Tech Gifts For The Whole Family for Christmas 2022

FOR THE KID WHO WANTS TO BE TRANSPORTED TO A MAGICAL WORLD – SCREEN FREE!!!

BuddyPhones® StoryPhones are an award-winning smart headphone that play audio content off-line, offering the latest in screen-free entertainment.  Collaborating with Disney, the headphones come in pink and blue and will be available at the end of October for £84.99 from Selfridges, WH Smith and Storyphones.com

ONANOFF is delighted to unveil StoryPhones, a magical ride to a whole new world of audio fun for listeners of all ages. StoryPhones is an independent device offering screen-free entertainment that doesn’t need to connect to any other device for playback. It’s able to store and play audio content at any time. An entertaining way to boost creativity and decrease screen time. 

StoryPhones is excited to be collaborating with Disney for the launch. Disney offers an iconic collection of delightful stories, and endearing characters that children can discover or rediscover and fall in love with all over again through StoryPhones. Stories available will include many of Disney’s most beloved characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, The Little Mermaid, Frozen, Lion King, Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story, The Incredibles, Monsters Inc., and more.

StoryPhones are the first smart, portable wireless audio entertainment device for children combining high-performance headphones with an internet-connected content player. Access stories by simply popping a StoryShield disc into the StoryPhones. It will then automatically download the story into the headphone’s memory and start playing. After the initial download, it will play the content independent of any network or other device. The content is suitable for children aged 3 and up and educates with audio stories, music and more.

StoryPhones also offer the option of recording personalised stories, in a loved one’s voice, through the mobile app, creating a customised StoryShield called PlayShield. This way, users can record family stories and share the ones that shaped an individual’s life with generations to come.

A StoryShield, aptly named ZenShield, contains relaxing audio profiles to help overstimulated kids calm down, relax and even sleep. The shield includes a collection of pink noises, from piano to ocean waves, from rain drops to the original and exclusive RoRo Sound.

BuddyPhones® POP Fun wireless kid-proof, kid-safe headphones, designed to sound great, but also protect children’s hearing health. The POP Fun are available in white, blue, green or yellow from buddyphones.com for £36.01 and in blue and yellow on Amazon for £27.99

BuddyPhones® POP Fun wireless headphones are specifically designed for young listeners offering SafeAudio®, whereby the volume is limited to 85/94dB ensuring a child is not listening to them too loudly which could cause hearing damage. From watching cartoons, surfing TikTok or listening to music and watching videos, kids spend more time than ever before with devices. Leading innovator in children’s headphones, ONANOFF, aim to meet this demand with its BuddyPhones® POP Fun with fun designs and stickers to personalise and volume limiting capability. The BuddyPhones® POP Fun is ideal for daily use whilst still ensuring hearing health is protected.

Even for long periods of use, the durable, easily washable ear pads are incredibly comfortable, and the headphones are also fully adjustable and can be folded when not in use. POP Fun also comes with a set of expressive foil decals for users to personalise and express individual personalities.

The BuddyPhones® POP Fun boasts a 24 hour battery life for wireless use or a wired connection option, making them ideal for keeping children entertained whilst travelling or on long car trips. They will also work as a wired option if the battery has depleted. The BuddyPhones® POP Fun inspires a growing demographic of digital natives to carry on the trend of safe listening.

FOR THE SUPER CREATIVE WHO LOVES A SELFIE 

ShiftCam’s SnapGrip Creator Kit – Available from the ShiftCam website for £129.99

Creatives can now take that perfect shot. The SnapGrip makes producing quality photographs and videos an absolute breeze – it really is as simple as snap, grip, shoot!

The SnapGrip system comprises of a SnapGrip, the SnapLight LED ring light and the SnapPod tripod all of which attach together magnetically. Each component can work individually, together, and in any combination. SnapGrip is a portable, lightweight compact grip, dock and charger that allows users to shoot on a mobile phone quickly, securely, and comfortably. With a universal fit and magnetic mounting system, it’s easy to attach – everything simply snaps on. SnapGrip works with virtually any smartphone and is MagSafe compatible.

