Toys for the Techie In Your Life

BY NICOLE NGUYEN, JOANNA STERN AND WILSON ROTHMAN

Each fall, we look back at the year's best tech products, and list the ones we think are actually worth your money (and ours). So have at it!

Lexon Oblio Phone Sanitizer/Charger

This stylish nightstand vase is a Qi-compatible (兼容) wireless charger that powers up your phone while bathing it in ultraviolet light, which is known to reduce the spread of harmful bacteria and may also be effective in inactivating the new coronavirus, according to the FDA. $80; lexon-design.com       

MaskFone

The MaskFone is really just a mask with a pouch (袋子) that holds a pair of Motorola wireless earbuds, but it does solve some highly annoying mask-headphone issues. The earbuds, attached to the belts, stay firmly in your ear when walking or running. No more flying AirPod when you remove the mask. Then, with the microphone shoved (推) inside, you don't sound like you're underwater every time you take a call. Just beware: since there's no phone in sight, people you pass will   think you're talking to them under your mask. S50; maskfone.com

Sure, our gift guide tends to include some curiosities, but this remote-controlled selflighting candle actually makes sense. It's not a wax burning candle, but a wax-cylinder lamp with refillable fuel canisters that each last about 100 hours, so it's always full size. Each one does cost... $99; ludela.com

Forget the past puppy. Get a latest robovac (robotic vacuum cleaner). The not-so-adorable, not-so-little autonomous vacuum is quick to navigate to the mess and impressively avoids obstacles. It even empties itself into its Clean Base station. Plus, with the improved app you can set its cleaning schedule, keep track of how much area it covered and remotely control it from anywhere in the house. $600; irobot.com

Shivani had thrown a party one evening and awoke the next morning in hospital because of a car crash. It took Shivani years of pain, struggle and determination to regain control of her life and her body. Then tragedy struck again. As the newly-married Shivani drove to Manali  with her family, a truck crashed into her car. Shivani refused to give in-she wouldn't let her injury keep her from achieving her ambitions.

The 10 sportspersons in the book are champions in diverse fields like athletics, swimming  and badminton, who have brought glory to the country. They overcame their physical limitations to reach the top of their chosen fields.

Blind since the age of four，the author led a lonely childhood in India until he was accepted to the Arkansas School for the Blind, to which he flew alone at 15. America and the school changed his life, leading him to degrees at Oxford and Harvard and a fruitful writing career.

Diagnosed with cancer at 12, Esther Earl was a bright and talented, but very normal teenager. She lived a hope-filled and generous life. A cheerful, positive and encouraging daughter, sister and friend, Esther died in 2010, shortly after turning l 6, but not before inspiring thousands through her growing online presence.