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Valentine’s Day tech gifts

Valentine’s Day Tech Gifts for Loved Ones

It’s never too early to find the perfect present for your techie crush, and our list of Valentine’s Day tech gifts for loved ones should greatly help you in your search. From nifty gadgets to luxurious digital Valentine’s gifts, there’s something for every tech-lover this holiday season. Whether you’re looking for tech Valentine’s gifts for him or for her, we’ve outlined some of the more romantic, Valentine-appropriate digital gifts currently on offer below.

Put a ring on it with a smart ring

Get your loved one a ring that comes with a different kind of commitment. Smart rings track your fitness and sleep activity from your finger and notify you for phone calls and from other applications. Some smart rings even offer contactless payment, making it even easier to pick up last-minute candy or flowers for your Valentine!

There are various styles and colors available, so you’re sure to find something suitable for your partner. Each brand offers different features, tricks, and abilities, so it’s worth doing your research before you purchase.

Send the love with a Lovebox messenger

This is a simple and thoughtful way to send a message to your Valentine. The Lovebox is a small wooden box adorned with a spinning heart, and it could be personalized to suit your loved one’s personality. You just need to send your personalized message or drawing through the Lovebox app (available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store), and the heart will spin on the front of the box when your loved one receives your message! Draw them a love heart, tell them you’re thinking of them, or let the creativity flow through your fingertips with illustrations! A cheeky game of Pictionary is also a great way to ask them out on a date. Just lift the lid to see the message and share the love.

You can connect numerous people to your Lovebox to receive infinite love, so if your Valentine has long-distant relatives or friends that they care for, simply give them the ‘secret code’ so they can download the app and send their messages, too!

Put on a show with a home cinema projector

Don’t want to splurge on a fancy Valentine’s Day dinner? Have a cozy home viewing of your favorite movie in a homemade den with cushions, blankets, and fairy lights—the ideal setting for any romantic date. With a home cinema projector, all you need is a blank wall and a streaming device.

Sweep them away with some smart luggage

If your Valentine is a travel fanatic, a smart suitcase may be the ideal gift for them this year. They offer the chance to charge your personal electronic devices and come with their own GPS locators (just in case). And the chargers are removable, so there’s no need to worry about not being able to carry these cases on board. Several brands offer this in a variety of styles, sizes, and colors, so you’re guaranteed to find a smart suitcase out there for everyone.

Wrap up a Dyson Airwrap styler

This is the perfect Valentine’s Day tech gift for anyone with luscious locks to play with. With attachments for curling, waving, smoothing and drying, there are endless possibilities with a Dyson Airwrap. And unlike other hair styling tools, this gadget doesn’t use extreme heat that really damages your hair. Available in various sets and different models suited to all hair types.

Stay connected with a ‘friendship’ touch lamp

These ‘friendship’ colored lamps help you to connect with your long-distance loved one, making it an ideal techy Valentine’s gift. All you need to do is touch your lamp and it will light up—but what you won’t see is that your loved one’s lamp will light up, too. This is a sweet way to let your Valentine know you’re thinking about them.

Let your love grow in an indoor smart garden

With greenery becoming an ever-popular home décor essential, an indoor smart garden is a perfect gift for a sweetheart with a green thumb. This smart contraption comes with all the benefits of owning your own garden without all the work, making it suitable anywhere, whether you live in a high-rise flat or a studio apartment. Grow your own herbs, flowers, and plants, all from the comfort of your living room. Perfect for anyone who loves to nurture their plant babies, it’s really the gift that keeps on giving.

Play it cool with a record player

Whether they’re an R&B and pop fan or they prefer the timely classics, there’s something magical about vinyl records. They offer a musical experience that’s like no other, creating the perfect atmosphere for a romantic holiday. Paired with vinyl copies of their favorite artists’ albums or singles, this is the ideal Valentine’s Day tech gift for any music fan.

