Tech gifts for dads and grads with Marc Saltzman
Marc Saltzman has been writing about technology for 27 years.
That’s long before he was a dad or the 'Dad of grads.'
When he first started to turn "geek speak" into "street speak" (that’s the theme of his tech talk radio show on Newstalk 580 CFRA) innovations weren’t hitting the market at gigahertz speed.
Saltzman is busier by the day, testing and researching technology as it hits the market.
So these suggestions are about the tech that makes a dad’s, or grads, downtime that much more enjoyable and more relaxing.
With this technology, Saltzman can spend his Father’s Day gaming outside while dinner cooks itself and he can see when his family arrives without moving a muscle.
He’s a motivated guy but it’s nice to have a day off.
Isn’t that what technology is supposed to do?
Marc Saltzman’s dads and grads tech picks and why he likes them:
Nintendo Switch($399)
Versatile gaming system to play at home or on the go, with new titles like Game Builder Garage ($39) and Mario Golf: Super Rush ($79)
"Nintendo’s 'secret sauce' is that their games are easy to pick up, yet impossible to put down. These two are no different. Game Builder Garage is great because it blurs the lines between game player and game creator – even if you have no experience in game programming. Mario Golf: Super Rush is great for dads who wish they were on the fairway," said Saltzman.
Nintendo Switch
LG C1 OLED TV (from $2,099)
Whether Dad is into sports, games, TV shows or movies, this is a super-thin Smart 4K television, ideal for the latest consoles (fast frame rates), clear and loud audio, and sizes go up to 83 inches.
"In case you haven’t yet laid your eyes on an OLED TV, they’re ridiculously thin because no backlighting is required – each pixel (dot) is self-lit – which can also delivery 'perfect blacks' as the pixel can just turn off its light (exceptional contrast ratio)," said Saltzman.
"Premium televisions like the LG C1 Series OLED TVs are also energy efficient, as they sip rather than gulp electricity (we all know what we pay for hydro in Ontario!)."
HP OMEN 15 laptop: (from $1,699)
For the dad and grad who likes to work hard and play hard, the HP OMEN 15 is the perfect work/life laptop.
"Ideal for dad’s 9 to 5 work life, as well as his 5 to 9 downtime. A versatile laptop like the HP OMEN 15 has enough power to handle the most demanding work-related applications, as well as the umph needed for gaming, streaming 4K video, and more. This laptop also works with the Omen Gaming Hub, which is software that let you customize what the hardware does (like RGB lighting on the keyboard), you can earn rewards, and more," said Saltzman.
HP OMEN 15
D-Link Wi-Fi 6 Solutions
Get the speed you need, as well as support for more simultaneous devices on the network with the D-Link AX3260 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router ($179) and the world’s first Wi-Fi 6 USB Wireless Adapter ($79).
"All of these gadget gift ideas require strong WiFi. The latest standard is WiFi 6, offering up to three times the speed as the previous generation (called 802.11ac). More importantly, perhaps, this router is MESH-compatible, which means you can add 'access points' to various rooms to broaden the range of your WiFi signal (even to the outdoors)," said Saltzman.
"As a world's first, the WiFi 6 USB adaptor can plug into a laptop or desktop, for it to be compatible with the WiFi 6 platform."
Amazon’s Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 ($324.99)
This is Ring’s premium wired video doorbell with advanced features including 3D Motion Detection, Bird’s Eye View, improved HD+ video, Quick Replies and Head to Toe video.
"As with its predecessors, this video doorbell lets you see who’s at your door, and speak with them in realtime – even if you’re not inside – but this premium wired doorbell has features like 'head to toe' video (see more), HD audio (hear more), support for your Alexa smart speaker (have your assistant talk to the courier, for example, by saying something like, 'Please leave the package behind the railing' and bird’s-eye video, which uses radar to see the person’s movement on your property for extra peace of mind."
Amazon’s Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2
Traeger Ironwood Wood Pellet Grills (from $1599)
These high-tech grills are barbeques and smokers in one, powered by wood pellets and proprietary WiFIRE Technology that wirelessly lets you control it all on the Traeger app, smart home devices, and your Apple Watch.
"Both the Traeger Ironwood 650, with its 649-square feet cooking area, or larger Traeger Ironwood 885, with 885 square feet of cooking space, allow you to grill a steak and veggies, smoke a brisket or bake an apple pie – all in the same unit – and using 100 per cent real hardwood pellets as the fuel source," said Saltzman.
"When it comes to its smarts, Traeger’s WiFIRE technology lets you monitor or control the temperature (even from inside your home) through a companion app, which includes access to more than 1,600 recipes, Apple Watch support on your wrist, or by using voice commands through a Google or Amazon smart speaker. With the latter, you can say something like, 'Alexa, set the probe temperature to 200 degrees,' 'OK Google, how hot is the food on the grill?” or, 'Alexa, set a timer for 20 minutes on <grill name>.' Essentially, WiFIRE connects sensors in the grill to the companion app, plus there’s also an included meat probe to monitor the exact temp inside your meal."
Traeger Ironwood Wood Pellet Grills
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.