mode, and it can support content from a large variety of sources, including EPUB, PDF, MOBI, HTML and multiple types of image files. Digital content can even be borrowed, thanks to OverDrive – a fast, easy digital library experience.
Price: US$249.99

For the techie
The YubiKey 5 is a set of physical tokens designed to boost digital security. Usernames and passwords aren’t always enough to protect digital accounts, and two-factor authorisation is a proven method for locking down accounts. The device is used to physically confirm a user is who they say they are when logging into something online, and can be used to secure Google or Microsoft accounts, favourite password managers, or social media accounts.
Configuring the YubiKey takes a little time, but should be relatively straightforward for any techie. It is water-resistant, requires no batteries and supports PCs, Macs, as well as Apple and Android smartphones – depending on the model ordered.
The YubiKey 5 Neo, for instance, comes with built-in near-field communication (NFC) support. Once paired to a Google account, it can be tapped against a smartphone’s NFC reader when setting up a new phone, or plugged into a USB port when signing into Gmail on a new laptop.
Price: US$45

For parents at home
The Google Nest Hub is the tech company’s answer to Amazon’s Alexa. With its 7-inch touch display and wireless connectivity, the Nest Hub is a virtual personal assistant for the home which can also stream media content via Spotify or YouTube. The Nest Hub can also unlock doors, turn off lights and review security footage from smart home devices that support Google Home.
The Nest Hub also works as a digital photo frame if it is paired with a Google account. It has a built-in ambient sensor that changes the brightness and colour of the screen to best display images.
There’s no need to worry about a particularly private or pointless photo becoming public fare either – the Nest Hub can be configured to only show photos from a particular album or shots that feature a select list of people.
Price: US$129

For the health-conscious
The Altizen Active is the newest version of the Altizen Pro standing desk converter, which we first reviewed in 2017.
The Altizen Active is, like its predecessor, a way to turn any desk into a standing desk. The Active has an exceptional build quality (cold-rolled steel that’s been protected with a non-scratch textured powder coat), making it one of the best standing desks out there.
It comes with a 48cm x 80cm workspace shelf, too, which is plenty of space to hold all the necessary computer peripherals and tools. A new remote-control accessory allows the work space to be raised or lowered wirelessly and quietly, and two heights can be preset for ease of use.
Like the original Altizen Pro, the Altizen Active is available in various options, including a stand for a laptop, with mounts for one monitor or two monitors. It is also available without the mount and stand for those who prefer using the Altizen Active for tasks away from a computer.
Price: from US$600

For the party lover
The Sonos Move is the latest member of the growing Sonos family of portable speakers. The device has a hard-wearing, shock-resistant chassis, and delivers 10 hours of continuous playtime when not charging. It is rated for IP56 dust and water resistance and can work in high humidity or in extreme heat or cold.
Built-in Wi-fi support offers significant range that should work well in any part of your home. It also comes with support for Bluetooth for days out on the beach or at the park, and a deep groove built into the back of the speaker makes it easy to carry around despite its heft.
Recharge the Sonos Move using the included base or a USB-C charger – or with a compatible third-party battery pack. Sadly, although a pair of Move speakers can be configured to work in stereo, the Move cannot be paired with the Sonos Sub (the company’s wireless subwoofer) at home. The dock is also a rather lightweight piece of plastic that can take some practice to seat properly.
Price: US$442


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Altizen Active standing desk converter. Photo: Altizen

Promotional shot of the Google Nest Hub digital assistant

Sonos Move, smart speaker.

Promotional photo of the AirFly Pro

Promotional photo of the Altizen Active standing desk converter

Promotional photo of the Kobo Forma

Promotional image of the YubiKey 5 series

If you’re stuck for presents this Christmas, look to gadgets like Google Nest Hub, a digital assistant for the home. Photo: Google

Honor MagicWatch 2 review: jaw-dropping battery life, great value and stylish looks make it ideal for Android users

The 46mm Honor MagicWatch 2 is a handsome and elegant smartwatch running Huawei’s own software. Photo: Ben Sin

There is a heart rate sensor on the back of the Honor MagicWatch 2

The Honor MagicWatch 2 can track steps, heart rate and stairs climbed. It’s also waterproof enough for basic swimming

The 46mm Honor MagicWatch 2 has a vibrant 1.6mm OLED screen

The  Honor MagicWatch 2’s chassis is made of stainless steel, with two buttons for operation

Top 10 best tech of 2019, from Disney+ and Apple iPhone 11 Pro to Google Nest Hub Max and Mavic Mini drone

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A member of the media holds a Samsung Electronics Co. Galaxy 10+ smartphone during the Samsung Electronics Co. Unpacked launch event in San Francisco, California, U.S. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. Samsung debuted its most extensive new lineup of smartphones, taking on Apple Inc. amid a slowing market with new low-end and premium models, 3-D cameras, an in-screen fingerprint scanner and faster 5G connectivity. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

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Apple MacBook Pro 2019 16-inch review: best MacBook in years thanks to better keyboard, insane power, great battery life and more

The new 16-inch MacBook Pro looks virtually identical to 2018’s 15-inch MacBook Pro from the outside, with the same smooth and symmetrical finish all around, the iconic Apple logo, and that sturdy hinge. Photo: Ben Sin

MACBOOK 16Photo: HANDOUT[FEATURES 2019]

The 16-inch MacBook Pro (left) has an improved keyboard that has double the travel of previous “butterfly” keyboards used in MacBooks in the past three years. These butterfly keyboards are relatively flat and flush with the rest of the laptop, have minimal travel, and tend to malfunction at a high rate.

The 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro next to an older 13-inch MacBook Pro. Notice the bezels are slimmer by a little bit

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Lifestyle

Gadgets


Stuck for a present to buy for someone? Here are six gadgets ideas that will delight your loved ones this Christmas
Party lovers will appreciate the Sonos Move portable speaker, while gym rats will thank you for the AirFly Pro headphone adaptor



Stuck for a present to buy for someone? Here are six gadgets ideas that will delight your loved ones this Christmas, whether they’re a gym rat, book worm, parent, party lover, techie or just worried about their posture.


Technology