10 Father’s Day Gifts to Help Dad Feel Young and Cool

Another Father’s Day is around the corner, reminding dear old dad that he’s another year older. Why not help your dad feel just a touch more youthful? These 10 gadgets mix fun and practicality — and sure beat the tie, book or gift card you’ve given him in the past.

Paul Mah is a tech blogger who was formerly an IT professional. These days, he spends his time dissecting various tech news and developments at www.TechBlogger.io. You can follow him on Twitter at @paulmah or Google Plus at +PaulMah.

Awake the inner child in your dad with Sphero 2.0 ($99.99), a remote-controlled robot the likes of which your dad never saw while raising you. (Not that he’d have had time for a robot anyway.) The robotic sphere pairs with your iOS or Android device via Bluetooth and careens around at speeds of up to 7 feet per second, with a 100-foot range. The Sphero 2.0 is waterproof, and is recharged by an included induction charger. Since its release, the catalog of Sphero-compatible games and apps have grown to some 30 titles and counting, allowing for many more hours of fun.

[ From CES 2013: Sphero Robotic Ball Gets Augmented Reality, Becomes a Beaver ]

With the number of USB-powered devices increasing by the day, the Anker 36W USB Quad-Port Wall Charger ($42.99) helps ensure that your dad has ample ports to keep his gadgets properly juiced. The Anker 36W Wall Charger is designed for simultaneous, full-speed charging, with two ports hardwired for Apple (2.1A output) devices and two for Android (1.5A output) smartphones and tablets. The portable charger is lightweight and tips the scale at just 3.5 ounces (100 grams).

[ Also: 8 Great Lightning Charging Gadgets for iPhone Aficionados ]