I am a father of 5 and a grandfather of two. I am additionally a full-time digital nomad, which implies I work remotely whereas touring to be able to see the world. Lengthy-haul solo journey beforehand meant you could possibly go weeks and even months with out interacting with your loved ones, however fortunately right now’s applied sciences let me keep related with the push of a button.
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Since I am typically solely catching up with my kids on Zoom or FaceTime, I miss out on these day-to-day IRL moments when a father or mother overhears small speak or notices what objects the youngsters are utilizing and leaving round the home. Happily for me, my youngsters are all tech nerds like I’m, and so they’re completely satisfied to inform me what gear is most useful of their lives as they navigate early maturity.
My youngsters vary in age from 21 to 29, so the final a number of years have seen loads of school drop-offs, first residence setups and back-to-school provide grabs.
If you happen to’re searching for a small (or splurge) reward for the younger grownup in your life as back-to-school season approaches, these tech presents have been winners for each me and my household.
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Working as a digital nomad means spending plenty of time on airplanes. One expertise I have not loved on a aircraft is utilizing wired headphones for the leisure system.
Since buying an AirFly Bluetooth adapter, I have not appeared again. This Bluetooth wi-fi audio transmitter and receiver works with AirPods or wi-fi headphones. You plug the gadget into an airplane’s or practice’s leisure middle, permitting you to pair your wi-fi system. It creates a Bluetooth connection wherever there is a common headphone jack.
Your graduate will probably wish to journey in some unspecified time in the future (or higher but, journey with you!), so it is a reward they will take pleasure in.
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In relation to my kids, 3 out of 5 favor an Apple laptop computer. I’ve bought a 14-inch MacBook Professional, a 15-inch MacBook Air and a 16-inch MacBook Professional.
My 22-year-old daughter likes the 14-inch MacBook Professional, proven right here, as a result of it is the completely satisfied medium of the three gadgets. She codes, however as a result of she travels, she does not desire a greater display screen. My 24-year-old son prefers the 16-inch MacBook Professional as a result of he does each coding and graphics work, so he needed a much bigger display screen. And my 21-year-old daughter likes the 15-inch MacBook Air as a result of the display screen is massive however the laptop computer is mild.
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Though I journey with headphones, I typically use a Bluetooth speaker when watching exhibits and listening to music. I just like the JBL Flip 5 transportable Bluetooth speaker as a result of it is sufficiently small to slot in my journey bag and it is simple to make use of.
It is a middle-of-the-road speaker by way of value. The audio high quality is nice sufficient for me, and the product is each sturdy and waterproof.
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Two of my youngsters are players, so they like PCs over Apple computer systems. For them, I’ve bought the Alienware x16 R2 gaming laptop computer. They each love this laptop computer as a result of it is quick, has a powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics card and has a superb refresh charge for gaming.
As I’ve discovered from private expertise, for those who shock your little one who loves gaming with an Alienware laptop computer, you will get main parenting factors.
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Battery Life Rated as much as 20 hoursNoise Canceling Sure (ANC)Multipoint SureHeadphone Kind Over-ear wi-fi headphonesWater-Resistant No IP score
Curiously, when dad was shopping for, all my youngsters opted for over-the-ear headphones as a substitute of earbuds.
I’ve preferred the Bose Headphones 700 for journey, and because it seems, my youngsters love them, too. The sound is nice, they match comfortably over the ears and so they’re wi-fi. A few of my college-age kids are Apple heads whereas others favor Android, however they name a truce and are available collectively for his or her mutual love of Bose.
Learn our Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 assessment.
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I am an Apple person, so the Apple MagSafe transportable charger is a pure match for my iPhone 15 Professional Max, and it is sufficiently small and lightweight sufficient to slot in my pocket. I’ve bought Apple’s MagSafe chargers for 3 of my youngsters; they recognize the flexibility to maintain their cellphone charged by simply setting their cellphone down, reasonably than having to seek for cords on a regular basis.
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A pill makes an incredible reward as a result of it is a system that may deal with a lot of the work of a laptop computer however in a cell approach. I personally use my iPad on flights and in lodges, because it’s a lot simpler to deal with than my laptop computer. All 5 of my grownup youngsters favor Apple merchandise in the case of tablets, primarily for note-taking or streaming exhibits in a snug place.
Tablets have come a great distance by way of pace, display screen readability and the highly effective processors constructed into them. I can now do enterprise duties on my iPad on the go, which is extra handy than pulling out my laptop computer.
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I’ve bought this Bluetooth speaker for myself and a few of my youngsters as a result of it is cheap however nonetheless good. This cell speaker is nice to make use of whereas watching films in lodges and Airbnbs (and let’s not overlook blasting my favourite Taylor Swift songs).
My youngsters take pleasure in this properly priced speaker as nicely, and so they say it is a reward they really use, which is all the time a plus.
Learn our Anker SoundCore 2 assessment.
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To energy my devices on the go, cell power is crucial. There’s not all the time an outlet out there when touring on planes, trains and buses, or in a ride-hailing automobile. Anker’s MagGo energy financial institution is my go-to cell energy provide for my travels.
Happily, my youngsters agree. They just like the Anker MagGo as a result of it is transportable and never overly clunky. With the ability to energy devices whereas in school, work or on the go is a present your older youngsters will recognize.
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A few of my youngsters need top-notch audio high quality in an exterior speaker, so it is again to Bose we go. They instructed me they like this Bose Bluetooth speaker as a result of it is small, but mighty in its audio output. The speaker can work the room for a celebration but additionally can match right into a backpack or carry-on simply.
Tech presents are a win-win
Tech presents are a simple method to deal with your youngsters to a better high quality of life after they do not fairly have the wage but to do this for themselves. They will recognize it, and you will recognize getting them a present they really need and can use. You’ll be able to’t go incorrect with any of those presents as you ship your younger grownup off on their subsequent journey.