Father's Day Tech-Tastic Wish List
Buff
I'm going to be honest… none of what I write about below is anywhere close to what I'll actually get on Father's Day.
My kids' school put on a Father's Day 'store' and my wife sends them in with $10 each, which usually (always) results in me getting socks and a coffee mug to unwrap on the big day.
But this isn't a reality list. It's a wish list. The clue is in the name.
However, even with that disclaimer thrown in, I still have to set a few boundaries. I couldn't just include a super yacht, a sports car or (the ultimate dream) Oasis reunion tickets.
So this is a 'realistic' wish list. Sort of.
Good luck to all the Dads out there.
SHARP OSAKA DR-P520(GY) Portable Digital Radi
Sharp
Okay, this is a proper 'Dad' inclusion. Following the big power cut in Spain earlier this year, that wiped out not only electricity but the mobile networks too, one of the most common things that people said they found useful during the chaos was a battery-powered FM radio.
Not only is this Sharp radio that, but it also has DAB+ smarts too, along with Bluetooth streaming and 10 hours of battery life; which you can charge with the same sort of power pack you'd use to charge your phone in such an emergency.
It's available direct from Sharp, costing $60 Stateside, £60 in the UK.
The Bodum Bistro smart coffee maker
Bodum
With its 24-hour programmable timer, this Bodum clever coffee machine will get your morning brew set to go exactly when you need it… and will keep your coffee warm for 25 minutes after brewing while you inevitably have to sort out some sort of breakfast emergency with the kids.
It's also top-end filter coffee on offer, as it features a unique shower head design that evenly saturates your coffee grounds, meaning a more balanced extraction.
The good news is you can also ditch those wasteful paper filters; this eco-conscious design features a fine-mesh, stainless steel filter.
You can buy one now, direct from Bodum, for $110 / £139.
Beats Powerbeats 2 Pro
Apple
Given that the latest Powerbeats are positioned as the ultimate workout partner, with real-time insights into your exercise performance and built-in heart rate monitoring, I should say I want them to help me get fitter.
But they also feature Active Noise Cancelling, Adaptive EQ and Personalised Spatial Audio… so they'll be ideal for drowning out whatever (terrible) music the kids insist on playing on my home speakers.
With a whopping 45 hours of battery life thanks to their smaller, wireless charging case, re-engineered earhooks, and powered by the Apple H2 chip, the Powerbeats Pro 2 build on the original's success and still look super cool; so I can keep up the pretence that I'm still young and trendy.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are $250 / £250.
AirFly Pro 2
Twelve South
And I want those Powerbeats to team up with this nifty gadget, which bridges the gap between your Bluetooth headphones and those pesky wired-only systems on planes or gym equipment.
You simply have to plug the AirFly Pro 2 into any 3.5mm headphone jack, pair your wireless buds, and boom – instant audio freedom.
The AirFly Pro 2 lets two sets of headphones connect at once, have over 25 hours of battery life, and have support for high-quality audio codecs.
They cost $60 in the US, £61 in Blighty.
Buff LED Face Mask
Buff
A bit of a left-field one this, but I've been secretly jealous of my wife's SharkNinja CryoGlow mask for a while now (and she doesn't share)… but now we have an LED mask that's targeted at men specifically, and promises to help smooth fine lines, soften wrinkles, and slow visible signs of ageing.
Buff's LED Face Mask harnesses different light wavelengths to address a variety of skincare concerns. Blue light works to combat breakouts, red light encourages collagen production to improve skin texture, near-infrared light helps soothe inflammation, and yellow light supports a brighter, more even complexion.
Given that I look like an extra from The Last of Us most mornings, I think I'll need the full spectrum.
It's £180 direct from Buff.
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