2008 Gadget Recap

I am not a big gadget lover. At least that is what I used to think of myself. But my friends think otherwise. Sometimes I even get few calls from friend's friends who want me to give a piece of advice on how a particular camcorder model works. While admitting I never bought a camcorder in my life till recently, I still do lot of research skimming through 100s of forum posts, reviews, blogs and suggest few best picks for them to choose. May be I am more curious of the specs of a piece of hardware than using that in real life. Coming to this post, I want to list the gear I purchased this year 2008 to see if I qualify to become one.

Lenovo S10 Netbook - This I should say I did not buy for myself. But I gifted this to my mummy. She wanted a light weight notebook and nothing seemed better than this. With 1 GB RAM, 1.6 GHz processor, I found it really sufficient for my everyday usage.

Canon HG-20 Like I said earlier, I do not have a camcorder (I dont want to consider my Casio Exilim which shoots some average video). My wife insisted that I should buy one. I found this Canon model has the best price-feature-convenience ratio amongst the consumer HD models. And it did not disappoint me. My only complaint about this model is video editing. All the three laptops I own cannot even open a 5 minute video shot at 24 MBPS - thanks to AVCHD.

iphone 3G I already blogged about this purchase. It is one product I found very useful, be it twitterrifc or Amazon or my banking app, working on iphone is a breeze. With it's superb Exchange ActiveSync, I could access all my work and personal email in one standard interface.

I also bought a new rucksack KATA DR-467 that will help me carry my SLR along with my laptop whereever I go. While I find my iphone 3G good for cool casual pictures, nothing like a Digital SLR with it's large lens and larger sensor. This Kata was available for 59$ instead of regular 79$ and free 2 day shipping by air. I could not resist the deal. It is superb quality bag and built like a tank. Interestingly, Kata has some roots in the same lab/group that developed millitary gear for special units.

This year is much better than last year where I went to but a HDMI cable and came home with a laptop and DVD player or 2004 when I went to Tampa Bay Downs, saw a Nikon D70S from my photographer friend Whillemina and ended up ordering myself. And dont even get started on my Panasonic HDTV 26" purchase in 2005, the same amount if I pay now, I will get a 42". (Is Moore's law applicable for HDTVs..I think so).

Coming into 2009, I do have some purchases planned. I want to upgrade my TV to a 50" HDTV. I also wish to get a home theater. May be Santa will listen to this.

My iphone 3g story

I went to window shopping iPhone and ended up buying one. First I used it for 10 minutes. I felt it very userfriendly compared to my T-Mobile Dash. It's internet browsing experience on wi-fi is second to none. 3-g speed on AT&T is OK. YouTube videos are great. I also found App Store with 100s of free apps very cool. When I called T-Mobile to check if my wife's contract is over, they told that even I am outside contract. Amusing..Then I found that that day is the last day of the current billing cycle. I would call it divine intervention (LOL). I went into store again and encountered a smart orange tshirt clad, what Apple calls 'genius'. He seemed to know all about Apple products and very less about ATT plans which Apple mandates to sell. I bought the iphone and the whole process of credit checking, number porting, and credit card swipe is all done in less than 10 minutes. It was thoroughly professional. No waste of time anywhere. The Geniuses in apple store carry a handy POS terminal  connected over wi-fi with them and come to the customers. Not like in other stores.  Then the genius asked me if I am interested in Apple Care Protection plan (70$) and other accessories like phone case, protection skin(30$ and above) etc which I denied. Then he brought the iphone from inside. The funny thing is the way he held the iphone. I wish I handled my new born son so carefully. With the light in the eyes he gave it to me and encouraged me to ---guess - access internet. Yes, not to make a call. That is where the core strength of iphone lies it seems. I made a call and I found there is a strange echo. I did not like it much. Went to ATT store in the same mall and added my wife to my iphone family plan. This process is also seamless. I played it since last 3 weeks, also used it at NYC, JFK, Subway station, Penn Station etc...I found that the reception is excellent compared to my T-mobile. Though I pay 20$ per month more than what I pay T-mobile, I think it is worth every $.

