TechPulse 360

Unlike most, trying to be smart – or dumb – about predicting next year’s trends, I wanted to reflect back on the most useful high-tech hardware in my life this year.

1. First and foremost is my laptop. In this case, it’s an old Apple Macbook (2 GHz Intel Core Duo, 2 GB Ram) that I upgraded with a 500 GB hard disk drive from Western Digital. It still works fine for editing videos, photos and stories. There was a crack on the Mac’s case (next to the screen) and the Mac repair shop changed it (it was a known defect) and installed a brand new keyboard… all for free (I think it’s still under warranty)!
2. A Logitech Performance MX mouse that works virtually everywhere, even on glass, thanks to its Darkfield technology. The only downside with this mouse was that they is no trap inside it to store the tiny wireless receiver when I need to free up one of the USB port. I’m always afraid to loose it as it’s so minuscule. Also I must always remember to bring the USB cable that ships with the mouse as it’s needed to recharge it;
3. Livescribe‘s Pulse Smartpen was a lifesaver for me. It records everything I write and synch it with the audio recording. I never miss a word, during an interview or even a long-form presentation. Even more critical for me, I’m able to go back to a particular speech/interview by just tapping on my notes associated to it. It makes my reporting so much more accurate and faster. I couldn’t do without it anymore.
4. iPod nano, 5th generation with the audio and video recording. I use it to record short interviews, instead of using the bigger video camcorder; as well as audio conversations/presentations when I don’t have my Smartpen handy. I wish the nano had an external microphone jack like the Kodak Zi8 Pocket Video camera which might replace in 2010, both the iPod nano and my hard disk based camcorder. I would have to check the battery life though;
5. Google G1 smartphone. If you heard me complaining about my phone, you might be surprised to see it mentioned here. But despite its dismal keyboard, which I somehow got used to!, the G1 got even more useful when Google released its Navigation app. With Google Map Navigation I don’t need a seperate GPS system anymore. The G1 is now my one stop shop for voice, watch/alarm, email, Web browsing, calendar, twitter, occasional photo/video recording and lately, navigation. I’m not using much of the Facebook app yet but that might change next year;
6. Last but not least, the Roku Netflix player was the most important device in my home entertainment centre, just after the plasma TV but way more than the DVD/VHS player or the intermittently connected Mac mini. Hopefully, Roku will open its media player up (as well as the USB port) so it can play content off a USB key/drive and from more Internet video sources like Hulu. One can dream!

Voila, that’s it for me. Have a wonderful holiday and see you next year!