Perfect Gifts for Technology Lovers

by Lauren Busser Direct from the Designers™’ Editorial Director

Do you have a technology enthusiast on your list? Did they just get a new home? Or do they want to upgrade some of the things in their current home? Here are some of our favorite products that work with technology you already use every day. From intelligent locks and thermostats, to basic home automation or all the way to the 'smart home' it's never been easier to find the perfect gifts for the gadget-loving people on your list.

Whole Home Automation

Whole home automation is here and it's a growing industry. We are still far from the days of the Star Trek computer, but you can use the technology you rely on every day to monitor your HVAC, lighting, and even media systems.

One of our favorite systems comes from SAVANT, which lets you use products like your Apple® iPad® and iPhone® to monitor all the essential systems of your home. With the two different host and app combinations it's easy to select the right coverage for your place. The Smart Host is ideal for most homes, offering you the ability to customize up to 12 rooms. The Pro Host is designed for larger, or unique homes that require a higher degree of customization.

Read more about the Smart and Pro Hosts and decide which combination is right for you.

A Smart Thermostat or Carbon Monoxide Detector

A smart thermostat is a great choice for a techie who wants to save money and live green. The nest® Learning Thermostat is a great solution. A 'dumb' thermostat can waste up to $173 a year. The smart nest® thermostat is so easy to program you won't even know you're doing it. With a few days of typical use it will learn and remember your heating and cooling preferences and adjust itself, so you don't have to. If your habits change, it changes with you. See how much you can save with a nest® Learning Thermostat by using the Savings Calculator.

From the same family comes the nest® Protect, a smoke and carbon monoxide detector that can alert you in the event of fire via text. While nest® Protect can save you from smoke and carbon monoxide, in the case of one family it even protected them from a sneaky dog who accidentally started a fire.

Use a Smart Lock

Keeping your home safe and secure is especially important during the holiday season. So whether you are shopping for yourself, a new homeowner, or your best friend consider giving the gift of security with a smart lock. Among the very best smart locks available is the Schlage® Camelot Touchscreen Deadbolt and Alarm.

The Schlage® Camelot Touchscreen Deadbolt and Alarm features an attractive but tough illuminated touchscreen. The anti-pick shield protects your lock against tampering, and a strong motorized bolt locks and unlocks when a user code is entered. An integrated, adjustable pressure-sensitive alarm senses door tampering and alerts the homeowner with a loud audible alert if desired.

What we love about this lock is that it can store up to 30 unique user codes. You could give the babysitter, dog walker, the gardener and each family member their own code, and adjust them as needed. This lock doesn’t require an expensive monitoring system, either. It can wirelessly connect to your PC, tablet, or smartphone of your choice. It runs on ordinary AA batteries and installation is easily done with just a screwdriver.

For the technology lover on your list, consider these useful products that they could use every day. Not only will they keep their homes more secure but they could also save money. The built-in compatibility with current technology means that these devices will fit seamlessly into any household without hassles, making them a joy to use.