Coming to features, I will cover push email, web browsing, internet access, ipod, iTunes, you Tube and App Store

Onething I liked in Windows Mobile 6 which I miss in iphone is Exchange GAL.  Usually I do need to get some of my colleagues contact details while I am on the road. Windows Mobile Exchange access used to fetch me addresses from Company Address book. With iphone I get at most my Exchange contacts. It is certainly limiting. Calendar sync is also not as elegant as in WM6.

Web browsing is a treat. I get 3G almost every place I go in Tampa and New York and browsing is fast.  If I check in any hotel, I see wifi. So I am connected. It is a wonderful device in that aspect.

Only thing I miss is tethering iphone to use its 3G with my laptop. ATT seems to be blocking this which is a shame. We already pay for the internet..what if we use that in emergency to check email?

ipod is decent. Not a replacement for your 30GB gadget. But a wonderful alternative. if you organize your music into playlists and shuffle them often with latest ones, I think you can always carry fresh music as well as your favoirites.  It is much better than WM 6's handicapped Windows Media Player Mobile. If only Apple gives a way to insert a MicroSD card, no need to buy an ipod. But Apple knows that and hence they prevent that. Also they may be thinking in cloud terms and keep content away rather than in the device.

iTunes is good. I think I like this version than the big monolith in the laptop for its ease of use and singular nature.

You Tube is a killer app. Wonderful clarity and excellent streaming speed on both 3G and Wifi. 

App Store is another killer app. What a brilliant design? UI is clean, buying an app is a cake walk. Download of app and visual progress bar on the app being downloaded and installed is a testimony of Apple's UI poweress.

I downloaded Twitterrific, CheckPlease, Facebook, Linkedin, Wordpress, Googlr, Wikipanion, Currency, Units, IMPlus and Pandora. All the applications are well designed. 

My complaint - 2 weeks of usage..and none major. Perhaps security because when the users type password, each letter briefly highlights in magnified mode. I always felt that someone is watching my iphone and can read my entire password within few feet away in the line of sight. Creepy...

Otherwise...it is a good gadget...I am a happy iphone user.

Home Theater Setup

I am planning to buy a Home Theater System with these components. I will buy it next year. But these are my plans as of now

1) AV Receiver - I found that Onkyo TX-SR605 gives more bang-for-the-buck. It has good audio and video processing power including much desired HD processing.

• Product - http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo-TX-SR605-7-1-Channel-Home-Theater-Receiver-Black-TX-SR605/sem/rpsm/oid/181406/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
• CNET Review http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/onkyo-tx-sr605-black/4505-6466_7-32430579.html?tag=pdtl-list

2) Surround Speakers Set

• Product http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8206201&productCategoryId=pcmcat96200050047&type=product&tab=3&id=1177718655876#productdetail
• Review I listened to this speakers powered by a Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH. Sound was remarkable. Almost life like. I will do more research and update this.
  

3) Blue-Ray/ HD-DVD Combo Player - I am not sure which one will win the format war. At this point of time, HD-DVD may win. But at the end, I wont be surprised if it is going to be a stand off with hybrid HD players catching up fast. I hate these format wars though. So, will defer the decision until Fall 2009.

4) HDTV - I have not decided on the brand. But I will pick whatever best 50" TV is available in Fall 2008. Until then, I will enjoy my 26" Panasonic HDTV

I am not a great audiophile and cannot differentiate much between a $100 set and $2000 set by listening to a CD. But at the end of the day, I want value for what I invest. I believe that quality AV Receiver will last at least for 10 years (speakers even more). Did I use the word invest? I think I am talking like a sales man. Once I buy and bring it home, it never appreciates in $ value...So, I dont think it is an investment. So, let us use the word indulgence.