Share the love with a dual heart iPhone charging cable

Sick of having to share a single charger between the two of you? Whether you’re on a road trip or sharing a phone charger at home, the Kikkerland dual heart iPhone charging cable with a USB port offers a simple and sweet solution. Two lightning connectors joined together with a heart—how much more romantic can you get?

Picture your romance on a Nixplay digital photo frame

You simply can’t go wrong with a digital photo frame, whether to display and share your own romantic couple photos or showcase treasured family memories. Set up a playlist that includes some of their favorite photos for them to look back on, whether that’s straight from Facebook or Instagram or from your mobile phone. Available in a range of colors, finishes, and styles, there’s a Nixplay digital photo frame to suit everyone’s décor and style.

Hopefully, you’re now feeling much more inspired to buy the best tech Valentine’s gifts for her or for him. Treat your loved one this holiday season, because there’s no time like the present to start hunting for that very special gift for your Valentine.

fun things to do with an Amazon Echo

10 Fun Things to do with Amazon Alexa

Wondering if you should invest in an Amazon Echo for your home? The answer’s an easy ‘yes’: If there’s something it can’t do straight out of the box, there’s probably a ‘Skill’ it can learn for it.

That’s right: You can enable various Skills that allow you to do so much more with your Amazon home device. Simply download the Amazon Alexa app and search for the Skill that you desire! You can enable it there and then or ask Alexa to do it all for you.

Other than asking Alexa to give you weather updates, control your smart home, and do various tips and tricks, we have come up with a list of a few entertaining Alexa Skills that are both free to download and full of fun. Read on for more fun tips, tricks, and Alexa Skills for your Amazon home device.

Amazon Echo Tips, Tricks and Alexa Skills for the Family

Whether you’ve just purchased a new Amazon Alexa device or you’re simply looking for new ways to make the most of your virtual assistant, it’ll be hard to run out of fun things to do with Alexa. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Test Yourself with a Question of the Day

Wake up your brain in the morning with a trivia question! Download the ‘Question of the Day’ Skill and receive a new trivia question every day. Test and improve your knowledge on a range of themes and play with 1 to 4 players using the Question of the Day Game Packs, which cover topics like Arts and Entertainment, The Solar System, World Capitals, Dinosaurs, and many, many more!

2. Tell your Children a Bedtime Story

Using the “Short Bedtime Story” Skill, you can have Alexa tell your children various stories as they drift off to sleep for an interactive storytime. You can even personalize the stories with your children’s names to make the experience extra special.

3. Create your own Household Intercom

Do your kids keep missing the school bus because they can’t hear you calling them? If you have more than one Amazon Alexa device in your home—perhaps there’s an Echo in the kitchen, another in the living room, and one in your kid’s bedroom—you can broadcast your announcements across all devices in your smart home. To save your time and your voice, just ask Alexa to announce that the bus is here (or any other message you may have) and it will be repeated around the house.

4. Play Fun Games

This is one of the most fun things to do with an Amazon Echo! There’s an ever-growing list of games that can be played through an Amazon Alexa device, but here are some of our favorites:

  • Would You Rather?: A simple but addictive game to play with the whole family.
  • The Magic Door: An interactive adventure game that allows you to explore a magical land from the comfort of your own home. Collect hidden items, solve various riddles, and help magical creatures along the way!
  • Simon Says: If your kids still have plenty of energy right before bedtime, set them up with a game of Simon Says. This way, you can get on with organizing dinner without having to worry about what they’re doing.
  • Music Quizzes: There are plenty of music quizzes you can enable and play with your friends and family. It’s the perfect game for any dinner party!
  • The Potterhead Quiz: Whether you’re a muggle or a wizard, test your Harry Potter knowledge with a fun quiz using your Amazon Echo. Need more? There are plenty more Potterhead quizzes to choose from, including the “Harry Potter House Quiz” and “Marauder’s Map: Riddikulusly Difficult Potter Quiz”.
  • Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock: Are you a fan of The Big Bang Theory? Challenge Alexa to one of Sheldon’s favorite games.
  • Pikachu Talk: You can also talk to Pikachu using your Amazon Echo! There’s plenty of things for you and Pikachu to chat about. Want to hear a funny story? That’s not a problem for Pikachu. Want Pikachu to sing a birthday song for you? Our favorite yellow electric mouse can do that, too.

