Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Mother’s Day gift

Still need to get a Mother’s Day gift? Here are some gadgets she’ll actually use

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You have less than two weeks left to get Mom the best gift ever for Mother’s Day, which falls on Sunday, May 10, this year. Flowers, chocolate, perfume, and breakfast in bed are standard fare, but there are ways to branch out, too. Maybe your mom is allergic to all those things. (“To chocolate?” “To everything.”) Not to worry: We rounded up some gifts that will help you treat your mother right.

For the mom who needs more grandkid photos

The Pigeon Frame ($119)

The Pigeon Frame Even if you have a Facebook group exclusively for your mom so she can see every picture of your bundle of joy, nothing beats something she can proudly display on her mantle. The Pigeon Frame alleviates any complicated steps from digitally displaying photos by letting you be the one to send Grandma photos and videos via an app on your phone. The magnetic frame displays the pictures from you and your siblings and has speakers to play video. Once it’s hooked up to her Wi-Fi, your mom will never be out of the photo loop again.

For the mom who likes to get her hands dirty

Parrot Flower Power ($51) or Click & Grow ($100)

Even if your mom has a green thumb, she could probably use a little help with her plants. Once she sticks the Parrot Flower Power in the soil, she’ll know her begonias better than ever. The sensor will beam information about the soil’s moisture, ambient temperature, and the amount of light the flowers are getting to her smartphone. To keep your mom from experiencing data overload, the app (available for iOS and Android) keeps it simple, reminding her when to water the plants or sending an alert that the fern’s not receiving enough light. If she’s tight on space but still wants fresh herbs, Click & Grow is a mini garden with everything Mom needs to grow basil and thyme, just by adding water.

For the mom who loves her (nonhuman) children

Petcube

If your mom just can’t bear to separated from Sir Arthur Canine Doyle, her regal schnauzer, then you must get her a Petcube. Not only does the Wi-Fi camera allow her to stream video of the little pup when she’s away from home, the cube’s speaker lets her talk to him. There’s even an attached laser toy for pets to chase. Should she catch Sir Arthur doing something precious, she can snap a picture and send it to you.

For the mom who pinots it all

Aervana ($100) or Avanti EWC1201 ($115)

This wouldn’t help much for our favorite boxed wine, but Aervana ($100) turns aerating wine into a push-button experience. Insert the battery-powered device into your mom’s favorite bottle of wine, and it will dispense a glass of Bordeaux that seems like it’s had plenty of time to breathe, even if you just opened it. For offspring who really want to make a splash, Avanti’s 12-bottle countertop wine fridge ($115) ensures Mom’s sparkling wine will always be at the perfect temperature for cocktail hour.

For the mom who hates to clean

iRobot Scooba 450 ($550) or Swash Express Clothing Care System ($500)

Does anyone think their mom actually enjoyed picking up after them? Pay her back for all those times she helped you clean your room by lightening her chore load. There’s always the iRobot Scooba 450, which scrubs floors clean, or the the Swash Express Clothing Care System, a device that de-wrinkles and refreshes clothes. You could even throw in a Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner. If you’re feeling a little guilty about giving your mother a bunch of cleaning supplies, you could also put them in a lovely basket, along with some flowers. Pinterest that mess. Read our iRobot Scooba 450 review.

For the mom who needs more power

H & Butler Mighty Purse ($100) or EverPurse ($250)

I don’t know about your mom, but mine never answers her cellphone. It’s always buried at the bottom of her purse, vibrating away as she goes about her day. At least if she had a bag that charged her phone while she was on the go, I’d know she could call me back later. Both the Mighty Purse wristlet and the Everpurse do the trick. The Mighty Purse requires an adaptor for iPhones, and the Everpurse’s docking system is compatible with the iPhone 5, 5s, 5c, and 6, and Samsung Galaxy S4. Call me back, Mom!

For the mom who won’t talk to you until she’s had her coffee

bonavita BV1900TS ($170) or De’Longhi Magnifica ESAM 3300 ($698)

If you stumble around bleary-eyed and grumpy until you’ve had your morning jolt of brew, it might just be genetic. Way better than a $200 Starbucks card that’s worth $50, you can invest in a quality coffee maker for your mom to replace that boring drip machine she’s had for decades. The Bonavita 8-Cup Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe is an uncomplicated machine that makes really good java. For the fanciest amongst you, the DeLonghi Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso Machine can whip up your mom’s morning cappuccino. Maybe it can also count as her birthday and Christmas gift, too?

For the mom who’s got her eye on you

SkyBell 2.0 ($200) or Ring Video Doorbell ($200)

Kids love answering the door and seeing who’s on the other side, but adults know that unless they’re expecting guests or a package, it’s probably not good news on the other side of the door. With the latest tech, your mom can screen her visitors when they ring a smart doorbell like the SkyBell 2.0 or Ring Video Doorbell. These video doorbells hook up to her home Wi-Fi and allow her to see who’s at the door and talk to them through a speaker, all from an app. A motion sensor will alert her if a lurker doesn’t ring the bell, too. Okay, this gift might just be giving you peace of mind, but at least your mom won’t have to answer the door during Jeopardy! anymore.

For the mom who’s an adventurous cook

Anova Precision Cooker
The sous vide movement is catching on, which means there are all sorts of gadgets that make it more affordable than ever. The Anova Culinary Precision Cooker will let your mom experiment with the technique with just that piece of equipment. She can clamp it on to any pot, and it will circulate the water and maintain its temperature to a degree Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, the Android app isn’t available yet, but the iPhone one will let her select any dish, place the zip-lock bags of food in the bath, and let the Anova do the rest. In a few hours, hopefully she’ll invite you over for a home-cooked meal that tastes like it was made in a four-star restaurant.

For the mom who’s more fashionable than you

Ringly ($195), True Gault custom footwear ($450+), or EasyClosets gift certificate ($25+)


More and more companies are making devices that are also attractive or incorporating tech into items that are already fashionable. Case in point: the Ringly, a wearable Mom can slip on her finger, so she’ll get alerts when her daughter is calling, she gets a text, or someone tweets at her. If your mom lives in her heels (and the New York area), True Gault will take a 3D image of her feet and custom make a pair that fit her flawlessly. If she needs help organizing all her snazzy, high-tech gear, you can let her design her dream closet online with Easy Closets.
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