By focusing on the essential parts of a DSLR, ShiftCam has kept the design of SnapGrip minimal. It has a wireless shutter button and it also doubles as a Qi wireless battery pack which can charge a mobile phone. Its pivot system makes it simple to switch between landscape and portrait, The Snaplight, which helps to eliminate harsh shadows and provides soft, even lighting can point in the direction of the rear camera or flip backward as required and has four levels of brightness to choose from. The SnapPod can be used as a table-top dock or as a video selfie stick.

SnapGrip is available in a choice of Midnight, Abyss Blue, Blue Jay, Chalk Pink and Pink Pomelo, designed to complement and enhance any mobile phone.

GIVES KIDS THE INDEPENDENCE THEY CRAVE AND PARENTS THE REASSURANCE THEY NEED

XGO3 Android children’s smart watch currently available from the Xplora website and Amazon for £139.99

The Xplora XGO3, launched in July 2022 replaces the XGO2 with an improved camera, longer lasting battery life, improved water resistance and a more sleek and lightweight design and is available in five vibrant colours. Completely GDPR compliant, it is an ideal first phone for children aged 5-12. The watch comes with an Xplora 4G SIM card so the watch can be used immediately.

The XGO3 allows kids to use a range of functions whilst remaining safe and secure. When wearing and using the device, children have the ability to make and receive voice calls from pre-saved numbers only, so they can communicate with friends or family without the risk of receiving any unsolicited calls. These contacts can be managed on the parent’s app which is free to download and helps adults to ensure children are only talking to trusted contacts. The watch does not feature social media, making the safety of children using it a priority, ensuring a safe introduction to the digital world. The device can also receive and reply to messages including text, emojis, images and voice messages but School Mode can be activated so only the SOS function works whilst in class. Children will love having fun with the 2MP camera and with 4GB storage, there is plenty of room to store photos.

The XGO3 also encourages kids to stay active, with a step-counter and the award-winning Goplay platform with games and rewards to be earned. This means that it is easier for parents to control the balance between screen time and physical activity. Working with major film and TV companies such as Paramount, Warner Bros, Universal Pictures and Netflix, as well as campaigns such as that based upon the sponsorship of The Hundred cricket series and Paula Radcliffe’s Families on Track events. Xplora also runs regular campaigns on the Goplay platform as well as competitions and offers amazing prizes for topping the leader board.

FOR THE CAR MAD DAD

Nexar Beam GPS Full HD 1080P Dash Cam – currently available from Amazon for £119.95 (RRP £149.95) and the Nexar website for £139.95

Nexar Beam GPS is a sleek and compact plug and play dash cam that can easily be concealed behind the rear-view mirror. Recording crisp and clear 1080p full HD video, the dash cam also has a super wide lens with a 135-degree field of view. The parking mode feature offers 24/7 security and can sense even the slightest impact to a vehicle and starts recording immediately, even when the car is parked. Footage can be downloaded to the user’s phone as soon as it connects to the dash cam so can be viewed immediately; offering true peace of mind. With a built-in G-sensor supporting variable sensitivity, the dash cam can auto-detect any sudden knock or collision and lock the crucial footage and the built-in GPS module can link the location of the vehicle to the footage. This can then be used as vital evidence for claims or insurance purposes with users being able to access the required footage easily and quickly.

Nexar has developed its own proprietary software and the companion app allows for live streaming of all video footage directly to your phone and uses AI to detect important moments and save them as easy to find clips. Incidents can be reported and files shared and viewed immediately with an insurance company or the police through the app. The footage is backed up to the cloud without any limits, and all of it is incredibly easy to use and navigate around.

The Nexar Beam GPS comes with a free 32GB microSD card already installed but users can opt to upgrade to a bigger capacity with up to 256GB. Best of all, though, Nexar offers completely unlimited cloud backups without a subscription, so drivers can avoid the extra cost and have the same ability to save any video to the cloud. Ideal if the dash cam is ever stolen or damaged, as footage can still be viewed and accessed from anywhere. The video clips can be wrapped together with important data into a report and uploaded immediately using a one-click report function. Additionally, Siri voice command may be used to send messages to others whilst on the road in the Nexar Groups app which will show the location if the driver is delayed.  

