gifts
Latest
Google's Shopping Gift Guide will show you what everyone's buying
Google has unveiled the Shopping Gift Guide, a microsite that lets you browse trending categories, compare prices and find local buying options.
Google's new Shopping portal will show you what everyone else wants to buy
A new Google Shopping microsite just went online, and it could help make your last-minute gift shopping spree a bit less stressful. The tech giant says Google Shopping 100 will feature products that show a recent increase in searches in the US. In other words, it's meant to give you fresh gift ideas if you're not exactly familiar with somebody's hobbies, or just fresh ideas in general if you're totally out of them. Hey, it's not easy coming up with gifts for everyone year after year.
The best coding kits for children
If you want to try to get your kid into coding as young as possible, then Cubetto is the best place to start. It's appropriate for children as young as three -- which is largely because it strips the concept of programming down to its absolute basics. Oh, and there are no screens in sight. Cubetto is controlled entirely by putting colorful shapes in a wooden block that sends instructions to a smiley little robot. There are even Adventure Packs available that come with a play mat and a storybook to help put the core concepts in context. READ ON: The best educational coding kits for kids
How to buy tech for other people's kids (without annoying their parents)
Gift gifting for kids has gotten a lot more complicated over the past two decades or so. Gone are the days when you could just buy a doll or toy truck and know that it would be enjoyed by the child and fairly noncontroversial with the parents. A lot of that recent complication comes from how tech-heavy toys have gotten, from robot kits to drones to AR-enabled playsets. And that's before you even consider video games and consoles like Xbox or PlayStation. When it's your kid it's a little easier: After all, you should know what they like, what they'll take care of and what rules you've set for them. But what about your best friends' kids, your nieces and nephews or young cousins? While there's no silver bullet gift since every kid is different, there are some general guidelines you can follow when purchasing a tech gift for kids, one that won't have the other adults glaring at you or the kids tossing it to the side in favor of something shinier. READ ON: How to buy tech for other people's kids
The baby gadgets you actually need (and what you can skip)
One of Engadget's resident dads on the tech new parents actually need (and what you can probably skip). READ ON: The best baby gadgets for new parents
The best blended STEM kits for kids
For starters, the littleBits Base Inventor Kit is an awesome introduction to electronics for little kids! They can build and customize a voice-activated robotic arm and innovate from there or use the tools right out of the box and invent whatever they'd like. In addition to the robotic arm, the kit includes a power supply, slide dimmer, sound trigger, proximity sensor, LED, buzzer and other goodies The littleBits app has some good ideas, too, if your kids need some suggestions. The $100 Base Inventor kit is recommended for eight and up, but younger kids can enjoy it with adult guidance. READ ON: The best blended stem kits for kids
Kid-friendly tech toys that won't make their parents hate you
Gifts don't always have to be toys or games to be appreciated. They can even be a little practical without your resorting to boring presents like (ugh) socks. If a kid really likes a particular video game, you can pick up some kind of branded decoration for their room, which they'll appreciate every time they go in there. If their game of choice is Overwatch, this adorable little mood light will look nice on a shelf next to all their Funko Pops (because every kid has Pops now) or next to their bed if they need a nightlight... even if they'd never admit it. READ ON: Kid-friendly gifts that won't make their parents hate you
STEM kits that don't look like STEM kits
Contrary to what you might think and hear, apps and screens aren't the best tools for kids to learn STEM concepts, even coding. Why? Innovation, pattern recognition, exploration, experimentation and creation underlie STEM principles. Kids need to manipulate tangible things. It's how they learn. While there are some great apps that supplement STEM learning, the best STEM activities for kids are blended ones -- the ones that require hands-on exploration, screens optional. Those that do require screens, like ones with coding apps, should augment the experience, not be the sole focus. Many of these toys and kits are designed for classroom use but are perfectly adaptable and suitable for home use, too, as my two kids, ages five and seven, will shout from the rooftops (supervised, don't worry). Check out these awesome blended learning STEM kits and toys. They'll have your little inventors ready to apply for their first patent in no time. READ ON: STEM kits that will get your kid's hands dirty
Our favorite coding kits for kids
There's plenty of reason to get your kid into coding. The next question is how. We've scoured the internet (and a few brick-and-mortar stores) for some of the best toys and kits to take your children from curious toddler to preteen inventor. READ ON: The best coding kits for kids
The gadgets we recommend for new parents
Rattlers are pretty basic, in that they make noise to get a baby's attention. But the SmartNoggin NogginStik goes a step further: It also lights up, which could help to snap your kid out of an epic freak-out session. It has a goofy face, something that helps little ones learn to recognize human faces. And it also has a ridged handle, which encourages motor development, as well as a mirror on the bottom. That variety means there's less of a chance your baby will get bored with it, and makes it essential for every diaper bag. READ ON: The best baby gadgets to buy for new parents
Apple's new rules can make gifts out of in-app purchases
It looks like Apple will soon allow users to gift in-app purchases to friends and family thanks to a recent change to the company's App Store Guidelines. First spotted by MacRumors, the updated text shows developers can allow people to buy in-app purchases for one another. That includes everything from ongoing subscriptions to one-off boosts. Apple's policy previously barred such gifts.
