It's OK: Top gadget gifts for your pets

Did you know just about as many pets as people are getting a gift this holiday season? In a recent survey , about 85% of pet owners said man's best friend is at, or near, the very top of their list. Here are some of the most pawsome gifts for pets and the people who love them:

* PetziConnect

I'm sure your dog loves you just for you. But let's face it, they love treats, too, and the PetziConnect () can keep them well fed and smiling even when you're nowhere near home. This super smart little gadget is a cool combination of an HD webcam, speaker, microphone, and treat-tosser. You read that right - it can rocket out a tasty treat right into their little gaping mutt maws.

Once the PetziConnect is paired up with your home Wi-Fi and filled with Spot's favorite kibbles, you can connect to it via the free app and catch a live feed of wherever your pets happen to hang out. You can record the video feed, talk to your dog remotely, and even toss a treat to them - all from your smartphone. Your pets will always be happy to hear your voice, and double happy to get that treat.

DogVacay is like Airbnb for your dogs.(Photo: DogVacay)

* DogVacay

We know you never want to be away from your pets, and they hate it when you go away too. But with so many of us traveling over the holidays, there's finally an easy way to curb the separation anxiety for you and your pooch called (starts around $20 per night). DogVacay is like Airbnb for your dogs, with more than 20,000 approved pet sitters - yes, that's 20,000, with four zeroes - so that you can find the perfect temporary home for your beloved four-legged companions no matter where you're from. There are even recommendations and reviews so you can really customize your match. Over a million nights have already been booked using DogVacay, and the response from pet parents has been overwhelmingly positive.

* GoPro Fetch

Your four-legged friend might be an aspiring movie director and you don't even know it! That's why GoPro makes the Fetch harness () - It's a comfortable, durable dog harness that secures GoPro's awesome action cameras to your canine so you can see the world from their point of view. Get ready for a Hollywood blockbuster production complete with chasing mailmen, tipping over garbage cans, and maybe even a few impromptu butt sniffs.

* Halo Mini

Fancy nighttime strolls through the park with your canine companion? Equip them with the super bright Halo Mini LED collar () and let them shine bright like a diamond. Everyone, including you, will always be able to see them trotting along, which is a safety bonus for both all involved. This crazy collar is reflective, water resistant, and recharges the same way you power up your smartphone.

* Pet Umbrella

This one is so silly simple it's amazing it's not more common: The dog umbrella () is a genius little invention that keeps your walking companion dry in the event of a downpour. I mean seriously, have we been so inconsiderate as to let our dogs walk all willy nilly in the rain for this long? Sure, maybe they love it, but once the smell of wet dog wafts back into your home you definitely won't. This magic little gadget will keep you both bone dry.

* CritterZone Air Purifier

A breath of fresh air can do wonders for your mood, and the same is true for your pets. Your dogs and cats are usually cooped up inside for the vast majority of their day, especially in the chilly winter months, which makes them even more susceptible to poor indoor air quality. CritterZone's air naturalizer ( starting at $99 ) is super tiny, but it does a whole lot of work to make the air in your fresher, and without the use of nasty chemicals. It even pulls double duty by capturing those pet odors that make guests scrunch their noses and run for cover.

Whistle is a snap-on gadget that clings to your dog's collar and keep tabs on them.(Photo: Whistle)

* Whistle

The Jawbone might already sound like a dog toy, but if you actually want an activity monitor for your pup, Whistle () is the answer. It's a super smart little snap-on gadget that clings to your dog's collar and keep tabs on them, sensing their movements and charting patterns that are sent directly to your smartphone. Once you get a glimpse at your dog's lifestyle you'll see areas where you can improve it - like evening lulls that would be perfect for a quick walk - which will make both of your lives better. Win/win!

You have a smartphone, a tablet, a smartwatch, and a half dozen other super high-tech gadgets, so why shouldn't your dog have some smart high-tech toy too? Pet tech is a huge, constantly growing market with all kinds of awesome gizmos for your cats and dogs that will not only make both of your lives better, but might even help lengthen the amount of time you have with them.

Jennifer Jolly is an Emmy Award-winning consumer tech contributor and host of USA TODAY's digital video show TECH NOW. E-mail her attechcomments@usatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @JenniferJolly.

