Carl Tyler's Blog :: What's the best gadget you got in 2009?

Category Cool Gadgets
Someone was asking the other day what was the best gadget of 2009. For me it had to be my Keurig brewing system I got early this year. I use this for making single cups of tea, and coffee when people visit. Interestingly enough the iPhone didn't pop into my head. This wasn't a new gadget to the market in 2009, it was just a new gadget for me.

The Windows Home Server became a machine that I'd find hard not to have now. It's running uTorrent with the web UI, Domino 8.5.1 Server that replicates regularly to backup key database, it takes daily backups of my desktop machines, and it's my main media server for the PlayStation 3. Earlier this year I started my experiment of not having cable for TV, and I haven't missed it a bit, and I really don't miss the $100 plus bill. It really is amazing how much stuff I can now watch on the PS3 with Netflix and HULU, and with the antenna on the roof. The great thing about HULU, it even has less commercials than the regular TV broadcast version. I still don't think watching TV on the computer is the way things will go, but I think one day no TV will ship without a built in media player capable of streaming content from the web.

What new gadget in 2009 did you get that you love?

Comments

1 - I bought a Keurig in 2008. And I'm still loving it! The choice of coffees and teas has definitely increased since my initial purchase. Now if it could only dispense ice cold Diet Coke it would be the perfect caffeine machine!

Posted by marie scott At 01:40:19 PM On 11/13/2009 | - Website - |

2 - My wife just bought me a new car stereo that not only has a direct hookup for an iPod, but also has a USB port and an SD/MMC slot. It only cost about $100 but is precisely what I've been wanting for years... I fed it an 8GB microSD card (inside an SD adapter) with about 150 albums on it, so I haven't even bothered with the iPod or USB options yet (though I've tried both and each seems to work well).

Oh, and it also has Bluetooth, so if someone calls me while I'm driving, I just push in the volume knob and it answers the call. Causes a wicked drain on my Blackberry's battery, but the cigarette lighter to AC adapter takes care of that... Emoticon

Posted by Tim Tripcony At 01:55:55 PM On 11/13/2009 | - Website - |

3 - It's a toss-up between...

Callpod Fueltank (for outlet-free cellphone charging);

Briggs & Riley laptop bag (KR306X-4) with the amazing organization design and interlocking handle system for attaching to roller bags--huge time saver while making air and rail travel a breeze.

I get that a laptop bag is not necessarily a gadget, but it holds gadgets. :) Overall, both make my life on the road a lot better.

Posted by Bill Malchisky At 01:57:57 PM On 11/13/2009 | - Website - |

4 - This is going to sound completely wacked, but the best gadget for me has to be the midline IV infusion set up.

Without it, my wife would have been in the hospital for 2.5 months.

It wasn't pleasant as it was, but at least she was home with us - and is (almost) all better now.

8-) 8-) 8-)

Posted by Craig Wiseman At 03:47:09 PM On 11/13/2009 | - Website - |

5 - @4 I don't know Craig, that sounds a lot more impressive and useful than my Keurig.

Posted by Carl Tyler At 03:48:58 PM On 11/13/2009 | - Website - |

6 - Although now that I'm thinking about it, maybe I should combine the midline IV set up AND the Keurig brewing system........

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Posted by Craig Wiseman At 04:22:30 PM On 11/13/2009 | - Website - |

7 - a WDTV Live! Very configurable/extendable/hackable.. and CHEAP. Emoticon

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Posted by Steve Reno At 04:56:11 PM On 11/13/2009 | - Website - |

8 - My iRobot Roomba 560. That thing is going to take over the world someday. And I can't live without it!!

Posted by Jessica Stratton At 08:41:15 PM On 11/13/2009 | - Website - |

9 - It has to be between my blackberry bold with 3g and my samsung netbook - I am sad and as I don't have a life I like to have have my work tools near by.

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