Imagine how much fun you’ll have with Alexa during parties! It’s the perfect techy present for your loved ones who enjoy entertaining.

5. Receive a Daily History Lesson

Test your history knowledge using your Amazon Echo! All you need to do is say “Alexa, open this day in history” to receive information about various historical events that happened on that day in the past. And you’re not just restricted to the current day: You can ask for historical information for any other day of the year by saying something along the lines of “Alexa, ask This Day in History what happened on the 12th of March”.

6. Relax to Sleep Sounds

Having trouble sleeping? Or simply looking for some background noise to relax or work to? From rain or forest sounds to ocean and fireplace sounds, you can choose from a wide range of sleep sounds to help you unwind, relieve stress, or block out any unwanted noise. It’s also perfect for yoga workouts!

7. Manage your Finances

From checking your balance to sending money, you can manage your finances from the comfort of your own home with the power of your own voice! From PayPal to Amex and Capital One, stay on track of your finances with Alexa. Additional security pins are used for an added layer of security whenever you open the Skill, but check the terms and conditions for each Skill before you get started.

8. Exercise with Alexa

With a range of health and fitness Skills to choose from, you can get fit at home with a little help from Alexa. Download the ‘7-Minute Workout’ to help you achieve your fitness goals: With over 45 new exercises to try, you’ll never stop being excited to work out. Looking for some motivation? The ‘Inspire Me’ Skill will offer you inspirational audio clips to help you start your day off the right way!

9. Get Information

As well as all the news channels, there are a number of Skills that you can enable to get information and advice regarding a variety of topics. Here are just a couple of the information Skills that you can download onto your Amazon Echo:

  • Doctor Pooch: Have you recently adopted a new fur baby and don’t know what to feed them? Enable the ‘Doctor Pooch’ Skill and find out what foods are or aren’t acceptable to offer your dog or cat. This skill is also extremely helpful if your pet picks up something off the floor and you don’t know whether to worry or not.
  • Butterball: Making your first Thanksgiving turkey? Or simply need some tips and inspiration for your turkey dinner? Plan, prepare and cook your bird the right way with the ‘Butterball’ Skill.
Alexa tips and tricks for the family

10. Control your Nixplay Digital Photo Frame

Use your Amazon Echo to control your Nixplay photo frame. All you need to do is search for the Nixplay Skill and select “Enable”! Try out some of these phrases/requests to get started:

  • “Alexa, open my frame”
  • “Alexa, ask my frame to show me my playlist”
  • “Alexa, ask my frame if it’s connected”

This skill is compatible with the Nixplay Smart Frames, the Nixplay Seed line, and the Nixplay Seed Wave. Try it today to control your digital photo frame using the sound of your own voice!

And that’s our list of our favorite fun things to do with Alexa. Are you still struggling to find the best Alexa Skills for you? Make it easy and enable the ‘Skill Finder’ and find new skills—if you ask her, she’ll even give you a skill of the day! Or you can discover a list of the Amazon Alexa Skills online today.

Festive Christmas Card Ideas

Unique Family Christmas Card Ideas

Sick of the same old Christmas photo ideas? Need some fresh inspiration on how to make a fun holiday card to send out to family and friends? This year, getting in the holiday spirit is especially important. So check out our list of Christmas card ideas for some festive inspiration and spread the holiday cheer with a unique family Christmas card.