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ET Recommendations: Gadget and apps

Gadget Portronics 6-port USB Home Charger, Get it for: Rs 999

Ever run out of wall outlets to plug in your charger? Thanks to the multiple devices we all carry, this is a real problem. Portronics offers a solution in the form of this six-port USB charging station. It only needs a single connection to an AC wall outlet (100 -240V) and provides six USB ports with 1 AMP output each. You can use it to simultaneously charge up to six devices such as cellphones, tablets, MP3 players, portable game consoles, e-readers and cameras. You have to use your own cables of course, but it is a boon while travelling because it saves you the hassle of carrying multiple chargers. The online price is closer to Rs 600 which makes it more of a good deal. Highly recommended for multi-gadget households.

App for Android Holaa!. Get it for: Free

Holaa! is a new app that aims to be a global telephone directory similar to Truecaller but with more features. Once you install the app, it verifies your phone number and gives you the option to upload your phonebook to the Holaa! servers - if you are concerned about privacy, you can cancel the upload request. After the initial setup, a notification window automatically pops up for any incoming /outgoing call with details of contact name, photo and location. The interface is colourful and easy to understand. By default, the app shows a full-screen popup window replacing your default call screen - you can disable this from the settings. A popup box also appears after each call with the option to add or block the unknown number. You can also search for a particular number from within the app, manage a blacklist and sync your social media account to get additional contacts. At the moment, it does not match the contact database of Truecaller, so don't expect it to recognise all incoming numbers. But it's worth a try if you want something different.

God of Light. Get it for: Free

God of Light is a puzzle game in which you join Shiny, the mascot, to bend light using mirrors and collect crystals along the way. It sounds complicated but it really isn't. Shiny is the light source and you need to rotate the various mirror-like objects in the path of the light beam so that it reaches the target. Each level starts out in darkness and gets illuminated as you progress - in a sense, the level is lit by the light you bend. It's slow, calming and features some excellent graphics and music (by electronic music creator UNKLE). The first world (Celestial Tree) is free to play - to continue playing through all the worlds, you need to either collect enough Fireflies (you will have to watch a lot of ads and it's probably not worth the time you spend on it) or pay `122 for the full version of the game using an in-app purchase.

Stocking stuffer gadgets under $100

Some of the best tech gifts of the year come in small packages, and with fairly small price tags to boot.

Here are some great stocking-stuffer gadgets and tech toys that work perfectly as add-on bonuses, or even as presents for peoplewho might not be expecting them.

* One keyboard for all

Technology is supposed to make our lives easier, right? Well, according to a recent survey, some 65% of us are distracted by messages from one device when using another. A message here, a Facebook post there, and if you're planning on getting any actual work done on a computer while all this is going on - you're pretty much out of luck.

Logitech's K480 multi-device keyboard () is like a magic wand that brings them all together and lets you tap away at a single set of keys for up to three different devices. That means your tablet, smartphone and computer can all get the attention they deserve. It also works with all platforms, so it doesn't really matter if you have an Android phone, iPad, PC, this one gadget lets them all play together in the synched-up sandbox.

Logitech's K480 multi-device keyboard(Photo: Logitech)

* Sticky selfies

There's no stopping the selfie craze, and if you can't beat them you might as well give your selfie-snapping friends something that will make them look even more obnoxious while they're mugging in public. The Selfie Stick () lets photo addicts extend their reach and capture as many people as possible in their Facebook-bound photos.

* Big sound, tiny package

The Kinivo ZX100 Mini Portable Speaker ( ) is another tiny gadget, but this one can belt out some seriously huge sound. You can use it just about anywhere to blast your music with deep bass, clarity, and 360-degree sound. The cord is built in so there's no way to lose it, and the battery keeps the tunes flowing for an impressive six hours.

* Light up your life

There's no excuse for sending a poorly lit selfie when you have a LuMee case ( starting at $39 ). These cases come with built-in LEDs that light up the night with the push of a button. Use it as a flashlight or simply a tool to help take the perfect Facebook photo. Toss it in a stocking and brighten someone's holiday!

* Cast away

Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus, Pandora, HBO Go, and Google Music to any ole HDTV. Google's Chromecast delivers stunning HD content all from a gadget no bigger than your average USB drive. Just pair it with an app on your smartphone or computer then sit back and enjoy - all for $35.

