Innovation

Photos: The best tech gifts for 2018

By // October 25, 2018, 9:39 AM PST // teena_maddox

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  • Raven connected car system

    Raven's connected car system has been getting rave reviews and was a 2018 CES Innovation Awards Honoree. Raven has dash and cabin cameras to keep an eye on everything, with time-lapses and HD video. It has security sensors to alert you if your car is bumped, broken into, or stolen. It also has navigation and real-time driving information. $299

    SEE: Gift Guide for Techies (TechRepublic Flipboard magazine)

    Affiliate disclosure: CBS Interactive earns commissions from some of the products featured in this gallery.

    Image: Raven

  • Samsung Galaxy Watch

    The Samsung Galaxy Watch is one of the best smartwatches of the year. It's a do-it-all smartwatch, and it comes in two sizes: 42mm and 46mm, in an array of colors. The watch tracks dozens of different exercises, and works seamlessly with your Samsung phone to take calls, check text messages and get calendar notifications. Prices start at $330.

    SEE: Samsung Galaxy Watch: Business professionals will love these four features (TechRepublic)

    Image: Samsung

  • Google Home Hub

    The Google Home Hub is a new smart home device that you can use to control other connected devices. It features a 7-inch touchscreen, a fabric-encased full-range speaker, a light sensor and two far-field microphones. It has no camera, so it gives you privacy wherever you choose to use it. $149

    SEE: Google Home Hub says no to smart-home cameras in your bedroom (CNET)

    Image: Google

  • SimpliSafe home security system

    SimpleSafe launched at CES 2018 as a home security option. The Essentials package includes a base station that sends out a loud siren if someone breaks into your home, and also alerts a monitoring center. It uses a wireless keypad and sensors around your home, so no drilling or wires are needed. Even better, the motion sensors only detect human heat signatures. Not pets. $259.95, plus $14.95 monthly for professional monitoring.

    Image: SimpliSafe

  • Link AKC Smart Collar

    Link AKC Smart Collar was the winner of the CES 2018 Best in Innovation Award; it features an LED light, GPS, and temperature monitoring. It helps you know your doggo's location and well-being. The location tracking uses advanced GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular data, and it is easy to use. You can also use Bluetooth with the Link AKC's base station to create a "safe zone"--the app will send you alerts if your pup wanders out of the range of the designated safe area. $129 plus monitoring.

    Image: Link

  • GoPro HERO7 Black

    GoPro has an all-new lineup of products that includes the HERO7 Black. It captures smooth footage, is waterproof without a housing, and has stabilization, making a gimbal unnecessary. $399.99

    Image: GoPro

  • Star Trek TOS Bluetooth Communicator

    Okay, it's not a real Star Trek Communicator, but it sure looks like one. With the flick of a wrist, you can answer calls like Kirk and Spock. It looks just like the real thing because it was created using 3D scans of the Alpha Hero prop. It pairs with your smartphone to work like a wireless speaker or pair of headphones. When you tell Scotty to beam you up, he'll be able to hear you clearly. $149.99

    Image: ThinkGeek

  • Soul Electronics AI earphones

    The Run Free Pro Bio earphones from SOUL Electronics have artificial intelligence with gait analysis, the ability to monitor running form, and real-time coaching. $149.99

    Image: Soul Electronics

  • Fitbit Charge 3

    The Fitbit Charge 3 is the newest wearable from Fitbit. It features an advanced fitness tracker that uses 24/7 heart rate and personalized insights to reveal what's below the surface. $149.95

    Image: Fitbit

  • Sony MP-CD1 Projector

    The Sony MP-CD1 Projector is designed for gamers, business professionals, and movie lovers. It can be set up in just five seconds to allow for streaming movies on demand. Use it with media-streaming dongles, smartphones, laptops and gaming consoles. The MP-CD1 can also serve as a portable charger for your other mobile devices for when you are on the go. $359

    Image: Sony

  • Olloclip Multi-Device Clip

    The olloclip Multi-Device Clip is designed to quickly and easily enhance cameras on the most popular smartphones. In addition, its expanding clip design is now a screen protector and case-friendly (up to 12mm thick). Users can quickly attach the desired lens with this clip. Clip: $44.99; Connect X lens: $59.99

    Image: Olloclip

  • UE Megaboom 3

    The UE MEGABOOM 3 is a portable wireless speaker on steroids. Blast freakishly amazing 360-degree sound with deep, heart-pounding bass. This speaker is small, lightweight, and waterproof. $199.99 at T-Mobile.

    Also see

    Image: T-Mobile

  • GoTenna Mesh

    GoTenna Mesh lets you use your smartphone without cell service or Wi-Fi. You can use it to send texts, share GPS locations, do group chat, and more. It's waterproof, dirt-proof, and weighs only two ounces. $179 for two.

    Image: Derek Poore/TechRepublic

Link AKC Smart Collar

Link AKC Smart Collar was the winner of the CES 2018 Best in Innovation Award; it features an LED light, GPS, and temperature monitoring. It helps you know your doggo's location and well-being. The location tracking uses advanced GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular data, and it is easy to use. You can also use Bluetooth with the Link AKC's base station to create a "safe zone"--the app will send you alerts if your pup wanders out of the range of the designated safe area. $129 plus monitoring.

Image: Link

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Innovation Digital Transformation Artificial Intelligence Internet of Things Smart Cities Hardware

By Teena Maddox

Teena Maddox is a Senior Editor at TechRepublic, covering hardware devices, IoT, smart cities and wearables. She ties together the style and substance of tech. Teena has spent 20-plus years writing business and features for publications including Peo...