Mums are special – be it your mum or significant other helping you raise your l’il ‘un – and they deserve nothing but the best. And while breakfast in bed, flowers and chocolate, are all nice ways to kick off Mother’s Day, go with something different and make mum truly grin from ear to ear.
That’s where technology comes in. Treat mum to a new gadget that will send her spiralling into the digital age or will give her the edge she needs to morph into a supermum.
Our 2018 Mother’s Day gift guide is for the tech-savvy woman, be she a gourmand, a reader, a traveller or a creative person. We’ve got gift ideas in every budget range – from the gizmos that won’t burn a hole in your pocket to tech that will make mum know she’s special.
Our gift guide is divided into sections so you can find the perfect gift for mum easily. We’ve got:
Google Home Mini
While the Google Home is a great smart speaker, it would stand out like a sore thumb in some homes, but the doughnut-sized Google Home Mini is a little more on the subtle side. That way mum can chart her commute, follow the weather and news, and control her smart home with a smaller-footprint device that doesn’t compromise on style.
Amazon Echo Dot
Google Assistant isn’t the only helper available to mum. Amazon’s Alexa also deserves consideration and the pint-sized Echo Dot is an exceptional smart speaker for its size, and is priced lower than the Google Home Mini. Mum can make calls, play music and do plenty more with just the power of a voice command. And, to celebrate our Aussie mums, Amazon currently has the Echo Dot on sale.
Apple HomePod
And let’s not forget Siri. If mum’s a big fan of Apple’s products, she not only gets a smart speaker, she gets an excellent audio product as well. The Apple HomePod boasts amazing sound quality and is perfect for someone who uses an iPhone or an iPad. It’s a lot more expensive than the other smart speakers available in the market today but, hey, mum is special.
Dyson SuperSonic hair dryer
While we admit it’s a pricey option, the Dyson SuperSonic hair dryer can tame even the frizziest hair, coming from with the well-worn reputation of well-honed design that Dyson has applied to its vacuum cleaners and fans. So if mum is still struggling with an old cheapy, maybe it’s time to treat her? You can even find it on Amazon Australia’s inventory.
KitchenAid Artisan KSM150 stand mixer
The KitchenAid Artisan KSM150 mixer has been built to last while beating, kneading and whisking pretty much everything. In fact, the attachment hub will transform the mixer into a pasta maker, vegetable slicer, sausage maker and so much more. And while it costs a whopping $849 at most retailers, you might be able to find a lower price on Amazon Australia.
SMEG 50s Retro kettle
A classic never goes out of style. This kettle from SMEG marries retro good looks to modern technology, making the ’50s Retro kettle suitable for any kitchen. With a 360-degree swivel base, it’s a breeze to dock and the removable and washable filter will help prevent limescale build-up.
Breville BKE825 Smart Kettle
Mum very fussy about her morning and afternoon cuppa? Then she would love this smart kettle that features five different temperature settings for the perfect brew, including a ‘keep warm’ option, soft-open lid and removable limescale filter.
Sunbeam CP4600 popcorn maker
Perfect for when mum wants to watch her favourite shows or movies, Sunbeam’s popcorn maker can make up to 12 cups of popcorn in one go, and doesn’t even need any oil. Now, that’s healthy! But considering we’re all only human, it’s good to know that a butter melting tray is included.
Everyone deserves a break from chores, even mum. With the Deebot Ozmo 610, vacuuming the house is as simple as tapping a button on the droid or scheduling it on the companion app and that’s it. Leave it to get the house cleaned up while you treat mum to a day out.
Smart home devices are a diverse category. The Internet of Things (IoT) is the key component of home automation. It enables all the devices in your home to be connected to the Internet so that you can communicate with them and issue commands.
Every manufacturer is looking towards India and its huge consumer base. The issue is, especially with digital assistants, that they’re not tailored for the Indian users.
Some of the products in the market may make sense for India, but a lot of them don’t. Issues range from accessibility to awareness. These products can also be expensive so users prefer to go for cheaper alternatives that are easily available in the market. The internet connectivity not always being consistent is another reason for the adoption ratio being skewed.
Either way, the products listed below do make viable sense to employ. They address concerns that pertain to the Indian ecosystem in particular.
