I found a cool gadget that you can get by Christmas.

As the holiday season winds down and you’re struggling to find a tech-related gift, we’ve got some suggestions for your last-minute gadget shopping.

I’ve tried all of the below and like them enough to recommend them. However, I made notes where I found minor problems.

Amazon has it in stock and should have it delivered by Christmas Eve. However, unless you are a Prime member, you will most likely have to pay for shipping.

Which gadget are you giving away or hoping to receive this Christmas? Email us at the address above.

Earphones with an emphasis on safety

It’s great to enjoy music using traditional earbuds that get stuck in your ear canals, but not when you need to be constantly thinking about yourself, like when you’re running, jogging, or driving.

JVC’s HA-NP50T nearphone solves this problem because it is placed just above the ear canal, rather than inside it. This means you can listen to your podcasts and music clearly without blocking out your surroundings.

It’s a bit of a compromise when it comes to audio, but it’s a legitimate technique, though nothing that will blow your mind. JVC’s earphones have a stylish way of wrapping around your ears (although they are a little difficult to use if you are wearing glasses). Moreover, the price is affordable at $109.95. (Amazon link)

Found wallet

Apple’s AirTags can help you keep track of your belongings, but things like gumdrops don’t fit easily into traditional wallets.

ESR’s $39.99 Geo Wallet Stand is the answer. This leather wallet, which magnetically attaches to your iPhone via MagSafe, incorporates Apple’s Find My technology, just like AirTags. This means you can find your wallet on the map even if it’s on the other side of the city or halfway around the world.

The wallet pocket can only hold about 4 cards and there is no space for bills. Tripod mode allows you to watch movies on your airplane tray table (I loved this on a recent trip to visit relatives). Leather finger loops provide a comfortable pop-socket-style hold for your iPhone.

Wallets must be topped up regularly. Be careful not to lose the non-standard power cord (I’m shocked you haven’t). (Amazon link)

audio jack transmitter

You can still find 3.5mm audio jacks everywhere: in airplane cabins, old cars, tablets and headphones, exercise equipment at the gym, and behind old speakers gathering dust in your attic.

AirFly to the rescue. The TwelveSouth Gizmo plugs into such a port and creates a wireless connection with your AirPods or iPhone.

This creates possibilities. You can comfortably watch airline movies. Use AirFly as a car audio adapter to play music through your car speakers. Connect to your child’s old iPad and silence it. Listen to what’s on Jim’s TV. Bring that classy speaker out of retirement.

AirFly also allows two people to watch movies together, each using their own earbuds or headphones.

Which AirFly to buy? It’s a little confusing. Versions range from $34.99 to $54.99. Organize everything here. (Amazon link).

cell phone and tablet stand

Tablets and phones are great, but they can be a pain to prop up. Stump Stand solves this problem with some clever device stands.

The sturdy circular stamp stand has slots for placing your tablet or phone at different angles on a table, desk, or tray table. Keep one of his $24.95 accessories in the kitchen to use while eating his Cheerios, and keep the other in his home office to use for video calls.

Big and soft, the Super Stump ($39.95) is a great wrap stand for watching videos or reading e-books in bed, on the couch, or in the car. There’s a tablet slot on the top so you can watch videos from a greater distance.

I found a stamp stand on Amazon, but strangely I couldn’t find any super stamps. However, it is also possible to order directly from the manufacturer.

More centrally placed webcam

Video calls are strange in some ways. I can’t decide whether to look at the screen or directly into the camera lens. Either way, you’ve entered the uncanny valley.

Center Cam solves this problem with a webcam built into the end of a bendable gooseneck stem. When you clip this $119.99 device to the top edge of your computer’s display, the camera lens lowers and appears in front of the screen.

Simply place the video window directly behind the lens on your display. Now you can make video calls that look and feel natural (although the quality could be better). Read great reviews here. (Amazon link)

foldable wireless keyboard

Sometimes you want to work on the go, but you don’t want to take your laptop with you.

Consider ObVus Solutions’ Minder Portable Folding Bluetooth Keyboard. The name says it all.

It unfolds to become a full-sized keyboard for use with your phone or tablet, and also includes a small trackpad (which works fine with an iPad).

The $49.99 Minder probably won’t win any luxury contests, but you won’t be writing a novel with it either. Unfold it to take notes or finish a spreadsheet, then put it away. That’s comfortable enough. (Amazon link)

Is it really the best selfie stick?

I’ll defer to the New York Times wire cutters on this claim, but I bought them as they said—I bought two sticks! — I was not disappointed.

The $14 Yoozon selfie stick is cheap and feels plasticky, but it lasts well and my wife and I really used it.

Yoozon acts as an arm extender when you hold out your phone for a selfie, and a tripod to place on a flat surface for timed group shots or added stability. Both scenarios result in a maximum of 2 feet.

Yoozon folds up for easy portability and even comes with a small remote control to trigger your phone’s camera shutter. (Amazon link)

Small charging/transfer cable

No need for very long cables to charge your device or transfer data. Nomad’s ChargeKey does just that, and as its name suggests, it hangs on your keychain when you’re not using it.

I used the company’s USB-C to USB-C ChargeKey to charge my iPhone 15 Pro Max using one of the ports on my MacBook Air while traveling. So I transferred the photos and videos from that day to my computer.

The ChargeKey looks elegant but feels sturdy (as expected for a Nomad product).

The company also sold a USB-C to Lightning version, but last time I checked, that version was sold out.