10 hot tech gifts for every kind of dad

Just say no to neckties, kids. We all know that gadget gifts are really what Dad wants this Father's Day. And the countdown is on. Dad's big day is just around the corner, and he deserves something he really wants — some really fun gadgets and gizmos he'll actually use around the house and on-the-go (and, yes, even on the golf course).

To help you choose, I put together a list of 10 of my personal favorite Father's Day gadget gifts and tech tools. They're perfect for all kinds of dads — from DIY Mr. Fix It Dads to Digital Dads who can't live without their techie toys, and everyone in between.

The new Lenovo IdeaCentre Horizon – 27-inch Tabletop PC ($1,700) makes a great "splurge" gift for the early-adopter dad who always has to have the coolest new tech toys on the block. This multi-user tabletop PC, which doubles as the family's computing and entertainment center, was all the buzz at this year's Consumer Electronics Show — and for good reason. It's a jack-of-all trades desktop PC that stands up to be a large touchscreen for personal computing or lies flat to be a giant, tablet-like interactive device. I've been using it for the past two weeks, and I love it. It reminds me a lot of how record players, radios and even TVs once brought the family together around an entertainment device for an hour or so every night... so it looks like Dad might have to share.

If the Dad of your domain is an Android lover, he'll no doubt want to get his hands on the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone (about $250 with contract). It's packed with the latest hands-free features, including eye- and hand-gesture control, a 13 megapixel autofocus camera that snaps front and back photos (even at the same time!), a powerful 1.9GHz quad-core processor, a slick 5-inch, Full HD Super AMOLED display, and even works as a TV/DVR remote.

This one's for the digitally deft dad who always saves the day – and all of your family's most valuable (and confidential) digital data. Help him protect your family's smart card, videos and documents even better with a smart subscription to Backblaze Cloud Backup service ($50 per year). Backblaze has Dad's back 24/7 by continuously backing up all of your family's valuable files and documents to the cloud, ensuring they're recoverable should you ever experience an unfortunate major data loss or even computer theft.

Okay, yes, so this one's a tool gift, but it's not your typical one. It's a cutting-edge tech tool, and one with a quirky-cool name: the Flipout Tantrum Electric Screwdriver (about $160). It's an innovative electronic screwdriver designed to fit into extremely tight spaces because you can use it in 168 different tricky positions. The Flipout Tantrum stands up to just about any project Dad takes on and easily squeezes into tight spots that most traditional power tools can't get a grip on, hopefully reducing the chances that Dad will, yup, flip out and have a tantrum during a DIY project.

There are seemingly endless awesome choices available this year for the dad who likes to make a statement with his smartphone or tablet case. One of my favorites is the Q Card Case for iPhone 4S/4 by CM4 ($40). It simplifies Dad's busy life by doubling as a slick rubber iPhone protector and a wallet that stashes up to three credit cards or IDs, plus cash. Don't forget to slip a few bills in before you wrap it up for Dad. Trust me, it's just good gift-giving form.

There's also the idAmerica's Cushi iPhone5 Retro Camera Case ($25) for hipster dads who like to keep their gadgets extra safe — and looking extra retro cool. The Cushi case is a sleek, sophisticated — and protectively foam padded — case that makes Dad's iPhone looks like a blast-from-the-past camera.

For all those lovable but clumsy dads out there (you know who you are!), I give you the essentially everything-proof OtterBox Armor series ($65-$100), available to dutifully protect Dad's Galaxy S3, iPhone 5, iPhone 4, or iPhone 4s. OtterBox Armor smartphone cases are waterproof, drop-proof, dust-proof and crush-proof. Even the most accident-prone Dads probably couldn't destroy them, even if they wanted to.

This Auvio PBT 1000 Bluetooth Portable Speaker ($130) from RadioShack is music to the ears of the music-loving dad in your life, delivering exceptionally loud, crisp and rich-sounding music at an affordable price. Auvio's lightweight, 4-watt wonder block works with any Bluetooth-ready smartphone, laptop, tablet or MP3 player (including iOS and Android). And there's no need for Dad to dock or plug in his device to listen to music. Bonus: He can even use the portable speaker to take hands-free phone calls via speakerphone.

For the big kid in the family, the Sphero by Orbotix ($130) promises to deliver a ton of goofy fun. It's a durable robotic ball that you control with your iPhone, iPod, Android phone or tablet. How? By simply tilting, tapping or swiping your device, the ball rocks and rolls in all kinds of directions. You can play a bunch of fun family games with it, weaving the Sphero in and around DIY obstacle courses (which dads love setting up with their kids, hint, hint). Or Dad might feel inspired to use the Sphero to chase the family cat or dog around the house. A short charge on the small, portable charging unit delivers a full hour of unpredictable fun.