Smart air purifiers
Air pollution in India is a burning issue on everyone’s mind, especially since Delhi has been labeled one of the most polluted cities in the world. The dependence on fossil fuels and ever increasing congestion is the leading cause of this epidemic.
Exposure to particulate matter over long periods of time can lead to cardiovascular problems, which is why a lot of people believe that investing in a smart air purifier isn’t a bad idea.
Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier 2
Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier 2
Cleaning method: Mechanical filtration and adsorption | Filter types: PET primary filter, HEPA filter, activated carbon adsorption filter | PUrification capacity: 330m³/h | Recommended effective area: 23m²~39m² | Noise level: 21bB | Dimensions: 240 x 240 x 520 mm | Weight: Approx 4.8kgs with filter
Sleek design
Quiet functioning
Replacement fliters expensive
One of the most affordable and smart air purifiers in India right now, the Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier 2 covers an area of 400 square feet and comes with a real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) monitor. This will, approximately, cover the size of a master bedroom or a large hall.
Its triple layer filter can block upto PM2.5 (particulate matter). PM2.5 are about thirty times smaller than the size of a human hair. They’re so small that one period at the end of a sentence could fit several thousand of them.
Wi-Fi support enables the Mi Air Purifier 2 to be controlled remotely using the Mi Home app (available on both the Play Store and App Store).
The Honeywell Air Touch S8 covers 450 square feet and comes equipped with a bunch of smart features and a high-end air filtering mechanism.
There are seven speeds that the user can shift between depending on what noise level is ideal and the intensity of the air quality. The High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter claims to remove all pollutants and allergens above 0.3 microns, which includes PM2.5 and pollen.
It’s definitely one of the better air purifiers in the market right now, albeit, a little expensive.
Smart streaming devices
Most users prefer to stream their shows and movies online. The issue is that you either have to connect your laptop to the TV with an HDMI cord if you want to watch your shows on big screen, else suffice without it.
Alternatively, smart TVs aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. They’re big and they’re expensive. Some people just love the TV they have right now and don’t want to change it.
Enter, smart streaming devices. These powerful, ultra-cheap but pint-sized gadgets can stream and deliver content from Netflix, Amazon Prime, and a bunch of other hosts.
Amazon Fire TV Stick
Amazon Fire TV Stick
Dimensions: 85.9 mm x 30.0 mm x 12.6 mm | Weight: 32g | Processor: MediaTek Quad-Core ARM 1.3 GHz | GPU: Mali450 MP4 | Storage: 8 GB internal | Memory: 1GB | Cloud storage: Free cloud storage for all Amazon content | Wi-Fi connectivity: Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi supports 2×2 MIMO 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.1 | Ports: HDMI output, Micro-USB for power only
Easy to navigate
Alexa is well integrated
Speedy interface
Content search has blind spots
No remote app
It looks like an over-sized thumb drive but has a lot more power than it lets on. It has an HDMI port one end to connect to the TV and a micro USB port on the other end for charging.
The device does need more power than a Chromecast to run but that’s due to its quad core processor and 1GB of memory. That is, it has enough processing power to play H.365 (HEVC) files, which, as of now, only the Chromecast Ultra can manage.
Video quality isn’t affected by the heavy compression and shouldn’t hamper the net speed for other users in the house when you’re streaming full-HD videos. The default connection speed obviously plays a part in this, but overall, it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
Connecting with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, you don’t necessarily need the remote that’s included and you can even connect to a pair of Bluetooth headphones.
Dimensions: 51.9mm x 13.49mm | Weight: 39.1g | Processor: Marvell Armada 1500 Mini Plus 88DE3006 SoC, 1.2GHz dual ARM Cortex-A7 | GPU: Mali450 MP4 | Storage: 256MB flash | Memory: 512MB | Connectivity: 802.11 ac (2.4GHz/5GHz) | Bluetooth: N/A | Ports: HDMI output, Micro-USB for power only
Good design
Smooth streaming experience
Easy setup
Mirroring the display can be buggy for games and certain apps
The successor to the original Chromecast, it enables users to stream content directly from their smartphones on to their TV screens.
