Technology We’re Thankful For

We cornerd some staff members and whipped them until they told us what technology they couldn't live without.

Friends. Family. Gainful employment. A chance to dig into a big, juicy turkey with all the fixins and (fingers crossed) actually enjoy a full eight hours of sleep courtesy of a Tryptophan coma. These are tops on the list of things we’re truly thankful for this holiday season. But being the good consumerists and high-tech newshounds we are, we also have to give props where it’s really due – to all the shiny new gadgets and lifesaving technologies that let us squeeze 63 hours of fun and productivity into each and every day.

Considering the sheer amount of electronic goodness they sift through in any week, let alone month or (please, if you want to keep breathing, don’t make us even think about it) year, ever wonder what gizmos and applications your favorite editors find most (gasp) actually useful on an everyday basis? No need to guess… Below, you’ll find just a few of the countless great tools and toys modern-day science has made possible that we’d be lost, clueless and probably last spotted wandering around naked in Central Park without.

Nick Mokey, Associate Editor

SKYPE

Was there really a time when people paid $1.20 a minute to talk to pals in other countries? Count me glad to have skipped that era of history. Besides the free computer-to-computer version of Skype we all know and love, I adore the paid version, which not only lets me dial call almost anywhere in the world for $10 a month – I can also do it from my cell phone.

GMAIL

Cursed since birth with an atrocious memory, I’ve latched onto Gmail’s ultra-simple and functional search function to replace my long-term memory almost completely. Forget Android… I’m a Google cyborg. From birthdays and phone numbers to meeting times and my contact lens prescription, all the little bits of information I used to keep on slips of paper that got thrown away are now permanently just a search string away.

TOMTOM ONE THIRD EDITION

The best $90 I ever spent. Not only did this nifty GPS navigate me all 3,000 miles across the United States four months ago when I came to Portland to join Digital Trends full-time, it’s also been a vital crutch as I learn to navigate a new and foreign city. I’ve had the opportunity to play with much pricier and more full-featured nav systems, but this one really does the job just fine. Check out our TomTom One XLS review.

1992 HONDA CBR600

Any piece of technology that gets me to and from work 10 minutes faster and makes my commute the best part of my day deserves a special mention here. Getting 55 miles per gallon doesn’t hurt, either. Sorry, it’s not really “techy” in the strictest digital sense, but as far as favorite toys go, it’s at the top of my list.

CRAIGSLIST

From outfitting my college house with a 32-inch HDTV and a free hot tub, to landing nearly every single piece of furniture in my old Brooklyn apartment, I have a lot to thank Craigslist for, including the dream job I hold today. Thank you, Craig Newmark: Next time you’re in town, I owe you a can of Fresca.

Ian Bell, CEO

VERIZON FiOS

When Verizon actually manages to bill a month properly, that is… I love the crystal clear images, video on-demand in high-def capabilities and the vast array of HD channels to choose from. Some people complain there’s never anything good on TV anymore: Me, my beef’s with customer service, not the cable guide…

SONOS BUNDLE 150

Streaming whole house audio – what’s not to love? There’s nothing quite like singing along with a little Jay-Z while I’m taking a shower. Although, in retrospect, for the same reason, my wife may wish the technology had never been invented. She’s just lucky I’m not a big fan of Pantera. Watch our Sonos video review.

APPLE iPod & BMW

Thanks to built-in integration with my car, I can listen to whatever I want, when I want, whether on my way to work or cruising around on the weekend. We forget just how amazing these conveniences are. Need a quick reminder? Turn on the radio and listen to “Wolfman Bob” or Howard Stern having a conniption fit and tell me Steve Jobs doesn’t deserve a big old bear hug.

BLACKBERRY PEARL

Yes, by consumer electronics editorial standards, it’s older than sin. And no, I can’t be away from it for 15 minutes without going into convulsions or other disturbing symptoms of physical withdrawal. But it’s the lifeblood of my daily communications, and – oddly enough – keeps working even though I’ve dropped it like 50 times. Let’s see your iPhone or microphone-equipped Sony PSP-3000 do that.

PLAYSTATION 3

Yep, I’m a believer – mostly because I’m a home theater buff at heart. Other systems (forget you, Wii) might be pwning it on the sales charts, but I love using the console to stream video from PC to HDTV. You even get a Web browser now that lets you watch free videos off Hulu.com, which I have to thank for my new obsession with Mad Men. Playstation 3 review.

Dan Gaul, CTO and Corporate Mascot

BLACKBERRY CURVE

Yes, I admit it. I’m a Crackberry addict. Email and the Blackberry Messenger are my weaknesses. So what to do? I’m looking forward to getting my sweaty, grubby hands on the Blackberry Bold as soon as it comes out!

iPOD TOUCH

Second only to my Blackberry Curve as my favorite “portable,” the Apple iPod touch is one fine piece of entertainment goodness. What can I say? I love the little crooner. What I really dig is playing the highly addictive Bejeweled 2, browsing the web, playing favorite songs at work or on the plane, and searching for cool applications via the App Store. It’s like a tech Swiss Army knife, and (drumroll, please) music to my ears.

