Looking for a cool gift to get your loved one this Valentine’s Day? Perhaps something out of the ordinary that will surprise and delight them with your thoughtfulness? You don’t have to go the traditional route with chocolates, flowers, and jewelry. For the person you know will appreciate it, consider a fun tech gift they’ll be able to use and enjoy all year round.
For the Fitness Fan: Noise Luna Smart Ring
I have been reviewing the Noise Luna Ring smart ring for the last several weeks, and so far, it’s one of the best I have tried. Backed by Bose, the design itself is pretty basic, but the ring is comprehensive in the data it tracks and captures in the companion app, all from sensors on the underside that come in contact with your finger. From workouts and activity to your readiness score, sleep, and other health metrics like heart rate, Spo2, temperature, and more, it’s even more data than you get with some entry-level smartwatches. Plus, there’s the Luna AI intelligent assistant in the app you can summon whenever you have questions about your results or general health. The best part about this smart ring, however, is that it lasts about 4-5 days per charge, so you don’t have to charge it nightly. It comes in five finish options for US$300. To be sure about sizing, gift them the free sizing kit after which you can order the perfect fit.
For the Music Lover: Victrola Century Bluetooth Record Player
Not only is the Victrola Century Bluetooth record player incredibly cool in what it can do, it’s also ultra-affordable at only about $280 in Canada. It can play vinyl records but does so much more as well. It also has a built in CD player as well as a cassette tape player so you can relive your nostalgia from decades of the past. For those who prefer streaming, you can do that, too! It has built-in Bluetooth, as the name implies, for connecting to your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or other Bluetooth-enabled device. You can also stream your vinyl to an external Bluetooth speaker using Vinylstream technology. The three-speed, belt-driven turntable can play back vinyl through the unit’s own built-in stereo speakers, which play back tunes from the other sources as well. It’s the perfect gift that allows someone to play tunes in every way imaginable.
For the Commuter: Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 True Wireless Earbuds
I had the pleasure of reviewing the Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 true wireless earbuds before they officially launched at CES 2025 and they are easily the best-sounding earbuds I have tried in the past several years, if not longer. Not only do they sound superb with crisp, clear audio no matter what type of music you’re listening to or setting you’re having a conversation in, they boast unique features. First is adaptive noise canceling so you can adjust the level or have the earbuds intelligently analyze your surroundings and do it on the fly for you. Second is that multi-point allows you to connect to up to three devices at once versus just two with most other devices. Rather than automatically connect to the last device you paired, if you start playing a Zoom meeting from your laptop, for example, it will switch. If the meeting finishes and you queue up tunes from your smartphone, it will automatically switch over to that. It’s a useful feature. There’s also the proprietary magnetic fluid driver that ensures high-resolution, low vibration and low distortion sound, a comfortable concha fit with an extra M-L eartip size for those who can never seem to find the right fit, and Voice Focus AI that helps reduce background noise to ensure clear phone calls. They sell in Canada for $400.
For The Apple User: iPhone 16 Plus Smartphone
Is it time to upgrade their phone? If they’re still hanging on to anything from iPhone 14 and older, upgrading to the iPhone 16 Plus will open up a world of Apple Intelligence possibilities for them, from the fun Image Playground app to writing tools and intelligent assistance across apps. Plus, it has the cool side Camera Control button. It’s faster, more powerful, and sports longer battery life than previous generation phones thanks to the A18 chip and larger battery. Of course, it also supports MagSafe charging and accessories. Starting at $1,279, you can get the iPhone 16 Plus in fun Valentine’s Day themed colours like pink, teal, or ultramarine.
For the Gamer: Meta Quest 3 VR Headset
My 13-year-old son has been begging for the Meta Quest 3 for some time now, and it’s the type of gift that any gamer of any age would appreciate. The VR headset offers new mixed reality technology so you can explore all types of experiences, like playing a virtual piano or even entering a game while still seeing your surroundings in the home as you play. It affords 10 times more pixels than the Meta Quest 2 as well as double the graphics processing power, so it’s worth the upgrade even for someone who already has that device. There’s also support for spatial audio so they can enjoy a totally immersive experience that combines both visuals and sounds. It’s $680 with a purchase that includes Batman: Arkham Shadow, but you can save by opting for the step-down Meta Quest 3S, which is $400 with some concessions when it comes to picture quality.
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