When you aren’t mirroring your smartphone screen and casting using any compatible app, the smartphone can be used as a remote for the app. It will stream whatever you’re watching as well as leave your phone free to receive calls, text, or whatever else you want to do on your smartphone. This is one of the more compelling arguments of how casting beats mirroring.
Smart televisions
Did you know that smart TVs were originally called “connected TVs” by companies such as Samsung and LG? A smart TV is essentially any TV that has access to the internet so that it can connect to streaming services and run entertainment apps, such as Hotstar, Amazon Prime and Netflix. A smart TV can either use Ethernet or built-in Wi-Fi capabilities to connect to the home network to access the internet. Most models, nowadays, rely on Wi-Fi.
Operating systems and interfaces differ from smart TV to smart TV. Every manufacturer uses a different software and distinct graphical presentation. Even within a certain brand, operating systems and interfaces can vary depending on the model.
Xiaomi Mi TV 4
Xiaomi Mi LED TV 4
Display: 55-inch (3480×2160) | Resolution: 4K | Processor: 64-bit quad-core, up to 1.8GHz | GPU: Mali-T830 MP2, up to 750MHz | Memory: 2GB RAM | Storage: 8GB internal memory | Audio: Dolby Audio/DTS-HD | Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 3 HDMI ports (one with Audio Return Channel), 2 USB ports, AVout | Interface: PatchWall UI (based on Android Open Source Platform)
Slim, attractive design
Value for money
Ample port support
Plays 4K at 60Hz natively
Lacks screen uniformity
Contrast ratio could be better
Reflective screen
Having won the Red Dot award, the Xiaomi Mi LED TV 4 is the slimmest TV in the market right now. It’s a television set that definitely gives you value for your money considering that most 4K HDR TVs are usually sold for over Rs 1 lakh. TCL’s Android TV may offer picture quality, but without content support that feature can’t be appreciated to its full extent.
Display: 50-inch | Resolution: 1080p Full HD 3D | Audio: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pulse | Connectivity: Wifi and Internet, 2 USB Ports, 4 HDMI Ports
Great picture quality
Rich sound output
Capable voice recognition
Too many tangle wires behind the screen
The Sony Bravia is a thin television, though not as slim at the Mi TV 4, with super narrow bezels at the side. It has a minimalist look due to its matte finish. The Bravia has detailed picture quality that shows detailed and vivid colors.
There is support for 3D content, but you’ll have to buy your own set of 3D glasses.
TCL L55P2MUS Android M 4K UHD LED Smart TV
TCL L55P2MUS Android M 4K UHD LED Smart TV
Many connectivity options
Two bundled remotes
Easy to set up
Visible backlight leaks
Underwhelming image quality
Visible over sharpening
Average audio
The TCL L55P2MUS is another TV that offers value for money. It runs on Marshmallow 6.0 and has access to the Google Play Store.
It may not score points in performance but it’s got a lot of features that make the device worth while. If you can’t afford a premium brand and the Mi TV 4 isn’t to your taste, the TCL’s Android TV is the perfect option.
It’s easy to set up and comes equipped with a bunch of connectivity options.
Smart speakers
If speaker does anything more than play your music, then it can be labelled as a ‘smart speaker’. That’s to say that wireless speakers that feature Bluetooth, NFC and speakerphone capabilities while also having the ability to be controlled by apps make them the bare minimum of what a smart speaker can be.
But technology has come very far in recent years. Smart speakers are now wireless speakers that come with voice control. Using the artificial intelligence on these devices you can ask them to do anything from playing a song to setting a timer for your cake or even dim the lights if your house already equipped with smart bulbs.
Amazon Echo dot
Echo Dot
Dimensions: 32 x 84 x 84 mm: | Weight: 163g | Speaker size: 0.6″ tweeter | Smart home compatible: YES | Alexa calling: YES
Smaller design than the Echo
Good voice recognition
Limited voice control of audio output
Needs more skills
No digital audio output
The Echo Dot, the successor to the original Amazon Echo, has carried forward most of the features while also reducing the price. The audio output of this device might actually be a tad bit better. The Echo Dot runs of Alexa, the Amazon artificial intelligence (AI). Alexa has been integrated with skills that are unique to India, which unlike what most other smart products have been able to do.
