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Historical guide—not current buying advice. Published by GeekWire on November 24, 2017, this holiday roundup collected recommendations from its Geared Up podcast and live video show. It is useful as a snapshot of the products and priorities of that season; its prices, availability and compatibility claims should not be treated as current in 2026. The original article was written by Clare McGrane as Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping got underway. Read the original GeekWire guide.
What the 2017 guide recommended
Geared Up was described by GeekWire as a weekly podcast and live video show about consumer electronics, video games, gadgets and gear. The guide assembled picks from host Andru Edwards and GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop. Its recommendations were opinions for that holiday season, not an independently ranked or tested list.
The list ranged from consoles and family games to smart-home devices, Wi-Fi systems and headphones. One of its first suggestions was not hardware at all: a service intended to track post-purchase price drops.
The shopping-service pick: Earny
The article described Earny as a service that monitored purchases for up to 90 days and sought refunds if an item later became cheaper or was available for less at another retailer. It said Earny kept 25% of any refund it found. Edwards reported receiving nearly $120 in refunds on his first day using it; that was his reported experience, not a result GeekWire independently tested.
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- 【Ideal Unique Gifts for Men Women】- Unique Gifts for Men Him Dad. The tablet stand with Bluetooth speaker is suitable for use at home, office, kitchen and outdoor. It’s an ideal gift not only for those who are tired of watching videos with their hands busy, but also for individuals who aim to enhance their productivity and efficiency during work or online classes. A ideal gift for Men Women Dad Mom Boyfriend anyone who you loves. Birthday Gifts for Women Mom Her.
Those are historical terms from the 2017 article, not a statement about Earny’s present availability or policies. Price monitoring is not an unconditional refund guarantee: retailer rules, eligible purchases, claim windows, service fees and account or payment access can all matter. Before using any comparable service, check its current coverage and privacy terms against the retailer’s own policy.
Games and consoles for the 2017 holiday season
Nintendo Switch, Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey
Edwards called the Nintendo Switch his “gadget of the year,” recommending it for children and adults. The guide paired the console with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. Its appeal in 2017 was the combination of home-console and portable play. This was a recommendation about the Switch available then, not a claim that a 2017 model is the right purchase today. Check the recipient’s existing hardware and the exact console and game compatibility before buying.
Official reference pages: Nintendo and The Legend of Zelda.
Xbox One X and Xbox One S
The guide aimed the Xbox One X at “hardcore gamers” and presented the Xbox One S as the more casual or lower-cost option. Its suggested games were Forza Motorsport 7 and Assassin’s Creed Origins. The original GeekWire page misspelled the latter title; it is correctly styled here. These were Xbox recommendations for 2017, not a present-day comparison of console generations.
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Official reference pages: Xbox, Forza and Ubisoft.
PlayStation 4 Pro and Destiny 2
The PS4 Pro was framed as another high-end choice alongside the Xbox One X, with Destiny 2 as the game pick. That describes the guide’s 2017 console landscape; it is not evidence that a PS4 Pro is a competitive new console purchase in 2026. Official references: PlayStation and Destiny.
Nintendo 2DS for younger players
For children, the guide favored the portable Nintendo 2DS, describing it as sturdy. It is an older handheld, so a used-market purchase calls for checks of battery condition, controls, parental settings and which games are available. Buyers seeking current hardware or a new-device warranty should compare current options rather than assume the 2DS remains a current-generation product. Official reference: Nintendo.
Play Impossible Game Ball for active play
Todd Bishop recommended the Play Impossible Game Ball, a Bluetooth- and sensor-equipped ball designed for interactive games. The guide presented it as a hybrid physical-and-digital gift for children or adults, including a way to play indoors when weather kept people inside. Before considering one now, verify that the company, companion app, any required online service and replacement parts are still available; the 2017 article does not establish their current status. Official reference: Play Impossible.
Codenames for groups
The guide’s non-electronic pick was Codenames, described as easy to learn and suitable for a large group or family gathering. A board game is less dependent on software support than the connected gifts in the list, but edition, language, player-count and expansion details still vary. The original article linked to BoardGameGeek as a reference.
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Smart-home picks: choose the platform before the gadget
The guide sorted smart speakers by assistant: Google Home for Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit-compatible devices for iPhone and Siri users, Harman Kardon Invoke for Cortana, and Amazon Echo for Alexa. That is a useful record of how the guide framed the 2017 market, not a current compatibility map. Cortana is no longer a normal consumer smart-speaker platform, and product names, features and support have changed across these ecosystems.
Today, checking only an assistant brand is not enough. Confirm the precise model’s supported platforms and protocols, account requirements, regional availability, privacy controls and software-update status. Matter support or local control may matter to buyers trying to avoid platform lock-in, but the original guide does not establish either for its products.
- Google: The guide’s Google Home recommendation points to the Google Store.
- Apple: It suggested HomeKit-compatible devices; Apple’s linked reference was the Home app.
- Amazon: Echo and Echo Dot were the Alexa picks; the historical reference is Amazon Alexa.
- Cortana: The Harman Kardon Invoke represented the 2017 Cortana option. Do not treat that ecosystem as a current smart-speaker recommendation; the original vendor reference was Harman Kardon.
Echo Dot: a historical sale price
The article cited an Echo Dot price of $29.99 during 2017 Black Friday deals. That is a dated sale price, not a current offer or a general price for later generations. For any Echo device, identify the generation and check microphone controls, account requirements, supported smart-home functions and update status.