Get 5% commission on Nexar sales by signing up to their affiliate scheme here

FIRST TECH FOR YOUR KIDS

MyFirstTech – get 10% commission on sales by signing up to their affiliate scheme here

myFirst Camera Insta Wi – available from MyFirstTech for £129.00 – aged 7-13 years – available to purchase from Amazon.co.uk in September 2022

See the excitement on your kid’s face when they get a printout in 10 seconds on what they have captured. As the camera is using thermal fast print technology, photos will be printed in black and white at the quickest speed.

myFirst Camera Insta Wi comes with a new feature that allows you to create and print labels in different sizes with various templates of patterns, symbols, and icons. You can adjust the size of the icon, enter text, change the font type, add on border style, and much more.

This camera does it all – film video, take pictures, and snap selfies. With the handy lens switcher, you don’t even need to turn the camera around. Picture quality is guaranteed with a 16MP digital camera plus rear and wide-angle selfie lens.

Insta Wi is much smaller in size compared with other label printers. With filters and frames pre-installed in the camera, kids can snap and print cute and interesting photos or stickers to create photo albums, name tags, scrapbooks, etc. At £109 this super-cute camera is fantastic value for money.

Key Features:

• 12MP digital camera with a front and rear selfie lens
• Inkless thermal instant printing in 10 seconds
• Wireless transfer of photos
• Dedicated mobile application for label editing/creation that can be downloaded in both Google Play and App Store.
• Customised label creation
• Handy lens switcher for video creation, taking pictures, and snapping selfies
• Built-in rechargeable battery
• Easily connected to a laptop to print photos in colour

See a video here

myFirst Headphones BC Wireless Lite available from MyFirstTech for £60 – available to purchase from Amazon UK in November 2022

These bone conduction headphones offer children a safe way to listen to music, watch movies or Tik Tok on the move. It essentially means that a child can still hear other external sounds while the sound is delivered through their cheekbones rather than directly into their ears. It is very important when that happens, whether it is traffic when crossing a road, an alarm going off, or a parent yelling for their kid to come down for tea.

This technology is usually only found in premium adult headphones most of which cost well over £100. The headphones are also volume limited to safe levels so it will not damage small ears and cause hearing issues in the future.

They are incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods of time such as a long flight or car journey with soft rubber contact points and large silicon pads and weighing in at only 28gms.

The headphones are made for children so they can easily handle being caught in the rain, left in a dirty drawer, or even dropped down the toilet! Lastly, the headphones play duration is up to 5 hours makes them excellent for prolonged usage, and they can be quickly charged with a USB Type C cable.

Key Features:

• Bone conduction technology – allows for music to be transmitted via the cheekbones.
• Kids can listen to music while remaining alert outside leaving ears open to hear external sounds.
• Volume limited to safe levels ensuring hearing health not damaged.
• Soft rubber contact points and large silicon pads provides comfort, even on long usage periods. Perfect for long flights and car journeys!
• Incredibly lightweight weighing only 28gms so can be used for long periods of time.
• 5 hours of continuous play time and easily charged via a USB Type C Cable
• Water and dust resistance of IPX6

FOR THE BUDDING FUTURE ENGINEER

Discovering STEM Mechanics Pulley Drives Construction Set, available from Amazon for £29.99, 8years+

Engino, one of the fastest growing companies in the STEM field, brings complex concepts into clear focus for budding engineers and scientists, with award winning components and step by step illustrated assembly instructions.

In this set, learn how Pulley Drives can be used to transfer force with reduced force and increase speed.

There are 8 working models to build such as a Crane Bridge, Material Lift, Windmill and more.

The box also contains a manual that includes 10 pages of theory and amazing facts, 3 pages of experimental activities, 2 pages of revision quiz, and 15 pages of step by step instructions.

The models illustrated online at Engino’s website or using the Engino 3D app downloadable for Android or Apple iOS.

