Tech Guide’s 2020 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas – Day 8: Smart Home/IoT devices

We’re up to Day 8 of Tech Guide’s popular 2020 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas to help you find the ideal gadget gifts to put under the tree for your loved ones.

Smart home devices and IoT (Internet of Things) products are among the fastest growing tech category.

These are a popular choice by customers who are now using these devices to realise their goal of making their home smarter.

Here are Tech Guide’s 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas:

Day 1: Cameras

Day 2: Smartphones

Day 3: Wearables/smartwatches

Day 4: Headphones/speakers

DAY 5: Gaming

DAY 6: Tablets/e-readers

DAY 7: Drones/Gadgets

DAY 8: Smart Home/IoT devices

DAY 9: In-car gadgets

DAY 10: TVs/Blu-Ray/4K

DAY 11: Appliances

DAY 12: Computers

DAY 8: SMART HOME/IoT DEVICES

NETGEAR ORBI WI-FI 6 – From $949

One of the questions we’re asked most often is: how can I improve my wi-fi? One of the best solutions is the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 which can be set up in minutes and solve all your wi-fi problems.

We’re working and learning from home now and rely on our broadband connections more than ever.

Netgear, one of the leading wi-fi brands with more than 20 years’ experience, has just released the Orbi Wi-Fi 6– the latest mesh wi-fi system that can create wider and more consistent wireless coverage throughout your home.

There are two Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 models – the RBK852 ($1,399) and RBK752 ($949) which use a dedicated wireless backhaul which provides a dedicated 5Ghz channel for data exchange between the router and the satellites.

READ TECH GUIDE’S COMPLETE REVIEW OF THE NETGEAR ORBI WI-FI 6

ARLO WIRE-FREE VIDEO DOORBELL – $329

Arlo, one of the leading brands for internet connected cameras, has today unveiled its new Arlo Essential Wirefree Video Doorbell which extends the same security and peace of mind to your front door.

The new device offers the same award-winning features of the popular Arlo Wired Video Doorbell but in an easy-to-install wire-free design that is battery powered.

The Arlo Essential Wirefree Video Doorbell offers a wider angle than conventional video doorbells so users can enjoy a 180-degree viewing angle with the square 1:1 aspect ratio so you can see your visitor from head to toe and if there are any packages on the ground.

READ TECH GUIDE’S REPORT ON THE ARLO WIRE-FREE VIDEO DOORBELL

ECHO DOT ($79), ECHO DOT WITH CLOCK ($99)

Echo Dot has been one of the most popular smart speakers on the market and it has also been redesigned with the same spherical design and fabric finish as Echo.

It’s about the size of a cricket ball and includes a powerful 1.6-inch front firing speaker for a full sound that can be enjoyed in any room of your house.

Echo Dot with Clock includes the same features but also adds a simple LED display so you can tell the time at a glance and also view temperature, timers and alarms.

www.amazon.com.au

CONNECT SMART HOME LIGHTING RANGE – From $10

 Range | RRP from $10 | Stockist: Harvey Norman | Imagery

Give the gift of a DIY SmartHome this festive season.

The CONNECT SmartHome lighting range is an affordable and unique gift, allowing the user the ability to create unique ambient lighting in any room of the home.

From downlights, strip lights to everyday bulbs, the range can create vivid colours and soft whites for accenting details and highlights in your home.

You can easily control the light anywhere with the Connect SmartHome App, or issue voice commands using your favourite virtual assistants. All available from Harvey Norman.

NANOLEAF RHYTHM STARTER KIT – $349

Transform music into light with the Nanoleaf Rhythm. Plug it in, turn it on, and embark on a sensory adventure personalised just for you.

Watch your Nanoleaf light panels dance to music with the sleek Rhythm module! No wires, simply plug the module into any of the Nanoleaf light panels and see it react to music in real-time. In addition to customising within the app, you can also toggle through saved Rhythm Scenes via its built-in button.

The modular dimmable light panels can bathe you in as many colours as there are people in New York City. They can also recreate the perfect white light for your needs – sunrise, rainy day, brilliant daylight, or anything in between. Create unique shapes and designs with the modular panels and select your own colour palettes to set the mood and create ambiance inside.

ARLO ESSENTIAL XL SPOTLIGHT CAMERA – $279

The Arlo Essential XL Spotlight wireless security camera includes an integrated, extended-life battery that can last for a whole year and give you peace of mind about your security.

Available for $279, the Arlo Essential XL camera has an integrated spotlight and can capture video at full high definition 1080p.

It is also fully weather proof so you can put it anywhere – inside and out.

There is  two-way audio so you can hear and speak to visitors easily along with colour night vision so you can easily see colours and not just black and white shapes.

The Arlo Essential XL Spotlight camera has a new design with a longer extended chassis to accommodate the larger battery.

READ TECH GUIDE’S REPORT ON THE ARLO ESSENTIAL XL SPOTLIGHT CAMERA

LG XBOOM GO PL7 SMART BLUETOOTH SPEAKER – $259

LG XBOOM Go portable Bluetooth speaker is a perfect solution for premium audio on-the-go, complete with Meridian Audio technology, compact and splash-proof design, seamless connectivity and a battery life of up to 24 hours.

It can also be controlled through Google Assistant or Siri.

The high-quality bass is driven by the inclusion of Dual Action Bass (PL7 and PL5), which uses passive radiators to pump out dynamic bass and immersive beats that users can both feel and hear.

XIAOMI MI HOME STARTER PACK – $99.95

Xiaomi’s new Mi Smart Home Starter Pack allows you to build your smart home and be more connected.

You can download the app and easily set up the pack in three minutes. The smart home starter pack is easy to install, plug  and play without any tools and damage to your home. This pack includes the Mi Home Hub which talks directly to the Mijia app. Within the app you can add an array of products from gauges to lighting, cameras, air purifiers, vacuums, and kitchen appliances, sensors and switches.

The Mi Home Starter Pack includes a window door sensor, smart switch, wireless switch, and humidity sensor.

Available from www.mobileciti.com.au and www.allphones.com.au.