Thermostats: Nest and ecobee4
The guide named a Nest Smart Thermostat and the ecobee4, noting that the latter had Alexa built in. “Nest Smart Thermostat” is not precise enough to identify a particular model for a modern purchase. Check the exact model, HVAC compatibility, C-wire or alternative power requirements, heat-pump and multi-stage support, installation needs, sensor options, available utility rebates and privacy terms. Current model information is available from Google Store and ecobee; those links do not establish that a 2017 product remains supported.
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August locks and Nest doorbells
August smart locks and a Nest doorbell were the guide’s entry points for connected door access and visitor monitoring. These are security-sensitive devices, so check deadbolt fit, battery life, backup entry, guest-code controls, Wi-Fi or hub requirements, video-history subscription terms and what continues to work during an internet outage. Also account for installation constraints and landlord rules. References: August and Google Store.
Nest, Cloud Cam and Wyze cameras
The article named Nest cameras, Amazon Cloud Cam at $120, and Wyze Cam at $19.99. The Cloud Cam and Wyze figures are prices cited in the 2017 guide, not current prices. The Cloud Cam in particular should not be bought on the assumption that its cloud service still operates: verify the exact product and service status before relying on any cloud-dependent camera.
For any camera, weigh local recording against cloud storage and subscription costs; check detection features, indoor or outdoor rating, account security, encryption claims, integrations and vendor support. A low historical hardware price says nothing about today’s total cost or the continuity of recordings. Original references: Amazon, Wyze and Google Store.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Mesh Wi-Fi: coverage is not the same as speed
The guide recommended Netgear Orbi and Eero to extend Wi-Fi coverage around a home. A mesh network uses multiple nodes to cover more space than a single router, but it does not automatically preserve full speed everywhere or increase the internet speed supplied by the provider.
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Actual performance depends on node placement, walls, interference, client devices, internet plan and whether nodes communicate over wireless or wired backhaul. Wireless backhaul can reduce throughput; Ethernet backhaul or wired access points may be preferable where cabling is available and consistent performance matters. Mesh can be easier to deploy, especially where running cable is impractical, but compare the exact models and any feature or subscription limits. The guide’s historical vendor references were Netgear and Eero.
Headphones: convenience, noise cancellation and age
AirPods for iPhone users
The guide recommended AirPods especially for iPhone owners, citing automatic pairing with iOS devices while also noting Android compatibility. Basic Bluetooth audio compatibility is different from Apple-specific pairing and device-switching conveniences. For an older or used pair, inspect battery life, charging-case condition and firmware support rather than assuming it performs like a current model. Reference: Apple AirPods.
Bose QC35 and SoundTrue
The Bose QC35 was the guide’s wireless over-ear noise-canceling pick. Bose SoundTrue around-ear headphones were offered as a non-noise-canceling alternative. Both are historical product recommendations, not current-model rankings. Used examples warrant checks for battery health, ear-pad wear, Bluetooth reliability and replacement-part availability. Reference: Bose.
Beats Studio3 Wireless
The guide described Beats Studio3 Wireless as a new wireless, noise-canceling over-ear option with high audio quality; it did not provide measurements or test methods for that qualitative claim. The original page’s displayed Beats recommendation appears linked to a Bose URL, so use the product maker’s reference rather than relying on that mismatched link: Beats. As with other older wireless headphones, verify battery condition and return protection before buying used.
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| 2017 pick | What the guide saw in it | What to check in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch | Broad appeal for adults and children; home and portable play. | Current hardware generation, game compatibility and whether the recipient already owns a console. |
| Codenames | A relatively easy group game for family gatherings. | Edition, language and player-count details. |
| AirPods | Convenient choice for iPhone users, with Android compatibility noted. | Exact generation, battery and case condition, and distinction between Bluetooth basics and Apple-specific features. |
| Amazon Cloud Cam | A smart-camera option in the 2017 roundup. | Whether the product and cloud service remain operational; recording and subscription alternatives. |
| Harman Kardon Invoke | A speaker choice for the then-listed Cortana ecosystem. | The Cortana consumer-speaker platform is obsolete as a normal current option; verify any remaining device functionality. |
| Nintendo 2DS | A portable, sturdy option aimed at younger players. | Age of hardware, battery and game availability; consider whether current hardware better meets the need. |
The table is a retrospective, not a statement that any particular model or service is available today. The same caution applies to Xbox One X and S, PS4 Pro, Play Impossible Game Ball, Bose QC35 and SoundTrue, Beats Studio3, and the original smart-home devices: confirm present support and condition before treating a 2017 recommendation as a current purchase.
Quick Recap
How to use a 2017 recommendation when shopping now
- Identify the recipient’s setup. Find out which console, phone ecosystem, Wi-Fi equipment or smart-home platform they already use; avoid buying a game or accessory without checking compatibility.
- Verify support before paying. For connected products, confirm the app, cloud service, firmware updates and required accounts are still supported. Do not assume a cloud camera or smart speaker works fully if its vendor service has ended.
- Calculate total cost. Include subscriptions, hubs, installation, replacement batteries, storage fees and platform limitations—not only the hardware price.
- Inspect used electronics carefully. For handhelds and headphones, check battery health, charging accessories, wear, functionality and return terms. A 2017 price or product description is not evidence of today’s condition or value.
- Compare current models from official sources. Use manufacturer pages to establish current specifications and availability, then compare the exact model against the recipient’s needs. The old guide’s $29.99 Echo Dot, $120 Cloud Cam and $19.99 Wyze Cam prices belong to its 2017 holiday context only.
Editorial and promotional context
The GeekWire page also contained a “Go National” promotional section for National Car Rental and material tied to a sponsored or partner-related show. That commercial material is separate from the consumer-tech recommendations and should not be read as another product pick.