Family Christmas Photo Ideas

Need some festive inspiration for your family Christmas card ideas this year? Check out some of our unique holiday card ideas to help you take a family Christmas photo to remember:

Christmas Family Picture Ideas

The festive fireplace

Let’s start with a traditional Christmas card idea. Set yourselves up in front of a cozy fireplace adorned with your family’s holiday stockings, or settle down by the Christmas tree surrounded by wrapped presents for the ultimate festive backdrop.

Santa’s little helper

Got a newborn baby or toddler? For a homemade solution without the cost of a professional studio and photographer, take a roll of your favorite gift wrap and tape some to the wall and along the floor as a festive backdrop. Et voila! You have your own mini studio for your little one. This trick also works well with your furry friends—just mind their claws on the gift wrap!

You could even go one step further and pose your little one in a stocking—try positioning them on the floor, propped up with festive pillows if they need support.

Family fun

Set up your camera on self timer to capture you and your family as you decorate the tree. For a truly festive family Christmas photo, photograph the youngest of your clan being lifted to the top of the tree to add the Christmas topper. Candid, natural moments usually make for the best photos, and this one’s no exception.

Seasonal skating

How are you on a pair of ice skates? For this unique family Christmas card idea, head to your local ice rink to capture some great shots.

Top tip: Make sure you go when it’s not too busy so you can have a nice clean background for your pictures!

Festive baking

What’s better than Christmas family picture ideas that involve tasty treats? Get the family baking a batch of delicious chocolate chip cookies or gingerbread men whilst someone stands by and photographs the process. It might get a little messy, but it’ll be worth it

Santa’s grotto

Make a den in the living room using bedsheets and blankets. Liven it up with your favorite Christmas decorations and LOTS of fairy lights – a cozy, festive backdrop for a lovely family Christmas photo!

Christmas tree forest

Got a toddler? Head to the local tree farm with your camera and let them wander around. There will be plenty of precious moments to capture as they venture through the trees.

Top tip: Time it right and catch the golden hour light just before sunset for a beautifully lit family Christmas photo.

Letter to Santa

Have your kids write a letter to Santa and snap a shot of them writing and reading it before they send it off. It’ll allow them to practice their spelling and writing skills, and offer a selection of great Christmas card photo ideas.

DIY festive photo effects

Grab your favorite Christmas wreath and pull it up to the camera lens to add a festive frame to your family Christmas photo. This idea will work with a ring of fairy lights too.

And whatever you do, don’t forget to include the family pet—because Santa Paws is coming to town too!

Fun Family Christmas Photo Ideas

Christmas Card Ideas and Props

But wait… there’s more! If you can’t play around with the backdrop, another way to add a festive touch to your family Christmas photos is to use props. To complement our Christmas family picture ideas, we suggest:

  • Fairy lights. Obviously! The perfect addition to any family Christmas photo shoot. Whether you opt for yellow, white, or colored lights, they add a great ambiance and effect to any festive photo.
  • Christmas jumpers. For simple yet effective family Christmas photo ideas. And if you want to go a little bit further, get everyone to wear matching holiday jumpers.
  • ALL the Christmas decorations. From baubles and ornaments to tinsel and garlands, feel free to go all out! Go one step further and get personalized stockings and decorations to add a homely touch to your unique family Christmas card ideas. You can even use candy canes to decorate–just make sure they’re in mint condition first.
  • Christmas presents. If you’re taking these pictures well in advance for the Christmas cards you’ll send out, you may not have your gifts all sorted yet. Create faux presents by wrapping up any spare packing boxes or shoeboxes and finish them off with ribbons and labels.

Unique Family Christmas Card Ideas for your Nixplay Frame

Go the extra mile and record a live family Christmas card for your family. Whether you put together a compilation of festive messages from family members all over, or you all get together to film a message as a group, a digital Christmas card like this is bound to impress. And if your family members own a Nixplay Smart Frame, you can send the homemade clip straight to them using Wi-Fi technology! It’s the best way to stay close to your loved ones this holiday season.