* Selfie Brush

A mirror, hair brush and iPhone holder in one? That's the Selfie Brush (), and there's a good chance you know someone who would absolutely love it. You know the type - the ones who spend an hour in front of the mirror just to snap a selfie. It's a simple, super cheap way to put a smile on their face - just don't be surprised when you start getting Snapchat messages every five minutes.

* Digital content, to go!

The SanDisk Connect Wireless Media Drive ( ) is the perfect, portable, pocket-sized entertainment device. This little wonder creates its own Wi-Fi signal that can be connected to up to five different devices at a time, so you can stream high-def movies, photos and music to tablets, smartphones, and computers you've brought along for the ride. You can also save and share photos, and since the battery lasts up to eight hours on a single charge you can use it for your trip to wherever the holidays take you.

* Modal light-up charger

Of all the phone accessories you have, I'm going to bet that your charging cord is the most boring. But it's just a cord - there's nothing you can really do to make it cool, right? Wrong! Modal's lighted charging cable () is lined with super bright LEDs that light up to show you the charging status of your phone, and it happens to look pretty neat, too. It's a master of form and function, and it puts just about every other charging cord to shame.

An Instagram-inspired necklace.(Photo: Photojojo)

* Instagram jewelry

Have a friend who can't get enough of Instagram culture? We all do. Let them know it's time to string a #nofilter necklace on and let the world know they've come as they are, or maybe a #selfie pendant to show they spend a little too much time taking snapshots of their own mug. These necklaces () are cheap and hilarious, which is a great combination for a stocking stuffer.

Une Bobine ($35) is a flexible, coiled charging cable.(Photo: Une Bobine)

* Une Bobine

Nobody wants a limp charging cord, and the Une Bobine () is the cure. It's a flexible, coiled charging cable that will keep whatever shape you give it. Curve it up and around your car dashboard, around the edge of your nightstand, or stand it up on your desk so you can spot new messages the second they pop up.

* Tile

You might assume I have a ton of gadgets - and you'd be right - but if you think I can keep track of where I actually put half of these crazy gizmos you'd be quite mistaken. That's why I love Tile (). Tile is a tiny locator beacon that can be found with the Tile app on your smartphone, and you can stick it on absolutely anything. Keys, phone, purse, tablet, you name it, and you can find it with Tile.

* PureGear retro case

I love Candy Crush Saga as much as the next person, but nothing quite compares to the simple, non-digital games of yesteryear. That's why I absolutely love PureGear's retro-game smartphone cases (). Aside from being a super-protective extra skin for your iPhone, each case has a old-school maze game built right into the back. It's an awesome twist on the whole idea of a case, and it's a great gift idea.

* Recoil Cord Winder

Between picking up wrapping paper, finding batteries, and keeping the tree in the living room from bursting into flames, the last thing anyone wants to worry about during the holidays is winding cords. The Recoil Cord Winder ( starting at $6 ) does exactly what its name suggests, and it makes toting your charging cables, headphones and any other wires you have a total breeze. No tangles, no knots, no hassle.

Jennifer Jolly is an Emmy Award-winning consumer tech contributor and host of USA TODAY's digital video show TECH NOW. E-mail her at techcomments@usatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @JenniferJolly.

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There's a gadget for that

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Last minute Christmas gifts for gadget lovers

Giant phones are all the rage, and at a socking-great six inches, Google's latest addition to its Nexus range ticks all the right boxes. The Nexus 6 features an aluminium frame, a Quad HD display and a 13 megapixel camera. It comes with dual front-facing stereo speakers and a 'Turbo Charger', offering up to six hours of use with only 15 minutes of charge.

LG G Watch R

Wearable technology is set to be huge in 2015, and one of the best wearables on the market today is the LG G Watch R, featuring a large rounded face (generally considered preferable to square) and a 1.3-inch OLED display. The smartwatch runs Android Wear, Google's wearable software platform, and is compatible only with smartphones running Android 4.3 or above.

Tesco hudl2

If an iPad seems too extravagant, Tesco's £129 hudl2 may be more up your street. The 8.3-inch Android tablet has been optimised for entertainment and is powered by a quad-core Intel 1.83 GHz processor, making it three times faster than its previous incarnation. The tablet is available on Clubcard Boost, meaning it can be bought for £65 worth of Tesco Clubcard vouchers.

