The SHARP List: Our 2023 Gift Guide for Tech Enthusiasts
Smartphones may be capable — letting us stream music, watch TV, and even video chat with faraway friends — but they still can’t do certain things, like deliver high-fidelity sound or steam a pair of trousers (yet). Until that day comes, however, these stylish gadgets have us covered.
Tivoli Audio Songbook Max
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The SongBook’s smooth, olive-coloured aesthetic takes inspiration from a classic vintage boombox, but cutting-edge audio technology ensures there’s no retro static or skips. Contemporary innovations include bluetooth connection and ten-hour battery life for maximum portability. Traditional music lovers aren’t forgotten, either: tune in to DAB/DAB+/FM radio for some old-school jams. (CAD $810)
Razer Blade 16 x Automobili Lamborghini Edition
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When they launched the Lamborghini Revuelto — their first ever High-Performance Electric Vehicle — Lamborghini pushed the boundaries of sustainability and speed at once. To follow it up, the brand turned from roaring engines to sophisticated software. Now, with the Razer Blade 16 x Automobili Lamborghini Edition, the Italian automaker jumped from speedy motors to lightning-fast loading times. Complete with a patented vapour chamber cooling system, this laptop honours the HPEV with fearless bursts of orange all over its sleek silhouette. ($5,000 USD)
GR IIIx Camera by Ricoh
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There’s something about shooting on a proper camera rather than your phone that brings out ones inner artist. Regardless of whether or not you’re a hardcore photography buff, the compact yet high quality feel of the GR IIIx will have you roaming country trails and city streets, constantly chasing that “perfect shot”. It’s been our favourite on-the-go camera for a while now, and it has now been upgraded with an even better lens. ($1,250)
Bang & Olufsen Beosound 2 Speaker
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Gold-brushed and beaming, this speaker is ideal for the passionate music lover and highbrow house decorator. Everybody wins! The 360° sound comes with customizable EQ settings, so you can tailor the speakers to your space. Bang & Olufsen offers four buttons to set to your favourite playlists or channels. With options for Chromecast, Apple Airplay, and Spotify Connect, the speaker will blast your 2023 playlist — be it Replay or Wrapped — with ease. ($4,450 at SSENSE)
Red Bull Racing RB18 Simulator
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Only 20 drivers in the world get to race a Formula 1 car on any given weekend. They’ve spent their entire lives working towards that moment when the lights go out, to race the most expensive, technically advanced, and wicked-fast cars on the planet. Chances are you’ll never be an F1 driver, sorry. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t slide into the cockpit of an F1 car and go racing. The Red Bull Racing RB18 simulator lets anyone race from the comfort of their home, provided you have the space (and a partner) willing to let you plonk a Formula 1 car in the living room. The RB18 simulator is made in the U.K. by Memento Exclusives using a similar carbon-fibre manufacturing process as genuine F1 cars, so these replicas are picture-perfect. Instead of the 1,000-plus horsepower hybrid engine, however, these cars are powered by a built-in gaming computer. A THX surround-sound system and curved widescreen monitors help immerse would-be racers, while a quick-release steering wheel looks just like the real thing. The whole simulator with all of its hardware weighs 160 kg, and is sold exclusively through the sport’s official memorabilia shop, F1 Authentics. ($170,948)
LG gram Style14″ Ultra-Lightweight Laptop
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It seems that certain facet of the tech market have grown a bit stagnant; after years of booming innovation we’re back to more incremental changes. That’s not stopping LG from innovating, as the brand rolled out a number of leading bits of tech in 2023, including the LG Gram Style laptop — an updated version of the lightweight phenom, with a touch of aesthetic pizazz. It sports an iridescent exterior treatment that makes its outer shell shift colour depending on the surrounding light. ($2,200)
Louis Vuitton Horizon Light Up Earphones
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These edgy earphones took notes from Louis Vuitton’s Tambour Horizon Light Up watch. When the House announced their daring and futuristic timepiece — matched by an operating system made in-house — heads turned. Equally audacious, the matte-black earphones live up their predecessor. Sporting gunmetal accents and fluorescent colours, the monogrammed buds infuse any song with style ($2,200)
Samsung 65” 2023 Neo QLED 8K Smart TV
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If you’re looking to go bigger than the first Samsung Smart TV we suggested, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. 65 inches of Neo QLED 8K display, with an edgeless design and Dolby Atomos audio means this unit is as good as it gets. If you’re looking to go even bigger, this model is also offered in 75 and 85-inch configurations. ($6,300)
Citizen CZ Smart Hybrid Smartwatch
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The ideal gift for anyone who needs to streamline their life, this stylish, sturdy timepiece combines the classic look of a Citizen sports watch with a suite of next-gen wellness features — created in collaboration with NASA and IBM Watson. In addition to syncing with your smart speaker and thermostat, the CZ Smart can track and monitor heart rate, and anticipates patterns of fatigue and alertness thanks to Citizen’s proprietary YouQ wellness app. ($499)
Prodrive Racing Simulator
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Prodrive’s new racing simulator allows you to feel the thrill and excitement of racing from the comfort of home — without feeling or looking like you’re playing a video game. Conceived in collaboration with design and engineering firm Callum, this racing simulator is composed of 16 layers of birch topped with a glossy black finish, a carbon monocoque driver’s seat, a curved 49-inch 5K monitor, a mechanical pedal box, and a Precision Sim Engineering LM-Pro steering wheel equipped with five dials, 12 push buttons, and carbon fibre paddles. Prodrive’s engineers have over 35 years of racing experience and motorsports knowledge.
