HOME TECHNOLOGY EXPERTS' 2016 TOP TECH TOYS

At Home Technology Experts, we geek out over all types of tech, not just the devices we use in our home designs. We like to share our finds with our clients and keep them informed of what's on the market.  This year we have created two separate gift guides, our Tech Toys list for the little ones and our Smart Gifts list, which is basically tech toys for adults.

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT ALL WI-FI ENABLED TOYS AND DEVICES BE CONNECTED TO YOUR GUEST WIRELESS TO MAINTAIN THE SECURITY OF YOUR HOME NETWORK. 

IF YOU ARE UNSURE IF YOU HAVE A GUEST NETWORK PLEASE EMAIL SUPPORT@HTENY.COM AND ASK.

1. Barbie Hello Dream House - $300

Admittedly, we are a bit biased, but what child wouldn’t love a voice controlled doll house?  Simply connect the toy to Wi-Fi and use the activation command “Hello Dreamhouse” to open and close doors, control the elevator, turn on the shower and transform the stairs into a slide (we are still waiting on that integration for our projects). Whether you use voice control for your Control4 and Lutron systems, or edit scenes via your Savant app, your little ones can be just like Mommy and Daddy.

2. PLAYSTATION VR - $399

The race for virtual reality has been on for the past two years.  It's no wonder that numerous companies all came out with headsets this holiday.  While they are all pretty cool, it looks like the ultimate deciding factor in the virtual reality experience will be hand controls.  At the moment, none of them have the perfect solution.  When choosing a Virtual Reality Headset, we chose the Playstation model since it already works with a well establish gaming system.

3. Osmo Coding - $49 (Additional $79 for Osmo Starter Kit)

We have been following Osmo since it was a prototype. Connect the Osmos attachment over an iPad lens, download the app, and your tablet allows your kids to interact with tangible objects that are recognized on screen.  Their newest game, Coding, allows children to snap coding blocks together to control creatures on the screen.

4. Sphero Battle-Worn BB-8 with Force Band - $200, Optional $80 Wearable

It may seem like deja vu, but the new and improved (and intentionally scuffed up) toy has made it through battle and is on the list again this year. With the SPRK+ app kids can write and run code for BB-8.  Add the wearable and they can control the robot with flicks of the wrist. When not controlling BB-8 the watch allows users to take part in an augmented reality collecting game which is a cross between the traditional card collecting and Pokémon Go.

5. Flybrix - $190, Optional Controller $80

Legos have been a Christmas list staple for decades, but this year they’re flying in like Santa’s reindeer. The kit comes with motors, sensors, propellers, and batteries. Kids can fly their creations by app, or an R/C remote.  If their piloting skills are a bit rusty, they can simply reconstruct their creation after the crash.  It’s so easy it’s child’s play.

6. Wilson X Connected Football (Jr Size) - $200

This Bluetooth football connects to an iOS app, tracking information from the sensors inside the ball to the app.  It has the ability to track a throw's distance, speed, and spiral tightness.  It also has a two-minute drill option as well as a game option.  When in game mode your kids will get personalized play by plays from the voice of announcer Gus Johnson.  The best part of game mode is the built in referee created by the sensors which can detect drops and gauge completed passes. 

7. Hatchanimals - $69.99

While not at the top of our tech toys list, Hatchanimals is arguably the hottest toy of the season.  The toy puts a new twist, or should we say shell, on a Christmas throwback, the Furbie. While the creature only hatches once, it can learn new skills and be reset and trained as many times as needed. 

8. Wiggy Piggy Bank - $60

This one is more of a lesson disguised as a cute pig and accompanying app.  The talking Bluetooth bank encourages kids to earn monetary rewards to reach their savings goals.  Have your child set a goal (perhaps the cost of the latest accessory for their new holiday gift) and then assign chores or accomplishments with a monetary value.  When your child completes the task the “money” goes into their “account”.  They even have the option of requesting additional tasks.