Six of the best: High-tech Xmas gifts

Searching for the perfect gift for yourself or the other tech-lovers in your life? We’ve rounded up the latest and greatest in hi-tech gizmos and gadgets to make your Christmas shopping easier. Whether it’s a stocking filler or something a little more lavish, check out our top picks for 2017.

DJI SPARK

For the selfie lover

Tech company DJI knows its stuff when it comes to portable drones. And the Spark is their smallest drone yet - compact, easy to control and capable of taking cool ‘dronies’ (aerial selfies) with a hover range of up to 30 metres. It comes with visual positioning software that will lock onto your face and hover in front of you without zipping off and out of sight. Clever features like obstacle detection and dual band GPS mean you don’t have to be an expert pilot to operate it either. Control it with easy hand gestures for up, down and come home. The Spark comes with a full HD video that gives smooth results without sacrificing on image quality. Selfie lovers will be able to capture their best image yet, no matter where they are.

RRP $650

SNAPCHAT SPECTACLES

More ways to record your life

Snapchat Spectacles are a fun way to capture the world. These hi-tech sunglasses from the company that brought Snapchat to the world are taking the social media world by storm. The in-built camera has a 115-degree wide-angle lens that captures 10-second clips that can then be wirelessly uploaded to an iPhone or Android via the Snapchat app. All you have to do is press the button to capture the world around you, from your perspective. In three chic colours - black, coral and teal - they’re a smart gift for any photography fan. Best of all, they recharge in the case. These cool sunglasses are the hot pick for anyone who likes to capture their world in real-time.

RRP $170

NINTENDO SWITCH

On-the-go gaming

For hard-core Nintendo gamers, the new Nintendo Switch is big news. It delivers a portable hand-held and home gaming console in one with a powerful battery life that delivers three hours of high-performance play. The 6.2-inch screen—the size of a small tablet—has a 720p resolution with vibrant colour and is a comfortable size even for small hands. There are two controllers in the box so there’s no fighting over whose turn it is and includes a handful of big games like Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild to keep kids occupied for hours. It’s fast and easy to switch between television and handheld modes, too. For long-haul trips, an additional battery pack is available.

RRP $469

XENVO CAMERA LENS PRO KIT

Step up your smartphone game

Even with a good inbuilt camera, sometimes a smartphone doesn’t cut it. That’s where Xenvo comes in. Their Camera Lens Pro Kit comes with a powerful 12.5x macro lens that lets you zoom into a shot without losing focus and a 0.45x wide-angle lens that captures more of what’s in front of you. Both clip onto the phone’s camera and have soft rubber backing that won’t scratch the phone. There’s also a separate LED flash with three settings (low, medium or high) that plugs directly into the phone jack. Compatible with both iPhone and Android devices, it’s a good buy for anyone serious about their smartphone photography.

RRP $87

GOOGLE HOME

OK Google

In a world of voice-controlled smart speakers, Google Home stands out. This compact unit is a Wi-Fi speaker, digital assistant and smart-home controller all rolled into one. It features Google’s sophisticated search and voice-control software that makes other voice-activated units pale in comparison. Using just your voice, turn things on and off in your home and set alarms and reminders with ease. The device works with multiple Google accounts and can distinguish between different voices. Home also lets you access free music streaming services like Google Play, Pandora and paid streaming services Spotify and YouTube Music. There is a Bluetooth function to stream music directly from your smartphone. For those who like their sound big, the multi-room function works with wireless media streamer Chromecast to send music or video to a high-powered speaker, audio sound system or television set.

RRP $199

B&O PLAY H9

Tune out the world

For anyone who likes to escape the world, Bang & Olufsen’s newest noise-cancelling headphones are top notch. The Play H9 combines a sexy over-the-ear minimalist Danish design with uncompromising sound and endless comfort. But the big difference is its wireless capability. No more getting tangled up in wires—this luxury go-to is easy to wear and take off. Everything from the stitched leather headband to the large memory foam ear pads speaks of supreme comfort. With a replaceable battery and up to 14 hours of wireless playback with noise cancelling turned on, these high-fidelity headphones are a special gift for that special someone.

RRP $799