Having won world championships and raced in most major disciplines, the Prodrive team is uniquely positioned to offer the most realistic recreation of elite real-world racing when combined with a bespoke simulator computer that boasts 16 gigabytes of memory and a 12-gigabyte GeForce RTX graphics card. The combination of clean, curved lines and best-in-class technology make it both an unparalleled simulator and a striking piece of furniture. At 330 centimetres in length and 123 centimetres in width, the Prodrive simulator doesn’t take up too much space, which allows it to be worked into a living space, office, or event venue with ease. Whether you’re a seasoned racing veteran, passionate about cars, or looking for a way to take your gaming to an elegant — and grown-up — new level, the Prodrive simulator checks every box. (49,000 GBP)
Steamery Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer
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Keeping a steamer on hand is a total game changer; this gadget transforms closet-dwelling button-downs into elegant, fresh-pressed dress shirts in a mere few minutes. The Cirrus goes beyond simple steamer territory, too: by eliminating bacteria, the 3 Iron Steamer reduces dirt and odour — a time-friendly alternative to the washing machine. ($249 at Goodee)
For further inspiration, here’s a look at last year’s selections…
There’s no time like the holidays. Spending time with loved ones, making the most of a bit of time off, enjoying comforting home cooking, maybe taking a little trip and, of course, running around trying to figure out which gifts will make people actually smile. With everything else happening during the holidays, it can be daunting to find the perfect gift, especially for the discerning — some might call them picky — people in your life. But don’t worry. These next-gen gifts will be appreciated by tech savants and those who rely on tech savants alike.
Samsung 55” OLED 4K Smart TV
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Meet Samsung’s latest and greatest 4K Smart TV that uses OLED with Pantone Validation — a certification it received from Pantone in December 2021 — to ensure ultimate colour accuracy. Whether you’re a gamer or cinephile, the new 55-inch display will more than satisfy. What’s more, the TV itself is razor thin, and comes equipped with Dolby Atmos audio for a cinema-level sound experience. ($2,800)
LG Styler Steam Closet
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The LG Styler Steam Closet offers up a wardrobe refresh on a daily basis — without the hassle of ironing or the chemicals of dry cleaning. The sleek, minimal design hides a powerhouse home appliance, capable of sanitizing, steaming, refreshing, and drying everything from backpacks and blankets to bespoke tailoring and delicate cashmere knits. Pants can be pressed and an innovative moving hanger system allows the LG Styler to remove any dust, hair or dirt while steaming garments. Best of all: despite harnessing the power of steam, the LG Styler doesn’t require a plumbing connection — the lucky person getting this gift only has to fill the water bin and plug it in. ($1999)
Google Pixel 7
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Built with a custom Tensor G2 processor by Google itself, the all-new Pixel 7 is one of the fastest and most responsive smartphones on the market, providing an ultra-responsive user experience that makes capturing memories with photos or videos easier than ever on the fly. The adaptive battery, sleek matte aluminum finish, water-resistant exterior, and high-tech built-in security also make it exceptionally safe, durable, and versatile — perfect for anyone who needs their phone to get out there and do some heavy lifting. ($799)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
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The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is so obviously unlike other phones on the market that it can be easy to mistake it as something of a novelty. But the compact folding form factor is no mere gimmick — this is a best-in-class device with premium features and specifications that runs like a dream. Unfolded, the screen spans nearly 7 inches, with eye-popping colours ideal for streaming video, editing photos, or playing games. Folded up, it’s small enough to slip into your pocket unobtrusively, and has a striking look that really sets it apart from the pack. ($1499)
LG C2 42” 4K OLED evo w/ ThinQ AI
