TECH THE HALLS

This Christmas is set to be very different to last year, thankfully. Instead of seeing loved ones on mobile phone screens, we’ll gather together in our homes. Virtual Christmas drinks will instead take place in real-life bars and restaurants, and you won’t have to worry about next day delivery as you can now shop for the perfect Christmas gifts in physical stores. Yes, this is the Christmas we so sorely missed last year.

That said, there is one aspect to last year’s celebrations that we’re glad to see again: technology. Rather than rely on WiFi connections and battery life, this year’s top tech is catering more to keeping the whole family entertained. From the best new smart TVs to watch your favourite holiday films on, to the best speakers to get the party started, treat yourself - or someone you love - to the best tech for Christmas 2021.

FOR CAPTURING PICTURE-PERFECT MOMENTS:

Apple's iPhone 13 Pro should be your go-to smartphone choice if you want reliable all-day battery life and an almost too-good-to-be-true trio of cameras. With new 12MP Telephoto, Wide and Ultra Wide cameras; LiDAR scanner; macro photography; Photographic Styles, ProRes video, Cinematic mode and more, you’ll be able to capture just about every moment imaginable.

FOR STAYING FIT IN STYLE:

The festive season is always a busy one so make sure you stay on track with your fitness, but don’t compromise on style. Whether it’s to count all those steps you take as you shop, track your heartbeat as you dance the night away or to help you tune into your body, the Luxe Fitness and Wellness Smartwatch from FitBit is the perfect party season accessory.

FOR STAYING CONNECTED:

Even though we can gather again for the holidays, some friends and family will still be far away. Cue the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. With an upgraded 1.9” cover screen designed for being on the go, it’s now even easier to answer at a touch so you never miss a call. And when you’re ready for more, unfold to the 6.7” folding glass display and connect in real time with hands-free Google Duo video calls in Flex mode. What’s more, with Multi Window, you can make the most of every moment by opening two app windows on the same screen, so you can scroll through your social feed while messaging the group chat at the same time.

FOR GETTING THE PARTY STARTED:

Get everyone in the Christmas spirit and on the dancefloor with the Sonos Roam Portable Waterproof Smart Speaker. What’s great about this speaker is that it works together with any other Sonos speaker using WiFi so you can create a surround sound to keep the party going in every room. And don’t be fooled by its size, powered by a built-in rechargeable battery and with precision-engineered acoustics, this speaker delivers clarity, depth and fullness that you would expect from a much larger speaker.

FOR KEEPING THE PARTY GOING:

There’s nothing quite like a speaker running out of battery to stop the party and dampen the Christmas spirit. Or worse, your phone dying. Cue the Beolit 20. With a longer-lasting battery, integrated smartphone charging and powerful portable sound, this clever speaker is a party’s best friend. Enjoy up to 8 hours of playtime on a single charge and also use the wireless Qi charging feature to power your devices. Essentially, the Beolit 20 keeps the party going for longer.

FOR KEEPING YOU COMPANY:

Christmas shopping is made all the merrier by taking the Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless Earbuds with you as you go store to store. With active noise cancellation to block out the busy streets around you and transparent hearing to stay aware, these earbuds have it all. And with ergonomic design and 24 hours of playtime, you’re guaranteed an enjoyable sound experience all day long. So load up your favourite festive tale on audiobook or hit play on a Christmas playlist for the ultimate shopping experience.

FOR THE SERIOUS GAMERS:

Whether young or old, chances are there’s a serious gamer (or two) in your home. If that’s the case, then it’s highly likely there’ll be a new game console coming their way this Christmas. Elevate their gaming experience with the LG 65 Inch 4K OLED Gallery TV. Offering an unrivalled gaming experience with HDMI 2.1, VRR, HFR, Game Optimiser and Advanced α9 Gen4 AI processor 4K. What’s more, thanks to its Ultra slim gallery design and built-in flush fit wall mount, this spectacular TV enhances your home interior and adds elegance to your space just like a work of art.

FOR MOVIE NIGHTS:

What’s Christmas without bundling up with cosy blankets on the sofa, lighting the fire and watching your favourite festive film. Whether it’s a classic like It’s a Wonderful Life or a modern hit like Elf, bring the cinema experience to you with the Sony 65 Inch 4K OLED A80J Android TV. Connect your streaming services and browse 700,000+ movies and TV shows all in one place. And thanks to the Voice Search feature, there’s no more complicated navigation or tiresome typing, you can simply find the content you want using the power of your own voice.

FOR TRAVELLING HOME:

Whether it’s a train across the country or a plane across the world, many of us will experience the joy of travelling home for Christmas. Keep yourself entertained on the lengthy trip home with the Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones. With 30 hours battery life, these headphones are the ultimate travelling companion. Plus, if you forget to charge, there’s even a Quick Charge feature meaning you can enjoy five hours playback from just a quick 10-minute charge. Foldable and lightweight, these are a travel must.

FOR SPONTANEOUS SOIRÉES:

Whether it’s last-minute plans or a sudden change of venue, always be prepared for whatever party might come your way with the Marshall Emberton Bluetooth Speaker. Offering 20+ hours of portable playtime on a single charge or five hours playtime with a quick charge of 20 minutes, this is a speaker built for spontaneity. Delivering rich, clear and loud sound, like the artists intended. The Emberton speaker weighs just 0.7kg and can fit in the palm of your hand, making it the perfect compact speaker to take with you.

FOR BIG ADVENTURES:

Whether the festivities take you on adventurous hikes or tremendous travels, take the Beosound Explore with you. Portable, tough and ready to go, no matter where you go, the uncompromising sound quality of this compact speaker will help you get there. The tough rubber base and aluminium body means it can be placed safely on all sorts of surfaces – from muddy campsites to sandy beaches – while a meticulously constructed internal design protects against drops and falls. Oh, and it’s waterproof too. Its neat size and design means it can also be easily clipped to a belt, strapped to a backpack or simply grab it and go.

FOR RE-CHARGING YOUR BATTERIES:

With a busy social calendar, it’s easy to experience burnout over the festive season. That’s why it’s smart to invest in the FitBit Charge 5. Understand what’s best for your body with the device’s smart features which can track your activity, sleep and heart rate. Enjoy the freedom to improve how you are managing your mental and physical well-being anytime, anywhere. By doing regular EDA sessions on your Charge 5, you can understand how your body reacts to stress over time, you can start to build a mindfulness practice and take steps to improve your mental wellbeing.

FOR KEEPING YOUR HOME SAFE

You already know it’s important to regularly clean your home, but there’s one part beyond the surfaces that is often looked over: the air. Everything from cooking to cleaning to lighting candles to painting the walls will generate indoor pollution – some of which, unlike dust, can’t be wiped away but rather will continue to off-gas in perpetuity, continually releasing airborne chemicals. Add in other airborne allergens and irritants like pollen, dust and pet fur, and the case for installing an air purifier becomes more compelling. Cue the Wynd Plus Smart Personal Air Purifier. Brought to you by Dogpatch Labs, the Wynd Plus Smart Air Purifier is one of ten products Dogpatch Labs are launching in their new concept store in the Marvel Room at Brown Thomas for a limited time only. On a mission to accelerate the development of Ireland's entrepreneurial ecosystem, by providing a platform for entrepreneurship and innovation, Dogpatch Labs brings a dynamic store to discover tech that improves daily life. It will sell innovative consumer tech and food and drink products from over 50 startups from Ireland, Europe, and beyond.

MORE TO READ

And the best tech buys of 2021 doesn’t stop here. From smart projectors to innovative sound systems, discover more marvellous tech in The Marvel Room.