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
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.