The main boon of the Echo Dot is that it can be connected to an external speaker without compromising on its ability to get songs to play quickly or to just let the FM play.
Harman Kardon Allure with Alexa
Harman Kardon Allure with Alexa
Dimensions: 21.5 x 21.5 x 27.4 cm: | Weight: 3.15 Kg | Speaker size: N/A | Smart home compatible: YES | Alexa calling: YES
Equipped with Amazon Alexa
Built-in light
Powerful sound
Not everyone loves the design
The reason that the Harman Kardon Allure’s is not to everyone’s taste is because they’re so different. From far away, they may look more like a funky humidifier or mini blender rather than an actual speaker. It’s not even that small, being 8 inches tall and over 6 inches in diameter. The only hint of it being a speaker is in the bottom half, where the body is metal and lots of notches are carved out to aid sound travel.
What makes the Allure stand out even further are its LED lights. The top half of the speaker is a circular 360 degree LED light cylinder that fluctuates between red, white and blue.
Dimensions: 96.4 x 142.8 mm: | Weight: 477 g | Speaker size: N/A | Smart home compatible: YES | Digital assistant: Google Assistant
Better audio quality than the Echo
Google Cast support
Appealing Aesthetics
Fails to catch your voice at times
Needs more functionality in India
The Google Home might not match up to the Echo in India but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have potential. At the end of the day, the foundation of the device is better. It’s a speaker and it has superior audio quality.
That being said, the fact that it doesn’t catch what you’re saying sometimes and hasn’t yet fully integrated itself into the Indian ecosystem, does impair its functionality.
If you’re choosing between the two, then you should go for whichever ecosystem you want to be a part of in the long run. Neither Alexa or Holly (Google Assistant’s name) are perfect and the choice, honestly, depends on your own preference.
Smart bulbs can connect to your phone wirelessly and have capabilities that open up a whole range of options for the user. Most people prefer smart bulbs because they have the ability to dim, change colors, and can be controlled from anywhere. That means, in case you’ve left your lights on at home you can always switch them off while you’re on the move. Instead, if you’re on a vacation, you can switch the smart bulbs on at night to keep thieves away.
Syska Smartlight Rainbow LED smart bulb
Syska Smartlight Rainbow LED
Lifespan of 25,000 hours
Support on both iOS and Android
Works on Bluetooth as well as Wi-Fi
Won’t work with Alexa
Most smart bulbs can change colors but what makes the Syska Smartlight special is that the user can pick a photo off their photos and the bulb will project colors as per the visual perception of the image. The colors are aimed to help elevate the users mood or defining the right kind of ambience.
The bulb is Bluetooth enabled with a clean interface on the smartphone. You can control the bulbs individually or if you have more than one, the Syska app with allow you program entire rooms/zones with a custom lighting.
Another feature that stands out is that you can set your bulbs to a timer. That is, you can set your bulbs to turn on and off according to your requirement. The option to set your bulbs to an alarm is also possible, in which your bulbs will be able to simulate the sun rising and circadian rhythm.
Philips Hue
Philips Hue
Easy to set up
Streamlined app experience
Integration with other services
The Philips Hue may be a little expensive but it can seamless integrate itself with Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Home Kit, and the Google Assistant. Third party synthesis is a real boon if you’re using this smart bulb.
If you’re working towards a complete smart home, then the Philips Hue is the right option. It has a multitude of features that can optimize the users ecosystem.
But if you’re just looking to start off with a few bulbs to see what the experience feels like, then the Philips Hue may feel like too much of an investment.
Smart plugs are the simplest of smart devices. Ordinarily they’re only capable of being turned on and off, but integrate smart technology, and they’re capable of so much more. Depending on which device you’ve plugged in, you can schedule those gadgets to turn on and off.
Oakter Smart Plugs
Oakter Smart Plugs
Can control using Alexa
Limited utility
Not on IoT
Slightly larger than conventional plugs, they’re a good way to ease yourself in to smart home ecosystem. Each plug has its own built-in power supply, electronic switch and circuit. The RF radio-controller connects to the hub that’s sold with the plus and the trigger switches the power on and off.
The smart plug can basically be fitted into any ordinary power socket. They come in two variants, 6A and 16A, depending on the power rating of the appliance that you’ll be using.
