Americans will spend around 97-billion dollars on new gadgets and gear this holiday season. That’s an all-time record – as industry analysts predict seven out of every 10 adults in American will buy a tech gift this year. What’s hot? VR, Cyber Security, and gadgets that make your life more fun.

Star Wars: Jedi Challenges, $199.99

Awaken your inner Jedi with the Disney/Lenovo’s smartphone?powered augmented reality Star Wars experience. It comes with a headset and haptic-enabled lightsaber, and works with nearly any smartphone on the market today. It takes less than five minutes to set up and before you know it, you’re perfecting your lightsaber skills by taking on some of the most menacing villains the dark side has to offer, or training your mind in the ultimate game of concentration and strategy – Holochess. Overall, it’s easy to learn, difficult to master, making it both a sign of AR to come – and a box of good clean fun with a brand everyone loves. Ages 10+

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e__9IUpdj8Q

2. Norton Core Router, ($249 this weekend only) Normally $279.99

This was a big year for Cyber Security snafu’s – and while this gadget looks like a futuristic disco-ball, it’s really a crazy fast, super-secure Wi-Fi router – with loads of security and parental control features built-in to protect every device in your home. It comes with a free app that lets you view your home’s “security score” and provides protection for all your connected devices – smart TV, baby monitor, home thermostat, plus your laptops and mobile devices. It safeguards against cybercriminals looking to steal your most personal information. Since its release, an average of five network threats have been blocked daily in homes using Norton Core – that’s 35 cybercrimes turned away from your doorstep each week!

 

3. WD My Cloud Home, Starts at $159.99

Almost as bad as cybercrime? Losing all your photos, and other treasured digital keepsakes. So

The just launched Western Digital My Cloud Home and this little SanDisk iXpand Base are two must-have accessories that save, store, and backup like a boss!

My Cloud Home is a personal storage device that connects directly to your WiFi router. It lets you back up and sync content wirelessly from various devices (phones, PC, Mac) – and lets you access all of that content from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

4. SanDisk iXpand Base, Starts at $49.99

The SanDisk iXpand Base is another hassle-free way to backup photos, videos, contacts – all the important stuff – from your iPhone – while it’s charging. Using your Lightning connector, you can simply plug your iPhone into the iXpand Base, set it on your nightstand or desk, and let it automatically back up while it charges – saving your content AND charging your phone while you sleep. One less thing to worry about during a busy holiday season!

5. HelloTech, starts at $29 

Wouldn’t it be great if setting up new tech toys – either yours or those you give other as gifts – came with a tech expert to set it all up for you? Now it can –HelloTech is an on-demand, in-home tech support service available nationwide! This is GENIUS — arrange a time, get a tech expert sent straight to your home to sets up your device and even help coach you on to how get the most out of it. It starts at just $29-bucks – screaming deal. AND – They’ll even come over on Christmas Day!

Be sure to sign up for our newsletter for a chance to win some of these gadgets, follow @JenniferJolly on Twitter, and keep checking back here for more on all kinds of hot gadgets, gear, and tech tools throughout the holiday season.