Show the graduate in your family how proud you are of their accomplishment with one of these clever gadgets that will help them take their next steps in life.
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A clean slate
Imagine a traditional notebook that can digitally store everything you write in it to your favorite cloud storage service. Or own one for real with the Rocketbook Everlast and your favorite colors of Pilot Frixion pens. Jot down your ideas on the polyster-blend “paper,” make a few doodles if you like, then scan the pages using the Rocketbook OCR app that records and saves your work. When the notebook’s full, or if you need to start over, wipe the pages clean using a damp cloth. $32. (866) 377-6965; getrocketbook.com.
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Just right
Graduate to a real adult bed with Eight Sleep’s new “smart bed,” aka, The Pod. It’s the first bed that learns the perfect temperature for the owner and warms and cools according to their needs. The bed operates within a temperature range of 55 to 115 F, and with the Eight Sleep app, you can also control the temperature through Amazon Echo, Google Home and other devices. $2,000. (888) 699-4015; eightsleep.com.
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Sounds about right
Your grad will love the minimalistic Creative Stage Air, a compact, under-monitor soundbar for desktop computers that doubles as a stand-alone music player you can take anywhere in the house. The device charges via a computer USB port, and can operate up to 6 hours on a charge. $50. creative.com.
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Make the call
A cracked, scuffed smartphone may have been good enough for college, but out here in the real world, you need a phone that can handle anything—something like the CAT S48c Smartphone. These waterproof Android devices are built with a super-rugged design and come with a simple screen guarantee: if you break it, they fix it. $600. (646) 568-9682; catphones.com.
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Who’s there?
If your grad is moving to a new place, the Remo S Video Doorbell Camera makes a thoughtful gift. See who’s at the door in full 1080p HD video, and even talk to them remotely from a phone without ever leaving the couch. It also comes with a built-in motion detector and night-vision capability. $99. (888) 985-1849; remoplus.co.
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Wag the dog
If your grad moves out and buys their first dog, their newfound responsibility may be a challenge. The Wagz Go Smart Door is an automatic pet door that allows owners to control when their dog goes in and out via a smartphone app, ensuring their pup is free to come and go safely and securely. $550. (833) 438- 9249; wagz.com.
Tech journalist David Novak is editor of GadgetGram.com. Prices and availability are subject to change. Inclusion in this column is not an endorsement by South Carolina Living or any S.C. electric cooperative.