Mother's Day: 12 tech gifts for mom

The showerhead speaker connects to a smartphone or other bluetooth devices at up to 32 feet, and one of the best parts is that the speaker isn't limited to the shower - it detaches and can travel with your mom all over the house or wherever she wants to go, with seven hours of battery life.

Moxie showerhead with speaker

The speaker detaches for portable bluetooth listening

An alternative for moms who appreciate some ambiance but don't care as much about music is an LED showerhead that can simulate rainfall while projecting various soothing colors. Browse LightintheBox.com and take your pick.

5. Slingbox

Get it at: Slingbox.com ($179.99 - $299.99)

Tagline: "Watch your TV anywhere"

The Slingbox is a great Mother's Day tech gift - whether your mom is down with all the memes or still thinks that her browser is called "Google," she'll appreciate the ability to take her television shows and newscasts with her on the go.

The latest models are the Slingbox 350 and the Slingbox 500, and although the 500 comes with some extra features, let's be honest - your mom probably isn't going to use them anyway. You might as well go with the cheaper version (we won't tell).

Slingbox 500

She'll love a Slingbox if she can get past the shape

Plus, your dad will likely show some appreciation for this one as well.

6. Flower Power by Parrot

Get it at: Parrot.com (not yet available)

Tagline: "The most advanced plant sensor"

Parrot's Flower Power is a device the likes of which we've never seen before, and it's sure to tickle your mom's green thumb - or better yet, lack thereof - on Mother's Day.

It's a plant sensor that sits in the soil of a planter or pot, monitoring sunlight, moisture, temperature, and fertilizer, then sending the data wirelessly via bluetooth to your mother's gadgets. It will even remind her when to water them.

Flower Power by Parrot

Ding ding - time to water the bougainvilleas!

It was only introduced at CES this year, so unfortunately it's not on the market yet, but a 2013 release is promised and you can sign up to be notified at parrot.com. Maybe it will make a good birthday present, or you can remember it for next year's Mother's Day.

7. LogMeIn

Get it at: LogMeIn.com ($69.95 per year)

Tagline: "Simply connect from anywhere"

This one's for the working moms, though even the retirees and stay-at-homes out there could no doubt find some use for it. LogMeIn is a subscription service that will allow her to access her home PC from anywhere.

Moms at soccer practice or dance recitals won't have to duck out to email their bosses that important file, and when she's with her friends she'll be able to pull up all those cute baby pictures and home videos without having to worry about what's synced with her tablet or phone.

LogMeIn app

She'll love accessing home files from a tablet

Trying to juggle files between multiple devices can be a hassle even for the tech-savvy, so your mom will definitely appreciate not having to do it.

Getting her a year's subscription to LogMeIn Pro will ensure that she remembers what a good son or daughter you are all year long.

8. Canon PowerShot Elph 110 HS

Get it at: Amazon ($194.98)

Tagline: "Style, Sophistication and Power"

If your mother is sick of being disappointed by blurry smartphone photos (or if she - gasp! - doesn't use a smartphone at all) you might want to consider getting her an affordable point-and-shoot.

There are many to choose from, but Canon's name carries some weight in the world of photography and the Elph line of point-and-shoots has always proved reliable in our experience.

Canon Elph camera

Colors to match any mom's mood

The Canon PowerShot Elph 110 HS is the latest model, and it has plenty of features that will keep your mom entertained. In case she isn't too tech-savvy, though, the charming name ("Elph") and the rainbow of colors that the 110 comes in should allay most of her fears.

Michael Rougeau

Michael Rougeau is a former freelance news writer for TechRadar. Studying at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Northeastern University, Michael has bylines at Kotaku, 1UP, G4, Complex Magazine, Digital Trends, GamesRadar, GameSpot, IFC, Animal New York, @Gamer, Inside the Magic, Comic Book Resources, Zap2It, TabTimes, GameZone, Cheat Code Central, Gameshark, Gameranx, The Industry, Debonair Mag, Kombo, and others.


Micheal also spent time as the Games Editor for Playboy.com, and was the managing editor at GameSpot before becoming an Animal Care Manager for Wags and Walks.