Discovering STEM Newton’s Law Construction Set, available from Amazon for £34.99 8 years+

The Newton’s Law Construction set is aimed at kids aged 9-16+ and teaches all about Newton’s laws of motion which are the basis of classical mechanics that still describe most everyday life situations. Children learn about inertia, kinetic and potential energy, whilst building working models such as a ballistic catapult, a crash test car and a balloon-powered plane.

There are 8 models in the box with easy to follow instructions, and detailed explanations of the different scientific principles applied. It incorporates experimental activities for hand-on learning. There is also a quiz section to challenge the newly acquired knowledge!

Engino also have an interactive 3D building app, allowing children to build in virtual reality.

The Engino STEM toys are made of environmentally friendly, toxin-free plastic and are made to last, guaranteeing years of educational play.

ENGINO – Discovering STEM Mechanics Cams & Cranks available from Amazon for £29.99 8 years plus

Engino, one of the fastest growing companies in the STEM field, brings complex concepts into clear focus for budding engineers and scientists, with award winning components and step by step illustrated assembly instructions.

This set aimed at budding engineers up to adult, teaches about transmitting power using Cams and Cranks and converting reciprocal linear motion.

There are 8 working models such as a sewing machine, stationary crane, flapping eagle to name a few.

There is an accompanying manual which includes 10 pages of theory and facts, a 2 page quiz and 3 pages of experimental activities illustrating the uses of Cams and Cranks. There are also 15 pages of step by step 3D rendered illustrations, which are also illustrated online at Engino’s website or using the Engino 3D app, downloadable free for Android or Apple iOS.

The CODING LAB ENGINO GinoBot™ – aged 8+, available from the ENGINO® website for an RRP of £122.09

GinoBot™ is a highly programmable robot, ready to be used straight from the box. It requires minimal effort, and the easy set-up takes only a couple of minutes. Developed by a combination of engineers and academics, GinoBot™ is an ideal tool for teaching STEM disciplines, mathematical reasoning and programming, all whilst having fun!

The new robotic line called CODING LAB has been specifically developed for robotic enthusiasts, age 9 years plus, who look for smart programmable gadgets of expandable and reconfigurable capabilities. The line is spearheaded by GinoBot™, the latest innovative robotics vehicle, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, ideal for primary and secondary school students, but also hobbyist engineers. The CODING LAB line, through hands-on interaction and real life problem-solving challenges, can really help the next generation of inventors to develop STEM expertise and acquire crucial skills now needed in the 21^st century.

GinoBot™ has built-in connectors, enabling structural and mechanical expansion whilst expandability extends also to open electronics as it is also connectable to Raspberry Pi®, Microbit®, and Arduino® as well as to ENGINO™ ERP sensor modules (not included). This 4-wheel drive version of Ginobot™ comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and has 2 colour sensors built-in at the bottom to follow coloured lines and 4 programmable RGB lights. It also has an ultrasound sensor at the front and 3 infrared distance sensors, enabling precise movements in all directions and preventing crashes!

The INVENTOR MECHANICS GinoBot™ is available from the ENGINO® website for £156

The new INVENTOR MECHANICS series has a thematic approach with multi-model capabilities, featuring an impressive main model. A new library of patent-pending components has been added to the ENGINO® system which enhances both aesthetics and technical features. These parts include high-precision wheels, mechanisms and snap-fit curved surfaces. This robot helps to explore multi-divergent projects at a broad range of levels with a virtually unlimited expansion potential. It allows the attachment of add-on 3^rd party electronics and hardware (Raspberry Pi®, Microbit® Arduino®) and besides its internal sensors and its expandability with 3^rd party electronics, the body of GinoBot™ is also compatible with the ENGINO® building system to construct larger and more sophisticated robots. This robotised set comes with 10 bonus models and is aimed at age 9 years plus.

