Seven cool tech gifts to spoil mum with
Mother’s Day is just around the corner! Here are our picks for the top tech gifts for that special lady in your life.
Mother’s Day - the Sunday we put aside every year to spoil our well-deserving mums! But often picking the perfect gift can be tricky, especially if mum isn’t forthcoming with hints.
We’ve compiled our top tech picks for mums in 2016 for your consideration – from small and thoughtful, to the especially indulgent.
Sonos Play
Photo courtesy: Sonos media kit
Sonos speakers are a perfect addition to the connected home; any mum who loves her music will be amazed at how easily she can get her tunes played in crystal clear sound with this relatively compact tech.
With podcasts and audiobooks growing in popularity, mums can easily tune into her favourite form of entertainment from anywhere in the home.
The wireless speakers work alongside an accompanying app for PC, Mac, iOS and Android that gives you access to your music on your devices, as well as plug into services like Soundcloud, Spotify and Apple Music.
Sonos PLAY is currently a range of three, starting with the PLAY:1 that is compact and powerful, up to the PLAY:5 that delivers incredibly powerful and vibrant sound.
You can stick with just one, and move it around the house as required, or pair two or more through different rooms.
Sonos PLAY RRP from $299
iPad Pro 9.7
The new iPad Pro could be perfect for the mum who needs an upgrade of either her tablet or laptop. At 9.7 inches, it’s got the portability of a traditional tablet with the power of a PC. A Smart Keyboard (sold separately) has been developed specifically that doubles as a lightweight yet durable cover for the iPad. Amazingly there are also no cords, or need for any pairing or plugs – you just attach and start typing.
iPad Pro 9.7 RRP from $899
Smart Keyboard RRP $229
Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity Wristband
Fitness trackers are increasingly popular, but many aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing.
Fitbit Flex is a great choice for mum as it’s available in nine different colours and can be accompanied by additional style accessories from Fitbit and Tory Burch.
The Fitbit Flex tracks all day activity and sleep automatically, syncing wirelessly to other devices. A great choice for active mums trying to keep on top of their wellness goals.
Fitbit Flex RRP $129.95
Online personal assistant
Mums could benefit from their own PA, particularly those working from home or in a small business that may not have access to administration staff.
Online PA services like GetFriday.com and Habiliss.com make this a feasible option, and can be a great gift choice for the particularly busy.
Their service areas include basic things like calendar management, travel booking and secretarial, all the way through to online research, purchases and engaging with customers.
Get Friday – 20 hours assistance a month $220, variety of plans available
Habibliss – 20 hours assistance a month $229, variety of plans available
iRobot Roomba 880 vacuum
Photo: iRobot Roomba 880 Vacuum
They aren’t for everyone, but iRobot Vacuums make you feel like the Jetsons and clean your floors, carpets, tiles, hardwood and linoleum - all on their own.
Mum can put her feet up and get time back into her day while the iRobot uses its navigation systems and sensors to map and adapt to furniture and any house clutter, with a pretty powerful vacuum function to boot.
Impressively, it also creates visual landmarks in its internal map so it doesn’t lose track of where it is or where it’s been.
iRobot Roomba 880 - $1199 via Harvey Norman
Gift a streaming subscription
If mum loves her movies, TV series or documentaries, and is yet to try a streaming service, then a streaming gift subscription is a no brainer.
Netflix and Stan are both options with gift card offerings; the best one for your mum will depend on her personal tastes. For example Netflix has the cult series House Of Cards, but Stan has a broad reality TV offering.
Check them out and their giftcard offerings here:
Netflix – gift card from $30, first month available to try for free
Stan – giftcard from $20, first month available to try for free
Chipolo item finder
Photo courtesy: Chipolo media kit
Chipolo is the perfect gadget for any mum who wants to live their life without always looking for things.
All you need to do is attach it to your wallet, keys, cat or dog, and it will use Bluetooth to find it with your smartphone. Incidentally, you can also use your Chipolo to find your phone – just shake it and your phone will sound!
Chipolo $40 at hardtofind