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LG’s C2 42″ 4K OLED TV — equipped with ThinQ AI — is an amazing home entertainment solution. The perfect size for those with space considerations, the television boasts LG’s signature OLED self-lit pixels which enable deep blacks, infinite contrast, and true-to-life colours. Combined with the LG a9 Gen5 AI Processor’s ability to detect and sharpen objects and people, the LG C2 42″ 4K OLED makes even the smallest details unmistakable. Set up profiles for different people in your household, and ThinQ AI will suggest TV shows, movies, sports, and news based on their preferences. With razor-thin bezels — as well as elegant floor and gallery stands — you get all of the picture without the eyesore. ($1,599)
Rega Planar 3 Turntable
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Vinyl has been back for so long now that it’s no longer true to say it’s having a moment — it’s simply still here and inarguably here to stay. Real heads know that when it comes to going analog, performance is everything, and as performance goes, it’s hard to beat the Planar 3 from Rega. This is a deluxe turntable for true music fans who want the best possible sonic experience. From its low-vibration motor to its RB330 precision tone arm, it’s the next best thing to hearing music live. ($1345)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
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The Galaxy Z Fold4 has a compact form-factor and strikingly original “foldable” design. Expanding out to generous proportions, the Galaxy Z Fold4 combines the usefulness of a tablet with the convenience of a smartphone. The immersive display maximizes screen real estate for media-forward use — join meetings and take notes on the go, and when you’re done, fold the device for a typical smartphone experience.
CATCH:3 Wireless Charging Tray by Courant
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If you’re looking for a gift for someone who’s less of a tech nerd but who loves practicality, this is the option you’re looking for. At first glance it’s a simple utility tray to keep around the house so you don’t lose your phone, wallet, or keys. Underneath its posh exterior lives a wireless charging unit, meaning your phone will always be ready to go when you are. Leave it to fine pebble-grain leather to give high-tech gear a high-style makeover. ($245)
G733 Lightspeed Wireless Headset by LOGITECH G
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Back to the gaming squad for a moment, a good headset is key for those big gaming sessions. High speed connectivity, surround sound, and even voice filtering options are all part of the package here, not to mention dynamic front-facing dynamic lighting for those streaming their games on Twitch. Catch up with long-distance friends as you attempt to annihilate them in Halo Infinite. ($185)
Odyssey Neo G9 Monitor by Samsung
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Part of the appeal of video games is their ability to transport you to another world — often someplace far more futuristic than wherever you call home. Then again, if you’re sitting behind this 49″ curved mini-LED monitor, you’re already living in a sci-fi paradise. Still, the 240 hz refresh rate and 1 ms response time keep your video games looking cutting-edge, too. ($2,500)
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
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Samsung’s latest smartwatch builds on the legacy of previous models and delivers a host of new features. The model boasts new intuitive insights, and advanced features such as sleep coaching, health monitoring — including Blood Pressure and ECG — along with Body Composition measurement and fitness tracking. Of course, the expected notifications and other conveniences are also along for the ride. ($560)
Nintendo Switch – OLED Model Console
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Know a casual gamer who would benefit from a more comprehensive console rather than just burning phone batteries? Enter the Nintendo Switch. The flexible and (at times) family-friendly portable console fills the gap between the smartphone gaming world and the complete console/gaming computer approach, in a package that’s as easy to use at home as it is to take on the road. In its latest guise, the Nintendo Switch can, well, switch, between TV mode, tabletop mode, and handheld mode. It’s hands-down the most versatile model yet. Metroid Dread arrives alongside a deluxe new Switch model with a bigger, brighter screen. ($450)
C1 4K Webcam by Opal
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Last but not least, this is the prime gift for anyone who has been spending their last year on Zoom. No one wants to share that awkward up-the-nose camera angle. This Opal C1 4k webcam will give the gift of professionalism before your loved one runs their next virtual boardroom chat — complete with built-in colour balance, light adjustment, and pro-level audio. ($300 USD)