The first level of programming for the GinoBot™ robots is the action of pushing buttons on a device (manual programming), a method that all children are familiar with. A sequence of commands can then be recorded directly on the robot and then recall or repeat the information over and over again. The second level of programming involves using the Ginobot robot™ app. Using this, children can remotely control the robot, control the lights and play musical tones. The app is free to download and expands manual programming potential. For those wanting to explore the world of robotics even further, installation of the patented KEIRO™ software on a PC or smart device enables the user to learn the fundamental principles of coding and to construct more complex bespoke projects. This programming platform can also be controlled through Bluetooth connection and is compatible with operating systems Windows, MacOS and Linux. The applications are available in Google Play and Apple Store. The INVENTOR MECHANICS GinoBot™ is available from the ENGINO® website for £149.99.

WHEN SECURITY IS A NUMBER ONE PRIORITY AND KEEPING FAMILY SAFE

EZVIZ DB2 battery-powered doorbell (Free Chime included) RRP £139.99 is available on Amazon for £109.99 and Very at £99.99.

EZVIZ, an expert in smart home security, recently introduced its 2K+ video doorbell. Completely wire-free in design with an embedded rechargeable battery, the DB2 is easy to install, and it also features a handful of pro features to make front-door security easy.

This wireless and wire-free doorbell is fully battery-powered and can be set up anywhere in minutes. The DB2 Pro can run up to 115 days on one full charge, which is maximized by its emerging-saving mode. It’s also fully weather-proof to withstand any extreme weather.

The DB2 lets users know who’s there, even when they’re not at home. It has an extremely wide viewing angle to see visitors from head to toe all via the EZVIZ app. It also features night vision of up to 5 metres.

The DB2 rings and helps people answer the door in an effortless way, even from afar. An instant video call will be initiated to the mobile phone, so users can see and talk through the EZVIZ App to let friends know if it’s a good time to visit or tell the postman to place parcels in a preferred spot. It is also smart to detect human movements rather than running pets or moving leaves. Video storage is made safe and flexible to make sure the doorbell captures and preserves every key moment. The DB2 Pro supports local storage through a large microSD card of up to 256 GB, which can be inserted onto the indoor chime for enhanced data protection. EZVIZ also supports encrypted cloud storage upon subscription. 

The DB2 is also hard to tamper with. In case the doorbell is forcibly removed, a sharp alarm will set off, while a mobile alert reaches the user.

EZVIZ C6 AI Smart Camera – available from Amazon.co.uk for £89.99

The EZVIZ C6 AI smart camera in an indoor camera that is small in size and big in functionality.  It is the perfect way to keep an eye on your family or pets when you are not home. 

With on-camera AI, the C6 2K+ identifies humans and pets in an instant and detects abnormal sounds to add an extra layer of protection. The camera can automatically zoom in up to 4 times to follow a moving object and has 360° panoramic view. 

The C6 can also track high-speed activity and fast movements will not appear blurry in the camera’s vision, thanks to the 25 fps video recording capacity.

The camera also has safe video storage, enabling you to secure your unforgettable memories on a local SD card. What’s more, the camera notifies you when you are needed and can alert you when the noise level suddenly changes. Your family members can also simply wave at the camera to initiate a video call to your phone. Cute and compact, the C6 is the must-have technology for any modern home where maintaining contact and security 24/7 is of utmost importance.

Award winning for its innovative design, the EZVIZ BM1 Baby Monitor – Available from Amazon for £149.99

The EZVIZ BM1 Baby Monitor is the latest innovation from EZVIZ. The BM1 transforms advanced camera and AI technology into a visutally pleasant, user-friendly and baby-safe helper that simplifies daily parenting tasks. The camera sends immediate notifications when it detects crying. It also has out-of-crib alerts and baby activity detection (powered by human shape algorithm). The monitor also auto-plays soothing music and has clear night vision without a visible red light. The camera has a view from anywhere and there is also a hear and talk function, enabling a parent to communicate with the baby from another part of the home. The BM1 is easy to set up, has an all-night battery and supports microSD cards. It is also compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

The EZVIZ BM1 comes in two colour versions, pink with bunny ears and blue with teddy bear ears. It is made with baby-safe non-toxic silicone and no sharp edges and with100% wire-free setup, the Baby Monitor 1 keeps curious hands or walking toddlers away from dangerous cords. The monitor can be clipped to a cot or crib with an adjustable bracket and can also be removed from the bracket and placed on a table near a play area or similar. It is also perfect for taking on a trip or for a stay-over with the grandparents.

