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For the Home - Holiday Gift Guide

Use these home-technology gift suggestions to turn a staid house into a haven of comfort.

There are distinct moments in the life of every homeowner when the confluence of convenience and technology come together in a sublime way. The products on this list help make that confluence happen.

iRobot Dirt Dog Workshop Robot Love the workshop but can’t stand the mess? Bring in the iRobot Dirt Dog to clean up after you. The battery-powered robot uses high-speed brushes to sweep up nuts, bolts and other debris from the floor. Built-in sensors measure the size of the room and adjust the cleaning area. iRobot detects and avoids stairs and bumps. MSRP: $129. www.irobot.com

Linksys CIT200 Cordless Phone
The Linksys CIT200 cordless phone works with Skype to enable free calls over the Internet to other Skype users anywhere in the world. The phone supports caller ID for Skype callers, call waiting and an optional voicemail service. Each base station supports up to four handsets. MSRP: $99; www.linksys.com

Kohler DTV Custom Showering Experience
This digital thermostatic valve (DTV) allows you to control shower flow, temperature and pressure. It’s got a nifty little touchpanel, which saves your favorite “showering programs,” assuming you have them (and if you don’t, you will). The unit can regulate up to eight showerheads, thereby justifying the installation of eight showerheads. MSRP: $2,000. www.kohler.com

Salton iCEBOX Kitchen Entertainment Center
For those who must multitask, the iCEBOX allows you to catch up on the news, check traffic, look up recipes and play DVDs and CDs—all while making the morning coffee. Hook the system up to video cameras, and you can keep an eye on the kids in and around the house. The keyboard and remote are completely sticky-proof; just throw them into the kitchen sink for a quick cleaning. Under-counter and countertop models are available. MSRP: $1,499 - $1,999. www.beyondconnectedhome.com

Motorized Adjustable Back Sofa
Fortress Seating’s Motorized Adjustable Back sofa does exactly what its name implies—it uses a motor to adjust the back pillow. The adjustable feature provides a high-backed pillow for those “lean-back” moments, while the low-profile setting fits right in with family visits, tea parties and other non-leaning-back moments. MSRP: Adjustable back is $700 add-on option. www.fortresseating.com

Melitta Smart Mill & Brew 10-cup Coffee Maker
For the Household Barista: What are the two things you need straight out of the sack? A cup o’ joe and the day’s weather. Now you can get broth from the Melitta Smart Mill & Brew 10-cup coffee maker. It grinds and brews coffee and displays the day’s forecast on a built-in LCD. Weather data comes free by way of MSN Direct, which updates every 10 minutes or so. The built-in clock automatically resets for daylight savings and after power blips. You’ll get current conditions, three-day forecast, severe weather warnings, and more. MSRP: $199, www.yourgrindredefined.com