Skip to main content

New Year’s resolutions for the fanboy, gadget addict and troll in all of us

NYE Resolutions for geeksLosing weight, quitting smoking and getting out of debt all make fine intentions, but that tired old list we trot every year could use some updates. If you’re anything like the rest of us who spend hours glued to smartphones, grooming our Twitter feeds and getting into virtual shouting matches on Reddit, you could probably use a few tech resolutions for 2013. Fortunately, I have a few suggestions.

Stop being such a fanboy

Based on my needs and wants, I have chosen to use Apple products. You, on the other hand, might have chosen Android. Believe it or not, that doesn’t make either one of us mentally deficient. As fragmented as our corporate technology space is, our personal technology space can and does coexist. The legal battles between our two sides are not games of Fantasy Litigation, and the outcomes of which really will not affect us. Our phones and tablets can accomplish 99.9 percent of the same tasks. I’ll even concede that I wish my wife could beam me dirty videos just by touching our phones together. Heck, I just wish she’d make dirty videos.

Hold companies responsible

I’ve written quite a bit in recent weeks about Apple’s manufacturing processes. Even though I wave an Apple flag, I think it’s important to hold the company accountable for working conditions that most people would find unacceptable in the 21st century. To its credit, Apple has been taking steps to rectify the situation abroad and will even begin making more hardware in the US next year. Let’s resolve give all companies the same fierce scrutiny in 2013.

Stop buying lame products

If any company makes a substandard product that does not advance the cause of technology innovation, we should resolve not to buy based on brand allegiance and fear of trying something new. The only way to spur the innovation that we all desire in the technology space is to reward the companies that innovate and punish the ones that seem to be standing pat. People have consistently remarked this year that it is simply a boring time, particularly in the mobile phone market. There’s only one way to solve that issue: Stop making it profitable for companies to sit still.

Give BlackBerry 10 a shot

The world seems to have passed BlackBerry by. Its stock is crumbling along with its once-tight grip on the mobile market. The BlackBerry 10 operating system, due next year, is a Hail Mary pass. We owe it to one of the mobile space’s greatest pioneers – and ourselves – to treat this new offering with an open mind. There might be room in the market for another ecosystem. However, per the previous resolution, if BB10 sucks we should also vociferously start pounding nails in BlackBerry’s coffin.

Remain firm in the cause of net neutrality

The Internet, in the form of common users, declared independence in 2012. We stood up to the media-sponsored government takeovers like SOPA and PIPA and voiced our objection to the UN ITU treaty. It’s foolish to think that special interests will not continue to try and claim one of our greatest international assets for their own personal gain. They have a lot of money (and politicians) in their pockets, but this year showed that when it comes to the Internet, the common person still has a voice. Stay strong in 2013.

Finally, stop retweeting and start real-tweeting

If you unplug occasionally and go out to experience this beautiful (until the icebergs melt and we’re all swimming) world, you’ll have more original experiences to share on your networks, rather than just forwarding the latest Facebook privacy hoax or some lame meme. Instead, you can realtweet (yes, I’m coining that term). Then, if you’re lucky, people not nearly as smart as you will retweet cool things you actually got to do in real life. Seriously, if you have to take a tech-free day, do it. If you have to play the phone stacking game during dinner, do it. If we become slaves to our machines, there is no John Connor or Neo coming to save us.

Editors' Recommendations

Scott Sterling
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Scott Sterling is a former middle school English teacher, current freelance writer, and stay-at-home dad. He was coding HTML…
Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra vs. Roborock S8 Pro Ultra: Which is the best robot vacuum?
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra placed in its dock.

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra share a lot of similarities -- the least of which is their brand name. Along with the capacity to vacuum and mop in a single cleaning cycle, the two robots can automatically empty their dustbins and clean their dirty mops once the cycle is complete. That alone makes them two of the best robot vacuums on the market.

But while there are plenty of similarities between the S8 MaxV Ultra and S8 Pro Ultra, there are a few key differences that could make one better for your home than the other. From pricing and vacuuming power to navigational skills and more, here's a comprehensive look at the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra.
Pricing and availability

Read more
How to fix a Ring doorbell that won’t chime
Person installing Ring video doorbell

While Ring does make some of the best video doorbells, they aren't immune to issues with their chime. This issue is, after all, at the top of the list when it comes to video doorbell problems. But, if your Ring won't ring what should you do? We break down the procedure to get your Ring video doorbell back in action, with a step-by-step approach to troubleshooting this issue.

Read more
Ring sale: Up to 44% off video doorbells and security cameras
The Ring Video Doorbell 3 installed near a door.

Buying a video doorbell or a security camera are among the easiest ways of improving your home's security, and Ring is one of the most trusted names if you're planning to get either or both of these devices. If you're interested, there's an ongoing Ring sale on Amazon so that you wouldn't have to pay full price. The available Ring deals include standalone security gadgets and bundles, and you can get as much as 44% off their sticker prices, but only if you hurry because there's no telling how much time is remaining on these offers.

What to buy in Amazon's Ring sale
Ring is a mainstay in our lists of the best video doorbells and best home security cameras because of the helpful features that they'll provide, including 24/7 live streaming through the Ring app, two-way audio to talk to visitors outside your front door or family members inside, customizable mobile alerts, and compatibility with smart home devices that are powered by Amazon's Alexa, among many others.

Read more