TP-Link HS100 Wi-Fi Smart Plug
TP-Link HS100 Wi-Fi Smart Plug
Interchangeable pins
Can sync with Alexa
Doesn’t support 5GHz Wi-Fi band
This plug works off of the Kasa application and can be synchronised with Amazon Echo’s Alexa so that you can control it using your voice alone.
It’s one of the more affordable options in the market. You can even carry it around when you’re travelling. The main boon of a smart plug being that you can switch it off even when you’re away from your home to rake in some energy savings.
This smart plug works especially well in India because it has tolerance for extreme temperatures as well as humidity.
Even Cortana is trying to integrate itself in to the smart home ecosystem with IFTTT integration.
Here’s what’s need to make a smart home even smarter if adoption is to be increased.
Going on a beach-front vacation or trekking through mountains? Well, you’re probably going to want your camera to be waterproof.
These waterproof cameras are handy and you can easily take them up to a depth of 30-meters underwater. They are specially designed and tested to survive in any condition, which means they are shockproof, dust-proof and freeze-proof as well.
These cameras also offer connectivity options like Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth, which makes transferring files easy and quick.
If something waterproof isn’t what you specifically looking for, then check out the best travel cameras that offer extended zoom and are compact to carry around.
Meanwhile, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best waterproof cameras that you can own, to capture those precious moments no matter where you go.
As the name suggests, the Olympus Tough TG-5 is a tough camera with a solid build. Replacing the TG-4, Olympus made a bold move by actually reducing the pixel count from 16 mega-pixels (MP) to 12MP to produce better image quality – since the pixels are packed in quite as densely.
The dual panel glass keeps the camera from fogging up during extreme temperature changes, making it ideal for any situation.
The camera is equipped with various field sensors like GPS, thermometer, barometer and compass that can record the related data while shooting. The user can transfer this data onto any smartphone using the Olympus Image Track app making sharing oh-so-easy.
It also has different shooting modes including Underwater mode and a Pro-Capture mode for split-second movement.
Dive up to 15-meters into the sea, drop it from a height of 2.1-meters, crush it under a 100-kilo rock (don’t actually do this one, ok?) or hike up to meet the Yeti at temperatures down to -10 degrees Celsius, this camera can do it all.
The Nikon Coolpix W300 is made for those who love capturing adventurous moments as they happen. Though Nikon has the GoPro series for this purpose, the W300 is packed in with more features.
The unique selling position of this camera is that it’s rugged and able to operate at depths up to 30-meters, handle a drop from a height of 2.4-meters and function in temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius.
It also has a SnapBridge feature that allows users to easily transfer images to any mobile device via Bluetooth Low Energy connection. Even though it’s available in orange, yellow and black – the camouflage version is especially badass.
Always have an issue finding the click button or switching between the different modes on a camera? The Canon PowerShot D30 solves that problem by giving users a camera with a good ergonomic design and big sized controllers.
Waterproof up to 25-meters with GPS tracking abilities, it’s considerably more rugged than it’s predecessor, the PowerShot D20. Its 12.1 megapixel sensor with DIGIC 4 processor may be dated, but delivers good quality images with high details and clarity.
The only complaint that we have is that it lacks Wi-Fi connectivity and can’t record altitude or depth data, which is a bit of a let down in comparison to what other cameras in this segment are capable of providing.
Do the cameras above seem a little pricey for your budget? Well, the Nikon Coolpix W100 is inexpensive while still being tough and waterproof.
The camera is decent with a 14.1 megapixel sensor. It also has the SnapBridge features allowing users to transfer files to their smart devices. It’s connectivity capabilities go a step further with Wi-Fi and near field communication (NFC) making it all the more appealing.
Most waterproof cameras have fixed lenses, which can be a hassle for some users. But that’s a problem that the Nikon 1 AW1 solves.
It was the first mirror-less camera with interchangeable lenses, and it’s waterproof, dust proof, shock proof and freeze proof as well. Its internal specs are the same as the Nikon 1 J3 including the 14.2-megapixel sensor that’s capable of capturing some really good pictures and can shoot videos in HD.
The only thing is that the selection of toughened lenses is limited so the focal lengths and maximum aperture available to you are also limited.