Now TV

Sky's Now TV box turns any TV into a smart TV by connecting to your home WiFi network and allowing you to stream content from Sky's catch-up services, as well as apps like BBC iPlayer and Demand 5. The box itself is a steal at just £9.99, but if that seems a bit stingy you can include a two-month movie pass, a three-month entertainment pass or two Sky Sports day passes for an extra £10.

Parrot Rolling Spider mini drone

The smartphone-controlled Rolling Spider mini drone, with its miniature propellers and detachable wheels, is guaranteed to keep the whole family entertained on Christmas day. The drone is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but it is packed full of sensors, making it far less unwieldy, and infinitely more satisfying, than the traditional remote-controlled helicopter.

iPod Classic from eBay

Apple has stopped selling its iconic iPod Classic, but brand-new-in-box devices are still available to buy on eBay - albeit for twice their original retail price. The Classic's cavernous 160GB storage capacity far exceeds anything that Apple sells today, making it a winner for anyone who likes to keep all their music close at hand, plus they get a future techno-antique into the bargain.

Spotify subscription

Unless the recipient is a Taylor Swift fan, a subscription to Spotify is a great Christmas present, ensuring your friends and family are right at the forefront of how music is consumed today. Although Spotify offers a free streaming service, a subscription means you don't have to listen to any pesky adverts, and you can also download playlists for offline listening.

Fujifilm x20

Taking photos on your phone may be the norm now, but compact cameras still offer far superior image quality. The retro-styled Fujifilm X20 is beautifully built, feels solid in the hand, is easy to use and full of great details. The 12-megapixel sensor is big and efficient, and takes great pictures with minimum effort - perfect for capturing those memorable moments over Christmas.

B&O BeoPlay A2

The first Bluetooth speaker from high-end audio company Bang and Olufsen, the BeoPlay A2 combines fantastic sound quality with a compact and portable design. The speaker has an aluminium core with a polymer grill and leather carry strap, and with 24-hour battery life, it should keep you dancing right through the Boxing Day.

The ultimate gadget gift for everyone on your list

USA TODAYThe ultimate gadget gift for everyone on your listUSA TODAYThe holidays are a hectic time for you, but they're downright insane for someone who reviews gadgets all year long. This is the time of year I have to whittle down a mountain of gadgets — pick out my very favorites for a whole variety of reasons, from ...

How much can you fit in the 'ultimate gadget jacket'?

AyeGear is a small Scottish firm with a big ambition: to make the ultimate gadget jacket. Now, you'd be forgiven for not knowing that gadget jackets were a thing, but let me assure you that they are and that there's one in the video above.

The concept is that traveling can be tricky for the technologically-obsessed: phones; tablets; cameras; laptops, the list goes on. It's hard to carry them all at once.

You could, of course, put them in a bag. But imagine that, for some perfectly valid but unknown reason, you couldn't - you'd be stuck.

Until, that is, you got hold of a J25 jacket with its 25 bewildering pockets.

The idea is that you secrete all of your gadgets on your person and ditch the backpack. One of the pockets is even big enough to hold a 15in laptop, and the two transparent smartphone pockets allow you to use the touchscreens without removing them. It's clever stuff.

^{AyeGear's 25 jacket before being filled up with the gadgets on the table}

But just how much can you fit in there? We decided to test the limits, adding:

- A copy of The Daily Telegraph

- An iPhone 5C

- A 'Brick' phone

- A Nokia smartphone

- An Honor 6

- A Samsung tablet

- Two Kindles

- An umbrella

- My keys

- A set of over-the-ear headphones

It all fit. With space to spare. And the pockets are cleverly stitched so that they don't sag and droop. It still feels like a jacket, basically, rather than an enormous cotton sack full of gadgets that happens to have armholes.

^{AyeGear's 25 jacket fully loaded. Is it sylish though?}

Not the most stylish jacket in the world, certainly, but not the ugliest. It's functional.

The only problem is that it gets tremendously heavy as you fill it up. Unlike a backpack, which you can drop on the floor on the Tube, elevators and lifts for brief respite, you need to keep this jacket on. It feels rather claustrophobic.

I'm yet to be convinced by the merits of a gadget jacket, but they certainly do work. If you're strongly opposed to carrying a bag, for some reason, and have to lug around huge amounts of gadgets, for some reason, this is exactly what you've been waiting for.

Would you wear a gadget jacket?