2008: A Year That Happened In Ultimate Gadgetry.

Saturday, January 3, 2009 - John Greene

With the final days of last year now a dim echo, I think it’s time to look back at the last orbit around the sun in gadgetry, games, and whatever else falls under my purview and point out my picks and pans. More often than not, these are the items I spent my poker winnings on, having decided to do something sensible with my salary, but I did receive review equipment on several occasions.

Best Computer
I’ve discussed my very pleasurable experience with the MSI Wind, but I’m going to have to give the netbook props to Samsung’s NC10, which arrived under my Christmas tree and has since completely stolen my heart. With more ports, a bigger hard drive, and the ability to effectively run the UB software on its pre-installed Windows XP operating system, this tiny titan has me utterly smitten.
The battery life is more than healthy; I’ve been running six hours between charges with no problems at all, even while using a USB mouse. The larger keyboard is also another notch in its favor, as I have mammoth bear paws that can barely hit the right key on a regular keyboard.

Best Phone
It has been and may always be my beloved Blackberry Curve. I’m on my second one (the first was lost to a tragic accident involving my nephew at an aquarium) and it does everything I need. Maybe one day I’ll be sold on the iPhone like everyone else, but its high price tag and AT+T only service (unless you want to break your warranty and all that junk) mean I’m staying a little behind the curve, but comfortable for now.

Worst Phone
Just to prove I’m not in the pocket of Research In Motion, I’ll link to my review of the Blackberry Storm, an item I’ve actually called “a goddamn abortion” to other gadget fans over drinks. I’m actually close to calling it the worst gadget of the decade - that’s how bad it was.

Best Use of XBox Live
If you’ve knocked a zombie off your friend’s back just before blowing its head off with a shotgun, then you’ve not had been playing the best multiplayer experience ever. While I love the GTA free-for-alls we have (they’re conference calls punctuated with explosions), Left 4 Dead has some of the tightest gameplay I’ve experienced, with the team being more important than any other game has ever made it before. I’m always Zoey, but that may be because I have extra fingers on my right hand.

Worst Use of XBox Live
Every idiot teenager, ever. Seriously, if I suspected I was half as homophobic and a third as racist as these kids at that age, I’d go back in a time machine and beat myself to death with a crowbar, Jason Todd style. There’s a reason I don’t play in any ranked games; if I wanted to consort with foul-mouthed miscreants when I was trying to relax, I’d stick to the UltimateBet tables. (That’s a joke, but Annie makes some good points.)

Best Moment Where It All Came Together
My mom and dad actively smack-talking each other while playing Wii Sports. I got the system for them on a whim and they’re now setting up a league with the other retirees in their Florida subdivision.