Tech Guide’s 2019 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas – Day 8: Smart Speakers/Smart Home

If you’re stuck for a Christmas gift for our friends or family then you need to take a look at the Tech Guide 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas to help you nail the perfect present.

Today we’re taking a look at one of the most popular segments – smart speakers and smart products.

And the great thing about a smart product like a speaker is that they work with lots of other smart switches and lights and other devices.

Here are Tech Guide’s 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas:

Day 1: Cameras (Dec 3)

Day 2: Smartphones (Dec 4)

Day 3: Wearables/smartwatches (Dec 5)

Day 4: Headphones/speakers/audio (Dec 6)

DAY 5: Gaming (Dec 9)

DAY 6: Tablets/e-readers (Dec 10)

DAY 7: Drones/Gadgets (Dec 11)

DAY 8: Smart/IoT devices (Dec 12)

DAY 9: In-car gadgets (Dec 13)

DAY 10: TVs/Blu-Ray/4K (Dec 16)

DAY 11: Appliances (Dec 17)

DAY 12: Computers (Dec 18)

DAY 8: SMART/INTERNET OF THINGS DEVICES

ARLO PRO 3 – From $419

Arlo Pro 3 is an improved security solution for your home or office that is now even easier to set up.

The Arlo Pro 3 cameras now offer 2K resolution with HDR (high dynamic range) for improved image quality.

The cameras also incorporate a spotlight with colour night vision and a wide 160-degree field of view.

READ TECH GUIDE’S REPORT ON THE ARLO PRO 3

ECHO STUDIO – $329

Echo Studio has five built-in directional speakers, a 5.25-inch woofer and 330W of power to create impressive audio with clarity, depth and respectable bass.

Also on board is a one-inch tweeter and 3-inch mid-range speakers to cover all ranges and frequencies.

It also offers 100kHz of bandwidth for high-res lossless music playback.

Alexa herself has also had an upgrade and can provide more responses, can recommend routines and offer additional controls.

GOOGLE NEST HUB MAX – $349

Smart speakers are more popular than ever but smart speakers with screens like the Google Nest Hub Max are also surging thanks to the added capabilities of having a display.

It is a bigger and better version of the Google Home Hub with a 10-inch high-definition display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels and the onboard Google Assistant that can help you get things done, find things out, provide entertainment and organise your day.

The Google Nest Hub Max also has stereo speakers on board and a built-in camera that can be used for video calls and facial recognition.

Design-wise, the Google Nest Hub Max has a fairly small footprint and can easily reside on a desk, side-table or kitchen counter.

READ TECH GUIDE’S COMPLETE REVIEW OF THE GOOGLE NEST HUB MAX

UNIDEN APP CAM SOLO SECURITY CAMERAS – From $199

Uniden’s wire-free security cameras are all compatible with Google Assistant which will allow users to view their security camera footage using voice control.

It is now possible for users to stream video from their security camera to their smart display or to a TV equipped with Chromecast or a Chromecast dongle.

Footage from the Uniden cameras can be viewed remotely via the dedicated Uniden app.

Captured footage is stored on the device’s microSD card or a hard drive along with the Uniden Cloud.

Google Assistant is now available on the Uniden App Cam 55, App Cam 56, XLight and GXVR models.

It will become available on other products in the Uniden range in the coming months.

www.uniden.com.au

RING STICK UP CAM – $319

Ring has come a long way since its connected doorbell.

The company has built a smart ecosystem of products that offer both convenience and security and the latest addition is the Ring Stick Up Cam.

And it’s appropriately named because you can stick it up anywhere at home inside or out.

READ TECH GUIDE’S COMPLETE REVIEW OF THE RING STICK UP CAM

ARTEOR WITH NETATMO STARTER KIT – $489

Have you ever raced out of the house only to realise you forgot to turn off the lights or the iron?

Thankfully, Arteor with Netatmo allows you to control your lights and appliances remotely from your smartphone.

This also means you can turn all the lights on before you arrive home late from a night out! Arteor with Netatmo Starter Kit; available at Mitre10 and select Bing Lee stores nationally.

EVE AQUA – $179.95

Eve Aqua is a smart water controller that means that you can water your garden whilst you’re away, monitor your water usage and control everything just from your smartphone.

In a world where water is a precious commodity, this is possibly the best cost-saving device a person can own.

https://www.evehome.com/en/eve-aqua

CONNECT SMART VIDEO DOORBELL – $129.95

Respond to your visitors anywhere and anytime with the Connect Smart Video Doorbell.

Get alerts via the Connect SmartHome app when a visitor is at your door, you will be able to see and communicate with them via two-way audio.

With the Smart Video Doorbell, you will be able to hear the chime, no matter if you’re inside, answer even if you’re away from home, and obtain video footage in case your next delivery is stolen.

Available from Harvey Norman.

LASER WIRELESS SMART SECURITY CAMERA – $99.95

Discrete and compact, the Laser Wireless Smart Security Camera is the perfect security solution to keep an eye on kids & pets at home, or as an indoor surveillance camera for a small business.

Rest assured with the advanced motion detection and night vision capabilities of the Laser Security Camera.

Unexpected movement day or night, the Camera will send you an alert via the app. If something is happening in your home, you’ll be the first to know about it.

Available from Big W.

LIFX TILE – From $239.99

LIFX Tile provides an immersive and custom colour and light experience so you can make a bold statement or create an ambient feature piece.

Users can tap each Tile to control them or use the app or your voice.

Create incredible scenes and decor in your home with LIFX Tile.

Discover dynamic moods and paint with light in remarkable new places.

www.lifx.com.au

TP LINK SMART SWITCH – $35

The TP Link Smart Plugs are easy to set up, and make it easier to manage your home electronics anywhere in the world with a tap of your smartphone.

You can also schedule the Smart Plugs to automatically power electronics on and off as needed.

You can schedule the Smart Plugs to automatically power electronics on and off as needed, like setting lights to come on at dusk or turn off at sunrise.

https://www.tp-link.com/au/