TV TOOL
Amazon Fire Stick
Get it: If you want to liberate your video streaming from your computer. Skip it: If you have a game console, Chromecast or other streaming device.
Jumping into the weirdly competitive world of little sticks that make your television smarter, Amazon has come in with a welterweight. The Fire TV Stick, like its competitors, lets users stream video from a smartphone, a tablet or other type of computer to a television, by way of this little receiver that plugs into a set’s HDMI port. The Fire TV Stick has access to all the biggies — Netflix, Hulu and, of course, Amazon Instant Video — plus access to a limited range of games. If you have a Google Chromecast, Roku or gaming console, this isn’t a must-have gadget to add to the pile. But if you’ve been holding off, it’s a good option to get videos off the small screen and onto the big one. $40
TECH DELIVERED
Subscription box from Quarterly
Get it: If you want to fully live a techie lifestyle. Skip it: If you hate surprises.
Gift boxes have become one of the most interesting retail trends of recent years, and Quarterly keeps techies in the loop by offering its own take on the idea. Tech enthusiasts can sign up for one (or more) boxes of items curated by noted names in the tech, science and innovation fields such as reddit’s Alexis Ohanian or Bill Nye the Science Guy. The items aren’t always gadgets, but they do have the tech and innovation vibe — even if it’s a book (like, a real one) or just a goofy doodad that your curator likes. Boxes range from $50 to $100 a pop; you can subscribe to have one sent every three months. $50-$100,
TAKE IT WITH YOU
ThinkGeek’s Bag of Holding messenger
Get it: If you always carry a lot — and like a sly D&D reference now and then. Skip it: If you’re a minimalist.
Sure, this isn’t strictly a gadget — OK, not at all — but it is the answer to one of the biggest questions we face in a multi-device world: How on earth do you carry it all? ThinkGeek’s Bag of Holding, which gets its name from a Dungeons and Dragons reference, has four main pockets, plus plenty of nooks and crannies to store things. The bag will fit laptops up to 17 inches in a padded compartment, expands to backpack depths and, in a pinch, can work as a travel bag for short trips. It has a thick nylon strap that’s comfortable even when it’s full. $50,
WALK IT OFF
Misfit Shine
Get it: For a stylish and discreet way to track your fitness. Skip it: If you need a screen on your wearable.
Wearables are the trend that didn’t quite take off this year. One problem with most smartwatches, fitness trackers and other devices is that they lack, well, any sort of style. That’s not the case with the Misfit Shine, a sleek fitness tracker that works alone or can be incorporated into any number of accessories from necklaces to watchbands. The Shine itself is a small disk — sort of like a macaron — that comes in a number of colors. There’s no screen on the Shine; users set goals on their smartphones and a series of lights on the Shine let you know how close you are to reaching them. You can share goals with Shine-owning friends for some friendly competition, if that’s your thing. $100,