PLAYSTATION 3

And to think that Sony had me at Blu-ray. Watching a high-definition movie on a 1080p HDTV still blows me away. Never mind the games, even though it did take a while before any half-decent one finally shipped that I was willing to fork over my hard earned cash for. Then again, have you seen LittleBigPlanet? One word: amazing.

XBOX LIVE

When Microsoft first announced its Xbox Live and Marketplace digital download services, I wasn’t too thrilled about having to pay for add-ons to games. But as titles like Rock Band, Call of Duty 4 and others now take advantage of not only the Marketplace but also online gameplay options, I can’t imagine life without it. Especially when it comes to downloading all those new songs for Rock Band…

ROCK BAND 2

Speaking of, we just can’t get the party started right at my house until we get our groove on playing Rock Band’s newest edition. Even my 3-year old gets into the plastic instrument action. The game has contributed to many fun nights that’ve helped bring our family closer together. Plus, it’s the only time people will put up with my rock star antics.

GPS

It doesn’t matter who makes ‘em, but I love me some GPS devices. Well, except for BMW’s IDrive and their GPS system (talk about PITA). If it weren’t for GPS technology, I’d still be killing trees printing out all those driving directions from online sites like Google Maps, and probably killing a few pedestrians as well.

APPLE COMPUTERS

I use an Apple Mac Pro at the office, and an Apple MacBook laptop at home and on the road. I love OS X and its ease of use, and the actual look of the machines isn’t too shabby either. On a subjective note, OS X makes my life much easier in terms of website development as well.

APERION AUDIO HOME THEATER SPEAKERS

My audio configuration at home uses Aperion Audio speakers in a 5.1 surround setup, including a mix of the 4 and 5 series. They are really great speakers at an affordable price, and they make online gaming sessions that much more rockin!

DJANGO PROJECT

Not a gadget, but rather a Python Web Framework for developing websites. Django has been getting a lot of buzz in the Python world. Granted, it really has no meaning to the average person, but to the Python geeks of the world, it’s a rallying cry.

jQUERY

jQuery is a JavaScript library that makes developing in JavaScript so much easier. There are a lot of plug-ins for it, it’s well-maintained, and – most importantly – it has a great community supporting it. Can you tell I’m a bit of a computer geek?

Scott Steinberg, Editorial Director

APPLE iPHONE 3G

Call me shallow if you will, but I’m a sucker for good looks – and outstanding photo capabilities, an interface so intuitive even my Mom can use it, kick-butt gaming options and a stunning array of downloadable applications. With a new daughter, it’s also the perfect place to show off pictures of the little nipper, and easiest way to call up Baby Einstein videos while wandering the mall. Plus, it lets me talk about pulling people’s fingers on CNN – a major plus, according to my dirty joke-loving in-laws.

XBOX 360

While the Wii gets a dizzying array of press, and is the system of choice every time we have friends with kids over, as a diehard game player, this is flat out the best option money can currently buy. Critics may sweat the lack of Blu-ray capabilities (smart call backing HD DVD, Ballmer!), but even they can’t front on its incredible selection of hardcore and casual games for all interests, ages and genders. Plus, Xbox Live is unparalleled as an online multiplayer and digital content delivery system. Forget Gears of War 2 and Left 4 Dead. Falling gas prices or no, what’s not to love about sucking down Age of Booty or Castle Crashers from the comfort of your couch? Xbox 360 review.

HP BLACKBIRD 002

PC gaming may be on the decline temporarily, or so “they” say. (Even if most of us can never figure out precisely who these angry bogeymen that seem to fan nightly newscasters’ penchant for melodramatics actually are…) But if you can afford one of these puppies, you’ll quickly see why some of us still favor the old mouse/keyboard combo. Granted, I might not be able to convince my wife it’s worth putting one under the tree this year just to experience Crysis Warhead or Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway in retina-searing max resolution. Still, a girl can dream, right? HP Blackbird review.

SKYPE

While Nick digs the service’s nil-/low-cost calling options, I’m addicted to its videoconferencing features, which let out of town relatives on both sides of the family spend quality time with their new niece/cousin/granddaughter. No joke: The squeals of glee you get from 80 year-olds who’ve just spotted those baby blues (and, quite possibly, one suspects, may have nothing but Dallas re-runs to live for) are worth every minute. Yeah, I had to pony up $30 for a webcam to enjoy these options. The pleasure that comes from proudly showing off little mini-me, however? Screw stocks and CDs: That’s what I call serious return on investment.

CALLER ID

Sometimes, the simplest innovations are the best. Sad, but true: If the phone rings one more time during dinner courtesy of another politician “thanking me for my vote” or New Delhi inquiring if I’m interested in an extended warranty, I’m going to dig up Alexander Graham Bell’s grave and make him start screening my messages. In the meantime, while my trusty old cordless can’t help me spot every gout of verbal spam, at least it helps us avoid some, and gives me an occasional challenge to ponder. Hmm, 1-888-PRI-VATE – must be someone important, right?