Show off your Family Christmas Photos with a Nixplay Frame

While your family members and friends can hang up your cards or display them on the mantelpiece, you’ll probably come across a few photos that you’ll want to keep for yourself. Using a Nixplay digital photo frame, you can display all of your family Christmas photos in one place with ease. Let it stand out and mount it on the wall so everyone can see your snaps, or stand it above the fireplace as a feature piece. The Hu-Motion sensor will pick up when someone is walking by, turning your Smart Frame on and off automatically. And you can control everything from the comfort of your own phone with the Nixplay App. Browse the range online today and stay close this Christmas.

Happy holidays, from Nixplay.

What Is The Best Digital Photo Frame For You?

What Is The Best Digital Photo Frame For You?

Investing in a digital photo frame is exciting for everyone in the family. Not only will you have a unique way to store all of your memories, but you’ll also benefit from having a sleek, sophisticated decoration in your home.

With a digital photo frame, you don’t have to leave all of your photos sitting forlornly in a hard drive. Instead, you can show them all off to the world and share them with family and friends with just a few simple clicks. Whether you’re on a budget or you want to splurge on top-shelf quality, Nixplay has a variety of choices to suit everyone.

Digital Photo Frame Features

Not all of us have the option of having a different photo frame for every picture. They take up valuable space in the home, they break easily, and placing the photo perfectly is super fiddly. It’s also worth noting that getting photos printed and framed individually can cost a lot in the long run. The alternative is to stack all your photos up into albums, where they’ll most likely be stored in a cupboard gathering dust.

The answer to this? A Nixplay digital photo frame, which can hold all your captured moments. When looking at which digital photo frame to buy, you’ve got several options. The best digital frames have a range of distinctive features.

Every Nixplay frame has something different. There are Smart Frames you can control using Alexa and Google Assistant, a Wi-Fi frame with powerful Bluetooth speakers that can play your personal music playlists, and premium digital photo frames that work instantly with a simple USB plug-in.

Whatever it is you’re looking for, a Nixplay frame will be your go-to gadget for your most precious memories. With a range of colors and styles to choose from, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect frame for any corner of your home.

Which Digital Photo Frame Should I Buy?

Check out the table below to find out which features each Nixplay frame has and decide which one is right for you.

FrameWi-FiUSB/SD CardMusic StreamingVideo PlaybackSmart Home Connectivity
Nixplay Smart Frame
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Nixplay Seed
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Nixplay Seed Wave
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NIX Digital Photo Frame
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NIX Advance
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Want to learn more about the other exclusive features of each Nixplay Frame and how each one can enhance your home? Take a look at our buying guide below.

Everyone knows there’s no better time to shop than Black Friday weekend. Grab a bargain while you can with our guide to the best Black Friday tech deals!
2019 Black Friday Tech Deals You Can’t Miss - Nixplay blog

2019 Black Friday Tech Deals You Can’t Miss

The Black Friday deals are rolling out thick and fast, so there’s no better time to start thinking about what you can pick up during the bargain-fuelled weekend!

It’s no surprise that the tech industry is the MVP in the race for Black Friday 2019 dominance. With new gadgets being released every week and the popularity of tech devices growing every year, it’s no wonder that people are waiting (im)patiently for Black Friday to save some serious dollar on the latest products.

But which Black Friday tech deals are the most worthwhile? Whether you’re buying holiday gifts for family and friends or treating yourself to something new, you’ll need to know where you can get the best bang for your buck.

What products are being offered? Where can you get them? And most importantly, will there be enough in stock? The last thing you want is to get excited about your new gadget and sit in a virtual queue for hours to get to the checkout, only to find that the website crashes or someone else has beaten you to it.

But there’s no need to worry, because we’ve done the work for you! Find out more below about the best Black Friday tech deals for 2019 and where you can get them.