The BM1 is the must-have accessory for any nursery.

FOR CHRISTMAS FAMILY FUN

Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel Game – RRP £27.99 from Amazon and John Lewis

Get into a spin this year with the ultra-competitive Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel – a new addition to the Rascals range of board games based on the hugely popular BBC TV game show. 

The game features a large 20cm mechanical spinning wheel that works much like a spinning top. The object of the game is to be the first player or team to complete their own Wheel by correctly answering a question from each of the seven chosen categories. There are fourteen categories in total, ranging from Science to Social Media. Success all depends on the spin of The Wheel – landing on a red space leaves players Shutdown and thrown off The Wheel.

With all the dizzying fun and nerve-jangling suspense of the show, it’s the board game ‘revolution’ families have been waiting for!

For 2 or more players.

Ages 10 to adult.

The Crystal Maze Board Game – Available for an RRP of £34.99 [now £27.50] from Amazon

Hello adventurers and welcome to The Crystal Maze, where a labyrinth of perplexing puzzles and tricky challenges lie in wait for you and your friends and family. Teamwork is paramount as you voyage through the four themed time zones, packed with a medley of mental, mystery, skill and physical games. Success is rewarded in the shape of precious time crystals and the more crystals you win, the more time you’ll get to spend scrambling for gold tokens in the game’s furious finale. Who will pit their wits against the mind-bending mental puzzles and who is plucky enough to tackle the fiendish physical trials? Let the games begin!

(For ages 10 to adult)

(For 2 or more players)

The Crystal Maze Eastern Zone Mini Game – Available for an RRP of £12.99 [now £8.90] from Amazon

This special themed edition coincides with the unveiling of the all new zone: The Eastern Zone on the hit Channel 4 show, inspired by the historic art, architecture and monuments of East Asia. Players pit their wits against friends and family with this all-new set of skill, physical, mystery and mental challenges designed with replayability in mind, so they can be enjoyed again and again.

The Eastern Zone mini game can be played independently or used as a booster pack of contents for The Crystal Maze Board Game (sold separately) adding the new zone to the big adventure.

Suitable for ages 10 to adult and for 2 to 6 players, The Crystal Maze Eastern Zone Mini Game is sure to challenge and excite even the bravest of adventurers with success being rewarded in the shape of precious time crystals just like in the TV show. Whether a player is challenging themselves with mind-bending mental puzzles or a physical trial, the game has something for everyone.

The Very Merry Christmas Game – Available for an RRP of £21.99 [now £19.07] from Amazon

The Very Merry Christmas Game is the Family Game of Presents, Crackers, Christmas Songs… and Sprouts!

Move around the board collecting presents (present cards) to put in your stocking. Presents have a value depending on whether they’re nice… or naff.

Presents can also be given to other players – particularly the bad ones! You can take other players’ gifts off them and this is decided on the pull of a cracker.

All players’ presents are placed face down in the stocking so nobody knows what they’ve got but there are opportunities to take a sneaky look to find out which ones to get rid of and which ones to keep. Land on the singing space and you have to sing a verse from a Christmas song or carol to avoid losing one of your gifts!

Watch out for the two dreaded sprout cards as they could have a bad effect and make you lose out… The player with the best presents at the end of the game is the winner. All the joys of Christmas in this one box!

For 2 to 4 Players or Teams, Ages 8 to Adult

Mr & Mrs Family Edition RRP £20.00 currently available for £16.38 from Amazon and £20.00 from John Lewis

Mr & Mrs is based on the hugely popular All Star Mr & Mrs hit ITV show hosted by Phillip Schofield, where players are challenged to answer in-depth and entertaining questions about their partner, friends or family members. The new Pocket Edition is suitable for age 10+ and allows fans to play whilst on the move. It has over 300 questions and is guaranteed to cause laughter, blushes, blank looks and a whole lot more!

Pocket edition RRP £8.99 available from Amazon, Next and John Lewis.