Soon you’ll be able to gift 'Forza' to Xbox friends
What could be better than firing up your Xbox One and discovering a new game? Unless you went on a bender and forgot, that scenario was never likely because you can't be gifted games on that console (or the PS4, for that matter). Microsoft appears ready to change that, however, judging by a tweet from VP Mike Ybarra. In response to the query, "How far off are we from getting the ability to gift a new purchase for a friend?" He tweeted "Not far!"
Ubisoft reveals year two 'The Division' expansions and gifts
Ubisoft has unveiled its roadmap for The Division year two expansions and is throwing in some gifts for the game's first anniversary. Judging by the details it revealed, you're not going to get a big updates à la one of the game's main rivals, Destiny. However, it's free, and Ubisoft is keeping the game ticking along until it's able to release a sequel.
How to save a few pounds buying Christmas gifts online
Before purchasing anything online, it's worth checking to see if you can knock a few pounds off the final price. It all adds up and you'll be amazed at how much you could actually slash from your overall Christmas shopping spend. Here are a few tips to help you do just that.
Dear Veronica: STEM gifts and holiday disasters
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-860048{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-860048, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-860048{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-860048").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Looking for that perfect gift for your sweet little munchkin this holiday season? We have some great ideas for the STEM-curious set out there!We also get suggestions for that perfect geeky getaway to San Francisco and Los Angeles from Morgan Webb and Broke-Ass Stuart Schuffman.Don't worry, we have a few more of your holiday tech support disasters. Have a safe and happy holiday, everyone!
The top 18 gaming products you can buy right now
In general, gaming hardware has a bit of staying power, at least until you get seduced by a next-gen console. The latest update to our buyer's guide included many carryovers from last time, although we saw fit to spin off both Sony's and Microsoft's respective cameras as their own entries. For the PC gaming set, we swapped in MSI's latest laptop powerhouse, the GT80 Titan, which offers top-of-the-range options and the satisfying clack of a mechanical keyboard. Also, we had to include Nintendo's latest 3DS XL; with face-tracking 3D, new buttons and Amiibo support, it's better than ever. You can find the whole lineup in the gallery below, but if you want to see some picks in other categories, our complete buyer's guide is always ready and waiting for you.
Engadget's new buyer's guide picks: LG's G4 and a ton of audio gear
It's been almost two months since we've updated our various buyer's guides, but we've made up for lost time by adding a dozen new picks. Most of those are in our portable audio category, with nearly everything replaced with something newer (or better). We've rounded out our other categories too, though, with the LG G4 ranking as one of our new favorite phones, and the Fitbit Charge and LG Watch Urbane getting nods in the wearables section. Those are some of the more notable additions, but feel free to poke around -- and stay tuned to see what we add next month.
ArcheAge patches in Divine Gifts and land expansion certs today
Following today's ArcheAge patch you'll want to keep a close eye on the bottom left of the game's UI. You'll see a little icon light up to indicate that you have a new gift awaiting you, and then... you get free stuff. That's it. That's all you have to do. The newest patch will offer these Divine Gifts to players regularly, allowing you to open as many as 10 in a given day for rewards like Lunarites, bonus food, and Hereafter Stones. Players will also be able to craft land expansion certificates (which will also be available from the Marketplace in a future update) and larger storage chests. That's in addition to new rewards for maxing skill trees and new portals leading directly to Serpentis and the Sea of Drowned Love. Whatever your focus is in ArcheAge, you'll have plenty of opportunity to take part in it when today's patch goes live.
Bungie gives Destiny players the gift of Legendary weapons
The holidays have come and gone, but Destiny players get a little more to celebrate this week. Bungie promised players a "small but Legendary" gift, and true to form, players have been receiving a single free Legendary weapon by the mail. It's not the same as what you'd get from a vendor, and it's not an engram; it's a random weapon that could be almost anything. For some players, it's going to be a nice new weapon with just the right perks. That's the gift that keeps on giving. (Specifically, it keeps giving ammunition to enemies at high velocity whether they wanted it or not.) For others, it's going to be another copy of the same weapon you already have or an even worse one. That's how random works. Regardless, if you play the game, go in and check your mail. It's not a fresh pair of socks, at least.
So, what did you get?
The Christmas tree is kindling, the HoneyBaked ham is destined for two slices of white bread and, with any luck, you've already wiped your old devices to make way for new ones. For most of us, the annual gift giving spree is over and while we can think of a veritable feast of gadgets and gizmos we'd be happy to receive, we're curious to find out what you got (and gave) over the holidays. So, follow us into the comments for our annual post-holiday show and tell. [Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images]