2019-Black-Friday-Tech-Deals-You-Can’t-Miss-Nixplay-blog-clickthrough-main-image

Enhance Your Home With A Google Smart TV Kit

This tempting little bundle is made up of a Google Home Mini and a Google Chromecast, and it’ll give your home the edge in hands-free technology. Together, they will let you control your TV without picking up a remote or leaving the comfort of your sofa. You can switch the TV on and off, stream movies and shows, browse for shows on Netflix and YouTube, and play, pause or skip chapters and episodes—all with the power of your voice. You can even use your Google Home Mini to control your Nixplay Frame. Simply say it to play it!

Turning your house into a smart home can be a real life-changer, and this is just the start. Pick up your Google Smart TV Kit over Black Friday weekend for just $45 at Walmart.

Make Memories Last On A Fujifilm Instax Mini

We live in a world where everything flies by too quickly, and even the biggest moments in life can be unintentionally overlooked. With the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Camera, you’ll never miss out on safekeeping your memories.

The polaroid style gives you the vintage look while the advanced tech features promise vibrant, high-quality snaps that any budding photographer would be proud of. With this bundle, you’ll get the camera, a film twin pack, a camera case and four color filters all for $95. Pick yours up from Walmart and save yourself a whopping $110!

Another option is to print your favorite photos with Nixplay Fuji Prints, the latest feature on the Nixplay App. We offer several high-quality print product options, from customized mugs to large-scall wall art, at affordable prices. Try it now to avail of our special discounted rates!

Connect Your Home With Amazon Echo

Time for a real scoop: Getting your hands on the Amazon Echo Show 8 puts you at the forefront of fresh tech—because it hasn’t even been released yet! That’s right: It’s still poised in the stockrooms, eagerly awaiting the Black Friday sales. But with this handy device, you can watch movies and TV shows, tune in to the radio, listen to podcasts and audiobooks, connect with friends and family via video calls and messages, or update your to-do lists and calendars.

But it doesn’t stop there. It’s made to simplify other aspects of your life. You can Ask Alexa to help you cook with easy step-by-step recipes in the kitchen, show you your security cameras, or adjust the thermostat. In fact, you can use the Amazon Echo to control every smart device in your home, including your Nixplay digital photo frame! The possibilities are endless. Get yours at Amazon on Black Friday for just $99.99.

Get Amped Up With Noise Cancelling Headphones

For many of us, the music never stops. Whether we’re in our car, in the shower, at the gym, on a run, or at the grocery, it’s all made more exciting when we’ve got our favorite tunes to keep us company.

But unwanted noise, pesky wires, uncomfortable ear pods, or bad signal can easily dampen these life-affirming experiences. This Black Friday, you can invest in a pair of high-spec, noise-canceling headphones with up to 24 hours of battery life. They’ve also got Bluetooth and they’re wireless, so there’s a lot to brag about.

Change the way you enjoy music by getting your hands on a pair of top-rated Sennheiser headphones from Amazon. The current price will set you back $199.95 but over Black Friday weekend, you can snap them up for $80!

Share Moments On A Digital Photo Frame

You can’t put a price on keeping memories alive, but a Nixplay Seed Wave frame will let you do it for 30% less over Black Friday weekend!

Go beyond the basics with digital photo frame features that include Spotify streaming, light and activity sensors, HD video playback, customized photo album playlists, and connection capabilities that let you create your very own private family network. Looking to add another dynamic element to your smart home hub? Nixplay can make that happen too, because our frames work with both Amazon Alexa and Google Home !

This is the ultimate Black Friday digital photo frame deal: from our Smart Frame and Seed Wave collection to our cutting-edge NIX digital photo frame range, find yours online now.

Best digital photo frame deal

What Is The Best Digital Photo Frame?

What makes Nixplay so unique? With such a variety of features, it can be difficult to choose one! Discover which digital photo frame works best for you and your family below.

Everyone knows there’s no better time to shop than Black Friday weekend. Grab a bargain while you can with our guide to the best Black Friday tech deals!

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