10 Great Gifts for the Techie Dad

Don’t get your dad another tie. This list of gadgets includes scanners, cameras, speakers, rechargeable batteries and other tech toys that will make this gift for your father a memorable one.

From 2012: Father’s Day Gift Guide: 8 Great Gadgets

Paul Mah is a freelance writer and blogger who lives in Singapore. Paul has worked a number of years in various capacities within the IT industry. Paul also enjoys tinkering with tech gadgets, smartphones and networking devices. You can reach Paul at paul@mah.sg and follow him on Twitter at @paulmah.

The IRIScan Book 3 Executive is a portable scanner that lets you scan books or letters without a computer. Powered by four AAA batteries, the compact device is capable of capturing on a memory card images of up to 900 DPI in either PDF or JPEG formats. In addition, onboard Wi-Fi capabilities let users transfer images onto a Windows or Mac computer or accessed them from a free iOS or Android app. Finally, the IRIScan Book 3 Executive comes with Readiris Pro 14 optical character recognition (OCR) software as well as a free one-year Evernote Premium subscription.

Price: $129

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The UE Boom portable speaker from Ultimate Ears (a Logitech brand) produces sound that belies its diminutive size. The UE Boom supports A2DP Bluetooth connectivity and 3.5mm audio input, and can also be used as a speakerphone. Its internal rechargeable lithium-ion battery is good for up to 15 hours between charges, while its acoustic skin offers resistance to water and dirt. Finally, if one speaker isn’t loud enough, two UE Booms can be operated in tandem using the free UE Boom app from Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Price: $199.99

Related: Logitech UE Boombox Review

The Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio is an iPad keyboard case that comes with full-sized keys made of the same fabric as the folio. Strategically positioned magnets hold the iPad firmly in either an upright position (for use with the integrated keyboard) or flat (to hide it). Additional magnets automatically wake the iPad when the case is opened and put it to sleep when closed. Finally, a liquid-repellant coating on both the inside and outside fabric offer a certain amount of liquid resistance. The FabricSkin Keyboard Folio is available in red, black, blue and yellow.

Price: $149.99

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The iUSBportCAMERAoffers a rich list of features that both hobbyist and professional photographers will appreciate. The adapter connects to supported DSLR cameras using an included USB cable, and can be used to wirelessly stream a live view from the camera to client devices such as a computer or tablet. Photos and videos can be initiated remotely, while camera settings such as aperture, shuttle and white balance can also be adjusted from the client device. The iUSBportCAMERA uses a rechargeable battery that provides up to 8 hours of battery life.

Price: $299.95

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The Innergie PocketCell Duo is a USB rechargeable battery designed for use with smartphones and tablets. A five-level LED indicator shows the amount of power remaining, while internal Smart Charge capabilities allow the PocketCell Duo to charge more mobile devices than ordinary chargers. Under the hood, the compact device packs substantial oomph in the form of 6,800mAh of power capacity and 21W output power. The latter lets it simultaneously recharge two tablets via two USB charging ports. The Innergie PocketCell Duo comes with a free Magic Cable Trio 3-in-1 USB cable.

Price: $89.99

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The Minx Air 200 from Cambridge Audio is a wireless speaker designed to fit well into most homes and offices. The 200-watt digital amplifier and built-in subwoofer deliver heart-pumping music playback, which can be wirelessly streamed using either AirPlay or Bluetooth. The support for both means that the Minx Air 200 will work with all modern smartphones and tablets; stereo RCA input allows it to be hooked up to the television or other non-wireless devices, too. Finally, settings such as volume, bass control, and EQ settings can be tweaked using the free Minx Air smartphone app.

Price: $599

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The Seagate Slim portable drivemeasures just 0.38 inches (9.6 mm) thick—or slightly thicker than an iPhone. A USB 3.0 interface allows for speedy file transfers, while a brushed metal design lends it a sophisticated look and allows it to slide easily into a pocket or bag. To support interchangeable usage between PC and Mac computers, the storage drive also comes preloaded with an NTFS software driver for the Mac operating system. The Seagate Slim portable drive is sold with 500GB of storage capacity and is available in black or silver.

Price: $79.99

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Touted as the most powerful Harmony remote ever, the Logitech Harmony Ultimate offers advanced functionality such as the ability to control home theater devices from behind closed cabinets, access to IR devices and support for Bluetooth game consoles. More importantly, users can download a Harmony App from the Apple App Store or Google Play to control these devices from a smartphone. Those who prefer the physical Harmony Ultimate will find a customizable 2.4-inch color touch screen, as well as backlit buttons for use when in a darkened room.

Price: $349.99

Related: Logitech Harmony Touch is the Ultimate Universal Remote Control

The Jawbone UP wristband tracks movement and sleep data in the background. The rugged device is designed to survive thousands of showers and works in conjunction with a free smartphone app to record statistics related to physical activity and rest. In addition, an internal vibrating motor allows the UP to serve as an alarm clock in the morning (or for a quick power nap). The UP’s internal lithium-ion polymer battery is good for up to 10 days of use between charges. The device comes in three different sizes. Price: $129.99

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Though not tech gear per se, the Waterfield Indy bag blends fashion with the practical requirements of gadget-toting folks. Made of soft, distressed leather, the comfortable over-the-shoulder bag looks great on the outside. Inside you’ll find a number of interior pockets that are lined with a non-scratch material to ensure that your smartphones and tablets remain in pristine condition. The Indy is available in black and brown, with a choice of six accent colors. The Indy is suited for 10-inch tablets, while the smaller Mini Indy is designed for 7-inch tablets.

Price: $179 (Indy) and $169 (Mini Indy)

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